From mid-November to mid-March, Kuwaitis head for the desert: family camps spread across the plains around Mutla Ridge, the most prominent hill in the country, for evenings of fires, coffee and stars.
Mutla Ridge rises to about 142 metres above sea level north-west of Jahra — modest by world standards, but the most prominent hill in Kuwait, with long views over the bay and the desert.
The official spring camping season is set by Kuwait Municipality; for 2025–26 it ran from 15 November to 15 March, with licensed sites in the north and south of the country. Camps range from simple tents to elaborate compounds with majlis seating, lights and kitchens.
For visitors, the best way to experience it is with Kuwaiti friends or a licensed operator. After rain, the desert briefly turns green and wild plants come into bloom — among them the yellow-flowered arfaj, Kuwait’s national flower.
Good to know
- Desert nights in winter can be cold — bring warm layers.
- Never drive into the desert alone or without a 4×4, water and a charged phone; keep away from fenced areas and unmarked tracks.
