JEDDAH: A Saudi adventurer is tracing a historical journey through the Rub Al-Khali, or Empty Quarter, the largest continuous sand desert in the world.
Badr Al-Shaibani will begin the journey on Sunday, crossing the 650,000 square km desert from south to northeast, entirely on foot.
Al-Shaibani will walk 600 kilometers across the desert with support from a logistics team.
He wants his journey to spotlight the ecological significance of the Empty Quarter, while documenting its natural and cultural landmarks.
Beyond the expedition itself, Al-Shaibani hopes to inspire a generation of Saudi youth to take on challenges, and discover their untapped potential by stepping out of their comfort zones and embracing new experiences.
Speaking to Arab News on the eve of his latest adventure, Al-Shaibani said: “It is the beginning of a new chapter of my adventures. I found myself drawn to one of the most beautiful challenges in my beloved country, which is crossing the Empty Quarter.”
Setting off from the Umm Hadid mining site, which is located in the Afif region, Al-Shaibani expects the journey to take around 18 days. He said that he felt confident about taking on the challenge.
“I am very excited about this because I have done so many adventures around the world, but this one is a special one because it is in Saudi Arabia,” he said.
Al-Shaibani’s trek through majestic sand dunes and captivating natural sites will showcase the vast potential of the Kingdom’s deserts as a global tourist attraction.
It also reinforces the role of desert tourism in promoting environmental consciousness, revitalizing the cultural legacy of desert regions, and aligns with Vision 2030’s commitment to sustainable, culturally enriched tourism that draws enthusiasts from around the globe.
Al-Shaibani has previously undertaken adventures that combine physical endurance with nature exploration.
His achievements include an expedition to the South Pole, a documentary journey tracing the Prophet’s migration route, and completion of the Seven Summits challenge.
