Abu Dhabi – Sir Bani Yas Island Wildlife

May 26, 2012 | Updated: March 2, 2015 | By Elizabeth | Reply More

Abu Dhabi – Desert Islands Resort offers luxurious lodging in the former home of a beloved sheikh.

Abu Dhabi – the UAE’s hot new destination

Dubai was the first destination in the United Arab Emirates* to draw large numbers of overseas visitors, but now that city is sharing the spotlight with Abu Dhabi. Here, one of the big draws is Sir Bani Yas Island, home to an Arabian Wildlife Park and three luxury Anantara resorts.

This island was the private retreat of Sheikh Zayed, the father of the UAE and a respected international statesman who died in 2004. Today, his guest house has been transformed into Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara, a hotel with 64 rooms and suites – all with sea views and balconies. My husband and I spent a few very pleasant days at Desert Islands Resort being treated like royalty.

Access to the sand dome island is by yacht from Jebel Dhanna, which is about 3 hours drive from Dubai and 2 hours from the city of Abu Dhabi. We could have driven ourselves, but instead opted to hire a car and driver.

Abu Dhabi: The design of the hotel reflects the life of a well-traveled sheikh.

Abu Dhabi: The design of Desert Islands Hotel reflects the life of a well-traveled sheikh.

A resort with chic Abu Dhabi design

The interior design of the hotel, which opened in 2008, is nothing short of stunning. I’ve seen lots of luxury hotels in 30 years of researching travel articles and books, and this one really took my breath away. I felt like I had walked into the home of a well-traveled sheikh, and the African armoires, Chinese ginger jar lamps, and crystal chandeliers were some of the mementos he’d collected.

Activities on the resort island include snorkeling, kayaking, hiking, mountain biking, and enjoying the excellent spa. However, with limited time, we focused on the wildlife preserve that is unique in the UAE. Sheikh Zayed was a conservationist before eco-tourism became a popular concept and started the first captive breeding program of endangered Arabian animals.

Abu Dhabi - These cheetah cubs were born on Sir Bani Yas Island as the result of a successful breeding program.

Sir Bani Yas Island, Abu Dhabi – These cheetah cubs are the result of a successful breeding program.

Today, guests enjoy sunrise game drives through the Arabian Wildlife Park and may see endangered African cheetahs (the indigenous ones are extinct in the UAE), as well as Asiatic sand gazelles, Arabian Mountain gazelles, striped hyenas, Arabian oryx, and many other animals.

The Desert Islands Resort is an ideal destination for authentic luxury travelers because of its historical significance, indigenous wildlife, and the fact that a great proportion of the other guests are from the UAE – meaning that overseas visitors have an opportunity to interact with local people in a relaxed setting.

Early morning mist on the Arabian Wildlife Park, Sir Bani Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.

A welcome cultural encounter

At breakfast one morning my husband and I were seated near an Arab couple wearing very conservative traditional clothing. Both were covered pretty much head to toe – she in black, he in white. I really wanted to start a conversation, but – try as I might – I didn’t find an appropriate opportunity.

Fast forward a few hours and I found myself seated next to the man in a Jeep taking us to a kayaking spot – except now he was wearing shorts and flip flops.

“Looks just like the Arizona desert, doesn’t it?” he said to me as we traveled along.

“How would you know that?” I blurted out.

“Because I went to the University of Arizona. Where are you from?”

Before the day was over I’d learned that he has a degree in engineering, is in charge of construction of all the new palaces being built in the Emirate of Dubai, and really loves American theme parks – especially Magic Mountain. He wrote his private cell number on his card and asked me to call him if I had any questions while we were in the UAE.

This encounter caused me to reflect on the assumptions we make about the way people are dressed. It also underscored my basic belief that people-to-people contact is critical to creating a safer global community. This brief connection remains a vivid and favorite memory of our first foray into the Middle East.

*UAE 101

I wasn’t familiar with the United Arab Emirates until we went there, but I soon learned that it’s a peaceful country on the Persian Gulf between Saudi Arabia and Oman. The UAE is comprised of seven emirates, each governed by a hereditary emir. Dubai and Abu Dhabi are two of the emirates and the city of Abu Dhabi is the capital of the federation.

Click here to see more photos of Sir Bani Yas Island and Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara.

Talented spa staff, Desert Islands Resort, Abu Dhabi.

More coming attractions in Abu Dhabi

While Dubai was building glamorous hotels, Abu Dhabi was planning a long-term strategy for becoming the arts and culture center of the UAE. This included inviting architect Frank Geary (Walt Disney Concery Hall, Los Angeles) to design the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, which will open in 2017. There’s also a Louvre Museum being built in partnership with its Paris namesake.

In fact, travel to the Middle East is rising at about 18% a year, and Abu Dhabi has become one of the hottest destinations in the region. Go to the Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority for travel ideas. Click here to get the best rates on Sir Bani Yas resorts.

Abu Dhabi is the Middle East we don’t hear about very often, but it’s there and ready to welcome all travelers.

Best,

Elizabeth Hansen