Top 3 Destinations to Connect with Nature in the UAE

As we know the UAE offers a wide range of parks and beaches perfect for spending leisurely time. But it also offers a variety of getaways allowing you to connect with nature. The UAE has been promoting eco-tourism by actively preserving its biodiversity. As of 2020 a total count of 49 nature reserves have been established by the 2020 in the UAE.

Escape from the hustle and bustle of city life and connect with nature around the UAE. Here is a selection of destinations for you!

By Maria Karkour

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Hatta Dam

By only escaping 90 minutes away from Dubai you can reach a piece of paradise. Turquoise water surrounded by mountain tops; the Hatta Dam has a lot to offer. The scenery is already enough to make the journey. You can rent out pedal boats or kayak for an enjoyable trip across the dam and embrace the moment. The Hatta Dam is a place to relax, but if you’d also like a more adventurous experience you can hike along the surrounding mountains along different trails available for you. You can also enjoy a nice picnic with family around the dam. There are also food trucks, and if you’re more into eating around a table you have a selection of restaurants and cafés to choose from.

If you’d like to stay the night in the area, the Hatta Fort Hotel gives you that opportunity. But to have a closer connection to nature you can rent out a cozy camper for a unique experience under the stars at the Damani Lodges and Sedr Trail.

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Wadi Shees

Not far from Sharjah, Wadi Shees is a microclimate of its own. It consists of high mountain tops, rocky cliffs contrasting with palm tree plantation and greenery. For outdoor enthusiasts and hikers, a mountain trail is available for you to venture across. The start of the hike is near the Shees village where farmers work and live. You can find the Falaj on your way, a water channel relying on underground sources for purposes such as irrigation, cleaning and drinking. At Wadi Shees you can discover the Shees Park home to a 25 meters waterfall that you can contemplate from different terraces. You even have a playground available for kids to have some fun time. You can enjoy picnics there and barbecues but are also food trucks and a café available.

Located around Wadi Shees and built in the 1980s the Al Rafisah Dam is open to the public. It’s the perfect spot for children to play around in the water and for you to accompany them or to appreciate the scenery by a walk around the dam. You also have camping spots around the area if ever you’d like to spend a night or two in this picturesque region.

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Jubail Mangrove Park

The breathtaking Jubail Mangorve Park encompasses quite a scenic environment to please nature lovers. The name of this park comes from the initiative of planting more than 1 million mangrove trees in the area. This decision has been made by the UAE to promote sustainability and biodiversity. It is a sort of haven for the fauna and flora, as well as for visitors. You have quite a panoply of activities to choose from such as yoga and meditation. But a unique experience would have to be the night glow Kayak. Where you venture in the waters around the park at night fall. You Kayak is equipped with underwater LED lights that light up the water beneath you. Another key activity is to discover the area with an educational guided tour along the boardwalks of the park, where you can sit down along the way to contemplate the stunning and magnificent surroundings.

Jubail Mangrove Park is an unmissable destination to consider in order to get to know more about nature and connect with it.