Black Scorpion Cave Draws Adventurers in Saudi Arabia

The Black Scorpion Cave in Saudi Arabia is fast gaining popularity as a new spot for adventure enthusiasts.

Fans of spelunking will find the cave 160 kilometers from the west of the Rafha governorate north of the kingdom. It sits in the town of Al-Habka, a Saudi village. It is specifically near the Saudi-Iraq border and is the second largest city in the Northern Borders Region. The Northern Borders region has the smallest population in Saudi Arabia. People also know it by the name of Al-Hudud ash Shamaliyah).

About the Black Scorpion Cave

According to a media release by the Saudi Press Agency, the Black Scorpion cave is over 500 meters deep. It got its name from the appearance of its entrance. During the full moon on the 15^th of every Hijri month, a horizontal beam of light reflects on its entrance. This produces the illusion of a black scorpion’s body.

There are three ways that adventurers can enter the Black Scorpion Cave. These are three narrow internal passageways that vary in width and depth. In addition, it also features various trenches that go in different directions.

Because of its interesting features, it makes for a fascinating site for geological and ecological tourism. It’s important to note that Al-Habka was once a source of water in the desert because of its many wells.

Moreover, the Black Scorpion Cave also serves as a shelter for a variety of species. This includes foxes, wolves, as well as hyenas. In 2022, the Saudi National Center for Wildlife found several carcasses of hyenas, making it an important site for wildlife conservation.

The importance of the Northern Borders region

Afaq Society for Astronomy member and cave enthusiast Begess Al-Falih remarked that authorities have found 542 caves and sinkholes in the Northern Borders region.

In May 2024, the National Center for Wildlife (NCW) launched an exploration program to explore caves in the region. With this, they aim to put Saudi caves on the global map, and promote their historical and wildlife preservation. The NWC has documented 1,826 caves all over the kingdom.

Apart from the Black Scorpion Cave, there are other interesting spots also worth checking out in the Nothern Borders region. A report from the Saudi Press Agency marked the region as a “botanical treasure trove.”

According to Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Aman Environmental Association in the Northern Borders Region Nasser Al-Mujlad, the region has many plants with environmental, health, and nutritional benefits. Because of this, the region has great potential for ecotourism and for the creation of job opportunities.

For instance, the Artemisia plant, which grows up to 1.5 meters high, is an important aromatic plant. People can use the leaves by adding these to tea, as it acts as a flavor enhancer and a garnish.

Meanwhile, achillea, another plant in the region, has yellow flowers that cover it in the spring season. Because of its pleasant fragrance, people use it as a scent in homes.

Photo: X/SPA Eng