Life can be a blur of passing lights, blaring sounds, and people’s voices. Abu Dhabi now has an initiative dedicated to communing with nature and sharing the experience with others.
If you are keen to explore the natural world around you as a family, Connect with Nature is the gateway to discovering the great outdoors in the UAE. The Emirates Nature–WWF has partnered with the Environment Agency–Abu Dhabi (EAD) to offer an inspiring interactive journey throughout the city. They hope to build a new community of people who, like the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, see conservation as part of the nation’s history, heritage, and ultimately its way of life.
Start exploring the UAE in creative new ways through one-of-a-kind experiences, thrilling adventures in nature, and awe-inspiring heritage activities.
This autumn, a new calendar of events for the outdoor season has been launched across the whole Emirates with a host of new features and a calendar of events that includes adventurous activities such as floating under the moonlight at the National Mangrove Park and riding through wadis and exploring ancient heritage sites, to impactful knowledge-sharing events, youth panels, debates, and competitions focusing on sustainable fashion and more. Those who sign up to the app can also get access to overnight camping trips, beach clean-ups and a variety of adventures in the wilderness.
Here are some of the upcoming activities to take part in:
Nature After Dark (24th October and 14th November) in Abu Dhabi at the National Mangrove Park.
Explore nature under the moonlight by floating along the water, listen to the sounds of nature and discover the wildlife that inhabits the mangroves and how people can do more to protect this precious ecosystem. No previous experience is necessary – just a sense of curiosity and adventure. The tour is provided by Noukhada Adventure Company and sign-up is via the Connect With Nature website.
Location – Eastern Mangroves, Abu Dhabi
Date – 24th October and 14th November
Time – 4.30pm
Price – AED 220
Ride Back in Time (25th -26th October and 29th -30th November – overnight) to discover the awe-inspiring stories of humankind and nature at the archaeological sites in Mleiha.
Trek through the Valley of Caves and witness a mountain made of millions of years of history. Enjoy a BBQ around the campfire with stories of local communities and discussions of the relationship between humans and nature. Gaze into the dark and reflect on the awesomeness of stars. Walk into the sunrise on the Fossil Mountain — maybe you can find a fossil telling a special story!
Join Connect with Nature and explore this experience. Come with your sense of wonder and set out on this overnight experience to discover this special place.
Location – Mleiha Archaeological Centre, Sharjah
Date – 25th-26th October and 29th-30th November
Time – 4pm – 9am next day
Price – AED 410
Wild Workouts (Free to take part!)
As part of the Dubai Fitness Challenge, get outdoors to exercise and explore. From guided runs around Al Qudra’s flamingo lakes, to discovering the fish, ducks and wildlife of Sustainable City and Zabeel Park’s lush green nature areas, there are plenty of options for beginners and more experienced runners. The best part? It’s free to take part through Connect With Nature – just download the app and sign-up.
Location – Al Qudra Lakes East (5.6km circuit)
Date – 30th October
Time – 6pm
Price – FREE!
Location – Sustainable City (3.8km circuit)
Date – 6th November
Time – 6pm
Price – FREE!
Location – Zabeel Park (2km circuit)
Date – 13th November
Time – 6pm
Price – FREE!
Director General of Emirates Nature-WWF, Laila Mostafa Abdullatif said: “The team at Connect with Nature has created a brand new app and a packed new season of exciting, inspiring and fun events to do. This programme has been created for youth, by youth and will adapt to the changing needs of young people, to drive environmental sustainability in a fun and engaging way.”
To download the app:
On the App store here
On Google Play here
For more information and to sign-up to upcoming activities and events visit, connectwithnature.ae or follow Connect with Nature on social media @connectwithnature.ae
