Camping Destinations in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is a country that is just beginning to open up to tourists and it has so much to offer and whether you are a tourist or are working in Saudi Arabia, there are so many natural attractions to visit, form the deep coral filled seas to the cool mountainous peaks, from the dry arid deserts to the lush oasis surrounded by palm trees. Permission may be needed to travel to some of these areas but it is well worth it as very few people actually get to see these places.

Scuba Diving & Snorkeling
Camping on the shores of the Red Sea and diving in its warm waters year round is one of the main attractions if you are visiting or live on the west coast. Unlike the Egyptian side of the Red Sea, where the reefs are literally dived out, the Saudi side has pristine virgin reefs due to the small number of people who dive there.Rabigh and Shuwaiba beaches are two great spots to head for the weekend in your pop up camper or just pitch a tent or better still, sleep under the stars.Reef sharks, manta rays, moray eels, lion fish, black carol and a vast array of other fish, including the humpback wrasse are seen on a regular basis when you are diving or snorkeling in the warm waters of the Red Sea. As it is a major shipping channel and many war ships were destroyed there in the wars you'll find numerous shipwrecks to dive on. If you are not a diver, snorkeling is just as fun and the vast array of different corals and fish life will keep you in the water for hours.Diving off the main corniche in Jeddah offers some spectacular cave diving but the authorities may not be too keen on you diving there.

Wadis and Deserts
When you think of Saudi Arabia you think dessert and much of it is, with the high moving sanddunes or the flat rocky landscapes but every now and again, as you are driving across the vast desert landscape you will come across something very unexpected. One of these is the Wahba Crater, east of Jeddah, a large volcanic crater formed thousands of years ago, and now offering a great camping spots around the rim of the crater.You can climb down into the crater where a large salt pan covers most of the bottom- it's a bit of a scramble but worth it.Travelling northeast of Jeddah you will find Marble Mountain rising two to three hundred feet above the sandy plain. It was quarried by an Italian company that went broke, so you will find large blocks of white marble scattered around the mountain together with pieces of abandoned equipment. You can camp next to the mountain although you may want to find a more sheltered place from the hot sun.As you travel across the vast expanse of Saudi Arabia the sun shimmers of the desert floor and mirages start to appear before your eyes as the hot arabian sun beats down on you. Then all of a sudden an oasis will appear offering a bit of respite under the palm trees and amongst the reeds and bull rushes in the pools of water.Wadi Mur and wadi Dribble are two such examples and you can camp anywhere around the edges of the oasis. Plenty of birdlife and different flora can be seen around these areas. Make sure you take your mosquito net and repellent as they can be very annoying.On the escarpment above Jeddah is Harithi, which is a good place to go in the hot summer months are the temperature up here is alot cooler, even cold at times. There are some good walks and great viewing from the high pinnacles. Some old stone buildings are still visible amongst the stony hills and lavender bushes and you can see the occasional bedouin roaming over the hills, gun in hand.In the southern region of Saudi Arabia is Abha and the Asir national park where you can find some good camping areas and plenty of places to explore amongst the mountains and forested hills. The suks in Abha are well worth a look and you can pick up some good bargains, be it knives, baskets or jewellery or the colourful materials that the flowermen wear.Further to the east is Al Hofuf, which has some good little sores circling the Turkish fort in the middle of town. You will need to have a good rummage through all the clutter to find something of value. Cheap, unglazed pottery can be picked up near some limestone caves found on the outskirts of Hofuf. Hofuf has a camel and goat market every Thursday, worth a look.A trip to the camel races is quite an experience. The young arab jockeys are velcroed to the camels to stop them from falling off. Take a scarf to cover your face as it can be very dusty.

Medain Saleh
Medain Saleh, to the north of Medina, was built by the Nabetaeans, who built Petra in Jordan. Tombs cut out of the weathered sandstone cliffs are seen everywhere and there are some interesting sculptures that have been formed by the erosion of the wind and sand over many years. Some of the tombs contain many separate chambers (which you can climb into) to cater for all the members of the family. You can camp in the vicinity of Medain Saleh on the flat plateaus. You will need to get permission to enter the area.Before you get to Medain Saleh it is worth visiting an old Jewish settlement in Khaybar. It was built in BC times around an oasis but most of the village is still intact to some degree as is well worth looking around.Along the road to Medain Saleh you can see evidence of the Hejaz Railway, the rail track that "Lawrence of Arabia" supposedly had blown up. Sandstone rest homes and forts are scattered along the line which is barely noticeable now. You can camp just about anywhere in this area.

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IDEAS FOR CAMP COOKING

Camp cooking should be easy are fun to do.
A lot of camp cooking is based around a fire, so having a good camp fire, especially one that can produce some good hot coals, is very important.

It is a good idea to always have a billy on the boil for your cups of tea, coffee or instant cup of soup.

Billy Tea can easily be made by adding the desired amount of tea leaves to a billy of boiling water and swinging the billy in a wide arc with your arm 3 to 4 times, by which time the tea should have infused into the water to make the perfect cup.

Pancakes

Combine 1 cup self raising flour with a pinch of salt and 1 egg.

Gradually add 1 cup milk and beat until mixture is smooth.

Heat frying pan over fire and add a little butter. Pour in enough mixture to cover pan and cook until bubbles appear. Flip pancake over and cook the other side.

Serve with butter, golden syrup, jam or whatever you like.

Damper

Mix 2 cups self raising flour, pinch of salt and 1/2 cup milk or water and work into a firm dough.

Shape and dust the outside with flour.

Cover with foil and place in hot coals. Cook for about 25-35 minutes.

If you have a camp oven the dough can be placed directly into it and covered with the lid and placed on the hot coals with more coals on the lid.

Check after 25 minutes. It is cooked when it has a golden crust and an inserted skewer comes out clean.

Serve with butter, golden syrup, jam etc.

Beer Damper can be made using beer, instead of the milk, and a tablespoon of butter.

Jaffles

Place a piece of bread in the jaffle iron. Add tinned spaghetti, an egg, leftover stew or anything else you may desire onto the centre of the bread (do not overfill). Place another slice of bread on top, close jaffle iron and place amongst the hot coals.

Check after 3-4 minutes. It is cooked when the bread is a toasty colour.

Roasted Marshmallows

These are an all time favourite with kids and adults alike.Find a long stick and form a pointed tip on one end. Place marshmallow firmly on the end of the stick and place over hot coals, turning stick constantly. Marshmallow is cooked when turns a light golden colour, although some people like it on the darker side, which can happen if flames get onto the marshmallow, in which case you just blow out the flames and eat it.

Prawns

If you are camping near the ocean you may find shallow rivers or inlets that contain prawns.

On a moonless night take a big net (on a pole) and a bucket and torch. Wade into the water and shine the torch onto the surface of the water. When you see the prawns coming to the light use the net to scoop them up than transfer them to the bucket and continue prawning until you have sufficient for your needs.

As soon as you return to the campsite, cook the prawns in a large pot of boiling water on the fire.

They can then be eaten or kept on ice for a few days.

One time when we went camping the prawns were so abundant that all you had to do was stick the net out and it instantly be full of prawns. The mums were left at the camp to make sure the boiling pot of water was already for when we returned.

Oysters

Oysters are another delicacy that can be found if camping by the sea.

At low tide the rocks can be covered with oysters. So take a knife or screwdriver down to the rocks and prize open the shells and eat the oysters straight off the rocks.

Abalone

These too can be found attached to the rocks at low tide.

We used to go down at low tide with a screwdriver or knife and prize the abalone off the rocks then cut them out of their shells. Then we sliced them thinly and hammered them quite vigorously as they can be quite tough. We then either battered or crumbed them and fried them in the pan over the camp fire and they were delicious.

Restrictions do apply these days as to the number, if any, you can take for personal consumption, so check before you go taking any.

Frozen casseroles and stews are quite handy to take camping as they are already pre- made .and can be kept for quite a few days before eating. When ready to eat just thaw them out and reheat in a pot over the fire and serve with rice or damper (also cooked on the fire).

HIKING FIRST AID

Some understanding of first aid is essential when you are camping or hiking. A good first aid kit is a must and some knowledge on what you might encounter out there can be very helpful.

Below is some useful information on a couple creatures you may come across whilst out camping or hiking through the bush.

TICKS

Ticks are often found in bushland and rainforest and rainforest areas often frequented by campers and hikers and they can lodge onto your body as you traipse through these areas. Although rare, they can cause paralysis and sometimes death.

Paralysis is caused by neurotoxins in the saliva of the adult female tick and early symptoms, including limb weakness, unsteady gait and lethargy, can start several days after attachment. it is often a good idea to do a quick check of your head and body after you have been into the scrub.

To remove a tick you can kill it first with kerosene or insect repellent containing pyrethrins. Then use fine pointed tweezers to grasp the tick by the head as close to the skin as possible and gently pull the tick out. Avoid squeezing the body of the tick and it is very important not to just knock the body off but to get the head out as well.

LEECHES

The leech is another parasite found in damp and wet areas where hikers and campers may find themselves. The leech feeds on blood and attaches itself to the body by a suction action. The best way to remove a leech is with your fingernail to release the sucker seal.

I always used salt or a flame to remove them but apparently these can cause the leech to regurgitate its stomach content, which may cause disease. The leech will fall off itself after it has sucked enough blood to satisfy itself ( about 20 minutes).

After removal, the area should be cleaned and bandaged as bleeding may continue for some time due to the anticoagulant effect of the leeches secretions.

Campers First Aid Kit

If we are going to enjoy our time camping in our Pop up camper we need to take a few necessary items, one of which is the first aid kit.

Below is a list of items which should be included in your kit:

4WD - Camping First Aid Kit
(available from Australian Red Cross)
6 Saline ampoule 15ml
3 Chlorhexidine cetrimide ampoule 30ml
1 Antiseptic spray 50ml
2 Bandage conforming 5cm
2 Bandage conforming 7.5cm
2 Bandage conforming 10cm
2 Bandage crepe 10cm
2 Bandage triangular 110cm
1 Tape hypoallergenic 2.5cm
20 Adhesive dressing strips, Fabric
2 Dressing combine 9 X 10cm
3 Dressing non-adhesive 7.5x5cm
2 Dressing non-adhesive 10x7.5cm
1 Dressing wound No.13 (Sm)
1 Dressing wound No.14 (Med)
1 Dressing wound No.15 (Lge)
3 Dressing eye pad
3 pkts Dressing gauze 7.5X7.5 (in pkts of 5)
1 Scissors blunt /sharp S'steel1 Splinter forceps S'steel
5 Safety pins1 Tissues, Pkt of 10
1 Burnaid gel 25gm1 Sun Screen 30+ 100gm
1 Icepack Instant
1 Pencil/1 Notebook
3 Plastic bags, various sizes
3 Glove, disposable (pairs)
1 Foil emergency blanket
1 First Aid Notes

Also handy to include:
1 pkt Antihistamine tablets
1 pkt Pain relief tablets (eg Paracetamol)
1 Antiseptic cream with local anaesthetic 30gm (good for itchy insect bites)
1 Eye wash

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Camping Checklist

Everyone, whether you are camping in a pop up camper or in a tent, should have a camping checklist to ensure all the necessary tools and equipment are packed before you leave home.
Here is our checklist we use before heading off with our pop up camper:

FURNITURE: Table, Stools, Chairs, Stove shield, Ground Sheet, Carpet, Door mat, Gas bottles, Gas lights

SLEEPING etc: Sleeping bags, Sheets, Pillows, Blanket, Pillowcases, Mattress cover, Travelling rug, Towels, Washers, Hand towels, Beach towels

KITCHEN: Cutlery, Crockery, Tray, Tea towels, Tin opener, Knives, Bowls, Colander, Tongs, Jug, Serviettes, Coffee pot, Barbeque tools, Saucepans, Frypan, Billy, Sandwich maker, Esky, Paper towels, Detergent, Ajax, Steelwool, Sponges, Toilet paper, Washing powder, Aluminium foil, Glad wrap

UTENSILS: Dustpan & broom, Rake, Broom, Buckets, Dish, Hooks, Alligator straps, Spade, Clothes line, Pegs, Coathangers, Mirror, Water containers, Plastic containers, Plastic bags, Washing bag

GENERAL: Torches, Batteries, Matches, Pen knife, Scissors, String, Wire, Rope, Oil can & rags, First Aid kit, Sewing kit, Globes, Spare mantles, Umbrella, Aerogard, Flyspray, Sunscreen. Sunburn cream

RECREATION: Radio, Taperecorder /tapes, Television, Games, Cards, Books, Binoculars, Stationery, Cameras/film

CLOTHES/TOILETRIES: Clothes to suit destination, Swimsuits, Raincoats, Headgear, Sunglasses, Sandshoes, Thongs, Toilet gear, Shampoo.soap

A small investment for heaps of fun

A pop up camper can be hired for a single trip at a very reasonable price and is the perfect way to get into the outdoors and experience camping without the hassles of setting up tents and finding suitable places to store everything.

My first experience with a pop up camper was great - we arrived at the camping ground and easily manouvered the van to where we wanted it and set it up in a couple of minutes.
Our clothes and food were already stored away in the numerous compartments in the camper, which makes life alot easier especially when you have a couple of kids who are eager to get out and start enjoying the whole camping experience.

The pop up camper was very easy to tow and if more camping trips are planned then a small investment of around $5000 to $10,000 can set you up with a pop up camper of your very own, which you can then customerise to suit your needs.

Easy and Compact Travelling

I have spent many years camping the conventional way in a canvas tent with pegs and poles etc. but with age comes the necessity for comfort and all the necessary amenities close at hand.

The pop up camper, being a low standing trailer is alot lighter than the more conventional caravan and so makes towing it a whole lot easier and manouvering it around a campsite is such a breeze.

The A frame model of the pop up camper is a particular favourite of mine as it has a very quick set up and dismantling time which comes in handy during inclement weather and makes it so much easier on the many one night stopovers we have as we travel around this vast country of ours.

Having our clothes and food already stored in the numerous compartments available in the pop up camper is a big plus and allows for quick lunchtime breaks whilst on the road. The pop up camper is reasonably priced and is a good, compact form of accommodation, with most of the necessary amenities, to take on your camping holidays

Pop Up Camper

Pop up Camper is a low profile truck camper designed to cut back on weight and wind resistance. The roof may be raised by mechanical means to add height while camping.

There are 2 types prevalent in the industry: soft-walled, utilizing a fabric (canvas or Weblon), or the hard-walled, solid frame unit. Examples include Outfitter, Northstar (softwall), Hallmark (softwall), or Alaskan Camper(hardwall).

A pop up camper, also labelled as a truck camper is one of the most versatile of recreational vehicles (RV) and they have been around since the early 1950's.

The pop up camper and truck campers continue to be most popular in the Western United States and Canada, and this is where most manufacturers are headquartered They are slowly making inroads into the eastern part of the continent as the baby boomer generation retire, and are looking for comfort combined with freedom and versatility. The pop up camper is also becoming a very popular RV type in Australia, where rugged terrain makes them a practical choice.

Truck campers are a popular choice for horseback riders, fishermen, hunters, and other sportsmen as a boat or horse trailer may be easily towed behind and you may camp off-road in relative comfort.

A good quality pop up camper can cost as much as a much larger RV. All the amenities have to be put into a much smaller package, and the RV has to be able to tolerate the abuse of rough roads.