It has been open to the public since late last year, but not many know about Al Jurf Gardens in Abu Dhabi. The National set out to visit the nature reserve-turned-picnic spot and came away entranced.
Located on the coast in between and less than an hour's drive from the cities of Abu Dhabi and Dubai, the project by Imkan Properties is a residential community with a countryside feel reminiscent of Enid Blyton's Enchanted Wood.
Originally created to protect the deer and antelope that are native to the UAE, the reserve also affords visitors the chance to spot various species of gazelle and oryx, as well as other wildlife and birds. At the end of the dirt path is a cutesy cafe called Dialogue, which overlooks the sparkling waters of the Arabian Gulf.
Shaded by a canopy of trees, families can be spotted picnicking on the sand. It is a seamless way to connect with nature and feels miles away from the hubbub of city life.
Near and deer
If you are driving through the area without stopping, at first glance the dirt road seems to be surrounded only by trees and the odd bird, but look carefully and it is likely you will spot a grazing herd of deer.
They scare easily, though, so be mindful of their privacy. If you want to take pictures, roll down the car windows rather than walking up to their retreating backs.
Approximately halfway between the entrance and the cafe is a custom-built feeding area, with water and food laid out for the animals. Waiting here is your best chance to spot them but, again, be careful not to scare them away.
Best time to go
Make your way over in the morning or afternoon, especially if you want to see deer, as the tree canopy means there is not a lot of light – even in the daytime.
If you want to go off the dirt road into the soft sand arenas, or all the way to the seaside, a 4x4 is recommended, although sedans are perfectly fine on the dirt road.
Where is Al Jurf?
Al Jurf is located at 24.8536351, 54.8005832. Take the Al Samha exit and turn towards the Nature Reserves sign at the roundabout.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Conflict, drought, famine
Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.
Band Aid
Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.
The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.
Expert input
If you had all the money in the world, what’s the one sneaker you would buy or create?
“There are a few shoes that have ‘grail’ status for me. But the one I have always wanted is the Nike x Patta x Parra Air Max 1 - Cherrywood. To get a pair in my size brand new is would cost me between Dh8,000 and Dh 10,000.” Jack Brett
“If I had all the money, I would approach Nike and ask them to do my own Air Force 1, that’s one of my dreams.” Yaseen Benchouche
“There’s nothing out there yet that I’d pay an insane amount for, but I’d love to create my own shoe with Tinker Hatfield and Jordan.” Joshua Cox
“I think I’d buy a defunct footwear brand; I’d like the challenge of reinterpreting a brand’s history and changing options.” Kris Balerite
“I’d stir up a creative collaboration with designers Martin Margiela of the mixed patchwork sneakers, and Yohji Yamamoto.” Hussain Moloobhoy
“If I had all the money in the world, I’d live somewhere where I’d never have to wear shoes again.” Raj Malhotra
The%20Specs
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Our House, Louise Candlish,
Simon & Schuster
