Tag: Abu Dhabi

Nature and Wildlife Walks in Abu Dhabi

In the 21st century, the Middle East is known well for its abundant and thriving oil industry, which has contributed to the development of the region in the last fifty years. One country that has benefited greatly from this discovery is the United Arab Emirates. Located in the Middle Eastern region, the United Arab Emirates is composed of seven Emirates, namely, Umm al-Quwain, Fujairah, Sharjah, Ras al-Khaimah, Ajman, Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Given the present perception of the Middle East, many would be surprised to know that the emirate of Abu Dhabi was a haven for wildlife prior to its rapid development due to the discovery of oil in the mid-twentieth century. This natural heritage is evident in the name Abu Dhabi as well, which literally means ‘Father of the Gazelle’, as well as Sir Bani Yas Island which is a reputed wildlife reserve in the United Arab Emirates.

Hotels in Sir Bani Yas Island are scarce with given the status of the island as a bird sanctuary in addition to a wildlife reserve. Therefore, for tourists who wish to reside on the island itself, Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island Al Sahel Villa Resort, Abu Dhabi can be recommended.

The emphasis placed on preserving and conserving wildlife in the emirate extends to initiatives outside the United Arab Emirates as well and the emirate has, on multiple occasions, organised events to raise awareness or protest against certain global initiatives in the form of wildlife walks. One such wildlife walk took place in March 2014 at the Abu Dhabi Wildlife Centre to raise awareness about Canned Hunting, a practice predominantly in South Africa where lions are bred for the industry and hunters are given the opportunity to shoot them in closed enclosures, and to protest the practice.

Abu Dhabi places great importance on such initiatives and encourages tourists to visit their wildlife reserves in the least disruptive manner possible as well.

Shehera Fioni is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Catalina Forbes. Her content is based on many thrilling escapades offered to travellers across the world.

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Rare opportunity to experience desert on a personal level Abu Dhabi

The mention of a Middle Eastern country brings into mind endless sand dunes and deserts, camels and infrastructure that is majestic. Abu Dhabi is among the popular tourists destinations in the Middle East. Abu Dhabi excursions include exploring its vast deserts that have so much to offer in terms of adventure. If you base yourself at a place such as Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara you can enjoy such experiences amidst Arabian luxury.

There are various tour operators offering various types of desert safaris. They are all different from one another and some can even be tailor made according to individual requirements. Abu Dhabi desert safaris attract both tourists and locals alike. One can choose to travel and explore the desert on camel back or opt for dune driving or wadi bashing.

For those who prefer to be up and active with the rising of the sun, there are morning packages offered. Most packages take a minimum of four hours, which includes dune bashing, sand skiing and camel rides. Options are also available for meals and relaxation in the campsites in the respective deserts.

The evening desert safaris are much cooler in terms of temperature and offer great memories to take back with you be it of star studded skies or spectacular sunsets. This again will take around four to six hours. Most people prefer to pick packages that include dinner and perhaps others perks such as belly dancing , smoking a shisha and just relaxing in the tents of the campsite.

The desert safaris are also an excellent way to learn more about the landscape as well as some of the rare flora and fauna found within these deserts. A trip to the UAE would not be complete without experiencing its deserts.

Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry.

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Excursions in Sir Bani Yas Islands, Abu Dhabi

Sir Bani Yas Islands are located off the South Western Coast of Abu Dhabi and is the largest natural island in Abu Dhabi. It was once Arabia’s largest Wild life reserve. However now due to the extensive conservation work the island is now home to thousands of free roaming animals. The island has surely been quite the popular destination among tourist as well , Hotels in Sir Bani Yas Islands are very much sought after by the tourist. One that has been highly accredited by tourist is the Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island Al Sahel Villa Resort , Abu Dhabi, the resort is a perfect place to get an up close and personal experience with the wild life and at the same time soak in the Arabian sun.

There are huge variety of wild life in the islands including Arabian Oryx , Giraffes , Sea Turtles , Dolphins , deer and Somali Ostrich among many others. There are also well over one hundred species of birds to be found on the island which are endemic to the region. The species of mammals in the island are over thirty and is home to the endangered Arabian Oryx, there are about four hundred of them roaming freely in the island. In this island one could find some of the scavengers such as Sudan Cheetah and Striped hyena. There are other species of animals to be found here such as the Mount Gazelle and the Sand Gazelle.

There are a wide range of activities to do while in the islands such as do safaris to explore the wild life, there are also protected areas for snorkeling and kayaking. The islands wild life is so diverse and it is best to engage on guided tours to make the most of it.

The island also tries to be as sustainable as possible to protect this home of the various species.

Chandrishan Williams is a travel writer who writes under the pen name, Caleb Falcon. He specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers.

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Yas Marina Circuit

Home to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix , Yas Marina circuit is located in Yas Marina island approximately a half an hour drive from the city , the circuit was declared a Formula One Track and opened its doors in 2009. The twenty one corner tracks winds through the island.

Having a world famous circuit , the accommodation options around the area are quite impressive. Villas in Abu Dhabi are a popular option among holiday makers. Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island Al Yamm Villa Resort , has managed to be a popular option among tourist. The villas have been specially designed to go hand in hand with the delicate ecosystem of the island. The villas are perfect place to bask in the sun and enjoy the views at the comfort of these beautifully designed villas.

Having a capacity of 50000 the circuit has five grand stands , the circuit is the second formula one circuit in the middle east with the major events held at the tracks being the FIA formula One , Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, GT1 world, Gulf 12 hours. The circuit is complete with a media centre a team building and most of all the highlight is the Ferari world theme park.

Having a Grand Prix track of 5.5 km the fastest on this track has been Sebastian Vettel in 2009.

There are many activities for visitors to engage in around the tracks. The Yas beach is a perfect place to unwind and relax on its sandy shores. Also the Yas water world is perfect for the entire family to engage in fun activities and a visit to Ferrari world is a must visit as it is the home to the world’s fastest roller coaster. Another architectural marvel in the area is the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Center.

Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry.Google+

Sheikh Khalifa Park in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi is a bustling, modern city with broad boulevards, gleaming skyscrapers, high-rise apartment buildings and busy shopping malls. This wealthy city still has its fascinating culture and provides fantastic opportunities for residents and tourists alike. Abu Dhabi is surrounded by several major islands with multi-billion dollar resorts, playgrounds for wealthy locals and holiday makers sampling a bit of the 5-star lifestyle that the Emirates have become famous for. The Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara is among the best of the luxury hotels in Abu Dhabi. This luxury Resort is located in the legendary Rub’Al Khali, the largest uninterrupted sand desert in the world, Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara embraces the epic adventures of this evocative landscape by providing a luxury oasis for discerning traveler. This resort offers many activities such as camel trekking, fat biking and the best Abu Dhabi Desert Tour for their guests.

The Sheikh Khalifa Park in Abu Dhabi is the best place in Abu Dhabi for relaxation, fun and entertainment. Located in Al Matar, behind the old airport of Abu Dhabi, this major landmark is one of the city’s larger parks. The design derived from Islamic and Arabic architecture park has lot on offer to all types of visitors. Visually, the park boasts of a beautifully landscaped grand avenue, fountains, lakes and waterfalls. The park offers an exciting range of things to do for children including a time tunnel ride, miniature railway, women & children’s garden and Murjan Splash Park. Tours can be carried out via train or by foot, whichever is more convenient. Khalifa Park was a gift for the people of Abu Dhabi from UAE ruler Sheikh Khalifa. The Khalifa Park is a park for all people to visit and enjoy.

Shehera Fioni is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Catalina Forbes. Her content is based on many thrilling escapades offered to travellers across the world. Google+

4×4 Jeep Safari Adventure in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi is the capital of the United Arab Emirates, and is one of the world’s most developed cities. Located on an island on the Persian Gulf, the city of Abu Dhabi is a global hub of commerce and finance. The city is also a thriving tourist destination, and is home to an array of attractions such as Sheikh Zayed Mosque, the Emirates Palace, Ferrari World, and the Etihad Towers. One of the most recommendable luxury resorts in Abu Dhabi is Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island Al Sahel Villa Resort, Abu Dhabi.

One of the best ways to explore the uninhabited parts of Abu Dhabi is via a 4×4 Jeep safari. Owing to the rugged terrain of the desert and arid zones of Abu Dhabi, a 4×4 vehicle is the ideal way to cover to ground while traveling comfortably. There are many great sights you can witness is these areas of Abu Dhabi, and the experience is sure to be truly memorable.

The most popular type of 4×4 Jeep safari adventure is touring through the Arabian Desert. Here, not only will you get to observe the truly mesmerizing sights of the desert, but you will be able to witness the true power of a 4×4 jeep as it ploughs through the soft and silky sands and dunes. You may even come across herds of camels crossing the desert, a sight which is quite fascinating. However, desert safaris are not the only type of 4×4 jeep adventure offered by Abu Dhabi, as the many islands around Abu Dhabi, such as Sir Bani Yas, also offer great terrains and sights to be experience through 4×4 safari adventures. The Sir Bani Yas island experience, in particular, is known to be truly remarkable as it offers visitors a chance to witness the savannahs of these desert islands, and observe creatures such as Oryxes, gazelle, camels and many more. Look out for value-for-money 4×4 safari packages offered by tour and adventure centers.

Uditha Dharmawardhane is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Roland Lefevre. He specializes in creating features on leisure as well as business travel destinations across the globe.

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BEHIND THE SCENES AT YAS MARINA CIRCUIT

Visitors in search of a luxury resort in Abu Dhabi close to the Yas Marina Circuit will fine no finer alternative to the Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara. In addition to providing a strategic location on the island the venue also offers spa facilities and a host of in-house recreational options as well.

Tipped to be Abu Dhabi’s most popular racing attraction the Yas Marina Circuit is no ordinary Grand Prix track on Yas Island. As the UAE’s iconic Formula One racing hub the purpose built track is a state-of-the-art feat in engineering. Offering visitors and racing enthusiasts a variety of driving and passenger experience on board classic Formula One vehicles the venue which hosted the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in 2009 now provides visitors with an in-depth look into the circuit’s groundbreaking attributes on a behind the scenes tour that delves in to what it takes to run and maintain one of the globe’s most advanced motor racing tracks.

A must-experience highlight for true blue racing fanatics with Grand Prix dreams the no holds-bar tour is a Yas Venue Tour that takes a peek at the inner workings of the one of the most technically futuristic racing circuits on the planet. Open to children as well as adults the engaging tour takes visitors behind closed doors and offers unparalleled access to the underbelly of the Yas Marina Circuit and the daily practices required to maintain this 161.9 hectare mammoth race track designed by none other than Hermann Tilke. Boasting the capacity to host 50,000 spectators the iconic motor sports venue is also a premier luxury experience hub with a recreational focus. Visitors will get to experience the efficiency and diligence required to run a multi-faceted attraction that is among the most visited tourist hotspots in Abu Dhabi. Visitors can take part in the two hour long behind the scenes tour at Yas Marina Circuit from 10am to 12pm and then again from 2pm to 4pm from Tuesday through to Saturday

Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry.

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Drive Jebel Hafeet in Abu Dhabi

Enjoying the distinction of being the capital and one of the largest cities of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi is a city which has made leaps and bounds in the past century. Following its rapid development and the administration’s integration of numerous parks and landscaping endeavours, the city is now lush with greenery creating a pleasant contrast from its formerly desert like surroundings making it a wonderful place to visit. When visiting the United Arab Emirates, a number of places such as Sir Bani Yas Island, Jebel Hafeet and the springs of Al Ain merit a visit. For those who wish to reside close to a wildlife reserve, Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island Al Sahel Villa Resort, Abu Dhabi, is one of the best options available due to its location. This Sir Bani Yas Island Resort is sufficiently isolated but provides its guests the option of meandering to mainland and visiting attractions such as Jebel Hafeet which is located close to the city of Al Ain, on the border of the United Arab Emirates.

While being the most well known mountain in the UAE, it is not the highest. However, the access road named the Jabal Hafeet Mountain Road makes for a brilliant drive and is unsurprisingly the destination for road cycling competitions. From the peak of Jebel Hafeet the view is tremendously awe-inspiring as the desert extends miles and miles into every direction. However, an unlikely attraction has sprung up at the foot of the mountain named Green Mubazarrah which is a lake surrounded by a significant amount of lush greenery due to hot water springs.

Known as one of the best driving roads in the world, driving up the Hafeet Mountain Road is an experience many motor enthusiasts would cherish and enjoy and is definitely an activity that should be experienced when in Abu Dhabi.

Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry.

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A Kids & Family Destination: Emirates Park Zoo

If you want to feel the beguiling wildlife and nature while exploring the truly contemporary and exciting United Arab Emirates, then the Emirates Park Zoo is the place to be. Established in 2008, it is the first private zoo in the UAE. Full of fun, adventure and amazing wildlife, the Emirates Park Zoo is one of the UAE’s most visited and must visit attractions.

The Emirates Park Zoo is a place for the entire family. It offers fantastic opportunities for both children and adults to safely interact with the animals and be engrossed in the extraordinary adventure of a unique menagerie located in the heart of the Middle East. A great way to explore this exceptional zoo is to stay at any of the world class 5 Star Hotels in Abu Dhabi such as the eco-friendly Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island Al Yamm Villa Resort, Abu Dhabi.

The Emirates Park Zoo is divided into different areas, one of which is the colorful Bird Park. With more than 450 birds, the bird park is home to 48 different species. The rare Crown Crested Pigeon can be seen here. The Flamingo Park is truly fascinating. Here you can spot 7 different varieties of Flamingos including the Grey crowned crane, Black-headed ibis, Lesser Flamingo and White-naped crane. Featuring 69 different types, the Ocean Park is one of the zoo’s most loved attractions. It is home to the rare Gem Tang and the Black tip shark from Indonesia. The reptile park has more than 30 different species with the Johnston’s Chameleons being its highlight. The Wild Life park features the fierce yet elegant white tiger, Lions, Asian Elephants, Cheetahs, leopards as well as Siberian tigers. See what the monkeys do at the Primate section which is loved by both adults and children. Meet the animals, interact with them like never before at the distinctive Emirates Park Zoo.

Chandrishan Williams is a travel writer who writes under the pen name, Caleb Falcon. He specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers.

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Saadiyat Beach Golf Club; Tee off surrounded by the idyllic Arabian Gulf

The Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, in Abu Dhabi, is the Arabian Gulf’s first beachfront golf course. With its course designed by Gary Player, it is known to be ‘one of the world’s most captivating golfing projects’. Away from the hustle and bustle of the busy metropolis of Abu Dhabi, the golf course uses the natural beauty of the area of Saadiyat, and the spectacular view of the Arabian Gulf’s blue waters and white sandy beaches. In the vicinity of the golf club, there are a number of luxury hotels ; Abu Dhabi is known for its decadence and class and for a truly authentic experience, the Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara is recommended.

The golf course is designed with very strict eco-guidelines, and as a result the gold course boasts an array of native grass, and even a local turtle habitat. The Gulf along this beach is so well preserved there is even a chance to spot dolphins in and around the area. However because of the eco-guidelines don’t be fooled into thinking luxury has been sacrificed. With 3 salt water lakes, beach and sand dunes, even the bravest golfers will find a challenge on this Par 72 The total yardage starts at 5,290 however it can be extended up to 7,784 yards for professionals, or those looking for a challenge.

With world class amenities, a golf academy, practice facilities and breath-taking views, this golf course will definitely leave an impression and have you coming back for more. Take some time off to relax and socialize at the clubhouse with its premier restaurant, hawksbill. The Saadiyat Beach Golf Club has a ‘Member for a Day’ experience, visitors can pay for a daily use of the facilities as oppose to forking out hefty membership fees and such.

Uditha Dharmawardhane is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Roland Lefevre. He specializes in creating features on leisure as well as business travel destinations across the globe.

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