How to Visit the Mangrove National Park in Abu Dhabi

Located right outside Abu Dhabi, the Mangrove National Park is an unlikely place to be found in the middle of a desert. The park is a nurturing ground for birds. Locals and tourists visit the place to escape the chaos of the city. The park is an excellent family attraction visited by local and foreign families. This is one of the protected ecological treasures in Abu Dhabi.

1. An unlikely attraction in the desert

The Mangrove National Park protects and provides a home for a range of species. They include fish, birds, crabs, flamingoes, and flying foxes. This national park constitutes the biggest portion of the entire mangrove forest region in Abu Dhabi. With salt marshes, alga, mudflats, and mangroves, the national park is rich in biodiversity.

2. A popular tourist site

You can get here from any hotel in Abu Dhabi city. One of the best things to do here is kayaking. You will want your camera to capture all the beautiful moments you'll encounter. In the close vicinity are many hotels and resorts, and among them is Anantara Eastern Mangroves Abu Dhabi Hotel.

3. Visting hours

The park is open to tourists every day, all day. You can visit at any time you want; however, if you decide to visit in the evening, make sure you take your mosquito repellent with you.

4. Entrance fee

There's no entrance fee; this is one of the free things to do here. That said, if you want a kayaking tour, you'll have to spend around AED 160.

5. Getting here

The park is located just outside the city. You can get here by taxi, or get your hotel to make transport arrangements for you.

6. Activities

The park has several walking trails. One trail covers two kilometres, and there's another one that's only one kilometre in length. These walking paths provide you with the chance to spot wildlife and revel in nature. The park also has a floating platform that allows visitors to look at the marine species. There are park rangers who'll be happy to answer any of the questions you may have.

7. Is it safe for kids?

Yes. The park is a safe place for kids to be. However, children under the age of twelve cannot be at the park without the supervision of an adult.

8. Can tourists have picnics here?

No. The park is a protected ecological site, and therefore, there's a no food policy. There's an onsite café that sells food and drinks, but the packaging has to be disposed of properly. Also, you cannot take your pet here, and you cannot fish at the site. Smoking isn't allowed either.

9. Low tide and high tide

Visiting during high tide will give you a higher chance of seeing wildlife, and low tide is not ideal for tourist visits.

10. Other nature spots in Abu Dhabi

Apart from the Mangrove National Park, Abu Dhabi is home to several other wildlife sites. Arabian Wildlife Park is located west of the city, and you'll have to spend a few hours to get here. Al Wathba Wetland Reserve is another place of interest. Found 25 kilometres away from the city, the wetland was formed by accident. In the 1990s, a water plant released saltwater into an area wedged among highways, forming the wetlands. Visitors can walk around or enjoy a dune buggy ride. Flamingoes are the most commonly seen species here. The park authorities do everything to ensure that their lifestyle remains undisturbed; there are about 4,000 flamingoes living inside the reserve.