Countries included in this Regional Guideline include the following but not limited to:-

Afghanistan, Bahrain, Iraq, Iran, Jordan, KSA, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Syria, UAE and Yemin

Caching in the Middle East is a unique experience however in addition to Geocaching Guidelines, there are local laws that need to be adhered to as well as some common sense procedures, especially when caching in the desert. Please familiarise yourself with Geocaching HQ policy as this wiki is in addition to their policies and not in place thereof. This wiki is as guidance and there may be other things taken into consideration when your cache is reviewed. Each cache and event submission is taken on its own merits.There are no precedents for placing geocaches. Past publication of a similar geocache is not justification for publication of a new geocache. If a geocache was published that you feel violated the guidelines, you may report it.

 Below are a few additional points to take in consideration when submitting your listing.

• Cache hides - places to avoid
• Cache Containers
• Cache listings
• Event caches

Cache hides - places to avoid ( this includes virtual and physical caches)

1. Women & Children only parks
2. On any play equipment even in larger family / general parks
3. Palaces and other buildings associated with Royalty
4. Oil Fields & Pipelines
5. Airports & associated structures
6. Any areas where photography is prohibited
7. Highly maintained gardens and walk ways.
8. Close to any Embassy
9. Close to any Military base
10. Gated compounds
11. Roundabouts ( traffic circles)
12. Caches placed in restricted access areas (e.g. in  historical,archaeological areas and UNESCO areas)
13. Mosques- do not place caches within the grounds of active mosques without permission.

Cache Containers

1. Plastic containers degrade in the extreme temperatures so use with care, 'Take out food plastic' type containers are not suitable as they are made to degrade quickly.Please do not wrap your cache in plastic as it quickly breaks into smaller pieces and is eaten by camels causing harm.
2. In desert areas it is recommended that you place your cache in a sock/ fabric bag or such-like then cover your cache with a rock. It will both protect your cache and prevent it becoming camel food.

Cache Listings

 Be careful when creating your listing. Be aware of subjects that are considered acceptable in the western world could well be unacceptable in Middle East countries. Please also note that historical information from wiki can also be viewed as insulting in certain societies.

Event caches

We review strictly in accordance with the Guidelines pertain to Events as stipulated by Geocaching HQ. Events are social gatherings of geocachers and are not just an excuse to get a 'smiley'. Events that are requested in areas where there are no local cachers or only cachers that are with the CO's party, may be declined as private events  to gain a new country or smiley .

• Events whilst in Transit: Event caches will not be published within any airport / Cruise Ship Port / Train Station or their associated structures including land owned by or managed by the Transportation company concerned.This includes parking facilities. Please provide on the reviewers note your expected lay over should you wish to place an event while in transit and feel you are able to leave the airport. Please be aware that it can take a long time to exit and enter the airport through customs. During Ramadan there are longer delays as well as August to October where expatiates arrive back after the summer break. 

• Vacation Events: Events submitted whilst on vacation must be in a public accessible location. Due to the heat in the region it is advisable to have events in shaded areas , preferably within air conditioned areas. Local law and customs must be adhered to,  be aware of Ramadan timings as it is illegal to eat or drink during these hours even if you are a tourist. Parking areas are usually not suitable for events in these areas , however coffee shops and parks are numerous and better locations.

• Event stacking: This phrase refers to holding multiple events that are close to each other or at similar times. As stated events are social gatherings of geocachers and having too many too close to each other diminishes their value to the community. Events are not just an excuse to get a 'smiley'. If an event is submitted and another event is either already published or also waiting review and they are too close to each other then the following guidance will apply:

  Events will be published within a similar time period only if they are more than 20 km apart (as the crow flies). Events closer to each other than 20 km will only be published if the end time of the first is more 24 hours before the start time of the next. Events perceived to be for the same community will be taken on a one to one situation and will not automatically be published even outside these time frames.

• Event Timing: Events as state are the social aspect of caching, and events that are deemed to be at unsocial hours for the local region and unlikely to attract other caching parties, may be disallowed. Common unsocial event times are often placed by those in transit with limited time.
• Location: Places to avoid when planning your event, would include but are not limited to the following,
  

  As per guidelines

  In or near transportation centers such as

  • Airports
  • Cruise ship ports
  • Train stations

  Regional

  • Next to major roadways , unless there is a dedicated public structure , such as a picnic/area, coffee shop ect.
  • In or next to roundabouts ( traffic circles). Unless these have a dedicated underpass and as per highways have a dedicated formal park or refreshment area.
  • Mosques and government building areas.
  • Events in very remote areas with few or no cachers will not be considered.
  • Events where cachers need to be part of a paid for event  i.e. drumming , stays or experiences in the desert camps etc.
• Traveling Groups: When traveling in a group consisting of other Geocachers, we will consider publishing 2 events per group per country on condition that they are 10 days apart and conform to the  criteria listed in points 1 to 5 above. At the time of submission the Event Host is to provide us with the list of cachers within the traveling group. There is no precedent set and each submission will be taken into consideration individually. As per Geocaching HQ guidelines there is also a limited number of events a group may place on one trip.

 Military Bases- Traditionally in the past Groundspeak ,due to a special agreement allowed caches to be placed ( and maintained by visiting servicemen) and events to be held on military bases . However due to changes in this policy, it is no longer the case and ground speak has advised that all caches and events must follow the general guidelines regarding 'available to all ' events and general maintenance as per vacation caches guidelines.

Syria ( update-23/4/23)

. All existing caches are monitored  obvious armchair logs are deleted.

New caches are unlikely to be published, however in exeptional cases where a contactable maintenance plan is given they may be considered.

.At this time ,events will not be published as there is no current caching group in the country. 

Reviewer Contact

For the Regional Reviews for this area contact "Knagur Green" for clarification