Climb into Soudah’s enchanting natural world

Known for its mountainous peaks flocked with dense juniper trees and a mild year-round climate, Soudah is an idyllic landscape full of geological spectacle. Soudah Waterfall (pictured), for example, is a birding hotspot with 117 species recorded, many of them attracted by the insect populations that flourish by the water, including butterflies.

The Arabian Peninsula is home to many vibrant species, but the Hadramaut agama boasts one of the most impressive hues. Commonly known as Anderson’s rock agama, this small lizard gets its nickname from its preference for rocky habitats—whether that’s a cliff face or the stone walls and crevices of people’s homes.

In wildlife restoration projects, it’s easy to focus on the bigger, more iconic species in a region. But smaller certainly doesn’t mean less important—healthy insect populations are vital to an ecosystem, serving as pollinators as well as food for bird and mammal species. 'This dragonfly, the Navy Dropwing, breeds in aquatic habitats with plenty of vegetation, a testament to the verdant oasis habitats that Soudah harbors.  

The African gray hornbill is more commonly found in sub-Saharan Africa, but it’s known to make its home in limited regions of Saudi Arabia. The hornbill’s wide distribution and success as a species are helped by its varied habitat of forest, grasslands, and savannah—plus its omnivorous diet of insects, fruits, and small reptiles.

Cast your eyes up into Soudah’s tree canopies and you’ll spot telltale signs of weaverbird presence. Species like the baya, streaked, and Rüppell’s weaver, found in the region, build their distinctive nests by “weaving” leaves together into intricate basket-like structures.

Emerald-green with golden highlights, spotting an Arabian tree frog is like finding a gem glistening in the trees. Unlike their forest-dwelling counterparts, these frogs are able to thrive in more arid regions thanks to special skin glands that let them retain moisture, allowing them to stay high in the trees for most of their lives, sheltered from predators and with a bountiful supply of food.

Caretaker Ahmad Hanash shares a close bond with the Nubian ibexes that now call Soudah’s Red Rock area of King Abdullah National Park home. Growing up caring for goats gave Ahmad not just a keen understanding of caring for ibex, but the natural world itself. Ahmad takes great pleasure in caring for his flock, having learned each animal’s distinct personality—so much so that the ibexes recognize and respond to his voice when he calls them.

In 2021, 15 Nubian ibexes were transported to Soudah after being bred by the National Center for Wildlife at the King Khalid Center for Wildlife Research in the Al-Thumamah area. One of the does, Rose, stands with her kid, one of nine births under the care of the team as the animals adapted to the climate and the herbaceous vegetation here.

Soudah’s mountainous region is now a wild kingdom, thanks largely to rewilding efforts that saw the removal of over 180 tons (163,000 kilograms) of trash, and 235 tons (213,000 kilograms) of invasive plant species. This region is protected as the King Abdullah National Park, with ongoing efforts to reintroduce and preserve endemic biodiversity.