4 National Parks In Dubai: Unlocking Dubai’s Treasures
Just picture this: A city where luxury is what you breathe, be it malls, shopping centres, theme parks, skyscrapers, or anything; everything in this city drips of luxury. This luxurious city also has several National Parks in Dubai, allowing you to have quality time with your friends and family while on your Dubai Trip.
These National Parks in Dubai have a lot to offer, but before you visit the city, there are certain aspects that you should know like things to do and things not to do in Dubai.
Here is a list of the Top National Parks In Dubai:
- Mushrif Park
- Ras Al Khor Wildlife
- Dubai National Park
- Al Maroom Desert Conservation Center
National Parks In Dubai
1. Mushrif Park
The Mushrif Park in Dubai was opened in 1982 by the Dubai Municipality. It is one of the top national parks in Dubai for families to have a nice outing. Covering an area of 5.25 square meters, this national park has 13 models of English and Arabic houses with lots of options for entertainment.
You can enjoy pool services, excursions, electronic games, barbeques, and other activities for all sorts of entertainment. You will not get bored in any way because there are so many things to do in this Dubai National Park.
The fun part is that it has a kids’ playground, so your kids are going to love this place; in fact, there is an adult playground as well, where you can quench your thirst for sports such as volleyball, football, and handball.
There are prayer rooms, sidewalks, bike paths, green spaces, a theatre park, and facilities for people with special needs.
Entrance Fee: AED 3 per person, AED 10 per car
Timings: 08:00 AM to 10:00 PM from Sunday to Wednesday; 08:00 AM to 11:00 PM from Thursday to Saturday and on official holidays
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2. Ras Al Khor Wildlife
Located a short distance from the luxurious city of Dubai, Ras Al Khor Wildlife is one of the few Urban protected areas of the Arid zone.
Spread across 1544 acres of land, Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary is home to around 450 species of animals and 47 plant species, featuring a variety of intertidal mud flats, salt flats, mangroves, and lagoons used by birds for their nest and individual habitat.
It is a wetland, also used as a breeding ground for fishes, mammals, and anthropods while also being their home.
This wildlife sanctuary’s best and most incredible part is spotting the pink flamingos. Besides that, other spottings include sandpipers, osprey, cormorants, grey herons, black-winged stilts, and great egrets. If you are lucky, you can also spot the group of pink flamingos, a sight to behold.
You will also be able to spot bird hides, giving you a closer look at the birds and species as well. If you are a bird watcher, you are in for a treat.
Entrance Fee: There is no entrance fee; It is free for all.
Timings: Winter timings from October to March: 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM every day; Summer timings from April to September: 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM every day.
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3. Dubai National Park
After being inspired by the South African Game Reserves, Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum purchased approximately 55680 acres of land from the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve.
Before the sheikh purchased the reserve, the place was used for camel tamer, but over time it turned into a sanctuary that protects native animals. As of now, the sanctuary has approximately 6000 plant species, and you can spot some animal species as well including Side-Winding Vipers, the Ethiopian hedgehog, Curious Sand Cats, the Statuesque Arabian Gazelle, and the Rupp ell’s Fox.
This is one of the most fascinating Dubai National Parks that allows you to have a nice time with your friends and family while you spot various animal and plant species.
Besides, it also allows you to enjoy the sand dunes and the green reserves, all at the same place and same time. Could it get any better than that?
Entrance Fee: The Entrance fee for the Dubai National Park is 3 AED
Timings: The park remains open to the public from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. every day.
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4. Al Maroom Desert Conservation Reserve
Located around the desert region of Sai Al Salam in the Emirate of Dubai, Al Maroom Desert Conservation Reserve is said to be the first conservation reserve of the United Arab Emirates that remains unfenced.
The Al Maroom Desert Conservation Reserve in Dubai is one of Dubai’s National Parks that comprises 10% of Dubai’s total area so you can imagine its massive size.
It is also home to the largest renewable energy project in the region, the Mohammad Bin Rashid Solar Park.
This 40-hectare national park gives shelter to approximately 158 species of migratory birds and 204 species of native birds, and it also consists of massive lakes spanning around 10 km.
The most prominent wildlife present in the Al Maroom Desert Conservation Reserve National Park is the largest population of Arabian Oryx in the Emirate of Dubai; apart from that, it is also home to the highest flamingo flocks in the entire United Arab Emirates.
You can spot a variety of reptiles, plant species, and mammals. Not only that, you can also find the Saruq Al Hadid Archaeological site, which is the oldest archaeological site in the country.
Entrance Fees: The entrance fee is approximately 5 AED
Timings: The park opens for visitors at 8:00 a.m. and closes at 8:00 p.m. every day.
Conclusion
These National Parks in Dubai are one of the best things to witness if you are a nature lover and are seeking a nice time with your friends and family while exploring something different, other than the city has luxury.
All these parks have so many different species of flora and fauna that it makes the place a must-visit for all the tourists in Dubai. So next time you are in Dubai, don’t forget to visit at least one of these Dubai national parks.
Frequently Asked Questions About National Parks In Dubai
What are the main natural areas or reserves to explore in Dubai?
Some of the popular reserves for you to explore in Dubai are Ras Al Khor, Sea Lion Point, The Green Planet, Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, Al Hefaiyah Mountain Conservation Centre, and Wasit Wetland Centre.
What kind of wildlife can I expect to see in these reserves and conservation areas?
There are several types of wildlife species that you can expect to spot in these national parks in Dubai, including Arabian Oryx, Side-Winding Vipers, the Ethiopian hedgehog, Curious Sand Cats, Statuesque Arabian Gazelle, the Rupp ell’s Fox, and plenty of other rare species.
When is the best time to visit these natural areas in Dubai?
The best time to visit Dubai is between the months of October to April, so it is advisable that you plan your trip to Dubai during these months. The months of October, November, and December are advisable to visit these national parks in Dubai for the best wildlife spotting.