Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary

Ras Al Khor is the mudflat and mangrove at the landward end of Dubai Creek, protected since the 1980s and now a Ramsar site enclosed on all sides by the city. Greater flamingos are the birds people come for, several thousand of them at the winter peak, feeding on the flats with the Burj Khalifa in the background, and around four hundred and fifty species of bird, along with crabs, fish and small mammals, use the lagoon. Three hides on the perimeter are the only public access.

What you actually see

• The flamingos - thousands wintering on the mudflats, fed at set times near one hide.
• The three hides - the flamingo, mangrove and lagoon hides on the perimeter.
• The city backdrop - waders feeding with the Dubai skyline directly behind.
• The mangrove stand - the planted and natural mangrove at the creek head.

When to go

November to March is the season for numbers; many birds leave in summer. Early morning gives the best light and activity. The hides open in the morning and close in the early evening.

Honest expectations

Access is limited to three small hides and the reserve itself cannot be entered. There is no public transport and the hides are far apart. Numbers drop sharply outside the winter months.

Nearby

Dubai Creek runs northwest, and Al Fahidi is beyond it.