Sir Bani Yas Reserve

Sir Bani Yas is an island in the Persian Gulf transformed from barren land into a green oasis and an ecological reserve of Abu Dhabi. The island covers 87 km². Once it had no water, vegetation or wildlife, but through Sheikh Zayed’s efforts it became a national park and the Arabian Wildlife Park. Today, millions of trees and flowers are sustained by irrigation, while mangrove forests protect the coastline. Gazelles, Arabian oryx, Asian mountain sheep, giraffes, ostriches, cheetahs and hyenas live here in natural conditions. The surrounding sea provides nesting grounds for birds and breeding areas for sea turtles. Many species are endangered, and the island helps preserve their populations. Visitors can join off-road safaris, hike nature trails, kayak through mangrove lagoons, go horse riding or cycling, practise archery and take evening tours featuring falconry demonstrations.

At the centre of Sir Bani Yas rises a salt dome formed around 600 million years ago and later covered by layers of limestone and sandstone. Thirty-six archaeological sites have been found on the island, including the remains of a sixth-century Christian monastery. Between the 17th and 19th centuries, pearls, iron ore and lead sulphide used as eye cosmetic were extracted here. Among the island’s animals, the oryx are especially striking: their horns grow so symmetrically that from the side they can appear to have only one.