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22nd January 2025: Dubai’s charm extends well beyond the city walls, with mountains, mangroves, desert, native wildlife and coastline just a stone’s-throw away. With a huge range of incredible outdoor adventures waiting to be discovered, a journey to these rugged landscapes offers a new and meaningful way to experience Dubai.
Desert
- Whether you’re looking to raise your adrenaline levels with a desert safari or enjoy a luxury overnight stay, Dubai’s desert is home to endless options. For true adrenaline-seekers, sandboarding is a breathtaking experience. Head to Dubai’s ‘Big Red’ dune – the emirate’s ultimate desert ‘black run’ – located just a 30-minute drive towards Hatta and rises to 300ft.
- Dubai’s desert offers a true equestrian experience, where riders can canter between the dunes. Al Jiyad Stables, in the desert region of Saih Al Salam, is home to more than 120 Arabian and part-Arab horses and offers desert hacks and training for riders of all levels.
- It’s not just an adventure that’s waiting for visitors in the desert. You can experience natural and cultural heritage at the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve (DDCR), one of the largest areas to be declared as a protected nature reserve by the government in the UAE. Covering 225 square kilometres, it takes up approximately 5% of the total land in Dubai and is fenced off to shield the flora and fauna that naturally inhabit the area. Since the preservation started in 2004, the reserve has become home to more than 50 plant species, 120 birds and 43 mammals and reptiles.
- Al Qudra Lakes, a hidden oasis in the vast Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve, is home to a series of manmade lakes spread across 10 hectares of Dubai’s Saih Al Salam Desert landscape. Here, you can spot wildlife in their natural habitats, from desert foxes to oryx or 170 species of bird that live around the lakes including flamingos, swans and several migratory birds. The latest addition to the cluster of lagoons is the ‘Love Lake’, carved in the form of two hearts entwined together.
- Al Qudra Cycling Track is an ideal destination for thrill-seekers and fitness enthusiasts. Spanning 86km, this scenic track treats riders to mesmerising views of the desert landscape. Whether a professional cyclist or a novice, the track caters to all skill levels, making it a great choice for an invigorating cycling experience.
Hatta and the Hajar Mountains
- Beyond the sandy shores and city skyline, and even further through the scenic desert, lies a stunning mountain range. Just a 90-minute drive from downtown Dubai is Hatta – a mountain conservation reserve and an enclave of Dubai nestled amid the majestic Hajar Mountains. Extending for 700 kilometres, and separating the UAE from Oman, it is the highest mountain range in the eastern Arabian Peninsula.
- Translated as ‘rocky mountains’, Hatta invites visitors to explore the eastern region’s rich heritage, diverse flora and fauna, beautiful landscapes and natural attractions.
- The Hatta Mountain Reserve features some of the best-exposed Ophiolite rock formations in the world and sustains a wide array of wildlife, including globally threatened species like the Arabian leopard and Egyptian vulture.
- Outdoor activities in Hatta Wadi Hub include hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, horse riding, and camping, while guests can also visit a heritage village, archaeological sites, and historical monuments. Hatta Archaeological Landscape is listed as a tentative UNESCO World Heritage site.
- Located strategically on the summit of the Hajar Mountains, the Hollywood-style ‘Hatta Sign’ provides visitors with an unforgettable experience. Don’t miss this opportunity to hike up to this impressive structure and enjoy picturesque views.
- Hatta is also home to a wonderful range of animal encounters, making it the perfect family visit. The freshwater ecosystem supports a large number of different animal and plant species including rare flora and fauna, birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians. While on scenic hike, visitors can take in the awe inspiring vistas and can expect to see an Arabian leopard, Arabian oryx, Arabian tahr, local mountain goats, white desert antelope and the Egyptian vulture, many of these which are endangered species.
Wildlife and nature reserves
- Dubai is full of hidden gems, and be it across the mountains, mangroves, desert or coastline, the emirate is a popular destination for nature lovers. Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary provides a unique opportunity to explore nature and wildlife in a spot close to the city. Translating to the ‘Cape of the Creek’, the wetlands serve as a breeding ground for mammals, crustaceans and fish, with more than 20,000 water birds from 67 species – but it is the flamingos that steal the show during the winter. The wildlife features a combination of salt flats, mangroves, and lagoons, and is home to 450 species of flora and fauna. There are three bird reserves located on the perimeter of the sanctuary which are free for the public to access during set daylight hours.
- Covering 23% of Dubai’s total land mass is Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve, the UAE’s largest unfenced nature reserve. Open to the public, it is abundant with native wildlife, including Arabian oryx, Arabian gazelles, sand gazelles, foxes and wild cats.
- Spanning 225 square kilometres, Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve was the UAE’s first national park and one of its most biologically diverse environments. It hosts more than 50 plant species, 120 bird species, and 43 mammals and reptiles.
- Al Wohoosh Desert Conservation Reserve is known for its 91 species of fauna, including desert foxes and insects, and a remarkable diversity of native tree species such as ghafs, sidrs, samars, and miswaks.
- Dubai’s roots are very much aligned with the Bedouin culture of a bygone era and where there is the desert, there are camels. Visitors can follow the footsteps of ancient Bedouins and embark on a camel trekking expedition through the desert.
Public parks
- A welcome escape from the hustle and bustle of the busy urban life, a visit to one of Dubai’s public parks is among the many ways to unwind. Dubai is home to a number of popular green spaces, such as Zabeel Park, Al Mamzar Beach Park, Safa Park, Creek Park and Mushrif Park, many of which feature children’s play areas, boating lakes, swimming pools, and cycle paths.
- At Mushrif Park visitors can discover 20km of mountain bike trails, which wind their way through a scenic natural setting. The first track of its kind in Dubai, there are multiple routes of varying difficulty levels. While the trails are free to use, there’s a nominal fee of Dhs3 per person for park entry. Cyclists can bring their own gear or rent on site.
- Al Barsha Pond Park is a fantastic destination for families looking for a fun and free activity in Dubai. The park boasts a large pond with beautiful fountains and plenty of open green spaces for picnics and games.
Beaches and coast
- Dubai’s diverse beach culture is undoubtedly one of the most unique things about this urban paradise. The glorious warm waters and year-round sunshine are the perfect ingredients for a host of marine thrills for water sports lovers, combining high-energy city action with the beauty of the Arabian Gulf. With the coastline extending from the southwest of the city to the outskirts of neighbouring emirates in the northeast, each spot has its own personality.
- To make the most of the clear skies, you can opt for a leisurely sailing trip at dusk, a high-speed jet ski tour or a more daring activity like flyboarding or a seabreacher experience. Popular coastal spots include Kite Beach in Umm Suqeim, which has a range of activities; Sunset Beach, also in Umm Suqeim, where visitors can get up close with the iconic Burj Al Arab Jumeirah; and Al Mamzar Beach Park, which is spread over 106 hectares in the north of the emirate.
Camping, glamping and hotels
- Experience the joys of camping without venturing too far from the city at the tranquil Al Qudra Lakes. Head to the serene getaway in the Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve and admire the lush surroundings and wildlife, including more than 200 species of birds that call the lake home. One of the most developed camping spots in Dubai, Al Qudra Lakes is perfect for beginner campers and families.
- Hatta has become a popular weekend hideout. For those with the appropriate gear, there are several camping spots to consider, including some near Hatta Mountain Bike Trail Centre. Here you’ll find barasti huts, barbecue spots, shower blocks and restrooms. Otherwise, discover the landscape for yourself and pitch a tent by the foothills. Remember to bring all your essential equipment, especially during harsher weather, so you're not caught out in emergencies.
- Switch up your usual camping routine and rent a caravan, lodge or dome at Hatta Resorts and its Wadi Hub. Now open for its seventh season, Hatta Resorts also offers a host of new experiences.
- Lahbab Desert is one of the most memorable options for camping, with a vista of stars and stunning red sands visible from Fossil Rock. It’s packed with rocks and dunes to explore, such as Pink Rock and Big Red, a 300-foot-high sand dune. Adventure seekers can get their adrenaline pumping by going sandboarding.
- For an unforgettable experience, there are two luxurious options in Dubai’s desert. The eco-focused Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai is an adults-only oasis nestled in the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve. The five-star property has 42 suites all with their own private pool blending seamlessly into the desert dunes. Family-friendly Bab Al Shams Desert Resort is a take on an old fortified Bedouin village hidden among the sand, yet still only a 45-minute drive from the city. Meaning ‘gateway to the sun’ in Arabic, Dubai’s oldest desert resort has a range of activities and guests can also enjoy dining experiences at Al Hadheerah restaurant and Ninive lounge.
- If ‘desert chic’ is what you’re looking for, then spend a weekend beneath the sparkling night sky at Sonara Desert Camp, located in the heart of the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve. Witness a breathtaking sunset followed by a delightful dining experience under the enchanting glow of fairy lights. The night comes alive with live entertainment and mesmerising musical performances under the stars. Guests have the option to visit for an evening or stay overnight, waking up to the magnificent sunrise over the expansive desert landscape.