Diving and surfing. Kayak excursions. Jeep safari… And now in detail about the four reasons to spend a vacation in Sharjah
Sharjah city
Translated from Arabic, Sharjah means “east”, which is very symbolic. And not only because this emirate is located in the east of the UAE. All the colors and flavors of the East are intertwined in the atmosphere of Sharjah – from the ancient fairy tale journeys of Sinbad the Sailor to fantastic landscapes and shining lights of skyscrapers in the sand. The UAE consists of 7 emirates, but Sharjah is probably the most colorful and original of them. There are many modern museums that reveal the history and culture of the Arab world, in Sharjah, there is the highest flag of the OAU, and the pride of the emirate is the University of Sharjah, where students from all over the world study.
It is better to start acquaintance with the emirate from its capital – the city of Sharjah, where intellectual leisure can be so organically alternated with active and entertaining. Fans of exciting rides will love the amusement park.
Al Montaza (formerly Al Jazeera), while fans of sports entertainment will love the popular Golf and Shooting Club, where you can play golf or go shooting at a shooting range. Many tourists come to Sharjah to see equestrian competitions, in which even local sheiks participate. Even an ordinary walk around the city will certainly give a lot of impressions, you can find something interesting at every step. For example, a rain room in the center of Sharjah, not far from the Buhaira waterfront. This is a 1460 sq. m, where streams of water pour from the ceiling. A real downpour that you can walk through and still be completely dry! This is both an attraction and an art object that will not leave anyone indifferent. And be sure to visit the Ferris wheel, from the height of which even neighboring Dubai is visible.
In the foothills of Hajar on the shores of the Indian Ocean, there is a luxurious hotel (177 rooms and 3 exclusive private villas) Oceanic Khorfakkan resort & spa. The beach season here lasts all year round! The most comfortable time is from October to May when there is no heat. In winter, the temperature fluctuates around 25 ° C – it‘s just perfect. The hotel offers its active guests snorkeling, flyboarding, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, diving, boat trips with fishing.
Kayaks, birds and animals
Kalba is a small tourist town on the east coast of Sharjah. Its main natural attraction is Arabia’s oldest mangrove forests in Khor Kalba Bay, just a few kilometers south of the city center. The reserve is home to many unique animals that are on the verge of extinction, which can be seen by driving through the specially protected area on golf carts or kayaking through the canals. For those who do not dare to swim on their own, an instructor will always come to the rescue. There is also a Birds of Prey Center in Kalba, where raptors live (about 50 varieties). You can see rare hawks, falcons, eagles, owls, and other birds at a stunning show that lasts about an hour. Huge vultures make a special impression up close
Not far from the Birds of Prey Center is the Al-Khefaya Nature Reserve. This specially protected area at the base of the Hajjar mountain range is home to animals (more than 30 species) that live only in the mountains of Sharjah. It also houses one of the most elusive wild cats on earth, the endangered Arabian leopard. You can drive around the reserve on golf carts, watching the Arabian wolf, striped hyena, and Arabian Tahr.
Desert Safari
You can admire the desert sands of all shades, from almost white to bright orange, tickle your nerves and touch the thousand-year history, 50 kilometers from the center of Sharjah, at the site of the settlement of the ancient Arabs, in the Mleiha archaeological and eco-tourism complex. On a walking tour, cycling, or from the window of an SUV during a safari tour, you will see incredible landscapes. Adrenaline kicks in as powerful cars take on the dunes with determination, and your heart skips a beat, like on the tightest turns of a rollercoaster. And what pictures are taken at sunset on the top of the dune!
A visit to the Archaeological Center will help to take a breath after the safari, where the life of the inhabitants of this region is presented, as it was a thousand years ago. The museum presents artifacts from various eras and conducts excursions with a visit to the excavations of ancient structures. The finale of the voyage to the desert combines Arabian exoticism and modern comfort: an Arabian dinner at a campsite reminiscent of a Bedouin camp – in traditional tents, decorated with carpets and pillows. And then the lights go out in the campsite, and an endless starry sky and majestic dunes open up before your eyes …
