5 Unique Glamping Destinations in Abu Dhabi

This post is contributed by our guest writer, Robeena Brown, who is a travel blogger & destination expert living in the UAE and working for a local tourism company. She is an expert when it comes to travel advise for the UAE, especially when it comes to getting a visa, extending stays, exploring the emirates, and unique destinations to visit.

Abu Dhabi has a rich history, culture, and things to do for everyone, no matter their preference. Camping is one thing to do in Abu Dhabi that gives visitors a chance to experience the beautiful landscape of the emirate from a close-up perspective.

One of the most popular things to do in the emirate is the Abu Dhabi desert safari where one has the opportunity to reconnect with nature, disengage from modern technology, and take deep breaths of unpolluted air. Another intriguing way to enjoy being amidst rugged nature is experiencing the Mangrove Kayaking, where you get to explore a unique marine ecosystem in a hidden part of the capital city,

However, some people are hesitant to give up the creature amenities they have become accustomed to in the large city. That is where glamping comes in, giving you the best of all worlds. You get to experience beautiful outdoors and spacious indoors without having to compromise luxury and comforts.

In this article, we have highlighted the 5 best glamping spots in Abu Dhabi for a weekend getaway or vacation.

Anantara al Sahel — Sir Bani Yas

Anantara Al Sahel is a high-end resort located on a private island near the coast of Abu Dhabi. It is 8 kilometers off Jebel Dhanna and can be reached by a free water taxi or a private seaplane. It takes about two hours to get to the center of Abu Dhabi. You can also take a boat from Jebel Dhanna, which takes about 25 minutes (a two-hour self-drive from Abu Dhabi).

The untamed island landscape is home to various intriguing animals, architectural marvels, picturesque panoramas, and three luxurious Anantara resorts. This undiscovered paradise is a protected Royal Nature Reserve home to more than 11,000 creatures. The reserve is home to 30 distinct endangered species, including blackbuck antelope, Arabian oryx, giraffe, ostrich, and cheetah.

Visitors to the island can go on safari and experience once-in-a-lifetime possibilities to see these elusive animals.

Bab Al Nojoum – Hudayriyat Island

Bab Al Nojoum is another glamping spot in Abu Dhabi at Al Hudayriyat Island. You can get to the island from the Al Bateen area on the mainland by crossing a bridge. You can drive or take a taxi to get there. The Corniche is 17 minutes away by car, Abu Dhabi International Airport is less than 30 minutes away, and Yas Island is 35 minutes away.

The major attractions to Bab Al Nojoum are the choice of tents and fancier "camping" options and the lovely beach relaxation that can be had by curling up in a shady hammock with a good book. But there are also more engaging things to do on-site, like water sports and volleyball, in addition to the adrenaline-pumping activities you can find just a short walk away in the rest of Hudayriyat.

If you are going as a group, there are chalet tents to accommodate up to six people and have a mini kitchen, one queen-size bed, two single beds, one queen-size mattress with sheets and pillows, a dining table, an AC unit, WiFi, and a private pool.

Bab Al Nojoum – Al Mugheirah

Located inside the Marawah Marine Biosphere, Bab Al Nojoum Al Mugheirah Resort is Abu Dhabi's newest destination for eco-friendly glamping. The Al Mugheirah Resort provides guests with a one-of-a-kind lifestyle experience that is in tune with the surrounding natural environment and an exquisite selection of accommodation options. These options include ten one-bedroom and ten two-bedroom cabins and twenty one-bedroom Airstream cabins. The cabins each include a private plunge pool, amenities for barbecuing, and a fire pit.

In addition, the resort features a communal swimming pool, restaurant, and café, a bike rental store, 4.5 kilometers of specialized cycling trails, walking and jogging trails, and a children's play area, as well as an educational center for guests, to increase awareness about mangroves and the importance of their role in the environment.

The Al Mugheirah Resort offers a wide variety of one-of-a-kind activities that are sure to make lasting memories. Hike through the forest, enjoy some stargazing, or take on the challenge of a nature hunt.

Spot native animals on hiking and bike routes, find tranquility while bird watching with assigned naturalists, and more.

Pura Eco Resort

Still, looking for the best glamping spot in Abu Dhabi? The Pura Eco Retreat is the first place of its kind in Abu Dhabi and offers the best possible outdoor experience.

This eco-friendly getaway is located in a protected area near the Jubail Mangrove Park on Abu Dhabi's beautiful Jubail Island. It is only for adults, so you can be sure that the whole island will be yours while you are there. The accommodations are the definition of camping in style. You can choose between trendy eco-domes and traditional tents. Both types have room service that you can call whenever you want.

The luxury domes have king-size mattresses, first-class hand-picked amenities, private bathrooms, outdoor cabanas, fire pits, and other features. On the other hand, the tents give a more authentic experience with king-size beds, public bathrooms, outdoor seats, and fire pits.

While staying at Pura, you can kayak through the mangroves, fast-biking down the beach, or watch birds. Pura is in an area with beautiful natural scenery and a wide range of wildlife. The pool deck is clean and gives guests a good view of the mangroves and a place to do yoga or relax.

Jebel Hafit Desert Park

Visit Abu Dhabi's highest peak, Jebel Hafit, to get away from it all in the quiet desert. It is located in Al Ain, about a 90 minutes drive to Abu Dhabi. The park is part of the UNESCO-recognized Hafit site, which is an "outstanding testament to the evolution of several prehistoric cultures in a desert location, from the Neolithic to the Iron Age."

The park is now managed by Pura Eco Retreats, the same company that brought you the stunning glamping bubbles on Jubail Island. In addition to its high-end tented accommodations, the park also provides pitches for campers who bring their canvas and poles.

Holidaymakers can discover fascinating archaeological and historical remains while exploring the park's majestic natural surroundings on foot, on a mountain bike, on horseback, or even on a camel. These relics tell enthralling tales of this one-of-a-kind region's long history of human habitation.

The Jebel Hafit Tombs, which dated back 5,000 years and were excavated in 1959 at the request of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Founding Father of the United Arab Emirates, are among the archaeological remains that have been discovered. These remains date back to the Neolithic period, which began 8,000 years ago.