Wadi Al-Disah, a Captivating Illustration of Saudi Arabian Nature

A view of Wadi al-Disah in Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
A view of Wadi al-Disah in Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
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Wadi Al-Disah, a Captivating Illustration of Saudi Arabian Nature

A view of Wadi al-Disah in Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
A view of Wadi al-Disah in Saudi Arabia. (SPA)

Winter has its splendor in Saudi Arabia, especially in the north, and even in parts of the country that are characterized by moderate weather in the summer, like the south. Many tourists and visitors flock to the country at this time of every year.

This year is no different as the Kingdom succeeded in curbing the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Winter is around you” is a Saudi marketing slogan that highlights the importance of this season for the tourism sector in Saudi Arabia. Winter becomes more than just a season when one can enjoy a road trip in the desert, mountains, coasts and valleys.

Wadi Al-Disah, one of the most visited locations in Saudi Arabia this year, is a valley that is located in the heart of the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Nature Reserve and extends into the city of Neom. Wadi Al-Disah boasts some of the most beautiful natural landscapes in the Kingdom, with its crystal-clear streams, flowing springs, lush patches of green and towering palm trees. The valley’s Nabataean facade and rock-carved tombs only add to its beauty.

Asharq Al-Awsat met several tourists who came to enjoy Saudi Arabia’s natural beauty from across the globe. Through the lens of their cameras, they documented what they saw and posted the pictures on their social media.

Nataliya, a photographer from Ukraine, said that it was the first time that she visited the valley and that she and her husband couldn’t be more impressed with what they had seen. She added: “This valley is definitely the most beautiful place we have visited in our trip.”

A Brazilian tourist said that she decided to visit Wadi Al-Disah after she saw photos of the valley on Instagram. “I loved it ... Wadi Al-Disah is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen,” she said, adding that she was captivated by its mesmerizing nature and unique landscapes.

Saudi photographer Younis Al-Dohaiman also said that he first discovered the valley while scrolling through Instagram photos of travelers who had visited it during winter.

Tourists can visit Wadi Al-Disah in winter or summer. Temperatures in the area range from 12 degrees Celsius in winter to 31 degrees during the summer, while it rains for eight months a year on average.

The Saudi Public Investment Fund intends to invest in new development projects in Wadi Al-Disah that aim to preserve the environment and wildlife of the valley, while hoping to transform it into a major touristic attraction.



Electric Fences, Drones, Dogs Protect G7 Leaders from Bear Attack

Grizzly bears are a threat at the G7 summit in Canada. JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER / AFP
Grizzly bears are a threat at the G7 summit in Canada. JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER / AFP
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Electric Fences, Drones, Dogs Protect G7 Leaders from Bear Attack

Grizzly bears are a threat at the G7 summit in Canada. JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER / AFP
Grizzly bears are a threat at the G7 summit in Canada. JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER / AFP

Electric fences, drones, thermal cameras and police dogs have all been deployed at the G7 summit in the Canadian Rockies to protect world leaders from hungry bears.

US President Donald Trump, Italy's Giorgia Meloni and France's Emmanuel Macron are among leaders gathered Monday at a remote mountain lodge for talks -- uninterrupted, if all goes to plan, by ursine attacks.

"While grizzly bears are a top concern, the team is prepared for all wildlife species," Alberta's Ministry of Public Safety spokesperson Sheena Campbell said.

Security teams have erected "fence barriers around locations where attractants (food) are present, including the use of electric bear fence enclosures."

She said fencing was a minimum eight feet (2.4 meters) high to ensure guest safety as part of a multi-pronged operation to prevent "close encounters" with wildlife.

Also being used in the anti-bear battle are thermal imaging cameras, drones from the famous Canadian "Mounties" police force and specially trained K-9 "bear dogs."

The drones will "monitor wildlife activity in real time," Campbell said, adding in the last week alone the team recorded activity of grizzly bears, black bears, cougars, moose, bighorn sheep and deer.

Canadian authorities and summit organizers declined to discuss further details for security reasons.

The Globe and Mail newspaper reported that a bear warning issued in May was still in place for the Kananaskis Country Golf Course -- where the G7 leaders are scheduled to hold their group portrait during the three-day summit.

The paper added about 65 grizzly bears live in Kananaskis, and some areas have been closed in recent weeks after reports of aggressive charges by a mother with two cubs.

Parks Canada advises that if a bear is protecting its young and sees you as a threat, fall on the ground and play dead. But if the bear is aggressive and after your food, stand your ground.