Covering 24,500 KM2, the Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Royal Reserve is located south of Neom in northwestern Saudi Arabia. It covers 1% of Saudi Arabia’s terrestrial area and 1.8% of its marine area, it is home to over 50% of the Kingdom’s marine and terrestrial species.
Established in 2018 as one of six new royal reserves, the Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Royal Reserve is one of the most ambitious rewilding initiatives in the Middle East, reintroducing endangered species and restoring 24,500 km² of across 15 distinct ecosystems – from the Hijaz mountains to Red Sea Global’s AMAALA tourism initiative and four sites listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List.
The Board of Directors of the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve Development Authority, recently announced the Reserve’s Integrated Development Management Plan which includes a wildlife reintroduction program focusing on 23 species historically native to the area, 16 of which are currently extinct within the Reserve. The program also targets species listed as critically endangered such as the Arabian oryx, Arabian leopard, and cheetah. To support these reintroduction efforts, a comprehensive habitat restoration project is also underway, aimed at protecting and conserving the Reserve’s over 400 native plant species.
According to Travel and Tour World, the reserve is:
“Strategically positioned to link major projects like NEOM, AMAALA, Red Sea Global, and AlUla, the Reserve spans diverse ecosystems. Through collaborations with numerous specialized local and global organizations, the plan is to establish a 70,000 km² environmental corridor by 2025, where wildlife can move freely. This corridor is set to play a pivotal role in regional environmental restoration efforts, enhance ecotourism, and provide balanced opportunities for the local communities, including the creation of approximately 5,400 jobs.”
Andrew Zaloumis, CEO of the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve Development Authority, noted that the Reserve has, “reintroduced animal species, discovered several species new to science, and trained and deployed an effective ranger team of 150 local men and women who play a pivotal role in our mission… we are pioneering new techniques and technologies to complement tried and tested management and conservation practices… we look forward to sharing the results of our work with the wider conservation and scientific community.”
Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve is one of eight Royal Reserves which include Imam Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Royal Reserve, Imam Saud bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve, Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve, King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve, King Salman Royal Reserve, King Khalid Royal Reserve, and Imam Faisal bin Turki Royal Reserve.
Ultimately, the Reserve is poised to become a premier destination for tourists, offering a unique blend of terrestrial and marine experiences while prioritizing the protection of its ecosystems and biodiversity.
