Explore Sir Bani Yas Wildlife Sanctuary

Sir Bani Yas Island Reserve is the natural gem of the UAE, where pristine wildlife meets breathtaking natural beauty. This unique reserve is a safe haven for many rare and endangered animals, such as the Arabian Oryx, gazelles and antelopes. The island is characterised by its diverse environments, from vast sand dunes to green plains and rocky cliffs, providing a favoured habitat for these creatures.

This guide explores the geography of this island, the facilities it includes, and the activities you can do when you visit it.

About Sir Bani Yas Island Reserve

Sir Bani Yas Island Reserve is one of the most prominent nature reserves in the United Arab Emirates, located 240 kilometres west of Abu Dhabi city, and about 8 kilometres from the mainland. Sir Bani Yas Island is 17.5 km long from north to south and 9 km from east to west, making it the largest natural island in the UAE and home to many endangered animal and plant species.

Sir Bani Yas Nature Reserve was established in 1971 by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who reintroduced many endangered wildlife species to the island. The island is named after the Bani Yas tribe, the first people to inhabit the area.

The reserve is home to more than 60,000 animals of 23 different species, including giraffes, Arabian oryx and gazelles. The island also features a diverse range of flora, with more than two million trees planted, including palm and olive trees.

Nearby places

Sir Bani Yas Island Reserve is located in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, and is considered one of the prominent tourist destinations that are distinguished by its natural beauty and environmental diversity. Here are some of the nearby places and activities available around the island:

• Jebel Dhanna

It is about 9 km away from Sir Bani Yas Island, and is considered a starting point for ferries to the island.

• Arabian Wildlife Sanctuary

Located within Sir Bani Yas Island, it contains more than 17,000 animals, including Arabian oryx, giraffes and gazelles.

• Christian Monastery

In 1992, during excavation work, a Christian monastery was discovered, the only one in the Emirates, and it is believed to have been built around 600 AD. The reserve contains many archaeological sites, dating back to the Bronze Age, which number more than 36 sites.

• Water Sports Center

Offers a range of water activities such as rowing and diving.

Mechanisms of Development and Conservation of Nature

Sir Bani Yas Island Reserve is considered a model to be emulated in the mechanism of developing nature reserves and preserving the environment. The island has been developed in sustainable ways that aim to preserve its unique nature, while promoting eco-tourism using the following:

Alternative energy

A partnership agreement was signed with Masdar to build the first alternative energy generation station on the island, which will contribute to operating a desalination plant, helping to irrigate plants and feed animals.

Recycling

The island’s management is working to implement international standards in the fields of energy and water conservation, in addition to recycling efforts to preserve the infrastructure.

wind power generation station

The first wind power station was established on Sir Bani Yas Island in 2004, and this station is considered a pioneer in the Gulf region.

The capacity of the station that has been built is 45 megawatts, and it is expected to provide electricity to more than 23 thousand homes annually.