Khor Kalba Mangrove Park
Kalba is one of the most popular destinations for ecotourism in the UAE, offering tourists many opportunities to go wildlife spotting, trekking, kayaking, and even scuba diving. Many often come here to see the Arabian oryx, the national animal of the UAE, before visiting a Sharjah beach nearby. Boasting many scenic spots and glittering waters, the Khor Kalba Mangrove Conservation Reserve is a place that you must visit.
After being closed to the public for 10 years, Khor Kalba Conservation Reserve has reopened its doors to visitors. However, as the area is still restricted, visitors can only enter the centre area. The Mangrove Centre is also part of this larger Reserve. At Khor Kalba Conservation Reserve, you can walk through a part of the 300-year-old mangrove, where conservation efforts are in place to protect the declining populations of white-collared kingfisher birds. You can also spot oryxes in the vicinity and even find turtles or birds while walking along the mangrove trail.
Aside from the mangrove reserve, the other side of the Khor Kalba Reserve also encompasses three other major places to visit. For instance, the Kalba Bird of Prey Centre is perfect for visitors to experience falconry, the Al Hefaiyah Mountain Conservation Centre offers many scenic trails for a hike, and the Al Hafiya Park is set amongst lush greenery, lending a perfect backdrop for all to picnic at.
Discover the Biodiversity at the Indoor Visitor Centre of Khor Kalba
You can split your visit to the Khor Kalba Mangrove park into two parts, and we recommend you to kickstart your journey to the indoor visitor centre, which introduces you to the various plants and wildlife of this Arabian mangrove area. Non-locals do not have to fret as the information is available in English and Arabic. Some of the aquariums and terrariums also showcase the biodiversity you might be less likely to spot when taking a walk outdoors.
Before visiting the actual mangrove area, there are also some enclosed habitats that you should visit first. For instance, the large aviary houses many species of birds that look very relaxed so that you can enjoy your bird-watching session. The 2km meandering boardwalk leads the adventurous ones into the beautiful landscape. Looping through various aviaries, the pathway connects more bird-viewing hides before extending into the depths of the mangrove forest. The twice-a-day tidal movement in and out of the Khor Kalba Mangrove Park waterways determines the pace of all the activities at the site.
If you’re planning to visit the Khor Kalba Mangrove Centre and observe the wildlife as well as the serenity of the place, here are some things to take note of:
Admission fees
Adults: 15 AED
Children under 12: Free
Opening hours:
Sunday to Thursday: 9:00am to 6:30pm
Friday: 2:00pm to 6:30pm
Saturday: 11:00am to 6:30pm
The Khor Kalba Mangrove Reserve is closed every Monday.
Directions from The Chedi Al Bait, Sharjah
The Khor Kalba Mangrove Reserve is a mere 1.5-hour drive away from The Chedi Al Bait, Sharjah.
Explore Khor Kalba with GHM’s Local Expert Concierge
Our local expert concierges at GHM know Khor Kalba and its surrounding regions very well. Since they speak various languages besides the local Arabic, our team can connect you with reliable guides so you can better immerse yourself in the wildlife, culture and locals of Kalba.
Furthermore, some of these recommended local tour guides may also offer hotel pick-ups to the Kalba Mangrove, so you do not have to worry about getting there on your own. Throughout your stay with us at The Chedi Al Bait, Sharjah, you can always rely on our range of concierge services to find out the best activities and routes so you can make the most out of your adventure to Khor Kalba Mangrove Reserve.
CONTACT US
Staying with us and want to find out the best places to explore in Kalba? You can always contact our Chief Concierge:
Chief Concierge
[email protected]
