Al Areen (Bahrain) and Dubai Desert (United Arab Emirates) are often weighed against each other. This comparison uses seasons, activities and access to help you choose.
| Al Areen | Dubai Desert | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Bahrain | United Arab Emirates |
| Type | Reserve | Reserve |
| Best time | December to February | December to February |
| Suggested stay | 1 days | 1–2 days |
| Main gateway airport | Bahrain International Airport (BAH) | Dubai International Airport (DXB) |
| Malaria | None | None |
| Approx. area | — | 226 km² |
| Families | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Honeymooners | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Photographers | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| First-time visitors | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Budget travellers | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Luxury travellers | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
Month by month
| Month | Al Areen | Dubai Desert |
|---|---|---|
| January | ★★★★★ mostly dry | ★★★★★ mostly dry |
| February | ★★★★★ mostly dry | ★★★★★ mostly dry |
| March | ★★★★★ mostly dry | ★★★★★ mostly dry |
| April | ★★★★★ mostly dry | ★★★★★ mostly dry |
| May | ★★★★★ mostly dry | ★★★★★ mostly dry |
| June | ★★★★★ mostly dry | ★★★★★ mostly dry |
| July | ★★★★★ mostly dry | ★★★★★ mostly dry |
| August | ★★★★★ mostly dry | ★★★★★ mostly dry |
| September | ★★★★★ mostly dry | ★★★★★ mostly dry |
| October | ★★★★★ mostly dry | ★★★★★ mostly dry |
| November | ★★★★★ mostly dry | ★★★★★ mostly dry |
| December | ★★★★★ mostly dry | ★★★★★ mostly dry |
How to choose
Choose Al Areen if
Choose Dubai Desert if
- you want dune bashing, camel rides, sandboarding, quad biking and hot-air balloon flights
- you hope to see foxes and camels
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, Al Areen or Dubai Desert?
It depends on when you travel and what you want to see.
When is the best time for each?
Al Areen: December to February. Dubai Desert: December to February.
Sources: Wikipedia – Al Areen Wildlife Park · Gulf News – Al Areen Reserve renamed after Sheikh Mohamed · Weather Spark – Manama climate · Dubai Municipality – Dubai protected areas · Protected Planet – Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve · Weather Spark – Al Ain climate (inland UAE reference) · Weather Spark – Dubai climate
Figures are approximate averages and vary from year to year.