Safaieh Desert, Garmsar

Safaieh Desert lies southeast of the city of Garmsar and south of Safaieh village in Semnan Province. To the south it is bordered by the Rig-e Jen desert and the Kavir National Park. The desert is about 50 kilometres long and 12 kilometres wide, and it extends from east to west. It was formed by the Boneh Heights to the north and Mount Googerd to the south, and its average elevation above sea level is approximately 808 metres. Most of the desert is marshy and covered with salt platforms. The central part has no vegetation at all, and the ground is completely bare.

Vegetation along the edge of the desert consists of salt-tolerant species such as ashnan (saltwort) and tamarisk. In the surrounding areas you can see milkvetch (astragalus), wild spinach, garden cress, kakuti (wild thyme), spurge, cornflower, mountain poppy, asafoetida, wild iris, melica, camelthorn, kolah-mir-hassan, karvankosh, ephedra, eskanbil, saxaul, zygophyllum (qeych), parand, flax flower, chamomile-like daisies, wild night-scented flowers, bitter apple (talkhak), harmal (esfand), saltwort, kalpureh and shirinak. The central areas of the desert have no wildlife, but along its margins you can see species such as wolf, jackal, red fox, hyena, chukar partridge, see-see partridge, quail, steppe eagle, chakhlagh, rock dove, Eurasian hoopoe, eagle-owl, Indian roller (green bee-eater type), pied wagtail, redstart wheatear and house sparrow. Various reptiles also live in the area, including agamas, skinks and the desert monitor lizard.

To reach Safaieh Desert, visitors should drive south from the Semnan–Tehran road. After 42 kilometres, turn onto a dirt road and, after crossing the river, take the right-hand track. Continue straight until you reach a bridge ahead and cross the railway bridge; after 11.5 kilometres you will arrive at Safaieh village. Continuing south leads to Safaieh Desert. The best time to visit is spring or autumn, when the weather is mild and the temperature is comfortable, making the experience of stargazing in the desert at night even more enjoyable. Responsible tourism in this area means collecting your rubbish, staying out of sensitive areas and keeping to designated routes.