Irkaya Farm (Al Rekayya)

Irkaya Farm, also known as Al Rekayya, sits off Abu Samra Road about 50km southwest of Doha and has recorded around 200 bird species on a good day, including the globally endangered Sociable Lapwing. It's a working agricultural area rather than a designed visitor attraction, so it's not particularly family-friendly and the gates close by around 10am on Fridays, which makes it one for early risers and dedicated wildlife photographers. There's no entry fee and no facilities, just fields, native scrub and a lot of birdlife if you time your visit for the winter migration season.

Suitable for

Adults, Solo

Duration

1-2 hours, early morning

Opening hours

Closes around 10:00 AM on Fridays; variable other daysMon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun

Price

Free

Booking

Walk-in friendly

Best season

winter

Parking & accessibility

Informal roadside parking only.

Facilities & what to bring

No facilities; bring binoculars, water and go early for the best bird activity.