Consisting of desert steppe and volcanic rock jebels, this vast reserve of 13,775 square kilometres was the first protected Area to be established in Saudi Arabia.It is home to the Endangered Arabian and Sand Gazelles and offers wintering and breeding grounds for the Houbara ,bustard, Cream- Coloured Courser, Dotterel,Golden Eagle,and a wide variety of other birdlife including nine species of larks.

The Arabian Wolf and Desert Sand Cat also inhabit the reserve. Reintroduction of Arabian Oryx and ostrich is planned.