Nature & Environment

The desert of the UAE is part of the Rub al-Khali (Empty Quarter) — at 650,000 km², the largest contiguous sand desert on Earth. At first glance, nothing seems to live here. But upon closer inspection, an amazingly adapted ecosystem is revealed.

Wildlife

• Arabian Oryx: The majestic white antelope was extinct in the wild — a breeding program in the UAE (Al Ain Zoo, Al Marmoom Reserve) has brought them back. Today, over 6,000 animals live in the region.
• Arabian Gazelle (Ghazal): Sleek, agile gazelles that survive with minimal water supply.
• Desert Fox (Rüppell's Fox): Nocturnal, large-eared fox. With luck, can be seen on an overnight safari.
• Camels (Dromedaries): No longer wild animals, but culturally central. Over 400,000 dromedaries live in the UAE.
• Falcons: The national bird of the UAE. Falconry is a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage and remains a prestigious sport. Price for a hunting falcon: up to 1 million AED (250,000 EUR).

Flora

The desert is more barren than one might think, but not empty: Ghaf trees (Prosopis cineraria) — the national tree of the UAE — survive with roots that reach up to 30 meters deep. Sidr trees provide the famous Sidr honey (one of the most expensive in the world). After rare rains, the desert transforms into a sea of blossoms — for a few days.

One of the most surprising natural landscapes of the UAE: The mangroves along the coasts of Abu Dhabi and in the northern emirates. Grey mangroves (Avicennia marina) form dense forests in the shallow, salty coastal waters and are vital ecosystems.

The mangroves serve as a nursery for fish and shrimp, as a nesting site for hundreds of bird species (flamingos, herons, cormorants), and as natural coastal protection. They also store up to five times more carbon than tropical rainforests — an important factor in climate protection.

The UAE has launched ambitious mangrove reforestation programs: Since 2020, Abu Dhabi alone has planted over 10 million mangrove trees. The Jubail Mangrove Park on Saadiyat Island is a flagship project: boardwalks, kayak routes, and information boards make the mangroves accessible to visitors.

Experiencing Mangroves

• Jubail Mangrove Park (Abu Dhabi): Free of charge, advance reservation required. Boardwalks through the mangroves.
• Eastern Mangroves (Abu Dhabi): Kayak tours from 80 AED (20 EUR), stand-up paddling possible.
• Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary (Dubai): Flamingo observation station at Dubai Creek — hundreds of flamingos in the lagoon. Free of charge, three observation huts with binoculars.

The Hajar Mountains (Al Hajar Mountains) stretch over 700 km from northern Oman through the eastern UAE. With Jebel Jais (1,934 m) in Ras Al Khaimah and Jebel Hafeet (1,249 m) near Al Ain, it forms the dramatic backbone of the eastern UAE — a rugged limestone landscape so fundamentally different from the desert that it feels like being in another country.

The mountains are geologically old — over 70 million years — and consist mainly of ophiolite rock, which was once part of the seabed and was uplifted by tectonic forces. In the deep wadis (dry valleys), seasonal rainwater collects, creating surprisingly green oases amidst the barren rocks.

Activities in the Hajar Mountains:

• Wadi Hiking: Wadi Wurayah (the only permanent waterfall in the UAE), Wadi Shawka, Wadi Al Bidyah
• Mountain Biking: Hatta Wadi Hub has developed trails (rental available on-site)
• Climbing: Jebel Jais Via Ferrata (guided climbing tour, from 350 AED/87 EUR)
• Canyoning: In the gorges of the wadis — guided tours from 250 AED (62 EUR)