A Neyzar in heart of desert

Reed-bed & Ponds in the Heart of Dunes

A severe flood in May 1979 in Mesr and Farahzad villages led to the formation of a pond and emergence of special vegetation in the central desert of Iran. ‘Black Flood’ was a catastrophe but it created a new and different attraction in the region. The villagers still remember that the waters from the historic flood remained for a long time on the ground and attracted a lot of birds as enough food and water were provided for them. After a while, a small reed-bed appeared there so the area is known as ‘Reed-Bed’ today.

Located at a distance of five kilometers east of Farahzad Village, it has become a tourist attraction in the desert. The reed-bed is about three kilometers long and is considered as one of the watering places for the animals in the region. Some reeds are as tall as 4 meters.

The vegetation includes shrubs and bushes such as Haloxylon, Calligonum comosum, Zygophyllum, etc. Under special circumstances, people interested in animals can see jackal, wolf, sand fox, sand cat, flycatcher, crested lark, hawk, common buzzard, desert rat, Steppe Ribbon snake, diadem snake, echis, different types of scorpions, etc.

Accompanied by Seyyed Morteza (uncle of the Tabatabai family) and Ali (son of the family), some of our guests go on a safari tour in the desert, some ride camels and those with a more athletic physique reach Reed-Bed within an hour walk.

Visiting the region is suggested to the tourists interested in the desert wildlife photography; the suggestion is made by experts on desert tourism in Iran.