Nafud Aqarab* نفود عقارب
Nafud (sand desert) in Northern Borders Region · 87 km southwest of Rafha رفحاء
No visible spring around it now
Latest image: 9–16 October 2026 · 28 Rabi' al-Akhir – 5 Jumada al-Ula 1448 AH, updated nightly.
Night sky there: Very dark (estimate, from night lights) · Darkest nights ahead, around the new moon: 7–11 November 2026 · 27 Jumada al-Ula – 1 Jumada al-Akhirah 1448 AH · Where to see the stars?
Open it on the mapInside a protected area · permit required
Original Arabic page: نفود عقارب
Watch the place turn green
14 September 2017 – 14 February 2026 · 23 Dhu al-Hijjah 1438 – 26 Sha'ban 1447 AH
About 10×10 km around the place (ring in the centre), each season: September, then February.
Satellite imagery, not on-the-ground photography.
When does Nafud Aqarab usually green?
From satellite imagery since 2002
When does Nafud Aqarab usually green?
From satellite imagery since 2002It sometimes greens from February to March; greened in 4 of the last 24 years.
- Latest season it greened: November 2023 – April 2024 (Rabi' al-Akhir – Shawwal 1445 AH), 3 of 6 months.
Seasons it greened
| Season | Months it greened |
|---|---|
| November 2013 – April 2014 (Dhu al-Hijjah 1434 – Rajab 1435 AH) | 2 of 6 |
| November 2018 – April 2019 (Safar – Sha'ban 1440 AH) | 2 of 6 |
| November 2022 – April 2023 (Rabi' al-Akhir – Shawwal 1444 AH) | 3 of 6 |
| November 2023 – April 2024 (Rabi' al-Akhir – Shawwal 1445 AH) | 3 of 6 |
How we calculated it
In October alone: greened in 0 of 24 years since 2002.
The maps have 2 nearby points with this name; none has spring around it now. Figures here are for the point drawn.
Access and the rules of the place
- Nearest village: Qisumah Fihan* قيصومة فيحان, 32 km; then Kamab Aban Samir al-Salamaniah* كمب ابن سمير - السلمانية (46 km), Al-Adiah* الادية (47 km).
Authority: Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve Development Authority
Overnight stays and camping require a permit from the Authority at designated sites, and crossing on the designated routes requires a transit permit. An outing permit has been announced as “coming soon”.
Request a permit
Source of the conditions
Last checked: 3 October 2026 (22 Rabi' al-Akhir 1448 AH)Boundaries are approximate, from OpenStreetMap, and are not the official boundaries. Conditions may change; the authority’s website is the reference.
Before you go: cars, reserves and camping
- Do not drive into a rawdah or faydah (meadow); leave your car on the road and walk, and keep away from wadi beds.
- Camping in reserves and vegetation-cover land requires a permit; violations are fined. Rules and fines
Nearby destinations
Direct distance
Nearby destinations
Direct distance- Faydat Umm Thamail* فيضة ام ثمائل 16 km south
- Faydat Umm Qalib* فيضة ام قليب 19 km southeast
- Khabra Maqanas* خبراء مقناص 19 km south
- Faydat al-Batahiah* فيضة البطاحية 22 km southeast
- Faydat Awishaq* فيضة عويشق 29 km east
- Faydat al-Sahalah* فيضة السهله 44 km east
All destinations · Spring in Northern Borders Region now · The «Where is the spring?» map