Explore the wildlife sanctuaries and nature reserves in the UAE: You know, beyond all big UAE buildings and bright city lights, some really nice nature spots wait for people to go explore. These places? Safe for local plants and animals. So what do some pretty cool natural spots in UAE offer someone keen on nature.
NATURE RESERVES IN DUBAI
Let’s start with the nature reserves and wildlife sanctuaries in Dubai. These sanctuaries are a great way to see local plants and animal species, and to learn more about their habitat.
JEBEL ALI WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
Jebel Ali Wildlife Sanctuary gets lots of visitors; it’s a popular UAE nature spot. Jebel Ali Wildlife Sanctuary gained global recognition joining Ramsar List in 2018. It’s also one of UAE’s protected wetlands. Think of it as more of a special ocean place or maybe a key marine habitat.
Jebel Ali Wildlife Sanctuary gives you a look into local habitat, with neat marine life and other creatures too. Ghantoot has about 34 coral species some quite endangered maybe 40% I think. Coral reefs? Real home sweet home for many fish; some high-rise living. Ghantoot’s sandy beaches? They’re also where hawksbill turtles breed. It’s also where Mangrove Forest Dubai finds its home a green haven with 15 km mangroves plus 6 km wetlands there.
RAS AL KHOR WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary: Dubai’s natural wetland reserve. Known as RAKWS wetland is like a home to nature—mangroves, birds, mammals, crabs, plus reptiles.
Sanctuary offers protection for many plant and animal species. Biodiverse area balances its ecosystem hosting native plants and wildlife with some welcome migrants too.
Keep an eye out for Ferruginous ducks, flamingos with pink beaks, common kingfishers, Eurasian teal, and agama lizards. You might also spot reef herons sandpipers a kingfisher and black-tailed godwits.
Seeing those amazing flamingos with bright pink beaks would surely be a highlight during your visit. Best part? No entry fee for Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary; it’s open to all!
Location: Ras Al Khor Road, Ras Al Khor
AL MARMOOM DESERT CONSERVATION RESERVE
Consider Dubai’s Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve for wild nature. One big unfenced reserve it is, in all emirates, home to 200+ native bird types and another 150 migrating through. You know, reserve showcases Arabian oryx, reptiles and flamingos. Al Qudra Lake’s close by should you want a gander at what else this big nature reserve’s got going on.
DUBAI DESERT CONSERVATION RESERVE (DDCR)
The vast expanse of DDCR is one of the largest nature reserves in the UAE. Covering an area of 225 sq. km., DDCR covers almost 5% of the total land of Dubai. The reserve has hundreds of species of plants, birds, mammals and reptiles. There are many activities to be enjoyed as well, including trekking, safaris, sandboarding, falconry, camel and horse riding. Fancy some extravagant desert dining? Head to Sonora Camp nearby.
NATURE RESERVES IN ABU DHABI
Moving on to the capital of the UAE, here’s a list of the nature reserves and sanctuaries in Abu Dhabi that you should visit.
AL WATHBA WETLAND RESERVE :
Al Wathba Wetland Reserve? A popular UAE nature spot. Al Wathba destination, about 45 minutes’ drive from Abu Dhabi, offers refuge for lots of endangered birds plus wildlife species.
At first area appeared salt flats near shore now boasts lakes both natural plus made by people. Al Wathba Reserve lets visitors spot 250-plus bird types; folks really love seeing flamingos maybe 4,000 strong. Reserve ecosystem has diverse life, from reptiles and bugs to many other creatures.
AL BATHA NATURE RESERVE
Al Ain’s Al Batha Nature Reserve? Ecotourism, really, aimed at local wildlife protection. Kids’ playgrounds, a lake and some shade make this nature reserve a great spot to check out. See amazing desert dunes with lush-green ghaf trees there. This reserve? Its goal seems simple: get folks appreciating UAE’s amazing views.
Location: Al Ain, Dubai Road, Al Nabbag, Abu Dhabi
MANGROVE NATIONAL PARK
Located near the Anantara Eastern Mangroves Hotel, Mangrove National Park in Abu Dhabi is another popular natural attraction in the United Arab Emirates.
From regional species of hundreds of birds and dazzling schools of fish to marine mammals, Mangrove National Park has so much for nature lovers. Animals that can be spotted at the nature reserve include the reef heron, greater flamingo, turtles, dolphins and foraging foxes.
Aside from observing the stunning natural landscape, there’s loads of other things to do at the Mangrove National Park. Available activities include kayaking and paddleboarding. In fact, the park is considered to be one of the best kayaking spots in Abu Dhabi. Visitors can also enjoy bird watching as the mangrove is home to thousands of beautiful birds. Besides, the park is free for everyone.
QASR AL SARAB PROTECTED AREA
Qasr Al Sarab Protected Area is a nature reserve in Abu Dhabi located adjacent to the opulent Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara in Al Dhafra region. The protected area has 308 km² of natural sand dunes and sabkha (coastal salt flats)
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