In a landmark achievement for conservation, Sharaan Nature Reserve has been officially admitted to the IUCN Green List, testament to AlUla’s commitment to protecting its unique natural and cultural heritage, and been renamed as Sharaan National Park to celebrate the achievement

As AlUla’s flagship protected area, Sharaan National Park is leading the way with landscape-scale restoration and rewilding in the county, while also setting a global benchmark for sustainable conservation and responsible tourism.

Located in the breathtaking landscapes north of AlUla, Sharaan National Park covers 1,543 square kilometres of dramatic deserts, towering canyons, ancient wadis, and rugged mountains. It is home to an extraordinary diversity of wildlife, from large mammals such as Arabian wolves, gazelles, Nubian ibex and Arabian oryx, to a diverse range of reptiles, birds and invertebrates, all flourishing thanks to dedicated conservation efforts by some of the foremost Saudi and international experts. 

The IUCN Green List is the highest global standard for “conservation done well”, providing international recognition for protected areas that excel in governance, planning, management, and measurable conservation outcomes. Achieving this status was no small feat - Sharaan was rigorously assessed against 17 strict criteria before earning its place among just 91 protected areas globally, and only three others in Saudi Arabia.

The inclusion of Sharaan National Park in the Green List is a key accomplishment of the AlUla Protected Areas Network (APAN) Project, a three-year initiative in collaboration with IUCN.

Sharaan National Park is also gaining prominence on the global tourism stage. TIME Magazine named it one of the World’s Greatest Places in 2024, further boosting its appeal as a premier eco-tourism landmark within the sustainably minded destination of AlUla.

Last year, the national park saw a 42% increase in visitors compared to 2023, with eco-friendly experiences such as guided safari drives, hiking expeditions, night walks to observe nocturnal wildlife, and starlit desert dinners growing in popularity.. Carefully managed to ensure minimal environmental impact, less than 10% of the park’s vast expanse is open to motorised tourism, allowing wildlife to move freely between protected and undisturbed zones

While the Green List recognition is a remarkable milestone, it is just the beginning. AlUla remains committed to expanding comprehensive regeneration efforts, with the goal of adding more of the county’s reserves onto the Green List, ensuring that conservation and sustainable tourism continue to thrive in one of the world’s most extraordinary natural landscapes.

To experience the natural wonders of Sharaan National Park, click here.