Sabah Al Ahmad Natural Reserve

The largest reserve in Kuwait

Introduction

Location  Coordinates at the gate N 29 31.489, E 047 49.064

Size: 331 Km² (both sections).

In 1988, it was officially designated as a national park. Following the Gulf War, it was cleared of mines, re-fenced, and officially reopened on March 3, 2004, as the Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve, in honor of the late Amir for his environmental conservation efforts.

Located along Subiya Road, which divides it into coastal and desert sections, the reserve is situated north of Kuwait Bay and Jahra City. The desert area features Jal Al-Zor escarpments, flat deserts, and small wadis, while the coastal section contains subkhas and rocky deserts. Vegetation in the subkhas includes tamarisk and halophyte plants.

The reserve hosts over 250 bird species. Macqueen’s Bustard used to winter here in small numbers. Recorded species include Hume’s Wheatear, Mongolian Finch, Radde’s Accentor, Crowned and Pin-tailed Sandgrouse, Asian Shikra, Dunn’s Lark, and Caspian Plover. Breeding residents include Little Owl, Pharaoh Eagle Owl, Brown-necked Raven, and nine species of larks. Wintering birds feature Eurasian Skylark, Bimaculated Lark, and Oriental Skylark. Woodchat Shrike and Yellow-throated Sparrow have bred at Tulha, where Pale Rockfinch also nests along the wadis.

During migration, Tulha, within the reserve and equipped with two pools and trees, serves as a crucial stopover for migrating passerines and raptors. In the autumn heat, many eagles and buzzards descend to the pools to drink before resuming their journey.

Below are photographs from inside the reserve after good winter rain. (click on photographs to see a larger version of each photograph)

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