Al Reem Biosphere Reserve

Al Reem covers some 120,000 hectares of northwestern Qatar, about a tenth of the country's land, 65 kilometres from Doha; it was set up in 2005 and designated a UNESCO biosphere reserve in 2007, taking in gravel desert, the shallow depressions called rawdat where acacia and ghaf trees grow, limestone outcrops and a stretch of coast. Reem is the Arabian sand gazelle, and the reserve is named for it. Oryx, gazelle and desert birds live in the reserve alongside grazing and farming. It is Qatar's only UNESCO biosphere reserve and covers well over a thousand square kilometres.

Background

Al Reem Biosphere Reserve covers 120,000 hectares of semi-arid desert in northwest Qatar, about 65 kilometres northwest of Doha, and makes up roughly 10% of the country's land. It was set up in 2005, recognised by UNESCO in 2007, and is one of 24 biosphere reserves in the Middle East. People live within it, and its landscapes are home to gazelles and the Arabian oryx among other wildlife; thanks to its dense vegetation it matters a great deal to the people of Qatar.

Source: Wikipedia, "Al Reem Biosphere Reserve"

The landscape

• The rawdat - shallow depressions where trees and grass grow in the desert.
• The gazelle - the Arabian sand gazelle the reserve is named for.
• The gravel desert - the flat stony plain across most of the area.
• The 2007 designation - the UNESCO biosphere listing.

When to go

November to March is the comfortable season. The rawdat green up after winter rain. Summer heat makes the desert unusable.

Practical notes

There is no visitor centre and no marked route, so the reserve is difficult to experience without local knowledge. Wildlife sightings are unlikely. Four wheel drive and navigation are needed for the tracks.

Nearby

Al Zubarah is north, and Doha is southeast.

Key facts