Desert & Dunes · Al Qassim
Nufud az Zarrani
نفود الزراني
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Before you go
8 facts, each with its source- Time needed Half a day, or overnight Source: editor · category default
- Best season November–February Source: editor · category default
- Difficulty Moderate — soft sand and heat rather than terrain Source: editor · category default
- Family friendly Yes in the cooler months; heat is the risk, not the sand Source: editor · category default
- Facilities Nothing mapped nearby — bring water, expect no toilets Source: osm · no facility mapped within 800 m
- Drones Registration with GACA is required for any drone from 250 g, and registration alone is not permission to fly — an operational permit is also needed Source: official · national rule · General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) · checked 2026-09-05
- Dress Saudi Arabia expects modest dress in public: loose clothing covering shoulders and knees. Abaya is no longer required of visitors. Loose long sleeves, closed shoes, head cover. It turns cold after dark. Source: editor · category default
- Elevation 700 m Source: srtm · NASA SRTM 30 m model
Not confirmed for this place: 4x4 needed · Entry fee · Opening hours · Wheelchair. Know one of these? Tell us →
Safety notes
- The Empty Quarter is not a self-drive destination. Go with a licensed operator, in a convoy, with satellite communication and enough water and fuel for a much longer trip than planned.
- Elsewhere in the interior, distances between fuel stations are long enough to plan around, and mobile coverage stops well before the road does.
- Dune driving is a skill and a two-vehicle activity. A rental saloon on soft sand is a recovery call, not a drive.
Editor notes, reviewed 2026-09-04
How far is it?
- 4 h 10 mfrom Riyadh — King Khalid International (RUH) · 388 km
- 1 h 7 mfrom Buraydah · 55 km
- 3 h 39 mfrom Hail · 328 km
Road distance and driving time from OpenStreetMap routing, without traffic. Mountain tracks are often slower than the router thinks.
When to go
November–February- J
- F
- M
- A
- M
- J
- J
- A
- S
- O
- N
- D
ComfortableToo hot
The deep desert is a short-winter destination and nothing else; the Empty Quarter in particular is a guided, self-sufficient trip in the coldest months.
Source: editor · category default · 2026-09-04. Category default set by the editor — a verified per-place season replaces it.
dune in Saudi Arabia
Short description from Wikidata (CC0) · Q32143826
About & Sources Nufud az Zarrani
Nufud az Zarrani is a desert landscape in Al Qassim, Saudi Arabia — Wikidata describes it as "dune in Saudi Arabia". Entry fee, opening hours and vehicle requirements have not yet been verified for this page — the fact box says so plainly rather than guessing, so check locally before you go. For this kind of place the comfortable season is typically November–February. Nearby: Zibarat al Himar, Zibarat as Samra' and Al Hajeb Parks.
At a glance
- Desert & Dunes · Al Qassim
- dune in Saudi Arabia
- Season: November–February (editor default)
- 2 open-data sources · verified not yet
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Nufud az Zarrani?
Typically November–February for desert & dunes. The deep desert is a short-winter destination and nothing else; the Empty Quarter in particular is a guided, self-sufficient trip in the coldest months.
How long do I need at Nufud az Zarrani?
Half a day, or overnight (guidance for this category).
What facilities are there at Nufud az Zarrani?
Nothing mapped nearby — bring water, expect no toilets (source: osm).
How high is Nufud az Zarrani?
About 700 m above sea level (source: srtm).
Where is Nufud az Zarrani?
In Al Qassim (SA-05), Saudi Arabia, at 25.9250, 43.8981 — near Zibarat al Himar, Zibarat as Samra' and Al Hajeb Parks.
Who can take you there
All operators →Licensed local operators who run trips of this kind in this region. Contact them directly — we take no commission on an enquiry.
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Nearby places
More in Al Qassim →
Information is compiled from open data and editor checks; conditions, fees and access change — verify locally before you travel.