RAK beauty spot is a favourite for wildlife photographer

The Dutch wildlife photographer looks for remote and scenic areas where she can find rare animals and plants.

Priscilla van Andel takes inspiration from the wild landscapes of the Northern Emirates. Courtesy Priscilla van Andel

RAS AL KHAIMAH // To find inspiration for her work, Priscilla van Andel heads to the Northern Emirates.

The Dutch wildlife photographer looks for remote, scenic areas where she can find rare animals and plants.

One of her favourite locations is on the outskirts of Ras Al Khaimah, close to the end of Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road.

The highway ends at a roundabout and drivers heading in the direction of RAK will notice sand dunes running parallel to the coast. This is where van Andel goes off-road, climbing the high dunes in her four-wheel drive.

It is not easy, but the view from the top is worth the effort.

“I love it there,” she said. “I think it is pretty special.”

The top of the dunes offers panoramic views of the coastline.

As the dunes slope, more shrubbery appears, adding patches of green among the yellow and orange shades of sand.

The sandbanks and shallow coastal waters form various shapes, and often flamingos and other birds can be seen in the distance. Van Andel said the difficult terrain deters visitors.

Desert foxes leave their tracks in the sand, and the area is also inhabited by lizards.