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 expansive reserve also serves as a breeding ground 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 you might spot grey herons, great egrets, reef herons, cormorants, black-winged stilts, sandpipers, osprey and more colourful species of birds.

Explore the ‘Cape of the Creek’

Ras Al Khor is closely monitored and protected by the Dubai Municipality and the sanctuary is fenced off to safeguard the area. However, there are three bird hides located on the perimeter of the sanctuary. 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. The wetland features a variety of salt flats, intertidal mudflats, mangroves and lagoons for the birds to use as their nests and individual habitats.

Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary timings extend from 7:30am to 5:30pm during the winter season, and from 6am to 6pm between April to September. Part of the reserve is free for the public to access and enjoy – head to the official website to find the latest information about the wetlands and to plan your visit.