For a relatively compact nation, the UAE wears quite the wardrobe of geography. Contained within its confines, intrepid explorers can roam rolling desert dunes, make for manmade island archipelagos, wander in the shadows of huge futuristic tower clusters, hike the spine of entire mountain chains, thunder down (indoor) ski slopes, comb beaches, make tracks through ghaf forests and snorkel over vibrant coral reefs. One biome that doesn’t frequently feature on most lists however, is the jungle. But if you listen closely, you can hear its call in certain corners of the country. Places you can go to curl and unfurl within the verdant embrace of calming canopies. These are our favourite jungle-themed experiences in the UAE.
Family activities
The Green Planet
Without hesitation, contemplation or doubt – The Green Planet Dubai is the closest single experience in the whole of the UAE to an actual jungle expedition. This rainforest-simulating biosphere is a tower block in fancy floral dress, staged around a gargantuan artificial Amazonian Kapok tree. Visitors can tour the various levels of the humidity and temperature-controlled attraction, weaving in and out of the central trunk, finding themselves in sloth-bothering, sugar glider-coddling, face-to-furry-face animal encounters and learning about the plight of this disappearing ecosystem. Fun add-ons include periodic overnight camping trips, JNGL café visits, feeding opportunities and an alfresco adventure playground.
City Walk, Al Wasl, daily 10am to 6pm, from Dhs139. @thegreenplanetdubai
Ready Set Go
Rather than go for the obvious, hyper Amazonian realism and living walls of green present in many other entries on this list, Ready Set Go has opted for a cartoonish jungle theme and a triggering absence of commas. But what it lacks in punctuation, it more than makes up for in junior crowd-pleasing, soft-play fun. There are slides and cosy hides, net walks, ziplines, sensory talks, crafting and triking, climbing and dancing, mascot meets and enthralling showtime feats. All the required rumpus for a real rumble in an imaginary jungle.
Al Quoz, Mon to Fri from 10am, Sat and Sun from 9am, from Dhs75. @readysetgodubai
Lapita Dubai Parks and Resorts
This Polynesian-inspired hotel can be found within the greater metropolitan area of Dubai Parks and Resorts. They’re currently offering some great staycation rates for the summer, which include access to the neighbouring theme parks. But it’s the botanical credentials that qualify Lapita for this particular round-up, infused – as it is – with veins of vibrant green, and shade-giving palms. Lying by the pool, with a cheeky tiki mocktail in hand, you could almost convince yourself you’re in Hawaii. Though you might have to mentally mute the background joy ride yelps.
Dubai Parks and Resorts, room rates from Dhs326. @lapitahoteldubai
The Butterfly Gardens Abu Dhabi
Image supplied
One of the newest attractions to emerge from the formative crysalis of Abu Dhabi’s Al Qana is, The Butterfly Gardens Abu Dhabi. Inside the geodesic glass domes lies a metamorphic menagerie of Pantone colour swatches, butterflies from far-flung corners of the globe in all their mesmerising forms. And it’s not just the insects on parade, keen eyes should remain on stalks to spot sloths, humming birds, giant squirrels, whatever bearcats are and a curious species of anteater. The only thing that’s missing is the David Attenborough voiceover.
Al Qana Walk, Mon-Fri 10am to 8pm; Sat-Sun 9am to 8pm, Dhs55; Dhs150 combined with The National Aquarium. @thebutterflygardensuae
The Glass House
Found in the rolling rural expanse of Al Khawaneej, Quranic Park is a symphonic mix of nature and heritage. The 64-hectare park provides visitors with an experientially immersive insight into the teachings of the Holy Quran. Access to the park is free, though we’d recommend paying the very reasonable Dhs5 ticket price to enter The Glass House (a biodome featuring the 51 plant species mentioned in the Quran), and the Cave of Miracles.
Al Khawaneej, Sat to Thurs 8am to 10pm, Fri 3pm to 10pm, Dhs5 per person to visit Cave of Miracles and The Glasshouse. dm.gov.ae
Anantara Mina Ras Al Khaimah Resort
This is admittedly a bit of a stretch. For it to have a shot of casting the emerald environ spell you have to concentrate really hard on the fact the resort is surrounded by a stunning natural mangrove jungle. It’s often likened to a Maldivian hotel solely on account of its overwater villas, so as comparisons go, we’re on established ground. The 174-key resort property’s main leisure highlights include a spa, an expansive outdoor swimming pool complex complete with sunken bar, watersports and padel tennis courts. But the real jungle joy is found in a kayak tour of the mangroves (from Dhs100).
Mina Al Arab, Ras Al Khaimah, pool villas from Dhs4,590 anantara.com
Sharjah Safari Park
It’s not the only safari park in the UAE, but it is arguably the most immersive. It’s home to 120 species, including the ‘king of the jungle’ – the African lion. They’ve separated the park into 12 distinct zones, and some of them do incredible work cosplaying as real African topographies – including the Savannah, the Serengeti, and Nkorongoro. It’s the Zanzibar Village (access is included in the bronze package) that really tempts the mind to stray from its GPS coordinates though, with faithfully recreated buildings encroached by the untamed wilderness.
Sharjah, priced from Dhs40. @shjsafari
Bars and Restaurants
Amazonico
Like a cyclone sweeping through the canopies of its namesake, Amazonico’s rainforest theme permeates every layer of the venue. But it’s the rooftop terrace that affirms its rare verdant beauty. Whether you’re dropping in with mates for a round of sharing plates, or heading to the roof for alfresco sundowner mixology, you cannot escape the ‘cool’ of the wild.
DIFC Pavilion. @amazonicodubai
Monkey Bar
Image: What’s On Archive
Straight from the European capital of nightlife concepts that people are willing to queue around the block for, Berlin import Monkey Bar has plugged itself into the Dubai scene from a nest on top of a reputation-appropriate monolith of mode – 25hours Hotel. Come for the scintillating Latin menu, the leafy jungle vibes, a glimpse of the future (the Museum of the Future), or the beat parade from its nightly lineup of live DJs.
25hours Hotel, Dubai One Central. @monkeybardubai
Mama Zonia
Pier 7’s answer to the question – what if we just put a botanical garden with a banging Nikkei menu in the middle of Dubai Marina? Known for wild brunches, business lunches and flame-grilled tranches of prime beef.
Pier 7, Dubai Marina. @mamazoniadxb
The Guild
One of the most wonderful aspects of this ICD Brookfield-based restaurant is that its modular dining concept enables a mirror for most fine-dining or soiree-ing moods. It’s compartmentalised into experiential environs – The Salon, Café, Rockpool, and, with specific relevance to this particular round-up, Potting Shed and Nurseries. They’re organic bear hugs of bio-aesthetic vitality, with dim lights and gourmet brasserie bites, it’s the perfect place to huddle close to friends and lose yourself in a manufactured jungle.
ICD Brookfield Place, DIFC. @theguilddubai
Coya
This intricately designed, Peruvian-inspired restaurant has locations in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Access to the Dubai outpost results in immediate immersion in abundant arboreal greens. Inside, the botanical decor theme continues with plants framing the bar and seating areas. Browse the expertly storied cocktail list for more Amazon-inspired experiences, including a blended beverage that pays homage to a certain spiritual brew.
Restaurant Village Four Seasons Resort. @coyadubai
Raclette
Located along the desert island dining strip at Mamsha Al Saadiyat, Raclette’s interiors paint the story of an art deco jungle, whilst the menu offers its own safari through fine-dining highlights of French cuisine. Their strong weekly promotions pair expertly well with the venue’s talismanic coastline views.
The Farm
Inside Al Barari, the rose-tinted residential community in the hinterlands of urbanised Dubai, you’ll find the healthy-eating, aesthetically manicured masterpiece that is The Farm. An oasis of soothing leafy calm and zen coaxing waterways – that could quite easily trade on looks alone. But they don’t. The Farm is famed for its breakfast as much as its obvious physical beauty, and its core allure goes deeper still. A menu that gracefully pivots from AM to PM consistently delivering delicious, sustainably-sourced, nutritionally-optimised international fare, and the glorious Al Barari, splash and timber, playground just a short skip away.
Al Barari, Dubai. @thefarm_dubai
SEVA Table
Fabled formative furnace of hidden gems, Jumeirah is the location for our next subject, Seva Table. A no-longer-particularly-well-kept-secret, this hyper aesthetic cafe is your ticket to a shuttered cluster-hug of unabridged rural charm. The barefoot-friendly courtyard is scattered with age-gnarled trees, cushions, wooden tables and soft music, creating a relaxed, undeniably bohemian escape from the city. The plant-based menu focuses on wholesome, nourishing dishes, from smoothie bowls to fresh juices and speciality coffees. There are books to browse if you feel like lingering a little longer and wellness classes to help further align your bliss with the backdrop.
Jumeirah. @sevaexperience
Treehouse
Up on the 8th floor of Taj Dubai, surrounded by the mighty trunks of Business Bay’s skyscrapers, Treehouse really does feel like a, ahem, Tarzan treehouse. Though an extraordinarily palatial one. The open-air venue is rooted by a central circular bar, the annular ring revealing the venue’s legacy status. And with its strategically arranged green sleeves, it’s every bit the up high urban hideaway.
Taj Dubai, Business Bay. @treehousedubai
Ninive Bab Al Shams
A true, though manmade, desert oasis in the breathtaking dune-hemmed resort of Bab Al Shams, this second Dubai incarnation of Ninive plays to the ‘enchanted garden’ strengths of the original. It’s a sophisticated sundowner spot that offers flavourful fluency in Iranian, Iraqi, Turkish, and Moroccan-influenced cuisine.
Bab Al Shams. @ninivebabalshams
Underwater jungles and wild wetlands
Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo
This submarinal jungle offers completely free-of-charge views of its main tank to Dubai Mall visitors, but what more does a trip inside offer you? Your underwater safari begins with a walk through a tunnel that bores through the statement tank, allowing new perspectives and proximity to the curious creatures behind the glass. The basic package also entitles you to a little BTS tour of the hatchery, up close views of penguins, a truly collossal ‘King Croc’, otters, rays, tropical birds, reptiles, bats and an unwealdy biomass more.
Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai, Sun to Thurs 10am to 11pm, Fri and Sat 10am to 12am, from Dhs178. @dubaiaquarium
Jubail Mangrove Park
What’s On archive
Sandwiched between two of Abu Dhabi’s most famous island idylls, Yas and Saadiyat, sits the humble and meek, but oh-so deep, Jubail Island. Out on a quiet outcrop of the still largely undeveloped isle, you’ll find Jubail Mangrove Park. It features a meandering 2.3km boardwalk that quite literally draws you right into nature. And there are plenty of ways to explore the capital’s serene green Everglades including boardwalk meditation sessions ranger-led, guided tours (from Dhs50), kayaking (from Dhs110), and e-dragon boat excursions.
Jubail Island, 7am to 9pm. jubailisland.ae
The Lost Chambers Aquarium
The Lost Chambers
Grab Posiedon by the beard and explore an underwater world inspired by the legend of Atlantis at this atmospheric aquarium. Saunter through Kaleidoscopic tunnels and shadowy chambers filled with sharks, rays and thousands of marine creatures, all set among ancient ruins and glowing displays.
Atlantis The Palm, daily 11am to 8pm, Dhs85.
Snoopy Island
Snoopy Island is one of Fujairah’s best-loved landmarks and is named after the famous dog, the cartoon, not the rapper, which the island is said to resemble. It’s a leisure pursuit pearl offering some of the best ‘sight-seaing’ in the UAE. The natural jungle of reefs provides a home for a kaleidoscopic clique of fishy friends, visiting turtles, and even the odd white-tip reef shark. On a day trip to Snoopy Island, the whole family can mask up for a team snorkel, or stay above the surface for an afternoon of paddle boarding or kayaking – the gear for all of which can be rented from the shore. Those looking to make a weekend of it can check-in to Sandy Beach Hotel, the legendary Fujairah resort that sits smack bang in front of Snoopy Island.
Ras Al Khor
This vibrant protected wetland is located just a few minutes’ drive from Business Bay and contains within its green embrace 67 different species of bird. Its most famous resident is of course, perennial Barbiecore ambassadors, the flamingos. The reserve holds three viewing hides dotted around the perimeter of the sanctuary. Best of all, the sanctuary is completely free to enter.
Ras Al Khor, daily 7.30am to 5.30pm, free. dm.gov.ae
The National Aquarium Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi’s The National Aquarium is the largest aquatic vivarium in the Middle East. It’s home to 46,000 creatures spread across ten experiential zones. It provides live encounters, aims to educate visitors on ecology and performs noble ‘rehabilitation and release’ conservation work for local wildlife. Interior highlights include the region’s longest underwater tunnel experience, tank-top glass-bottom boat tours, a National Geographic exhibit, and sharks, lots of sharks.
Al Qana, 10am to 10pm, Dhs110, under 3s free. @thenationalaq
