Nature Escapes Al Barari is a true hidden gem nestled in the heart of Dubai. This lush, green oasis offers a serene retreat from the bustling city life, making it a perfect destination for anyone looking to unwind and connect with nature.
Overview
Al Barari, meaning “wilderness,” lives up to its name with its expansive gardens, tranquil lakes, and abundant wildlife. Nature Escapes Al Barari is designed to provide visitors with a unique experience that combines luxury with nature.
Key Features
Botanical Gardens: Wander through beautifully landscaped gardens featuring a diverse range of flora. The gardens are meticulously maintained and offer a peaceful environment for relaxation and reflection.
The Farm: Enjoy a meal at The Farm, a restaurant that emphasizes fresh, organic ingredients. The setting is picturesque, with outdoor seating surrounded by greenery and water features.
Wellness Activities: Participate in yoga sessions, meditation classes, and other wellness activities that are regularly held in this serene environment.
Walking Trails: Explore the numerous walking trails that wind through the community, offering stunning views and a chance to connect with nature.
Wildlife: Spot various species of birds and other wildlife that inhabit the area, making it a haven for nature enthusiasts and photographers.
Kid-Friendly Activities: Nature Escapes Al Barari is perfect for families. There are dedicated play areas, interactive nature trails, and educational workshops designed to engage children and foster a love for the environment.
Why Visit?
Nature Escapes Al Barari is not just a place to visit; it’s an experience that rejuvenates the mind and body. Whether you’re looking for a quiet place to unwind, a scenic spot for a meal, or a venue for wellness activities, Al Barari offers it all. Its commitment to sustainability and preserving the natural environment makes it a standout destination in Dubai. Plus, with its range of kid-friendly activities, it’s an ideal spot for a family day out. For more details on opening times and available events, visit their website here.
If you have spent even some time in the UAE, you may already know that Greater Flamingoes are often found in the UAE during the winter season. One can spot them in wetland areas like the Ras Al Khor in Dubai and Al Wathba Wetland Reserves in Abu Dhabi to name a few. And if you have indulged in touristy adventures on a Desert Safari, you most likely came across a Falcon, which is also the emblem of the United Arab Emirates. But besides these very prominent and noticeable birds, the United Arab Emirates welcomes various other migratory species of birds too for the better part of its winter season each year.
While the UAE has some popular birding sites, in this installment of our #UAEHiddenGems series, we are going to tell you about the Greater Flamingoes at the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary in Dubai. Most Dubai residents or visitors would have driven by or seen signs for the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary at some time. The sanctuary is located right in the middle of Dubai, only a mere 20 minutes drive from the DWTC area.
Greater flamingoes at the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary during the UAE winter season.
Literally translated to Cape or Land of the Creek, the sanctuary is an island of calm and green right in the midst of the bustling metropolis. Established in 1985, the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary is a tidal estuary with saline lagoons. While it is better known for sighting flamingoes, it is also home to many other resident birds of the UAE. Winter months also see Greater Spotted Eagles hovering overhead the area. Others include Western Osprey, Western Marsh Harriers, Common Kingfisher, Eurasian Teals and Falcons.
Blue Headed Agama
Common Kingfisher
Eurasian Teal
Its not just the birds who are residents here. Rich flora and fauna, reptiles and aquatic life are all found in the sanctuary. A blue headed Agama, Ethiopian Hedhehgog, Black-Tailed Godwit, Cape Hare and Arabian Red Fox and Horned Viper are also found. A total of 266 species of fauna and 47 kinds of flora grace the sanctuary. Among flora, you may notice Strings of Bead, Desert hyacinth, Salt Cedar, Bean Caper and Common Reed growing.
The Sanctuary has three hides – Mangrove Hide, Flamingo Hide and the Lagoon Hide. The Mangrove hide is where you can find migratory ducks, Eurasian spoonbills, raptors, shanks, and several other birds. The Flamingo Hide is self-explanatory and the most popular area amongst visitors during the winter season. The Lagoon Hide is a haven for experienced birdwatchers as the vast waters of the creek offer all kinds of birds, waders and more.
To visit as a group smaller than 5, one can just walk in and register. You may need to present your Emirates Id by the security. Time your visit in winters 10 am to 4 pm as that is the feeding time and the flamingoes come really close. In the winters, from October to March, the sanctuary is open from 7.30 am to 5:30 pm. During Summer, from the months of April to September, it opens 6:00 am till 6:00 pm. Timings change during the month of Ramadan to 8 am to 4 pm but its is always best to call the customer service office before a visit.
Its good to carry binoculars to spot birds and get a closer look. Other optionals include a camera with a telephoto lens and a bird guide. It is possible to book a guided tours but this has to be done in advance by emailing the Dubai Municipality office. The sanctuary is managed by Dubai Municipality and you can find all updated details about timings and contact numbers here. You can also call them on the toll free number 800900.
It is important to be mindful of the rules at the sanctuary – It is a quiet zone with no pets, no food, smoking allowed inside the hides. Only 10 people are allowed at the hide at a time. Visitors must not pollute the environment or harm the vegetation or wildlife in any way.
Make the most of good weather away from the hustle bustle of malls. If you have any tips or would like to share your experience of visiting the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary, please share it with us and the Outpost UAE Iraq community on our Facebook page.
If you would like to share more #UAEHiddenGems with us and the Outpost UAE Iraq community, please write to us at outpost.uaeiraq@shell.com.
The summer season and school holidays in the UAE is when people usually take off time from work to spend more time with family. While a lot of people fly to their home countries to escape UAE’s summer heat, we know some will definitely stay put. The pandemic and travel restrictions for certain countries also make this difficult for some of us. Those of you who have young ones will also be looking for ways to keep them busy and we’ve got you covered with our latest guide on Summer Camps and our updated School Guide. So for those of you spending the summer in the UAE, our #UAEHiddenGems series of articles shares information on places to visit and some hidden gems worth checking out. Whether you are here with family or on your own, we have ideas for everyone!
Some of these hidden gems come as recommendations from our Emirati colleagues and long time residents, while others are things we stumbled upon from our research here at Outpost UAE Iraq. While we love sharing these tips with you, we would also love to hear from you if you have any recommendations to share with the Outpost community here. Do write in to us with your recommendations at outpost.uaeiraq@shell.com.
Our first recommendation is this series is the town of Mleiha in the middle of the Emirate of Sharjah. You can read more about it here. The next one is about The Rain Room in Sharjah about which you can readhere. Stay tuned for more on the list. The third is a pet friendly beach and mangroves location in Umm Al Quwain here.
