Discover Dubai’s stunning wildlife

See Dubai's native animals up close

Dubai has many animal attractions, from camel trekking and regal falcons in the desert to beautiful flamingos in the wetlands. Visitors young and old will be enchanted by the region’s unique wildlife encounters.

Camel trekking

It’s the quintessential Arabic experience that visitors and expats alike find hard to resist: leisurely trekking across Dubai’s ever-changing sand dunes, comfortably secured on the back of a camel. The camel tours at Al Sahra Desert Resort go above and beyond, with the 40-minute camel trek preceded by a fun educational session, a camel milk-tasting and plenty of photo opportunities. Can't make it out to the desert? Vendors located along Jumeirah Beach offer camel rides for both adults and children looking for a magical Middle Eastern experience.

Falconry in Dubai

Emiratis regard falcons – the national bird of the UAE – with immense pride. Check out the history of falconry at the Falcon Museum before heading into the desert to see these majestic birds of prey up close. Platinum Heritage's private falconry experience is a popular choice, with guests able to handle and feed them under the careful supervision of expert trainers.

An indoor rainforest

Think a tropical rainforest in the bustling city centre is out of the realms of imagination? Think again. The Green Planet is a fully-immersive indoor vertical rainforest in Dubai. Located at City Walk, visitors can embark on an expedition like no other and witness over 3,000 colourful animals and plants. Get close to loveable sloths or the nocturnal sugar gliders, pet a python or witness fruit bats in their natural habitat with the unique ‘bat cave’ experience.

Meet the rare oryx

The Arabian oryx has been brought back from the brink of extinction by a tireless government-funded breeding program – in 2011, the oryx’s status downgraded to the less drastic ‘vulnerable’ status. Today, the white-haired relative of the antelope can be found grazing on native grasses and shrubs along desert dunes. Platinum Heritage's wildlife tour takes guests on a wild drive across the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve in an open-roof 1950s vintage Land Rover, to track down and observe wild oryx and gazelle herds.

Admire the flamingos

These beautiful birds – with bright pink features, stilt legs and an S-shaped neck – are a sight to behold. You can watch hundreds of them in their natural habitat at the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary during the cooler months. The visit to the sanctuary is free and you can spend hours exploring and admiring various species of birds, with the spot being the highest concentration of local birdlife in the region.

Want to know about Dubai's natural attractions? Explore the flora and fauna at Al Marmoom or enjoy the great outdoors with a trip to Hatta.