Overview
Dubai has proven its abilities not only in buildings, art, and culture but also in preserving the precious environment. It has started a single project under the name of Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve on January 2002, comprising of nearly 5% of Dubai's total landmass. The Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, DDCR, is nothing but a natural reserve in the emirate of Dubai.
Here, the desert is considered as one of the driest areas in the world, where it has its own set of flora and fauna, which faces catastrophes due to climate change and excessive human intervention. Hence, to prevent the depletion of resources, and maintain the very flora and fauna, the UAE has initiated this environment-related project.
Curiously, the DDCR is the UAE’s first national park that conducts a detailed study on conservation and sustainability of exotic plant and animal species. However, the organization offers various adventurous and insightful activities for the visitors, other than research. Tourists from regional and abroad countries can indulge in fascinating things like camel trekking, horse riding, archery, dune driving, sand boarding, camping, and so on.
At sunset, one can enjoy a traditional dune dinner, served with grilled meats, salads, and famous Arabic desserts. If time permits, they can also get their hands painted with intricate henna designs, along with the traditional entertainment shows.
This unique reserve was established to protect those endangered species and also its niche from external and internal danger. This eventually produces positive results by the rise in the number of plants and insects throughout the area and ensuring them a sustainable environment. Thus, one can explore the splendid nature of Dubai through participating in night safari, trekking, horse riding, or dune driving without causing any harm to the mere landscape. So, don’t afford to miss this amazing lifetime opportunity that can’t be easily replaced anywhere in the world.
Here, the desert is considered as one of the driest areas in the world, where it has its own set of flora and fauna, which faces catastrophes due to climate change and excessive human intervention. Hence, to prevent the depletion of resources, and maintain the very flora and fauna, the UAE has initiated this environment-related project.
Curiously, the DDCR is the UAE’s first national park that conducts a detailed study on conservation and sustainability of exotic plant and animal species. However, the organization offers various adventurous and insightful activities for the visitors, other than research. Tourists from regional and abroad countries can indulge in fascinating things like camel trekking, horse riding, archery, dune driving, sand boarding, camping, and so on.
At sunset, one can enjoy a traditional dune dinner, served with grilled meats, salads, and famous Arabic desserts. If time permits, they can also get their hands painted with intricate henna designs, along with the traditional entertainment shows.
This unique reserve was established to protect those endangered species and also its niche from external and internal danger. This eventually produces positive results by the rise in the number of plants and insects throughout the area and ensuring them a sustainable environment. Thus, one can explore the splendid nature of Dubai through participating in night safari, trekking, horse riding, or dune driving without causing any harm to the mere landscape. So, don’t afford to miss this amazing lifetime opportunity that can’t be easily replaced anywhere in the world.
What Not To Miss
1. Inflight Dubai Indoor Skydiving: Can you imagine flying freely without a parachute and survive? Well, it’s possible in the Inflight Dubai Indoor Skydiving. Apart from skydiving, they also offer other activities using tunnels that give a surreal feeling to the riders. It’s the world’s largest and tallest wind tunnel that makes anyone fly like a bird. Get ready to learn some flying movements and seize the real adventure in it.
2. Platinum Heritage: Being the only ecotourism Desert Safari in Dubai, they provide three different types of desert safaris, namely, The Bedouin Collection, The Heritage Collection, and The Platinum Collection. Each safari takes you to a whole new experience, comprising of different time periods, such as the pre-1920s, the 1950s, and the contemporary world.
3. Royal Shaheen Events: It is one of the sought-after the events in Dubai desert. One can enjoy the ancient Arabian Falconry experience and get some close encounters with the birds. This vibrant and innovative activity, allows one to interact with falcons and create a special bonding with them. It looks stunning when flying above the sky and reaching you immediately in a few minutes.
4. SkyHub Paramotors: This enthralling ride allows one to have this incredible feeling like never before. SkyHub Paramotors is a paramotor and Xcitor trike flight school, having first-rate pilots and offers the most amazing flying experience. Here, tandem flights are 750 AED for 20 minutes in the desert surface, and 1000 AED for 20 minutes in Dubai Marina.
5. Comicave: It’s a place where you can find the world-famous action stars and comic characters like Iron Man, Spider-Man, Captain America, Thor, Sherk, etc. This place is sure to attract young adults who love the Avengers series and other comics. All statues are displayed elegantly and make one to take a snap with them.
1. Camel Treks: Traversing the vast landscape on top of a camel is totally an unimaginable experience, where you will be carried out through the dunes on a traditional ‘ship of the desert’. This unique experience elevates one’s mood from normal to exciting, so try this amazing ride at least once.
2. Falconry: Have you ever met a falcon in life before? Here comes an opportunity, where you can literally meet a falcon that could travel miles away in a few minutes and kill real prey. Unlike other tourist attractions, where you can meet the birds, and have breakfast or dinner with them, however, in this desert, you can feed them and embrace their exceptional skills.
3. Horse Riding: Put your horse through its pace, gently trot, or canter through the desert. Doing horse riding in the driest area like the desert seems to be amusing. One can create a special bonding with the beast and move along with them smoothly. You will be accompanied by an instructor, who will make sure you’re moving in the right direction.
4. Archery: Stand firm, focus on the target and hit the bull’s eye. A deadly war weapon turned into an adventurous sport, archery, is one of the most famous sports in Dubai desert, where hundreds and thousands of tourists try aiming the middle point and get the perfect shot.
5. Wildlife Drives: Are you ready for a gentle drive through the terrains of the desert? To travel deep into the desert, one must get boarded on the vehicle. You can freely roam the vast landmass and spot some of the exotic species at your convenience. The guide will explain the desert ecology and take you to the right place at the right time.
6. Dune Driving: This four-wheel vehicle will take you to the spectacular dunes and terrains and make your visit a memorable one. Their predetermined routes ensure you are surrounded by pristine desert while making your way to a Bedouin camp for other activities.
7. Dune Dinner: After indulging in a lot of travelling, adrenaline rush moments, etc. you can enjoy a delicious supper, served with grilled meats, fresh salads, desserts and beverages. At the backdrop, you can enjoy the famous belly dance performance with Arabian music.
8. Sand Boarding: Get ready to slide in some of the unique landscapes in the world. Head towards the dunes, strap on your sandboard and take a thrilling ride on the valley floor. Suddenly, one can feel like sliding on a sea wave, rather than on the sand.
9. Private Desert Dinner: A secluded slot, arranged with colourful rugs and cushions and lit by traditional lights awaits you. One can fall in love with the refreshing environment and enjoy the company of a loved one and savour a personalised menu.
10. Camping: Experience the mysterious desert nights with your dear ones by camping out for a full night. During the session, there will be guides with their vehicles to your encampment. An Arabian dinner and a magical night in a tent are sure to give you an unforgettable experience.
11. Hot Air Ballooning: Enjoy a magical ride on the endless ocean of sand dunes and emerald green oasis. Here, one can spot native Arabian animals like oryx, gazelles and camels in their homeland. Also, one can witness the world’s first falcon show at a height of 3,000 feet above the sea level.
2. Platinum Heritage: Being the only ecotourism Desert Safari in Dubai, they provide three different types of desert safaris, namely, The Bedouin Collection, The Heritage Collection, and The Platinum Collection. Each safari takes you to a whole new experience, comprising of different time periods, such as the pre-1920s, the 1950s, and the contemporary world.
3. Royal Shaheen Events: It is one of the sought-after the events in Dubai desert. One can enjoy the ancient Arabian Falconry experience and get some close encounters with the birds. This vibrant and innovative activity, allows one to interact with falcons and create a special bonding with them. It looks stunning when flying above the sky and reaching you immediately in a few minutes.
4. SkyHub Paramotors: This enthralling ride allows one to have this incredible feeling like never before. SkyHub Paramotors is a paramotor and Xcitor trike flight school, having first-rate pilots and offers the most amazing flying experience. Here, tandem flights are 750 AED for 20 minutes in the desert surface, and 1000 AED for 20 minutes in Dubai Marina.
5. Comicave: It’s a place where you can find the world-famous action stars and comic characters like Iron Man, Spider-Man, Captain America, Thor, Sherk, etc. This place is sure to attract young adults who love the Avengers series and other comics. All statues are displayed elegantly and make one to take a snap with them.
Things to do at Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve
1. Camel Treks: Traversing the vast landscape on top of a camel is totally an unimaginable experience, where you will be carried out through the dunes on a traditional ‘ship of the desert’. This unique experience elevates one’s mood from normal to exciting, so try this amazing ride at least once.
2. Falconry: Have you ever met a falcon in life before? Here comes an opportunity, where you can literally meet a falcon that could travel miles away in a few minutes and kill real prey. Unlike other tourist attractions, where you can meet the birds, and have breakfast or dinner with them, however, in this desert, you can feed them and embrace their exceptional skills.
3. Horse Riding: Put your horse through its pace, gently trot, or canter through the desert. Doing horse riding in the driest area like the desert seems to be amusing. One can create a special bonding with the beast and move along with them smoothly. You will be accompanied by an instructor, who will make sure you’re moving in the right direction.
4. Archery: Stand firm, focus on the target and hit the bull’s eye. A deadly war weapon turned into an adventurous sport, archery, is one of the most famous sports in Dubai desert, where hundreds and thousands of tourists try aiming the middle point and get the perfect shot.
5. Wildlife Drives: Are you ready for a gentle drive through the terrains of the desert? To travel deep into the desert, one must get boarded on the vehicle. You can freely roam the vast landmass and spot some of the exotic species at your convenience. The guide will explain the desert ecology and take you to the right place at the right time.
6. Dune Driving: This four-wheel vehicle will take you to the spectacular dunes and terrains and make your visit a memorable one. Their predetermined routes ensure you are surrounded by pristine desert while making your way to a Bedouin camp for other activities.
7. Dune Dinner: After indulging in a lot of travelling, adrenaline rush moments, etc. you can enjoy a delicious supper, served with grilled meats, fresh salads, desserts and beverages. At the backdrop, you can enjoy the famous belly dance performance with Arabian music.
8. Sand Boarding: Get ready to slide in some of the unique landscapes in the world. Head towards the dunes, strap on your sandboard and take a thrilling ride on the valley floor. Suddenly, one can feel like sliding on a sea wave, rather than on the sand.
9. Private Desert Dinner: A secluded slot, arranged with colourful rugs and cushions and lit by traditional lights awaits you. One can fall in love with the refreshing environment and enjoy the company of a loved one and savour a personalised menu.
10. Camping: Experience the mysterious desert nights with your dear ones by camping out for a full night. During the session, there will be guides with their vehicles to your encampment. An Arabian dinner and a magical night in a tent are sure to give you an unforgettable experience.
11. Hot Air Ballooning: Enjoy a magical ride on the endless ocean of sand dunes and emerald green oasis. Here, one can spot native Arabian animals like oryx, gazelles and camels in their homeland. Also, one can witness the world’s first falcon show at a height of 3,000 feet above the sea level.
How To Reach
The place is located approximately 60 km away from the Dubai International Airport and can be reached by road within an hour’s drive. Since Dubai is well connected with the best quality roads, there are buses, cabs, and mini-vans running at regular intervals. However, the easiest way is hiring a cab from the Dubai International Airport and reaching the spot on time. Apart from that, the tour operator also provides transfer facility upon request. Once you arrive at the location, you will be received by the staffs and ensure your stay is safe and comfortable.
Best Time To Visit
The best time to visit Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve is between October and March. The climate is relatively cool and gives a soothing experience to all visitors. One can enjoy the night safari or camping activity or a dune dinner and get a wonderful respite out of it. But, don’t forget to carry a coat to keep yourself warm in the night.
Essential Information
Location: It’s an area of 225 square kilometres, located north-east of the emirate of Dubai, UAE
Timings: It generally operates every day between 7.00 am and 5.00 pm
Price: Based on the tour package and the number of activities, the price varies accordingly. However, the lowest price starts at 168.66 AED
- Firstly, tourists need to carry valid ID proof while coming to this exhilarating place. Due to security reasons, the management has made in compulsory.
- Secondly, they need to carry a sweatshirt, coat, or fur during the winter season. Similarly, they can carry sunglasses, a hat, a camera, and sunblock.
- Thirdly, tourists are advised to carry a water bottle with them, filled with water.
- Fourthly, they can wear loose and comfortable clothes rather than a casual dress.
- Fifthly and finally, tourists are advised to follow the instructions carefully while indulging in trekking or horse riding activity.
Timings: It generally operates every day between 7.00 am and 5.00 pm
Price: Based on the tour package and the number of activities, the price varies accordingly. However, the lowest price starts at 168.66 AED
Tips for visiting Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve
- Firstly, tourists need to carry valid ID proof while coming to this exhilarating place. Due to security reasons, the management has made in compulsory.
- Secondly, they need to carry a sweatshirt, coat, or fur during the winter season. Similarly, they can carry sunglasses, a hat, a camera, and sunblock.
- Thirdly, tourists are advised to carry a water bottle with them, filled with water.
- Fourthly, they can wear loose and comfortable clothes rather than a casual dress.
- Fifthly and finally, tourists are advised to follow the instructions carefully while indulging in trekking or horse riding activity.