Location: Sir Bani Yas, UAE [Google Map ref]
Vessel: Celestyal Journey
Itinerary: Desert Days
Main image above sourced from Visit Abu Dhabi
The notion of a wildlife safari on a sandy island in the Persian Gulf might sound like a far-fetched tale from The Adventures of Baron Munchausen, but believe me, it’s true.
When Celestyal Journey docked at Ṣīr Banī Yās (also Sir Baniyas صِير بَنِي يَاس) it looked for all the world like a remote Maldivian island resort with its smattering of beach umbrellas, sun loungers and bodies better suited to bistros than boulevards. Yet behind this facade of languid leisure, there was a whole island devoted to the preservation of endangered wildlife.
Beyond the synthetic strand, journeys of giraffes roamed free, musters of peacocks paraded in all their finery, and herds of gazelles and antelopes trotted cheerfully among the plantations. Seriously, though, Sir Bani Yas is home to numerous species classified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as critically endangered or vulnerable, including sea turtles, sand gazelles, Barbary sheep, Arabian tahr, and oryx.
Historically, the name is derived from the Bani Yas tribe, which first established Abu Dhabi. The 87 km2 island has hosted human settlements for thousands of years, dating back to the Bronze Age and beyond. Numerous archaeological sites exist, including a Christian monastery from the first millennium AD.
Europeans didn’t arrive until the late 16th century when the Venetian merchant and explorer Gasparo Balbi was excited to find pearls in the clear waters surrounding what he christened "Sirbeniast."
In an unusual twist, the ruling sheikh-turned-conservationist Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan converted what was his family’s retreat and ancient salt mine into a reserve during the 1970s, creating the Arabian Wildlife Park. The park is now is home to around 20,000 free-roaming animals, except for the cheetahs, which were hiding somewhere in the dark recesses of a fenced enclosure.
Our mini safari began from behind the beach, where a line-up of 4WD LandCruisers awaited us, and over the course of a couple of hours, we meandered through groves of fruit trees, in and out of dry watercourses and up the only hill to a vantage point where we saw the row of wind turbines on the beach bolstering the island’s claim of sustainability.
However, the three Thai-operated luxury hotels, which can accommodate about 300 guests in total, are well hidden. A small airport (XSB) also serves the island.
Now, while this is not about to rival any of the mega-parks in the south of Africa, it is nevertheless a much more interesting alternative to lazing around on the sand or fondling baubles in the gift shop. In my humble opinion, anyway.
The notion of a wildlife safari on a sandy island in the Persian Gulf might sound like a far-fetched tale from The Adventures of Baron Munchausen, but believe me, it’s true.
 |
| The vast SBY cruise beach is laid out for the less adventurous. (R Eime) |
When Celestyal Journey docked at Ṣīr Banī Yās (also Sir Baniyas صِير بَنِي يَاس) it looked for all the world like a remote Maldivian island resort with its smattering of beach umbrellas, sun loungers and bodies better suited to bistros than boulevards. Yet behind this facade of languid leisure, there was a whole island devoted to the preservation of endangered wildlife.
 |
| A pair of endangered Reticulated giraffe (R Eime) |
Beyond the synthetic strand, journeys of giraffes roamed free, musters of peacocks paraded in all their finery, and herds of gazelles and antelopes trotted cheerfully among the plantations. Seriously, though, Sir Bani Yas is home to numerous species classified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as critically endangered or vulnerable, including sea turtles, sand gazelles, Barbary sheep, Arabian tahr, and oryx.
Historically, the name is derived from the Bani Yas tribe, which first established Abu Dhabi. The 87 km2 island has hosted human settlements for thousands of years, dating back to the Bronze Age and beyond. Numerous archaeological sites exist, including a Christian monastery from the first millennium AD.
Europeans didn’t arrive until the late 16th century when the Venetian merchant and explorer Gasparo Balbi was excited to find pearls in the clear waters surrounding what he christened "Sirbeniast."
 |
| Gazelles graze peacefully on the irrigated plain (R Eime) |
In an unusual twist, the ruling sheikh-turned-conservationist Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan converted what was his family’s retreat and ancient salt mine into a reserve during the 1970s, creating the Arabian Wildlife Park. The park is now is home to around 20,000 free-roaming animals, except for the cheetahs, which were hiding somewhere in the dark recesses of a fenced enclosure.
 |
| Modern 4WD Toyota LandCruisers transport guests on the safari drive (REime) |
Our mini safari began from behind the beach, where a line-up of 4WD LandCruisers awaited us, and over the course of a couple of hours, we meandered through groves of fruit trees, in and out of dry watercourses and up the only hill to a vantage point where we saw the row of wind turbines on the beach bolstering the island’s claim of sustainability.
However, the three Thai-operated luxury hotels, which can accommodate about 300 guests in total, are well hidden. A small airport (XSB) also serves the island.
Now, while this is not about to rival any of the mega-parks in the south of Africa, it is nevertheless a much more interesting alternative to lazing around on the sand or fondling baubles in the gift shop. In my humble opinion, anyway.
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