With spring officially upon us, the temperature is slowly creeping up across the UAE, meaning that the days of making the most of the country's incredible outdoor facilities are numbered — at least for a few months.
But don't panic, there are still a good few weeks of al fresco season left, so it's time to get outdoors and explore while we still can.
Here are 10 attractions across the UAE to enjoy before the summer is fully upon us ...
Dubai
Global Village
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Acrobats entertain visitors on the opening day of Global Village's 26th year. All photos: Pawan Singh / The National -
A confetti blast signals the opening of the event. -
Crowds gather to be part of the opening day. -
This year, Global Village has introduced new walkways and paths. -
Balloons on sale at Global Village. -
The enhanced seating area near the main stage. -
Visitors watch the 'PJ Masks' show. -
Artists perform on opening day. -
Visitors enter the Global Village gate. -
There have been 2,500 square metres of new streets added. -
Visitors can find games for the whole family. -
This year, there are 26 pavilions representing countries and continents including the UAE, Africa, the Americas, China, Europe, India, South Korea, Lebanon, Pakistan, Palestine and Russia. -
Rides in action on opening day. -
The entrance to the Iraq pavilion, which is new this year. -
A mascot parades at the India pavilion. -
Children enjoy the rides at Global Village. -
Families pour in on opening day.
Dubai’s ever-popular family attraction Global Village will be open for four extra weeks this year, closing its doors for the summer on May 7.
This year, Global Village is marking its 26th season with 26 pavilions representing more than 80 cultures from around the world.
Among the countries and continents represented are: the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Afghanistan, Africa, the Americas, China, Egypt, Europe, India, Iran, Iraq, Japan, South Korea, Lebanon, Morocco, Pakistan, Palestine, Syria, Thailand, Turkey, Yemen and Russia.
Visitors can also enjoy internationally acclaimed dance show Burn The Floor, which has made its regional debut with a regular slot on the attraction’s main stage. The high-voltage show features daring choreography by a troupe of international dancers.
Sunday to Wednesday, 4pm-midnight, Thursday to Saturday, 4pm-1am; from Dh15, children under 3 and senior citizens over 65 go free; Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Road and Emirates Road, Exit 37, E311; 04 362 4114, www.globalvillage.ae
Dubai Safari Park
Visitors have until the end of May to enjoy Dubai Safari Park, before it closes its doors for the summer season to give the animals a break from the heat.
The park is home to more than 3,000 animals, including giraffes, lions, tigers, elephants and dozens more species. The attraction can be explored on foot or by bus.
Daily, 9am-5pm; from Dh50; Al Warqa, Hatta Road, Dubai; www.dubaisafari.ae
Dubai Miracle Garden
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Dubai Miracle Garden ended its 10th season in May 2022, closing for the summer. All Photos: Antonie Robertson / The National -
The world-famous Dubai attraction first opened in 2011. -
For season 10, Dubai Miracle Garden added new attractions such as a Smurfs Village. -
Inspired by the beloved blue creatures from the Belgian comics, the attraction featured the whimsical world of the characters. -
There were also Smurf Topiaries with giant green structures, and the Central Plaza welcomes visitors to see their favourite Smurf characters interact with the garden. -
Life-size mushroom houses were part of Smurfs Village in Dubai Miracle Garden. -
Visitors wander through Dubai Miracle Garden on opening day for season 10 in 2021. -
Besides the Smurfs Village, new attractions for season 10 included a three-dimensional clock, a 'floating rock' with a fountain and floral peacocks. -
A 15-metre-tall genie. -
Dubai Miracle Garden is one of the largest in the world with more than 150 million flowers and plants. -
Some of the flowers in the garden are not cultivated anywhere else in the region. -
A full-size flowery replica of an Emirates Airbus A380. -
A giant floral teddy bear at Dubai Miracle Garden
Dubai Miracle Garden will close for the summer to prepare for the next season. While the attraction is yet to announce its official closing date, it usually closes at the end of May.
Make the most of this season’s new attractions, including a Smurfs Village, complete with mushroom houses, and take pictures next to your favourite Smurf characters. A floral genie and magic flying carpet carved from foliage are some of the other new highlights at the venue this year, adding to the lush greenery and record-breaking attractions.
Daily; 9am-11pm; D55 for adults, Dh40 for children 12 years and under, free entry for children aged 3 and under; Dubailand; dubaimiraclegarden.com
Dubai Garden Glow
Another family favourite, Dubai Garden Glow, has just a few weeks left of its current season before it closes its doors for the summer on May 30.
The attraction features hundreds of colourful lanterns that move and sparkle, created using more than 10 million energy-saving light bulbs. It's newest addition, the Glowing Safari, features dozens of lanterns shaped like animals and flowers, while one of the the attraction's favourite areas, the Dinosaur Park, features more than 100 animatronic dinosaurs.
Daily; Sunday to Friday, 4pm-10pm, Saturday 4pm-11pm; Dh65; Zabeel Park, Dubai; 055 918 8126, dubaigardenglow.com
Hatta Dome Park
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Hatta Dome Park will open its doors on Thursday, April 8. All photos courtesy Hatta Dome Park -
Rates for booking at Hatta Dome Park start at Dh999 and can accommodate up to two adults and two children. -
All domes come with a king-sized bed. -
All the domes offer the same mountain views. -
All domes come with two single sofa beds. -
Each dome tent is also equipped with its own private barbecue and fire pit within a large terrace space. -
Hatta Dome Park is a short walk from from Hatta Wadi Hub.
Featuring 15 dome-shaped luxury tents, Hatta Dome Park offers panoramic views of the Hajar Mountains. The tents on-site are all identical in layout and offer the same views. They are 40 square metres and come with a full range of amenities, including a television, Wi-Fi and a mini fridge.
The rooms are designed to accommodate up to two adults and two children by offering a king-sized bed, as well as two single sofa beds. Each dome tent also comes with its own barbecue and fire pit within a large terrace space.
Located a short walk from Hatta Wadi Hub, there are plenty of activities to try, including kayaking, mountain biking, trampoline jumping, zip-lining, wall-climbing, paragliding and more. There are also food and beverage options on-site, as well as a variety of food trucks.
Hatta Wadi Hub; www.visithatta.com
Abu Dhabi
Al Batha Nature Reserve
Visit Al Batha Nature Reserve, located near Hili Archaeological Park in Al Ain. This recently renovated eco-tourism project showcases the UAE’s flora and fauna and is home to ducks, birds, ghaf trees and a playground for youngsters.
It is the perfect place to go for a picnic on the undulating golden dunes and the best part is that it’s free to enter.
Daily, 8am-11pm; free; Al Nabbagh, Al Ain
Jubail Mangrove Park
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Visitors look out over the mangroves at Jubail Island, Abu Dhabi. All photos: Khushnum Bhandari/ The National -
Mangroves play an important environmental role in the the UAE. -
The sun sets over Jubail Mangrove Park. -
Jubail Mangrove Park reopened to visitors in October 2020, after it was closed to curb the spread of Covid-19. -
The park first opened in January 2020 with the aim of raising awareness of the importance of mangroves in the UAE. -
Residents take an evening stroll through the mangrove park at Jubail Island. -
The one million-square-metre site features a winding boardwalk.
Take in the serenity of Abu Dhabi’s mangroves while it’s still comfortable to take any outdoor stroll. While it is primarily a mangrove sanctuary, the Jubail Mangrove Park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including fish and birds, all of which can be easily spotted from a two-kilometre boardwalk that runs through the site.
There are three different walking routes, the longest of which stretches two kilometres. The mid-range one is 1.6km and the shortest is 1km. Depending on the pace, the longest route can take anywhere between 35 to 90 minutes.
Daily; 7am-10pm; from Dh5; Al Jubail Island, Abu Dhabi; park.jubailisland.ae
Ras Al Khaimah
Ride the Jais Sledder
Be among the first to ride the Jais Sledder, Ras Al Khaimah’s new 1,840-metre toboggan run that winds down through the Hajar mountain range, offering riders panoramic views as they go.
The alpine coaster is capable of reaching speeds of up to 40 kilometres per hour, although each rider will be securely strapped in and have access to a braking system, allowing them to control their own speed.
Tuesday to Sunday, 9am-5.30pm; from Dh40; Jebel Jais Adventure Park, Ras Al Khaimah; visitjebeljais.com
Bear Grylls Explorers Camp
Make the most of the great outdoors and learn some vital survival skills while you’re at it. The Bear Grylls Explorers Camp offers visitors of all ages and abilities the chance to learn some of the British adventurer's top tips and techniques, via a selection of courses set on the Jebel Jais mountain.
The courses are run by experts trained at the Bear Grylls Survival Academy in the UK, and include half-day options, lasting three to four hours, as well as eight and 24-hour options. If you fancy staying the night in one of the camp’s overnight cabins, you can also try your hand at one of the 48-hour courses. On the Family Primal Survival Course, the minimum age is 8.
Open daily; 24 hours; from Dh450 for adults and Dh325 for children; beargryllscamp.ae
Sharjah
Sharjah Safari
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Sharjah Safari covers an area of eight square kilometres. All photos: Antonie Robertson / The National -
The official opening of the Sharjah Safari Park took place on Thursday, February 17. -
Sharjah Safari Park is said to be the largest safari in the world outside Africa. -
It is located in Al Bridi Nature Reserve in the city of Al Dhaid in Sharjah. -
Sharjah Safari is home to more than 120 species, including rare animals native to Africa, the rarest of which is the black rhinoceros. -
Visitors can meet Bridi, the first African female giraffe born in Sharjah Safari. Bridi's parents arrived in Sharjah from South Africa in May 2017. -
Visitors experience the safari through 12 themed 'environments', each representing a region in Africa. -
More than 1,000 native and African trees, including the umbrella-shaped Acacia tortilis, have been planted across the site. -
Another highlight is Wuhaida, the first female southern white rhino born in Sharjah Safari in August 2021. -
Tickets start from Dh15 for children aged 3 to 12, and Dh40 for over 12s. -
Sharjah Safari will be open daily from 8.30am until 6.30pm. -
Sharjah Safari is located within Al Bridi Nature Reserve, created by Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah. -
Al Bridi reserve is located in the oasis town of Al Dhaid, about 49 kilometres from the city of Sharjah. -
Visitors show up on opening day. -
Sharjah Safari is a new major tourist attraction in the emirate. -
Last entry is 2pm for Gold and Silver ticket holders and 4pm for those with Bronze tickets. -
Indigenous creatures make their home in Sharjah Safari. -
Giraffes also reside here. -
On opening day, visitors to Sharjah Safari were able to see more than 1,000 animals and birds, including 70 species that are native to Africa. -
Initially scheduled to open in late 2021, the launch of the UAE's latest attraction was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic. -
Animals settle into their new habitats. -
Sharjah Safari's logo is a celebration of the animal kingdom. Photo: Sharjah Safari
Sharjah Safari, which claims to be the largest safari park outside of Africa, covers an area of eight square kilometres and is home to more than 120 species, including rare animals native to Africa, the rarest of which is the black rhinoceros. More than 1,000 native and African trees, including the umbrella-shaped Acacia tortilis, have been planted across the site.
Visitors can experience the safari through 12 themed "environments", each representing a region in Africa, and the life and terrain of the animals and birds that live in them.
The black rhinoceros, considered one of the rarest animals, is one of the star attractions. Another highlight is Wuhaida, the first female southern white rhino born in Sharjah Safari in August last year. Wuhaida's birth is the result of the Safari's breeding programme, supported by the UN, which focuses on African native species.
Various ticket categories are available for access to Sharjah Safari's 12 themed environments, including bronze, silver and gold.
Open daily, 8.30am to 6.30pm; from Dh120; Al Bridi Nature Reserve, Al Dhaid, Sharjah; visitsharjah.com
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