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Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve is a good spot for people not keen on venturing out on their own. Photo: Platinum Heritage
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Ghaf trees at sunset after rain in Sharjah's Mleiha desert, one of outdoor expert Ajmal Hasan's favourite places in the UAE. Photo: Ajmal Hasan
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Tabanus species horsefly from Mleiha. Photo: Ajmal Hasan
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Echinops erinaceus at Wadi Buraq in Ras Al Khaimah, another of Ajmal Hasan's top spots. Photo: Ajmal Hasan
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Oleander hawk-moth caterpillar from Wadi Buraq. Photo: Ajmal Hasan
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Wadi Helo in Ras Al Khaimah is one of explorer and author Alexander McNabb's favourite spots in the UAE. Photo: Alexander McNabb
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The fort at Wadi Helo. Photo: Alexander McNabb
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Eisa Al Thahabi's house at Wadi Helo. Photo: Alexander McNabb
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Wadi Helo farmhouse. Photo: Alexander McNabb
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Wadi Shawka in Ras Al Khaimah is conservationist Eddie Robinson’s top UAE nature spot. Photo: Platinum Heritage
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Abandoned fields in Ras Al Khaimah's Wadi Ejili, another of Alexander McNabb's favourite areas. Photo: Alexander McNabb
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Wadi Ejili in Ras Al Khaimah. Photo: Alexander McNabb
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An abandoned house at Wadi Ejili. Photo: Alexander McNabb
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/TFLZHGMGMNG6VBL5VNRJ64XYLE.jpg?smart=true&auth=dbd76721e1d835dd8cfc0c0cba5a4d35a5760f50e52f4fec79b88ae226e27f76&width=400&height=225)
Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve is a good spot for people not keen on venturing out on their own. Photo: Platinum Heritage
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7UT2DMBQJFHCJEB2DF7TKLVNTQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=9efbbcbaaac736f6f730a6882d26615bd9e108b72591cb1408a8879a69f97550&width=400&height=225)
Ghaf trees at sunset after rain in Sharjah's Mleiha desert, one of outdoor expert Ajmal Hasan's favourite places in the UAE. Photo: Ajmal Hasan
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/75RK4BQM2JDFDABFK3W34BXZSE.jpg?smart=true&auth=e13724a3da9a80eb85f46e3c18c58bf52863e38f212d8dccfb978fe753be3f5e&width=400&height=225)
Tabanus species horsefly from Mleiha. Photo: Ajmal Hasan
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Echinops erinaceus at Wadi Buraq in Ras Al Khaimah, another of Ajmal Hasan's top spots. Photo: Ajmal Hasan
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UVMUJNH7W5EVXPGEE5FKCYDHLI.jpg?smart=true&auth=8b7e256f038100c61f7d69295ef97fec1de23ecef84d559af1d851ce48b8ee39&width=400&height=225)
Oleander hawk-moth caterpillar from Wadi Buraq. Photo: Ajmal Hasan
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Wadi Helo in Ras Al Khaimah is one of explorer and author Alexander McNabb's favourite spots in the UAE. Photo: Alexander McNabb
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The fort at Wadi Helo. Photo: Alexander McNabb
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Eisa Al Thahabi's house at Wadi Helo. Photo: Alexander McNabb
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Wadi Helo farmhouse. Photo: Alexander McNabb
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Wadi Shawka in Ras Al Khaimah is conservationist Eddie Robinson’s top UAE nature spot. Photo: Platinum Heritage
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/B7YAWAKXJRBFLLSBJWDUTOBODQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=818dbce9cb549cf54b4f12e2c9d49e0a1e2738d11b77ecc340d2602ee699535f&width=400&height=225)
Abandoned fields in Ras Al Khaimah's Wadi Ejili, another of Alexander McNabb's favourite areas. Photo: Alexander McNabb
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IS3JOYMDV5BONO6OLCWVJJ2USY.jpg?smart=true&auth=c050cf57a92d29b850961f970c4578ac46d9382e247be1b7de1670ced96e25fe&width=400&height=225)
Wadi Ejili in Ras Al Khaimah. Photo: Alexander McNabb
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An abandoned house at Wadi Ejili. Photo: Alexander McNabb
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Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve is a good spot for people not keen on venturing out on their own. Photo: Platinum Heritage
Hidden gems of the UAE: 10 secluded spots nature lovers and explorers need to know about
From wadi watering holes to old dinosaur stomping grounds, outdoor experts reveal their top spots
Emma Pearson
07 November, 2021
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