Gujarat, Ahmedabad 21 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.
- 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.
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 isHatta – 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.
- 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.
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.
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..
- 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.
