Dubai: There’s no better place to truly experience the magic of the desert than at Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve.

Spanning around 10% of the entire emirate of Dubai, Al Marmoom is renowned for its sustainability initiatives, native animal species, its cycling tracks and camel races, its heritage sites, and its stunning views. Whether you’re an adventure-seeker or just looking to relax, Al Marmoom has something for everyone.

We break down what to see and do at this conservation reserve below.

What is Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve?

Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve has the highest concentration of large flamingos in the UAE. Picture for illustrative purposes. Picture credit: Pexels

As the UAE’s largest unfenced nature reserve, Al Marmoom is home to spectacular native wildlife. It hosts one of the largest populations of Arabian oryx in Dubai, and has the highest concentration of large flamingos in the UAE. You can also catch sight of sand gazelles and Arabian gazelles, as well as a diverse range of bird and reptile species.

The reserve features an Oryx Platform, which serves as a viewing point for Arabian oryx. There are also multiple feeding stations in the area, from where you can spot desert animals.

With 40 hectares of lush, fertile land, this desert sanctuary is home to over 158 species of migratory birds, 204 species of native birds, and many endangered or vulnerable species, like the steppe eagle and the Asian houbara. The Dubai Municipality has built eight bird hides for bird watching, so visitors can get a closer look at different migratory and local bird species.

The reserve is open to the public, is free to enter, and is managed by the UAE’s Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE).

How to get there: Since the reserve is so large, there is no single address for Al Marmoom. It’s best to visit specific spots within the reserve, such as Al Qudra Lakes or Al Qudra Cycling Track. See details below.

What are some other features of Al Marmoom?

Apart from native wildlife, Al Marmoom is home to a variety of different and unique sites:

Mohammed Bin Rashid Solar Park

Al Marmoom sits in the northwest corner of the region’s largest renewable energy project. The Mohammed Bin Rashid Solar Park has a planned production capacity of 5,000MW by 2030, with investments totalling Dh50 billion. When completed, the solar park will save over 6.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions, annually.

The Solar Park is open to the public. On your visit, you will be ushered to the auditorium, where you will watch a video of the Solar Park’s mission, following which, you can enjoy a tour of the Solar Park’s Dubai Exhibit Area, which has plenty of zones to explore, from stations that teach you the properties of light and the future of energy, to a hologram show and a unique Metaverse experience.

How to get there: Insert these coordinates – Q989+52G – into Google Maps, to access the exact location. The Mohammed Bin Rashid Solar Park is situated in the Saih Al Dahal region, about 50km south of Dubai.

Visiting hours: The Solar Park is open to visitors from Saturday to Wednesday, 9am to 4pm, and on Thursdays, from 9am to 12 noon. It is closed on Fridays and public holidays.

Entry fee: The admission fee for adults is Dh50, while for students and children above three years old, it is Dh30. It is free of charge for people of determination.

Saruq Al Hadid

The 3,000-year-old Saruq Al Hadid archaeological site, one of the oldest sites in the country that dates back to the Iron Age, is also located within the reserve, making it a popular cultural and historical attraction. Excavations at the site have revealed historic artifacts, including bronze, pottery and stone vessels, various weapons such as daggers and swords, as well as gold jewellery and bronze ornaments.

Although Saruq Al Hadid is not open to public, you can see excavated artifacts at Saruq Al Hadid Archaeology Museum, in Dubai.

How to get there: Saruq Al Hadid Archaeology Museum is located at 136 49th Street in Al Fahidi district, Dubai.

Visiting hours: The museum is open from 7.30am to 7pm from Monday to Thursday. On Fridays and Sundays, it is open from 9am to 5pm. It is closed on Saturdays.

Entry fee: Tickets are priced at Dh50 for adults and Dh20 for children (ages 5 to 24). Book through Al Shindagha Museum’s website (museumtickets.dubaiculture.gov.ae) or purchase the ticket at the venue.

Al Qudra Lakes and others

Al Qudra Lakes offers a peaceful desert oasis experience, just minutes from the bustling city centre of Dubai. Picture credit: Unsplash

Al Marmoom encompasses over 10 square kilometres of lakes, including the popular Al Qudra Lakes. Here, residents and visitors can enjoy picturesque sunrises and sunsets, and even have picnics and barbecues, provided they bring their own equipment and clean up afterwards.

Apart from Al Qudra Lakes, the following lakes are also part of Al Marmoom:

Love Lake
Expo Lake
Crescent Moon Lake
Flamingo Lake

How to get there: The D63 Al Qudra Road takes visitors directly to Al Qudra Lakes. For the other lakes, some off-roading is required, so ensure your vehicle is equipped to handle desert sand.

Visiting hours: The lakes are open to the public 24/7.

Entry fee: Visiting the lakes is free of cost.

Al Qudra Cycle Track

Whether you're a beginner or a pro, enjoy a scenic ride on Al Qudra Cycle Track, which the Guinness World Records dubbed as the ‘longest continuous cycling path in the world’ in 2022. The main loop of Al Qudra Cycle Track is 50km in length, which can be reduced to 35km via a bypass route. The full length of track, including extensions and the roadside 'horse shoe' route is estimated to be 180km.

Although the track is open 24/7, it’s best to use it during the day, as some parts are not illuminated in the nighttime. The track is equipped with phone booths for emergency calls at over 30 points. It also has washrooms, rest stops, and Last Exit – Al Qudra, a vibrant zone full of food trucks and restaurants.

How to get there: Follow Al Awir Road to get to Al Qudra Cycle Track.

Visiting hours: The track is open 24/7.

Entry fee: The cycling track is free to use.

Al Marmoom Heritage Village

Home of the Al Marmoom Camel Race Festival, one of the most popular sporting events of the year, as well as the Al Marmoom Heritage Festival, this popular destination helps residents and tourists discover the culture and traditions of the UAE. During the Heritage Festival, which returns every spring (from March to April), you can find handicrafts, local cuisine, wedding set-ups, and live music, with Emirati lifestyle taking centrestage.

How to get there: Al Marmoom Heritage Village is located along the Dubai-Al Ain Road (E66).

Visiting hours: The Village operates only during the spring, during festivities like Al Marmoom Camel Race Festival and Al Marmoom Heritage Festival.

Entry fee: While the Heritage Village is free to enter, individual attractions may charge visitors a fee.

Al Marmoom Camel Racing Track

Camel racing is an important part of the UAE's culture, and has evolved from a traditional Bedouin pastime into a high-tech national sport. Picture for illustrative purposes. Picture credit: Unsplash

To witness the traditional Emirati sport of camel racing, you can head to Al Marmoom Camel Racing Track early on weekend mornings and catch these resilient creatures in action, with their robot jockeys in tow. About 60 camels race along the dirt track, reaching speeds of 40km/h, as their owners follow alongside in four-wheel drives. Visitors can cheer them on from the grandstand, bringing along binoculars to get a closer look.

In the spring, this venue also hosts the camel racing component of Al Marmoom Heritage Festival, which brings together competitors from around the region, in celebration of UAE heritage.

How to get there: The race track is based at the Dubai Camel Racing Club, right next to Al Marmoom Heritage Village. The Camel Racing Track can be reached via the Dubai-Al Ain Road (E66).

Visiting hours: Camel racing season runs from October to April. Races typically start early, from 6am to 9am on weekend mornings.

Entry fee: General admission and viewing is free for the public. However, there may be fees during major cultural festivals or specialised racing series.

Toy maker Hornby's Olympic collection