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Services:
There is an air-conditioned visitor centre on-site and shaded areas along the walking trails but remember to stay hydrated and wear a hat and sunscreen. We have purposefully kept the reserve as raw as possible therefore there are no cafes available so make sure to bring your own re-usable bottle filled with water.
Free entrance.
Nature preserve in Abu Dhabi
Established by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Al Wathba Wetland Reserve is the first area in the Emirate designated for protection by law and was declared a Ramsar site in 2013. Once a coastal salt flat (sabkha), it has now flourished into natural and man-made lakes that enable many of Abu Dhabi's species to thrive. In 2018, the reserve was placed on the IUCN Green List of Protected and Conserved Areas making it the first site in the region to receive this recognition.
The reserve is particularly known for its large population of Greater Flamingos – with as many as 4,000 living there during autumn and spring – but also hosts more than 250 species of birds, 37 plant species and a wide range of aquatic life. There are two self-guided walking trails (1.5 kms or 3 kms) for visitors to explore and a bird-watching hide to observe the flamingos.