Dubai, as well all know, is a city with world-class architecture, luxury shopping, and rich cultural heritage. But what many of us are not aware of is that there’s much to Dubai that we have not explored. One of the many things that often goes unexplored is the incredible wildlife found across the various national parks in Dubai, which offer a completely different side of the city. Dubai has some of the most fascinating national parks. The national parks have been designed in such a unique way that it’s definitely worth visiting. The guide below should help you choose from some of the top national parks in the city. While these green spaces are lesser known, they deserve a place among the top places to visit in Dubai for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts.

Mushrif Park

Exploring wildlife reserves and protected habitats is among the most unique things to do in Dubai, especially for travellers looking beyond the city's skyscrapers and shopping malls.

Mushrif Park, located on the eastern side of the Deira city is a 1300 acre family-oriented park in Dubai. It consists of an international village which has 13 models of Arabic and English houses. Besides this, the park also has some great entertainment such as electronic games, barbecues, excursions, play areas for children, football field, and bicycle track. The park is surrounded by green areas where you can go for a walk. If you’re spending a whole day at the park, you do not have to worry about food as the park has restaurants and canteen inside. Mushrif Park is an exciting place to visit and it appeals to visitors of all ages.

Entrance Fee: AED 3 per person, AED 10 per car
Timings: 08:00 AM to 10:00 PM (Sunday to Wednesday); 08:00 AM to 11:00 PM (Thursday to Saturday and on official holidays)

Ras Al Khor Wildlife

The Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary is just a short distance away from Dubai city. Ras al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary is among the few urban protected areas in the arid zone.

The 1544 acre sanctuary is home to 450 species of animals and 47 plant species. The Sanctuary features a variety of salt flats, intertidal mudflats, mangroves, and lagoons that birds use for their nests and individual habitats. This wetland is also used as a breeding ground and has been home for mammals, Arthropods, and fish. The most significant highlight at the sanctuary is the gracious pink flamingos. You can also spot grey herons, great egrets, reef herons, cormorants, black-winged stilts, sandpipers, osprey, and more among the mass of pink flamingos. Besides this, you can also find three bird hides, that give you a closer look at the birds and other wildlife.

Entrance Fee: Free for all
Timings: Winter timings (Oct-March) – 7.30 AM to 5.30 PM daily; Summer timings (April- Sept) 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM daily.

TIP: Birdwatching experiences are particularly rewarding during the best time to visit Dubai, when migratory birds arrive and outdoor temperatures are pleasant.

Dubai National Park

Inspired by the South African Game reserves, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum purchased around 55680 acres of the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve. Initially, the reserve was used to tame camels but slowly it became a protective sanctuary for the native animals. Currently, there are about 6000 species of plants and several species of animals, some of which are Sand Gazelle, the Statuesque Arabian Gazelle, Side-Winding Vipers, the Rueppell’s Fox, the Ethiopian hedgehog, and the Curious Sand Cats. The Dubai national park is definitely a must-visit if you want to experience the sand dunes and the green reserve all at the same time.

Entrance Fee: Approx 3 AED
Timings: 06:00 A.M – 06:00 P.M daily

For travellers interested in curated wildlife encounters, Dubai Safari Park is another excellent attraction that complements a visit to Dubai’s natural reserves.

Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve

Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve located in the desert region of Saih Al Salam in the Dubai emirate is the first unfenced conservation reserve in the United Arab Emirates. The Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve comprises of 10% of Dubai’s total area. It is also home to the Mohammed Bin Rashid Solar Park – the largest renewable energy project in this region.

This 40 hectares reserve is home to 204 species of native birds, 158 species of migratory birds, and lakes spanning over 10kms. Some of the most prominent wildlife present here are the largest populations of Arabian oryx in Dubai and the highest flock of large pink flamingos in the UAE. The reserve is also home to a variety of reptile, mammal, and plant species. Besides this, you can find the Saruq Al Hadid archaeological site, one of the oldest sites in the country.

Entrance Fee: Approx 3-5 AED
Timings: 08:00 A.M – 08:00 P.M daily

TIP: Nature enthusiasts visiting the reserve often combine their trip with nearby Al Qudra Lake, one of Dubai’s most scenic spots for birdwatching and sunset views.

Sharjah National Park

One of the must-visit national parks in the United Arab Emirates is the Sharjah National Park. Spanning over 155 acres, the Sharjah national park is one of the largest parks in the city. Being a public park, it is a perfect place to hang out with your friends and family. The park offers entertainment services some of which include a play area for kids with rope ladders, slides, and a jungle gym, picnic tables and barbecue areas, cycling tracks, and a miniature city featuring the famous landmarks in Sharjah. Sharjah national park has been one of the most popular recreational areas for families in Sharjah city.

Entrance Fee: Free for children below the age of 5. AED 6 for people over 6 and above.
Timings: 08:00 A.M to 01:00 P.M and 04:00 P.M to 10:00 P.M (Sunday to Wednesday); 08:00 A.M to 10:00 P.M (Thursday to Saturday)

TIP: Wildlife lovers exploring Sharjah can also visit Sharjah Desert Park, which offers educational exhibits, conservation centres and native desert species.

If you’re planning on visiting Dubai and are looking to explore something different apart from the most often visited places, then you should definitely add national parks to your itinerary. If you’re planning on visiting Dubai and are looking to explore something different apart from the most often visited places, then you should definitely add national parks to your itinerary. Many parks have minimal or no entry fees, thereby making them the perfect additions to a budget trip to Dubai without compromising on memorable experiences.

Need help in planning your trip to Dubai? Head to Pickyourtrail where you can customise your own itinerary with an expert’s advice.

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