North East Lifestyle magazine, UK, April 2024

SAND DUNES TO SKYSCRAPERS

From desert dunes and conservation to glittering skyscrapers and eco hotels, Elaine Wilson experiences the trip of a lifetime in Dubai.

Now a dazzling city of high-rise hotels and shopping malls, Dubai reveals the other face of its original desert culture.

This stunning desert environment is unforgettable, and there’s no spectacle quite like a glorious desert sunrise or the early morning mist snaking through the dunes like a silk scarf before it burns off for the day.

I jump at the chance to join a Biosphere Expeditions Arabia wildlife conservation trip. I am to be a citizen science volunteer in Dubai

Desert Conservation Reserve

The Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve is committed to re-wilding a huge desert area of over 225 square kilometres. The reserve safeguards this striking landscape with its dramatic dunes, gravel plains and rocky areas. It provides a vital habitat for Dubai’s native species, many of which have become extinct in the wild.

Hundreds of Oryx, Arabian and Sand Gazelles now call the reserve home, as do Arabian Red Foxes, Sand Foxes and Hares. Nocturnal animals include several species of rodents, like Cheesman’s Gerbil. Dozens of bird

species live here, and if you are lucky, you might even spot the endangered Lappetfaced Vulture or the rare Pharaoh Eagle Owl. We camp in a small tented settlement in a grove of Ghaff trees. There are basic toilets and a small kitchen, but the emphasis here is on our conservation mission. complete a ‘driving on sand road’ test which is rather

good fun. Deflating the tyres provides better traction in off-road driving conditions. What is a citizen scientist? The equipment I will be using when I am out in the field is a GPS tracker, compass, datasheets and the all-important binoculars. I am gathering data on the animals that live here to assist with a scientific inventory.

The reserve is divided into over 60 quadrats, and we must record numbers and types of wildlife in a designated area. We are briefed about which quadrat our team will cover and set out in our four-wheel drive vehicle. Once there, we observe the landscape for 30 minutes and record the type and number of species we see. Sometimes we count bird species at a specific site. www.biosphere-expeditions.org

The Biosphere expedition leader, Malika, explained about the project. “It’s really important that we support the efficient management of the reserve and the animals seem to be thriving. The citizen science element of the expedition is crucial because only two scientists are working in a huge area, and there is a lot of wildlife out there. A yearly inventory is impossible for them to do; they need more eyes and ears out in the field to count animals and record data.

You don’t have to be a biologist to collect meaningful data that helps with reserve management”.

The Arabian trip is in January, and daytime temperatures are in the low 20s. You do need to walk a few kilometres and scale a

substantial sand dune or two to reach your observation point. It’s also cold at night in the desert, so be prepared.

A highlight for me was spotting a beautiful Arabian fox at fairly close quarters in the south of the reserve. She was so elegant with her long, slim legs, bushy tail and large ears.

Chris from London added “When you’re travelling it’s very easy to see lots of sights, but it’s rare that you actually get to contribute to the places that you are visiting. With Biosphere Expeditions you get to be a part of a scientific expedition collecting real data that helps to protect the ecosystem that you’re spending time in”. Anyone can sign up to join an Arabia Citizen Science expedition in Dubai and help conserve species in this precious reserve.

Dubai

An hour’s taxi ride takes me to the heart of the other Dubai. High-rise buildings grow like a forest with the unfettered energy of this extraordinary city. Dubai’s rapid expansion is a testament to human ingenuity and ambition. Skyscrapers pierce the sky, luxury hotels redefine opulence, and city lights create a dazzling spectacle.

NH Collection Dubai The Palm

I stay at the NH Collection – a new hotel which is in a great location on the Palm Jumeirah. It also has excellent sustainability credentials.

The ambience is modern, contemporary, colourful, and fun. With 227 guest rooms –all with a great view - the hotel has a lively, family-friendly feel. It is in a prime spot for exploring too. The Revo Cafe serves organic salmon with a good white wine. I sample the rooftop Asian Fusion View 180 restaurant and enjoy an incredible panoramic view out over the bay of Dubai.

Sustainability is a serious business here. The rooms have pillows and duvets made from sustainable materials, and amenities have biodegradable cardboard packaging. Recycling of cans, glasses, plastic and paper is rigorous.

The hotel has an on-site glass bottling plant, and AC condensation is converted into irrigation systems. Energy-efficient room systems are installed, and there is an on-site food digester for food and beverage leftovers. Straws are sugar cane, not plastic. The quality of food is premium. Ingredients are sourced from locally farmed, free range and organic suppliers.

Visit www.nh-collection.com to book.

Dubai is a story still being written at an incredible pace. Let’s hope the desert and its wildlife remain as a key chapter in that story.

If you would like your property or attractions reviewed for North East Lifestyle please contact ewilson1066@gmail.com or visit www.eccentricengland.co.uk