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Guided wildflower walks every weekend this springSee what to do

Plan your visit

A protected reserve in Al Ain

Mahmiyat Al Ghazal

Wadis, gravel plains and the foothills of Jebel Hafeet, protected for the Arabian gazelle and open to everyone who loves the outdoors.

Explore the trails
  • Open to everyone
  • Free trail maps at the visitor centre

Plan a day out

Ways to enjoy the reserve

Ranger walks for schools and families

Guided walks and field classes in Arabic and English, led by our rangers.

Spring wildflowers

After the winter rain the wadis turn green and flower from February to April.

Wadi pools after the rain

Short hikes to the rock pools that fill after a good winter rainfall.

About the reserve

A home for the Arabian gazelle

Mahmiyat Al Ghazal protects 2,000 hectares of wadi, gravel plain and mountain foothill outside Al Ain. Our rangers, ecologists and volunteers care for the land and its wildlife, from sand gazelles to the Egyptian vulture, and welcome visitors through the cooler months. We believe time in nature makes people healthier and happier, so the walking trails stay open and free to explore.

Our story

Life in the reserve

Wadis, rock pools and quiet trails, a short walk from the visitor centre.

A clear stream in a rocky wadi lined with ghaf and acacia trees
A wadi stream after the winter rain
Spring wildflowers in a desert wadi with sand gazelles grazing beyond
Wildflowers in March
A shaded wooden boardwalk trail through acacia trees in the wadi
The shaded boardwalk
Sunrise over the wadi and the Hajar foothills from the viewpoint
Sunrise from the viewpoint
A wooden footbridge over the wadi with gazelles grazing beyond
Footbridge over the wadi
A seasonal waterfall pouring into a rock pool in a mountain wadi
A seasonal waterfall
Sand gazelles at dawn beside a seasonal desert pool
Gazelles at dawn

Conservation work

Restoring the wadis, one project at a time

A clear stream in a rocky wadi lined with ghaf and acacia trees

Ghaf woodland restoration

Our rangers have replanted 40 hectares of native ghaf and acacia along the main wadi.

Spring wildflowers in a desert wadi with sand gazelles grazing beyond

Gazelle breeding programme

A protected breeding area that has raised more than 300 Arabian and sand gazelles for release.

A shaded wooden boardwalk trail through acacia trees in the wadi

Quiet trails for everyone

Shaded trails with benches, viewpoints and quiet zones for mindful walking.

Visiting hours

Entry to the trails is free. Guided walks and school visits are booked in advance.

Last entry one hour before closing. From June to September the trails close at 10:00 because of the heat.

Sat–Thu
6:30–18:30
Friday
14:00–18:30

Plan your morning in the reserve

Book a guided walk, a school visit or a winter planting day.

Book a guided walk