TRAVEL DESCRIPTION

Duration                                            11-days

Type                                                   Roundtrip with minibus and/or 3X4 with English / German                                             / Scandinavian and German speaking Miksture                                                                Tour Leaders  

Price                                                   From 2.395 USD pr. person in shared DBL                                                                        room 

Sngl room                                          400 USD           

Deposit                                              400 USD pr. person

Visa                                                     Depending on country of origin. Information                                                                   when booking the tour

Vaccination                                        Yes, against COVID-19 (If no vaccination PCR-                                                                 test might be needed)

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ORNITOLOGICAL JOURNEY TO SAUDI ARABIA WITH MIKSTURE; Dream species - desert species, a single endemic species and a number of near-endemics…

 

The journey is thoroughly prepared, of course - and there may be minor adjustments along the way - to increase the ornithological experience. Many of the areas are not known and previously visited, so lots of exciting birds can be expected. It must be emphasized that accommodation, food, transport, etc. are well organized - in a way that meets maximum ornithological benefits. 

 

Saudi Arabia, officially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia borders Jordan to the northwest, Iraq to the north, Kuwait to the northeast, Qatar, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates to the east, Oman to the southeast and Yemen to the south. The country is adjacent to the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea and is the only country that has shores towards both of these Seas. Saudi Arabia, has not been on the ornithologists' travel cards for so long, and has only recently opened up to foreign tourists. In continuation of our very successful trips in the centralasiatsiek desert lands; Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, as well as Morocco - we go in search of all the specialties that make our trips successful.

 

Species previously only thought to be available in Yemen are all found here along with Saudi Arabia's only endemic species, the endangered Asir Magpie.

 

Key-birds (170-220 species): Helmeted Guineafowl, Arabian Partridge, Philby's Partridge, Dusky Turtle-Dove, African Collared-Dove, Namaqua Dove, Bruce's Green-Pigeon, White-browed Coucal, Nubian Nightjar, Montane Nightjar, African Palm Swift, Spur-winged Lapwing, Lesser (Tibetan) Sand-Plover ssp pamirensis, Crab Plover, Terek Sandpiper, Black-winged Pratincole, White-eyed Gull, Sooty Gull, Saunders's Tern, Lesser Crested Tern, Abdim's Stork, African Openbill, Pink-backed Pelican, Western Reef-Heron, Imperial Eagle, Pallid Harrier, Levant Sparrowhawk, Arabian Scops-Owl, Arabian Eagle-Owl, African Grey Hornbill, White-throated Bee-eater, Arabian Green Bee-eater, Abyssinian Roller, Arabian Woodpecker, African Paradise-flycatcher, Red-tailed Shrike, Isabelline Shrike, Great Grey Shrike ssp pallidirostris, Masked Shrike, Asir Magpie, Fan-tailed Raven, Greater Hoopoe-Lark, Thick-billed Lark, Bar-tailed Lark, Black-crowned Sparrow-Lark, Rufous-capped Lark, Greater Short-toed Lark, Arabian Lark, Temminck’s Lark, Graceful Prinia, Upcher's Warbler, Clamorous Reed Warbler, Pale Crag-Martin, White-spectacled Bulbul, Brown Woodland-Warbler, Scrub Warbler, Yemen Warbler, Arabian Warbler, Rüppell's Warbler, Abyssinian White-eye, Arabian Babbler, Violet-backed Starling, Tristram's Starling, Hypocolius, Yemen Thrush, Black Scrub-robin, Rufous-tailed Scrub-robin, Little Rock-thrush, African Stonechat, Red-breasted (Buff-breasted), Wheatear, Eastern Black-eared Wheatear, Arabian Wheatear, Nile Valley Sunbird, Palestine Sunbird, Arabian Sunbird, Rüppell's Weaver, African Silverbill, Arabian Waxbill, Long-billed Pipit, Arabian (Olive-rumped) Serin, Yemen Serin, Yemen Linnet, Cinnamon-breasted Bunting and several southern European and Central Asian species. 

 

On this trip we will visit the areas around the capital Ryiadh in the northern part of the country. Here we find a lot of desert specialties. Then we travel south to very varied nature with lush Dhofar mountains, desert, lagoons and lakes along the Red Sea coast.

 

The bird life in this part of Saudi Arabia is really exciting. On the one hand, there are the local species such as bulbuls, sunbirds, paradise flycatchers, starlings and others. Many migratory birds from both Europe and Asia also pass through Saudi Arabia: waders, Passerinas and birds of prey. Other species such as Abdim's stork are an African breeding bird that migrates north to Oman. So we can expect a wonderful mix of European, Asian, Middle Eastern and African species

 

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is home to a rich heritage and ancient customs. Seen as a symbol of hospitality, food plays a very important role in traditional Saudi Arabian culture. Generosity, warmth and a sense of sharing are the hallmarks of this country's heritage, and this can be seen reflected in the food they eat: Majboos / Kabsa - Meat and vegetable dishes with rice, Gursan, Jalamah, Dajaj Mashwi, Arabian Grilled Chicken, Manti, Sambousek - Saudi Arabian Samosa, etc

 

Habitats Covered

Deserts, mountains, wetlands, coastal marshes, lakes, agricultural landscapes and semi-desert 

 

Expected Climate

Generally cool to warm in the highlands but hot in the coastal plain and around Riyadh. It will mostly be dry and sunny but overcast weather and even rain are possible in the southwest.

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Accommodation & Road Transport

The hotels used are of good quality. Road transport will be by minibus (passenger van) or 4x4. Roads are generally good.

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Important Note! 

Women visitors must wear a headscarf and, of course, dress modestly as perceived by the locals. No alcohol is allowed.

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Bird Photography

Excellent! 

 

Tour Pace & Walking

Relaxed, easy and occasionally moderate.

 

Ease of Birding

Easy to moderate 

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Other Attractions

Spectacular scenery, interesting mammals and other wildlife, Arabian culture and cuisine 

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Group Size Limit

8 - 10 with one or two Miksture leaders

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