Al Ain & Sir Bani Yas Island

For a different perspective on the United Arab Emirates, you might consider including a visit to the oasis of Al Ain, with its historic forts and Bronze Age sites, or to the remote Sir Bani Yas Island in western Abu Dhabi. Here, you will find rolling savannah, powder-white beaches, and thousands of free-roaming animals.

Once the private game reserve of the UAE’s founder, Sir Bani Yas Island is located a three-hour drive to the west of Abu Dhabi (four hours from Dubai) and is one of the region’s largest wildlife reserves. Having benefitted from decades of conservation, the island is rich in wildlife and has a population of more than 17,000 animals, including giraffe, hyena, cheetah, and the Arabian oryx. Visitors to Sir Bani Yas Island can stay at one of three luxurious lodges operated and take expert-guided 4WD nature and wildlife safaris into the Arabian Wildlife Park. The Anantara Al Sahel Villa Resort is located inland and has a safari theme, while the Anantara Al Yamm Villa Resort overlooks the ocean and has a wide range of water sports. For a family-friendly experience, we recommend booking the Desert Island Resort & Spa by Anantara.

Located on the border with the Sultanate of Oman, the garden city of Al Ain is a 90-minute drive from both Abu Dhabi and Dubai, making the city an easy day excursion from either city. Memories of a visit to Al Ain usually centre around wandering along shaded pathways beneath a thick canopy of date palms and watching water swoosh through the spring-fed irrigation canals.  Al Ain is located at an important crossroads and is rich in heritage. The imposing Al Jahili Fort was built in the 1890s and has a permanent exhibition dedicated to the explorer Sir Wilfred Thesiger. Nearby, the Al Jahili Mosque dates to the same time as the fort and is another must-see visitor attraction. Al Ain also has a small camel market as well as a traditional souq. Rising to 1,249 metres, Jabel Hafit is the second tallest mountain in the UAE and offers fine panoramic views over Al Ain from its summit. Close to the foot of the mountain, the Al Hili Archaeological Site dates back to the Bronze Age and contains the imposing 4,000-year-old Hili Grand Tomb.