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There are only a handful of tarmac roads on the island, flanked by row upon row of trees, bushes and shrubs, all carefully tended and watered. For a remote desert island, Sir Bani Yas certainly is verdant, despite there being no fresh water; it's all pumped in from the Abu Dhabi mainland. Transport is via a funky safari-style converted 4x4, which has had the sides removed and replaced with safety rails and canvas curtains that tie back to offer views across the landscape.
Animal magic
Brightly-coloured peacocks and sprightly gazelles can be spotted roaming freely among the trees by the side of the road. There is also a fenced-off enclosure containing huge emus. The fences are not so much to keep the animals in, rather to separate various species that may not coexist harmoniously with one another. Other magnificent creatures on view include the beisa-horned oryx and black buck antelope. There are also 36 reticulated giraffes on the island.
Stunning vistas
As the safari winds up a rugged track, the tarmac road ends and the landscape changes dramati- cally. Gone is the flat, sandy coast with man- groves dotting the shoreline. On higher ground, the vegetation becomes sparse while the rocky hillside gleams red and pink in the sunlight from trace minerals present on the island. At one of the highest points is a grand-looking structure, which was Sheikh Zayed's majlis (meeting place). Built high up in the hills, the majlis not only affords stunning views across the island but also benefits from cooler breezes. Close by is the famous 'Green Mountain', a large hill bathed in a surreal emerald green, which, it turns out, is actually vegetation. The story goes that Sheikh Zayed requested he be able to see natural greenery from his hilltop majlis. To accommodate his wish, an entire nearby hill was irrigated and is to this day still covered in lush, verdant grass.
Ancient heritage
As the safari veers towards the coast, there is an old settlement which is one of the 36 archaeological sites discovered so far on the island. A pre-Islamic Christian monastery (thought to be older than any Christian church in Europe) has been discovered on the island. Meanwhile, some of the human settlements
Nature retreat
Sir Bani Yas spans 87 square kilome- tres, making it roughly the same size as the main Abu Dhabi island. The name originates from the Bani Yas tribe, which first inhabited Abu Dhabi.
date back to the Bronze Age, making Sir Bani Yas one of the oldest known inhabited areas in the Gulf. Some of the region's earliest evidence of date cultivation has also been discovered around the island.
While the island's archaeological sites are presently off-limits to visitors, ADIAS (Abu Dhabi Islands Archaeological Survey) is carrying out more excavations and it is hoped some may one day be accessible to tourists.
Another example of the island's ancient heritage is pearl diving. Historical evidence sug- gests that the pristine waters around Sir Bani Yas supported a thriving trade in pearl fishing Ð the island of 'Sirbeniast' was recorded in 1590 by Gasparo Balbi, a Venetian jeweller, as an island around which pearls were found.
Wet and wild
In addition to wildlife adventure, incentive groups can indulge in a host of outdoor activities which lend themselves well to team building. One such option is kayaking.
Usually kayaking takes place around the mangroves on the east coast of Sir Bani Yas, but in low tide can also include the secluded bay next to the hotel. Dolphins, sea turtles and dugongs are regularly seen around the island. For those of a more active persuasion, there is still the option to try out mountain biking, hiking and snorkelling. That's the beauty of Sir Bani Yas Ð visitors can do as much or as little as they like. From close encounters with exotic animals to rugged scenery, ancient heritage, outdoor pursuits or simply the chance to enjoy unspoiled beaches, this unique island sanctuary has it all.
The island is home to around 23 spe- cies of free-roaming animals including giraffes, a variety of antelope and one of the world's largest herds of critically endangered Arabian oryx.
Dolphins, dugongs, sea turtles and other indigenous sea life inhabit the waters around the island. Sheikh Zayed implemented a no-fishing zone around Sir Bani Yas more than 25 years ago, which means the island has more sea life than other parts of Abu Dhabi's coastal areas.
Many species of wild birds found on the island are indigenous to the region and several non-indigenous species have settled during migration and made the island their permanent home. Birdlife includes flamingos, seagulls, cormorants, wild fowl, pintails, teals, crab plovers, avocets and grey herons.
The Arabian Wildlife Park covers more than half the island. It is home to many animals that the World Conservation Union classifies as critically endangered or vulnerable to the wild, including sea turtles, sand gazelles, blackbuck antelope, urial sheep, barbay sheep and Arabian oryx. Therefore, the island plays a significant role in protecting these animals for future generations.
As part of Sheikh Zayed's 'Greening of the Desert' programme, nearly 2.5 mil- lion plants and trees have been planted on Sir Bani Yas, including more than 18,000 date palms and olive groves.
¥ abudhabi 2011
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