Surreal Safaris in Sharjah

2024-08-17
/
/ Sharjah, UAE
Surreal Safaris in Sharjah
Surreal Safaris in Sharjah

Sharjah Safari is situated within the 16 sq km Al Bardi Reserve in Al Dhaid (Photos: India Outbound/Triya Ghosh)

Diversifying its tourism offer, the Emirate of Sharjah has set up several attractions for visitors, including an African safari as well as luxury glamping sites.
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What are the chances of spotting a rhinoceros right in the middle of a dreary, bone-dry desert? None, perhaps. But that’s precisely how our journey began that day, unboxing many such sweet surprises. We were out on a safari in Sharjah, one of the seven emirates that constitute the United Arab Emirates.

Surreal Safaris in Sharjah

With more than 50,000 animals brought in from different parts of Africa, Sharjah Tourism has tried recreating an African experience thousands of km away from their native land

As it was going to be my first international safari ever, on a trip at the invitation of Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, there were already butterflies in my stomach when we left our hotel for the safari.

After about an hour’s drive, our Mercedes van was already raging through the untouched, wild heart of Sharjah where the safari is located.

Situated within the 16 sq km Al Bardi Reserve in Al Dhaid, the safari covers an area of 8 sq km and has been recreated as all parts of Africa with the life and terrain of the continent, the animals and birds that live in it. And it is touted to be the largest African safari outside of Africa, with over 120 species of native fauna representing 12 different African environments that roam without any fences in the safari park.

Surreal Safaris in Sharjah

The safari jeep

Driving through the safari park in a jeep that looked pretty much the vehicles in Kenyan or South African safaris, we were greeted by a sea of pink, which we discovered was a group of flamingoes, some posing daintily with their one foot up while others were trotting away in search of shrimp in their habitat, a modest pond in the conservatory. But quickly claiming our attention were the other, beautiful exotic birds in the conservatory. Pelicans, hornbills, eagles, Madagascar teals, hummingbirds, red neck francolins, African openbills and guineafowls, among many others, filled the skies as visitors gaped in awe at the exotic birds.

Surreal Safaris in Sharjah

A sea of pink flamingoes were posing daintily with their one foot up while others were trotting away in search of shrimp in their habitat

Another unexpected sighting in the safari and soon after we entered the nature preserve, was a duo of ostriches, nonchalantly strolling about their territory until a group of foreign creatures interrupted afternoon reverie. One of the birds fled as we approached, but almost right next door, a group of gazelles seemed unbothered by the human presence, looking lazily at us, while they chomped away at the grass.

The quickring-tailed lemur, although a frequent spotting was just as hard to photograph as it dashed through the branches, even though hopeful shutterbugs kept clicking for the perfect shot. Surprise cameos by pancake tortoise, giant and radiated tortoises and a peek-a-boo of the sleepy lion made the experience all the more special while the photogenic giraffes were definitely the ones to walk away with the best photo award.

Nature abounds in this setting as seen in Africa’s different deserts. With more than 50,000 animals brought in from different parts of Africa, Sharjah Tourism has tried recreating an African experience thousands of km away from their native land. The Emirate is also promoting it as a blueprint for sustainable safari tourism and adjacent adventure experiences.

From the luxury of these unexpected, yet extremely appealing sights, we head to sample yet another experience that is equally luxurious in concept and design.

Surreal Safaris in Sharjah

It is touted to be the largest African safari outside of Africa, with over 120 species of native fauna representing 12 different African environments that roam without any fences in the safari park

Al Badayer Retreat, about half-an-hour’s drive from the wild safari, comes with luxurious private villas, open aqua-blue infinity pools shining against the glittering orange and browns of the Al Badayer Desert with barbeque spaces. I wondered how majestic the whole setup must look in full moon nights. Or perhaps stargazing expeditions.

The glamping retreat offers hiking, driving, buggy and quad biking over beautiful sand dunes. Situated close to Big Red Sand Dune, the Al Badayer Retreat features a luxury stay into the jungles with 31 keys and all the modern amenities of a luxury hotel, camouflaged with the desert yet striking.

Inspired by the ancient caravanserais or night halts for traders’ caravans, the resort seeks to present a modern version of the life of a traveller along the Silk Road, but enhanced with the modern comforts and luxuries as the spellbinding sunrises and sunsets over the vast dunes.

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