Dubai will be home to the UAE’s first unfenced desert conservation reserve.

If you love spending your weekends out in the desert, we’ve got some exciting news for you.

HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice president of the UAE and ruler of Dubai, has just announced a new project that will see 10 per cent of Dubai’s total area transformed into an unfenced conservation reserve.

Spread across 40 hectares, with over 10km of lakes (including the Al Qudra Lakes), the Marmoom Reserve is set to become a hub for all sorts of adventurous activities, from wildlife viewing and stargazing to yoga and cycling.

“The desert is beautiful and inspirational; it provides a peaceful shelter to plants, birds and people,” Sheikh Mohammed explained.

“Our goal is to provide a fertile and robust environment for plants, a natural reserve for animals, and an important destination for tourists and families.”

The Marmoom Reserve will be the largest sustainable environment, tourism and recreational project in the UAE.

ALSO READ: 7 of the best desert adventures to try in Dubai

Here’s a little teaser video from Sheikh Mohammed:

What will you find there?

The Marmoom Reserve is already one of the largest protected areas in Dubai, providing a sanctuary for 19 species of endangered animals and birds.

When complete, there will be at least 10 observation decks scattered around the reserve, so visitors can see the animals in their natural habitat.

The decks will be built in the shape of Arabian Oryx heads, and will be designed to blend in with the environment.

There will also be a bird’s nest platform located on the edge of a lake, offering the perfect vantage point for birdwatching.

 

Several platforms will be erected to provide spaces for meditation and relaxation, as well as practice areas for yoga (including an air-conditioned yoga lounge).

For astronomy enthusiasts, there will be five star observation decks located in the middle of the desert, far away from the bright lights of the city.

The Marmoom Reserve will host a series of annual sporting events, which are expected to attract more than 20,000 people a year. It will also have the longest desert cycling tracks in the world.

There will also be an outdoor theatre that will seat 350 people and stage a variety of cultural performances.

While a timeframe for when all of this will be completed is yet to be announced, we can’t wait to add it to our list of Dubai desert adventures…

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