In the immense northern wilderness of Saudi Arabia, a new desert experience has quietly taken shape — one that marries sustainability with comfort, and immersion with serenity. Linah Camp, unveiled this year by the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve Development Authority (ITBA), offers a refined introduction to eco-tourism within one of the kingdom’s most extraordinary protected landscapes.
Set amid the ochre sands of the Al Dahna Desert, close to the historic village of Laynah, Linah Camp lies in a region rich with heritage. Laynah was once a major stop on the Darb Zubaydah, the thousand-year-old pilgrimage and trade route that linked Kufa in Iraq to the holy city of Makkah. Today, it remains a gateway to a very different journey — one that invites visitors to reconnect with Saudi Arabia’s vast open spaces, its silent beauty, and the subtle luxuries of simplicity.
The camp forms part of a broader effort by the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve Development Authority to establish new models of sustainable tourism in the kingdom’s northern reaches. The Reserve itself, created by royal decree in 2018, is the largest in Saudi Arabia, covering some 91,500 km² — an area larger than Portugal. It encompasses sweeping sand dunes, volcanic rock formations, sandstone plateaus and dry riverbeds that bloom briefly after seasonal rain. The authority’s mission combines ecological restoration with low-impact tourism, reviving natural habitats while enabling travellers to experience them responsibly. Over recent years, native species such as the Arabian oryx, gazelles and ostriches have been successfully reintroduced, marking a milestone in desert conservation.
Within this protected setting, Linah Camp presents an experience that feels both elemental and elevated. Though the term glamping is not officially used, the camp’s design clearly belongs to the premium eco-hospitality category. Guests stay in fully equipped tents or modular units furnished with comfortable bedding, soft lighting and seating areas designed for relaxation. Around them, shared outdoor spaces include barbecue areas, a volleyball court and even an open-air cinema, combining a sense of conviviality with the calm of the desert. In the evening, the camp’s lanterns glow against the dunes while guests gather under starlit skies that rank among the clearest in the region.
The atmosphere at Linah Camp is one of quiet immersion rather than indulgent excess. Days begin with the stillness of sunrise over the dunes, followed by guided excursions to nearby heritage sites or simple walks through the reserve’s landscapes. The cooler months — from November to March — offer the ideal season, when daytime temperatures are pleasant and the desert’s winter colours emerge in soft tones of gold and grey. Nights are dedicated to stargazing, storytelling, and the deep sense of peace that comes only from the desert’s vast silence.
The project reflects ITBA’s determination to make the reserve accessible while preserving its integrity. Construction at Linah Camp follows minimal-impact principles, with modular structures that can be removed or reconfigured as needed, limited artificial lighting, and energy use designed to blend with the environment. For the authority, the goal is not to recreate luxury resorts but to demonstrate that comfort and conservation can coexist, and that the authentic charm of the Saudi desert lies precisely in its restraint.
Linah Camp’s creation also highlights ITBA’s growing reputation as a pioneer of sustainable tourism. In 2024, the authority received the ADIHEX Award for Ecotourism and Cultural Heritage in Abu Dhabi — recognition of its work in merging environmental stewardship with visitor engagement. By positioning Linah Camp as both a retreat and an educational experience, ITBA strengthens the link between tourism, heritage and the kingdom’s wider Vision 2030 goals of economic diversification and environmental responsibility.
For high-end travellers, Linah Camp represents a new kind of luxury — one defined not by opulence, but by authenticity, space and silence. It offers a rare opportunity to disconnect from modern rhythm and to discover the desert as it once was: pure, infinite, and alive with subtle detail. As awareness of Saudi Arabia’s emerging natural destinations grows, Linah Camp stands as a symbol of what the next generation of sustainable tourism can look like — a place where comfort serves the landscape rather than intruding upon it.
In the years ahead, the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve is expected to expand its network of eco-experiences, connecting heritage sites, wildlife zones and small-scale hospitality projects across its vast territory. Linah Camp, as its first flagship venture, sets the tone: a sanctuary of quiet refinement that celebrates the desert’s grandeur while protecting its delicate balance.
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Photos courtesy of SPA
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