The newly opened Visitor Centre at the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve (DDCR) offers a comprehensive experience of the UAE’s indigenous flora and fauna, helping to foster an appreciation for Dubai’s wildlife and nature. The Emirates Group’s Executive Vice President – Facilities, Projects Management & Group Procurement & Supply Chain, Ali Mubarak Al Soori, expressed his excitement about enhancing the visitor experience and promoting awareness of habitat conservation.
The DDCR Visitor Centre is divided into five distinct areas. The reception hall greets guests with a large-scale photographic display of the Arabian Oryx in its natural habitat, complemented by an interactive kiosk that lets visitors explore a map of the Reserve. The cultural hall highlights key milestones in DDCR’s journey since its inception in 1999, presenting it as a successful model for habitat conservation, managed tourism, and education and scientific research.
Visitors can also watch a short feature film in the AV hall for an overview of the Reserve. Contrary to the common misconception that deserts are barren, the habitat hall showcases the diverse flora and fauna through 3D-printed models, holographic displays, interactive kiosks, and more. Finally, an immersive dome display in the nocturnal hall presents a unique perspective on Dubai’s nightlife by showcasing nocturnal wildlife inhabitants.
The DDCR Visitor Centre encourages self-exploration with life-size replicas of the Arabian Hare providing audio explanations and Oryx hoofprints guiding visitors from one hall to another. Post-exploration, guests can indulge in real-life wildlife spotting or enjoy panoramic desert views from an elevated platform.
Initially targeting school groups and safari-experience visitors, the Visitor Centre charges a nominal entry fee of AED 35 for adults and AED 25 for children.
The DDCR was established as part of Dubai Government’s commitment to preserving the emirate’s unique desert habitat and biodiversity. It is UAE’s first national park, spanning an area of roughly 5% of Dubai’s total land area. Since its establishment in 2002, the Emirates Group has invested over AED 28 million to conserve the natural desert landscape and its indigenous fauna and flora. The Reserve currently hosts over 560 different species, more than double the original 150 species present before DDCR’s efforts.
Under the supervision of the Dubai Conservation Board, the Reserve has seen significant growth in populations of Sand Gazelles, Arabian Gazelles, and Arabian Oryx. It has successfully reintroduced over 2,800 Houbara, or Macqueen’s Bustard, into their natural habitat. The Reserve is also home to over 31,000 native trees, including the Ghaf tree known for its resilience in extreme desert climates.