About Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve
Far from the coast, the sand takes on a reddish tone and the city noise fades. The Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve covers about 225 km², roughly 5% of the emirate, and exists to protect and restore native plants and animals of the inland desert.
The reserve's symbol is the Arabian oryx, an antelope reintroduced there through conservation programs, which now forms the largest free-roaming herd in the UAE. Gazelles also appear, along with birds, reptiles and insects. Many safaris bring visitors to these dunes, and late afternoon brings cooler sand and good light for photos.
