Elephant Rock, Al-Ula, Saudi Arabia

© Lubo Ivanko/Shutterstoc

Gentle giant of the dunes. Elephant Rock, Al-Ula, Saudi Arabia

Over millions of years, the dazzling sandstone formation known as Elephant Rock was carved by nature. Thanks to the wind and water erosion, this 52-metre-high rock near the city of Al-Ula in Saudi Arabia took on the shape of an elephant and has become a prominent landmark in the region. As the sun sets, it casts a warm glow upon the red-hued mammoth and the golden sand of the surrounding desert.

About 7 miles from the Elephant Rock, the city of Al-Ula traces its roots back to ancient civilisations and has witnessed the passage of traders, pilgrims and caravans crossing its arid landscapes. The surrounding area, including rock formations and Hegra's Nabataean tombs, boasts petroglyphs and inscriptions, with some inscriptions dating as far back as 644CE.