The last two years have changed the way we travel. A great deal of people are now trading materialistic getaways for more meaningful vacays that help them connect with nature and their inner selves.
One of the most popular travel trends emerging in 2022 is wildlife safaris. From celebrities to distant cousins, everyone’s hopping on the bandwagon and it’s time you experience it too!
Abu Dhabi is just a four-hour flight from India and is one of our favourite destinations to deep dive into the wilderness.
Here’s a handy list of national parks, zoos and safaris that will make your Abu Dhabi getaway one for the books:
1) Al Ain Zoo
Visit Abu Dhabi
Home to over 4,000 animals, Al Ain Zoo guarantees many memorable experiences such as giraffe feeding, camel riding and the Elezba petting zoo. For more interactive encounters, the zoo has transparent enclosures which house exotic animals like the Arabian oryx, the big-horned Barbary sheep, rhinos, hippos, tigers, lions and more. Al Ain Zoo gets extra brownie points for its lush green picnic pastures, cafes, restaurants and a dedicated train tour that takes you through the wildlife. How cool is that?!
2) Arabian Wildlife Park
Visit Abu Dhabi
Located on the incredible Sir Bani Yas Island, the Arabian Wildlife Park is home to over 17,000 free-roaming animals like Arabian oryx, gazelles and giraffes, along with hyenas and cheetahs. That’s right – no cages or bars, just sprawling nature and wildlife as far as the eye can see. While visiting Sir Bani Yas Island, we’d recommend lodging at the luxurious Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara or the exquisite Danat Jebel Dhanna Resort. Both resorts offer 4×4 nature and wildlife drives to witness the wilderness up close!
3) Emirates Park Zoo
Emirates Park Zoo (Instagram)
An Abu Dhabi vacation with kids is incomplete without a visit to Emirates Park Zoo. This all-round destination houses several farm and wild animals, making it a fun, educational experience. We love that the zoo offers myriad activities such as a zipline, animal feeding, animal shows, breakfast with giraffes, lunch with leopards, car adventures, dinner with elephants and lots more! Of course, staying at the Emirates Park Resort – nestled right in the middle of the zoo – is a must. This luxury resort boasts world-class chalets and rooms, a swimming pool, diverse cuisines to treat your palate, a souvenir shop and an awesome kids’ play area.
4) Mangrove National Park
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Looking for a calm and serene way to feel at one with nature? Head straight to the Mangrove National Park – it’s the ideal destination for birdwatching, photography and kayaking. Out here, one can expect to spot flamingos, crabs, herons, foxes, dolphins, dugongs and turtles. Top tip: by heading into the lush mangroves on a kayak, you’ll be able to maneuver better and explore deeper. Don’t forget your camera and binoculars, you’re in for some otherworldly sightings!
5) Al Wathba Wetland Reserve
Visit Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi’s landscape is not just limited to sandy dunes! The Al Wathba Wetland Reserve is known for its natural and man-made lakes which house a diverse range of exotic species. Also known as Flamingo City, the reserve has over 250 species of birds, 37 plant species and an abundance of attractive aquatic life. With two walking trails (1.5 kms and 3 kms) visitors can immerse themselves in nature, indulge in wildlife photography, spot flamingos and make memories of a lifetime. Insider advice: the wetland reserve doesn’t have any eateries, so make sure you take a full water bottle and snacks!
Sky above, sand below and a world of wonders to explore, Abu Dhabi is the perfect destination for all things wildlife. Are you ready to give 2022 getaways an outdoorsy spin?