On Bahrain’s western coastline, the Mohammed bin Zayed Nature Reserve in Zallaq is where desert wildlife, conservation, and family-friendly exploring all come together. Formerly known as Al Areen Wildlife Park and Reserve, this landmark site was established in 1976 as Bahrain’s first natural reserve and one of the region’s pioneering projects dedicated to protecting endangered Arabian species. In December 2025, it was renamed in honour of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, reflecting the deep ties between Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates.
From the start, the reserve’s mission has been to protect, breed, and rehabilitate rare and endangered species that are part of the wider wildlife in Bahrain and the Arabian Peninsula. The protected terrestrial area of more than five square kilometres provides a safe, semi‑natural habitat for animals and plants that once roamed freely across the region’s deserts. Visitors can expect to encounter iconic Arabian species such as the Arabian oryx and the sand gazelle (Reem gazelle), along with a variety of birds, small mammals, and reptiles that are adapted to Bahrain’s desert climate.
As one of Bahrain’s most important environmental landmarks, the reserve supports national biodiversity efforts and acts as a living classroom for residents, students, and tourists who want to understand how fragile desert ecosystems can be. For families, it offers a rare chance to see native and regional wildlife up close without leaving the island.
The Reserve is divided into two main sections: a public area and a closed breeding zone. The public section is designed for visitors and includes enclosures, viewing areas, and landscaped paths that showcase a variety of plants and animals in settings that echo their natural environments. Here, you can wander among hardy desert plants such as marakh shrubs and date palms, learning how they survive heat, wind, and low rainfall while supporting local wildlife.
The second section is a strictly controlled breeding reserve, accessible only to specialists, veterinarians, and researchers who work on conservation programmes for endangered species. While you will not enter this zone as a casual visitor, its presence is part of what makes the park so significant: it is an active conservation hub, not just a display. Public access to many of the animals is typically arranged through guided routes and tour buses that depart from the main entrance.
The reserve sits just inland from Zallaq, within easy reach of Manama by car via the main highway toward Sakhir and the Bahrain International Circuit. Visiting hours are from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm (Saturday – Thursday) and from 12:30 pm to 4:00 pm (Friday).
For enquiries, group bookings, or school visits, the park can be contacted on +973 17845480, which is the main telephone line historically associated with the former Al Areen Wildlife Park and Reserve. Visitors are advised to bring sun protection, comfortable walking shoes, and drinking water, especially in the warmer months, as much of the experience involves walking between outdoor viewing areas.
One of the advantages of visiting the Mohammed bin Zayed Nature Reserve is how close it is to other attractions in Zallaq and Sakhir. If you want to combine desert wildlife with beaches in Bahrain, Bilaj Al Jazayer (earlier known as Zallaq Beach) is just a short drive away and is widely regarded as one of the country’s most beautiful beaches for sunsets, with long, sandy sections, shallow waters, and spaces for walking, swimming, and casual picnics.
Families can also cool off at Jannat Dilmun water park, which offers slides and pools suited to different ages, adding a playful element to a nature‑focused day. Gravity Indoor Skydiving, located nearby, lets thrill‑seekers experience the sensation of freefall in a safe, vertical wind tunnel environment. For motorsport fans, Bahrain International Circuit is close enough to include on the same itinerary, with karting facilities open to the public on selected days. Exhibition World Bahrain, the Kingdom’s major events and exhibitions hub, is also in the area and often hosts trade shows, cultural events, and large‑scale gatherings.
With wildlife, desert landscapes, and a choice of beaches in Bahrain all within a short drive, the Mohammed bin Zayed Nature Reserve anchors one of the island’s most diverse day‑trip destinations. Whether you are a long‑time resident or visiting Bahrain for the weekend, pairing the reserve with Bilaj Al Jazayer and the wider Al Areen and Zallaq area delivers a rounded taste of the Kingdom’s nature, leisure, and outdoor life.
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