Thousands of migrating waterfowl from 67 species that include herons and greater flamingos rest here in the winter. Bird numbers peak in January, drawing residents and tourists alike.
Ras Al-Khor is UAE’s most important site for wading birds and some species of migratory duck. Elegantly designed bird blinds, which allow people to get close to unsuspecting birds, have been installed here at different locations.
Covering 6.2 sq km and surrounded by a buffer zone, the sanctuary has about 266 species of fauna, and 47 of flora. Its varied ecosystems support diverse plants, insects, reptiles, birds and mammals, such as the Ethiopian hedgehog, the gerbil, the Arabian hare and the Arabian fox
Birds use the site as breeding grounds. In winter, it supports a density of 60 birds per hectare. The sanctuary, a real wilderness amid the metropolitan jungle of Dubai, was officially declared a protected area in 1998. Since then, the sanctuary has been managed by the Environment Department (Marine Environment and Sanctuaries Unit) of Dubai Municipality.
Entrance is free and it is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday to Thursday.
The sanctuary is located 20 minutes from the airport and 25 minutes from Dubai Marina.
