Umm Tais National Park

Umm Tais covers the island of that name and the mangrove and mudflat around it at Qatar's northern tip, a national park set up to protect one of the country's few substantial wetlands. Flamingos, herons, ospreys and large numbers of migrating waders use the flats through the winter. Access is by boat or kayak through the channels, and the shallow water and tide determine what can be reached.

What you actually see

• The mangroves - one of Qatar's few substantial wetland stands.
• The wintering birds - flamingos, herons and migrating waders on the flats.
• The channels - the routes through the mangrove reached by kayak.
• The island - Umm Tais itself at the northern tip of the country.

When to go

November to March is the season for both weather and birds. Tide determines what channels are passable. Summer heat and humidity make the trip unpleasant.

Honest expectations

Access needs a boat or kayak arranged in advance and there is no organised operation on site. Tide can leave the channels unpassable. There are no facilities of any kind.

Nearby

Al Ruwais is south, and Al Jumail is southwest.