Bab Al Nojoum – Al Mugheirah Resort welcomes Nature’s Lovers

Abu Dhabi’s latest glamping and eco-tourism destination developed by Modon Properties, Bab Al Nojoum – Al Mugheirah Resort, has opened its doors to visitors, offering guests a chance to reconnect with nature.

The resort, which is the only camping site in the UAE that is located within a nature reserve; the Marawah Marine Biosphere Reserve in the Al Dhafra region, includes 20 one-bedroom Airstream cabins, 10 one and10 two-bedroom cabins, cabins have private plunge pools, BBQ facilities and a fire pit, in addition there is a communal swimming pool, restaurant and Café.

It also features a bike rental store, 4.5 km of dedicated cycling trails, walking and jogging trails and a children’s play area, in addition to an educational centre aimed at raising awareness of resort-goers about the surrounding  ecosystem. The centre also provides a range of unique and impactful educational experiences that highlight the importance of preserving and sustaining the environment to help visitors reconnect with themselves and nature.

During a media tour attended by many media and journalists in the UAE, Ahmed Al Shaikh Al Zaabi, Director of Delivery, Modon, said that the management and team of Bab Al Nojoum – Al Mugheirah Resort are extremely glad about the opening of the resort, which is one of Modon’s most important projects in its tourism portfolio. He stressed that the work on the resort adhered to the highest standards of sustainability and environmental protection, in line with the vision of the Abu Dhabi government.

Al Zaabi added: “Bab Al Nojoum – Al Mugheirah Resort is committed to providing visitors with a different and unique experience, by providing a space to connect with the marine environment and forests directly and safely, while considering environmental preservation measures, as all the aspects of the experience are curated with the preservation of the environment as the first and foremost priority. We look forward to making the resort a preferred destination for eco-tourism, and the project is a testament to our commitment to developing distinctive and integrated tourism attractions to enhance Abu Dhabi’s position as a fantastic destination for citizens, residents and visitors alike.”

Al Zaabi pointed out that the environmental sustainability standards adopted included many measures such as refining and treating sewage water to be used for watering trees in the reserve, reducing the use of single use plastic materials and replacing them with recyclable materials, and visitors are encouraged to use reusable water bottles throughout the resort.

Humaid Al Kaabi Director/ Urban Planning at the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) said that the opening of Bab Al Nojoum – Al Mugheirah Resort falls in line with the objectives of the strategic plan of the Abu Dhabi government to enhance the quality of life in Abu Dhabi and will play an important role in the economic and tourism movement in the emirate, especially in the Al Dhafra region, to enhance Abu Dhabi’s position globally in the field of ecotourism and one of the world’s best destinations to live and work.

He added: “Abu Dhabi has a strong and sustainable infrastructure that has contributed to the implementation of distinguished projects at a global level, in addition to our rich natural environment, which enables us to complete more of such projects. Today, we affirm our commitment to work with our partners to achieve the highest level of quality of life for residents and visitors of Abu Dhabi by developing more spaces, community spaces and tourism destinations, adding to the portfolio of the emirate.”

The resort provides a distinctive hospitality experience that reflects the seclusion of the region, while the unique biosphere offers excellent opportunities for guests to explore the protected ecosystem, appreciate and learn about the indigenous flora and fauna, and interact with roaming wildlife. The surrounding marine environment is replete with dolphins, dugongs, and Socotra Cormorants, in addition to a large intertidal zone with a large mangrove colony. The forest is home to Sand gazelles and Red Desert Foxes, as well as a variety of native and migratory bird species.

The activities that visitors can partake in include nature walks, in which participants can watch birds and explore the flora and fauna in the area, in addition to desert cycling, planting trees and learning traditional farming methods. There is also a horse and pony riding experience, as well as water activities such as fishing, snorkelling, watching dolphins and dugongs, jet-skiing, and kayaking. Guest can also have outdoor barbecues and group dinners, visit the local fish market and take cooking lessons.

The resort contributes to supporting the local market, as the products used in preparing meals are purchased from the local market, which sells organic crops, as well as fresh fish that the harbour is famous for, especially shrimp.

The resort officials confirmed that the expected number of visitors at the end of the winter season will not be less than 90 percent of the total capacity of the resort, as after the second day of the announcement of the opening of the resort following the visit of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Ruler’s Representative at Al Dhafra Region, it has exceeded 90 percent by the end of this week. The full capacity of the resort is 100 adults and 150 children, stressing that the design of the area and the number of cabins and caravans in it was taken into account. Maintaining complete privacy for visitors and ensuring that they enjoy the unique experience is also a top priority.

Bab Al Nojoum – Al Mugheirah Resort is located within a protected area in the Marawah Biosphere Reserve near the town of Al Mirfa. The development is the third leisure and tourist destination in Modon’s portfolio of projects, which includes the recently developed Jubail Mangrove Park introduced in 2019 and Hudayriyat Leisure and Entertainment District launched in 2020.