Walk on the wild side

Located just eight kilometres off the coast of Abu Dhabi’s Western Region is the magnificent Sir Bani Yas Island, approachable by plane or boat.

It is by far Abu Dhabi’s best kept secret, one that brings with it a taste of wildlife adventure, providing the perfect disconnect from hectic city life.

Sir Bani Yas is a nature and wildlife reserve that the emirate’s Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC) is shaping into a leading hospitality destination. The late UAE president Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan had originally designated the island as a wildlife sanctuary.

Escape the ordinary

There are several travel options available for those eager to escape their daily routines. Drive to a dedicated jetty in Jabal Dannah and travel by boat on a 20-minute trip to Sir Bani Yas.

Alternatively, book a ticket aboard Rotana Jet that offers roundtrip flights from Abu Dhabi International Airport (Terminal Two) and Dubai International Airport (Terminal Two).

For intrepid sailors, the Royal Bay Moorings allows you to dock your boat in any of the 10 water moorings for vessels up to 50 feet.

Today, there are three hotels on the island – the 64-room Desert Islands Resort and Spa by Anantara, which is celebrating its sixth anniversary as the first hotel on the Island; Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island Al Yamm Villa Resort, the 30-villa resort that offers guests the opportunity to enjoy Sir Bani Yas’ glittering waters and stunning mangrove lagoons as soon as they step out of their villa; and Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island Al Sahel Villa Resort, which allows guests to explore their wild side by staying in any of the 30 villas right in the heart of the celebrated Arabian Wildlife Park.

All three promise a stay that will be unparalleled in luxury amenities, top-quality services and dining options, not forgetting of course, the diverse activities available across the island.

Adventure central

However, what’s exciting about Sir Bani Yas island is not only its location, but the adventure it has to offer visitors. The island is home to over 30,000 free-roaming animals and birds.

Guests can experience the Island’s rich fauna and landscape through activities such as the nature and wildlife drive, the nature and wildlife walk, mountain biking, horseback riding and more.

Complementing these activities, guests of all ages can also test their archery skills, enhance your riding skills and meet the horses at the Sir Bani Yas Stables, kayak through the rich mangrove lagoons, try their hand at land sailing, and even learn about Sir Bani Yas’ rich heritage by visiting an early Christian monastery that dates back to the late sixth century AD.

If the call of the sea is too alluring to ignore, sign up for a wide range of water-based activities offered by the Desert Islands Watersports Centre. These include snorkelling, a catch-and-release deep sea fishing excursion, along with scuba diving and PADI-certification courses.

Unwind

After a day filled with activities, guests may well be tempted to soothe their aching muscles at the Anantara Spa with its signature treatments, such as island rejuvenation, which are guaranteed to make you feel as good as new.

For dining, visitors can enjoy sumptuous dishes and cuisines offered in any of the Island’s luxurious resorts, whether fresh seafood at Samak in the Desert Islands Resort & Spa, hearty Italian at Olio in the Al Yamm Villa Resort or a South African inspired dish at Savannah in the Al Sahel Villa Resort.

No matter the length of one’s stay, Sir Bani Yas Island’s rustic charm leaves its visitors asking for more, and perhaps wishing they could remain on this magical island indefinitely.

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Nature reserves of Oman

Oman has its fair share of nature parks and protected areas.

Al Jabal Al Akhdhar Sanctuary for Natural Sceneries is about two hours from capital Muscat and can only be undertaken by four-wheel drive. The ‘green mountain’ is known for its Mediterranean climate, and produces a variety of fruits, such as apricots, plums, figs, grapes, pomegranages, apples and pears, as well as almonds, walnuts and saffron.

As Saleel Nature Park, located in Al Sharqiyah South Governorate, extends over an area of 220 sq km, and is predominantly covered by forests of acacia trees. It is home to a number of rare species such as the Arabian gazelle, the Omani wild cat and others, notably, the red fox and the Egyptian Eagle.

Spread over 247 hectares, Al Dimaniyat Islands Nature Reserve comprises nine islands and features pristine white sandy beaches and a rich diaspora of coral reefs, sea turtles and migratory and indigenous birds.

In 1984, the reserve was recognised internationally because it is located within the project of the Great Barrier Reef, considered an international nature reserve and one of the most beautiful diving locations in the Sea of Oman.

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