Ras Al Khor Wild Sanctuary

In the wetlands, just metres away from the bustling city of Dubai, you’ll find the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary. It’s hard to believe you can find tens of thousands of birds in a spot so close to the city

This wetland reserve also serves as a breeding ground and home each year for crustaceans, mammals and fish, but it is the flamingos that steal the show in winter. Look closer among the mass of pink feathers and it’s possible to spot grey herons, great egrets, reef herons, cormorants, black-winged stilts, sandpipers, osprey and so much more.

Known as the ‘Cape of the Creek,’ Ras Al Khor is closely monitored and protected by the Dubai Municipality. The sanctuary is fenced off to protect the area.

However, there are three bird hides located on the perimeter of the sanctuary which are free for the public to access during set daylight hours.

These hides are the first step in an ongoing project to carefully develop the sensitive area to include more comprehensive information to the visiting public.

Essentially, it is a way to allow visitors and nature lovers to admire the birds in their habitat while maintaining the quality of the area for its winged residents.

Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary covers an area of 6km and features a variety of salt flats, intertidal mudflats, mangroves, and lagoons for the birds to use for their nests and individual habitats.