For a day outdoors beyond the city, Thumamah National Park—now the King Khalid Royal Reserve—is a protected area northeast of Riyadh. From Gardino Hotel & Residence - Fanduq Jardino, plan this as a separate trip: arrange access through the designated platform, consider a guided outing, and bring food and water.
- Location: northeast of Riyadh and southeast of King Khalid International Airport.
- Scale: approximately 720 km².
- Access: reserve visits are requested through the Fatri platform.
- Entry: general entry is free; particular ecotourism activities may have operator fees.
What to expect at Thumamah National Park
Thumamah National Park is the former name of the King Khalid Royal Reserve, a protected area northeast of Riyadh and southeast of King Khalid International Airport. Saudipedia describes the reserve as approximately 720 km², with access by a dual-road network from four directions.
Saudipedia places the reserve about 80 km from downtown Riyadh and about 65.6 km from King Khalid International Airport. Your driving distance depends on the route and the destination within the reserve, so treat these as broad location references rather than turn-by-turn directions.
The reserve’s earlier name reflects its history as al-Thumamah Wildlife Park. Approval to convert the wildlife park into a royal reserve was issued on October 2, 2019. If your Riyadh stay is at this four-star hotel, plan the reserve as an outing beyond the city rather than as a stop in the central area.
How do you get from Riyadh to the reserve?
Driving is the practical way to reach the reserve from Riyadh, as public transport to protected areas is not available, according to the National Center for Wildlife.
From Gardino Hotel & Residence - Fanduq Jardino, King Khaled International Airport is about 29 minutes by car; the reserve lies southeast of the airport, but the best approach depends on where you plan to go inside this large area.
With no public transport to protected areas, getting around Riyadh from Gardino Hotel also involves planning transport for trips beyond the city.
Arrange your visit before setting out: the National Center for Wildlife says reserve visits are requested through the Fatri platform and are free.
Its guidance describes visits as daytime outings; overnight stays are not allowed except at eco-camps in some reserves. If you want to join a guided or exploratory trip, the center says these are available with reserve staff accompaniment.
The Imam Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Royal Reserve Development Authority says it charges no general entry fee for visits to the Imam Abdulaziz bin Mohammed and King Khalid royal reserves. Licensed operators may charge for particular ecotourism activities, so check the terms of any activity you arrange.
Facilities and outdoor activities
Guided and exploratory trips with reserve staff are among the visit options described by the National Center for Wildlife. Confirm the arrangements through the relevant visit process before you travel, especially if you are planning an activity with an operator.
Do not count on public transport or recycling facilities inside the protected areas: the National Center for Wildlife says neither is currently available. Carry out your rubbish and plan to bring what you need for the visit.
If you are considering camping, confirm that your chosen site and arrangements are permitted for this reserve; camping rules published for other royal reserves should not be assumed to apply here.
Weather, access and preparation
Prepare for a self-sufficient outdoor visit by checking the weather and packing enough food, water and first-aid equipment. The National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification also advises driving carefully, avoiding damage to vegetation and leaving the site clean.
There are no general public opening hours stated for the King Khalid Royal Reserve in the official sources cited here; National Center for Wildlife guidance describes visits as daytime. Visit arrangements and rules can change, so check the official site before you go, including the Fatri platform for visit requests.
FAQs
Is Thumamah National Park the same as the King Khalid Royal Reserve?
Thumamah National Park is the former name of the King Khalid Royal Reserve. The reserve is northeast of Riyadh.
Do you pay an entrance fee?
General entry is free according to the reserve development authority. A licensed operator may charge for a particular ecotourism activity.
Can you stay overnight?
National Center for Wildlife guidance describes reserve visits as daytime, with overnight stays not allowed except at eco-camps in some reserves. Check whether any specific camp is permitted for your intended visit.