Bab Al Nojoum Al Mugheirah: inside Abu Dhabi's newest eco-tourism destination


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Bab Al Nojoum Al Mugheirah Resort is set within 45 hectares of beautifully managed park and reserve in the breezy coastal town of Mirfa. It’s located 160 kilometres west of Abu Dhabi city, so is a 90-minute car ride away for holidaymakers seeking a unique experience.

“It’s an environmentally friendly tourist destination where people can enjoy their stay and at the same time experience activities that enrich their knowledge,” says Ahmed Al Shaikh Al Zaabi, director of delivery at Modon Properties, which developed the resort.

The nature reserve has 20 gleaming Airstream trailers and 20 converted cargo containers that are being used as cabins. The Airstreams feature a king bed with an option for a pull-out sofa, while campers can also choose between a one-bedroom cabin, which fits up to three adults, and a two-bedroom cabin for up to five adults. All cabins have their own sun deck and plunge pool, while both accommodation types feature a fully stocked kitchenette, bathroom, outdoor seating area, fire pit and grill. While all dwellings are equipped with air conditioning, campers are encouraged to use it minimally.

A two-bedroom cabin at Al Mugheirah Resort. Photo: Tamara Clarke
A two-bedroom cabin at Al Mugheirah Resort. Photo: Tamara Clarke

“We want to provide the most authentic outdoor adventure experience and reconnect our guests with nature,” says Siddharth Mehra, Al Mugheirah Resort's camp manager.

On the property, camp hosts are referred to as “dream makers”, as they pride themselves on tailoring an individualised experience for each camper. Upon arrival, guests receive a personalised guide compiled around booking information and special interests. The resort offers a host of activities and excursions, including biking, farming, falconry, watersports, horse riding and cooking classes. Children are incentivised to get involved, too, with a passport booklet of their own for which they can collect stamps for each activity completed and redeem them for treats.

Location-based experiences are also on offer. Abu Dhabi has an estimated 3,000 dugongs, the second highest population in the world after Australia, and most are found in the waters just off the coast of the western region. “Dugongs are protected animals and they are actually seen in the waters not too far from here. As part of our efforts to create one-of-a-kind experiences, we have our own boats that will take guests into the water to spot these majestic animals,” says Mehra.

Simply being on the property is a treat for nature watchers as the reserve is brimming with wildlife such as urial sheep, sand and mountain gazelles, foxes and several types of birds.

A lap pool overlooks the ocean
A lap pool overlooks the ocean

Sustainability is at the heart of Al Mugheirah Resort, informing everything from the way food is sourced to how people move around the expansive property. Procurement trips to the local fish market provide fresh menu items and serve well as excursions for culinary enthusiasts. Campers can choose to have the catch of the day prepared for them by a chef at their private BBQ pit or do it themselves.

Other facilities include battery-operated club cars, an education centre where movies and documentaries are screened, a cafe serving drinks and desserts, as well as a full-service restaurant. The Oasis is an outdoor pool deck complete with a lap pool situated on a ridge overlooking the ocean. Guests can settle in poolside with refreshing cocktails and light Mediterranean bites.

With all-inclusive packages, modern amenities and natural treasures, Al Mugheirah Resort is a premium environmental getaway. “The most important message I want to convey is that this is an eco-friendly destination showcasing the environment of the emirate of Abu Dhabi, and we want to sustain it while enjoying it at the same time,” says Al Zaabi.

Al Mugheirah Resort is offering promotional rates for its standard and full-board stays until December 28; an overnight stay in an Airstream is between Dh600 and Dh730; a one-bedroom cabin costs Dh900 to Dh990 per night; and a two-bedroom cabin is priced between Dh1,200 and Dh1,320. Full board includes breakfast, a community dinner and guest activities.

- This story was first published in December 2021

MWTC

Tickets start from Dh100 for adults and are now on sale at www.ticketmaster.ae and Virgin Megastores across the UAE. Three-day and travel packages are also available at 20 per cent discount.

While you're here

GOLF’S RAHMBO

- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)

The specs
  • Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
  • Power: 640hp
  • Torque: 760nm
  • On sale: 2026
  • Price: Not announced yet
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
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  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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Specs

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Range: Up to 610km

Power: 905hp

Torque: 985Nm

Price: From Dh439,000

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1. Christopher Froome (GBR/Sky) 68hr 18min 36sec,

2. Fabio Aru (ITA/AST) at 0:18.

3. Romain Bardet (FRA/ALM) 0:23.

4. Rigoberto Uran (COL/CAN) 0:29.

5. Mikel Landa (ESP/SKY) 1:17.

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Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
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  • Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
  • Flexible payment plans from developers
  • Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
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Lexus LX700h specs

Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor

Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh590,000

Teams

Punjabi Legends Owners: Inzamam-ul-Haq and Intizar-ul-Haq; Key player: Misbah-ul-Haq

Pakhtoons Owners: Habib Khan and Tajuddin Khan; Key player: Shahid Afridi

Maratha Arabians Owners: Sohail Khan, Ali Tumbi, Parvez Khan; Key player: Virender Sehwag

Bangla Tigers Owners: Shirajuddin Alam, Yasin Choudhary, Neelesh Bhatnager, Anis and Rizwan Sajan; Key player: TBC

Colombo Lions Owners: Sri Lanka Cricket; Key player: TBC

Kerala Kings Owners: Hussain Adam Ali and Shafi Ul Mulk; Key player: Eoin Morgan

Venue Sharjah Cricket Stadium

Format 10 overs per side, matches last for 90 minutes

Timeline October 25: Around 120 players to be entered into a draft, to be held in Dubai; December 21: Matches start; December 24: Finals

Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989

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  • 2nd Test India won by innings and 53 runs at Colombo
  • 3rd Test August 12-16 at Pallekele
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SolarWinds supply chain attack: Came to light in December 2020 but had taken root for several months, compromising major tech companies, governments and its entities

Microsoft Exchange server exploitation: March 2021; attackers used a vulnerability to steal emails

Kaseya attack: July 2021; ransomware hit perpetrated REvil, resulting in severe downtime for more than 1,000 companies

Log4j breach: December 2021; attackers exploited the Java-written code to inflitrate businesses and governments

How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE

When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.

BRIEF SCORES

England 353 and 313-8 dec
(B Stokes 112, A Cook 88; M Morkel 3-70, K Rabada 3-85)  
(J Bairstow 63, T Westley 59, J Root 50; K Maharaj 3-50)
South Africa 175 and 252
(T Bavuma 52; T Roland-Jones 5-57, J Anderson 3-25)
(D Elgar 136; M Ali 4-45, T Roland-Jones 3-72)

Result: England won by 239 runs
England lead four-match series 2-1

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
 
Started: 2021
 
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
 
Based: Tunisia 
 
Sector: Water technology 
 
Number of staff: 22 
 
Investment raised: $4 million 
GAC GS8 Specs

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Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm

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Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km

On sale: Now

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  • Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
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Engine: 1.6-litre 4-cyl turbo

Power: 217hp at 5,750rpm

Torque: 300Nm at 1,900rpm

Transmission: eight-speed auto

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Updated: January 17, 2022, 4:06 PM`