<strong>Hunting with falcons:</strong> Hunting is part of the United Arab Emirates' Bedouin heritage, and the practice lives on in the modern era.
Hunting with falcons: Hunting is part of the United Arab Emirates' Bedouin heritage, and the practice lives on in the modern era.
Dean Irvine
<strong>Al Marzoom Hunting Reserve:</strong> Just an hour's drive from Abu Dhabi, Al Marzoom Hunting Reserve is one of only two areas in the emirate where falcon owners and curious visitors have the opportunity to hunt sustainably managed wildlife.
Al Marzoom Hunting Reserve: Just an hour's drive from Abu Dhabi, Al Marzoom Hunting Reserve is one of only two areas in the emirate where falcon owners and curious visitors have the opportunity to hunt sustainably managed wildlife.
Dean Irvine
<strong>Daily hunts: </strong>Hunts take place in early morning and late afternoons between November and February.
Daily hunts: Hunts take place in early morning and late afternoons between November and February.
Dean Irvine
<strong>Rabbits and birds:</strong> Rabbits and indigenous houbara bustards and karawan are either bred on-site or bought from other government-regulated breeders and then released into the desert.
Rabbits and birds: Rabbits and indigenous houbara bustards and karawan are either bred on-site or bought from other government-regulated breeders and then released into the desert.
Dean Irvine
<strong>Annual visitors:</strong> Last season over 1,300 people visited the reserve, many as family groups and mainly from the UAE and neighboring Gulf states.
Annual visitors: Last season over 1,300 people visited the reserve, many as family groups and mainly from the UAE and neighboring Gulf states.
Dean Irvine
<strong>One to three days: </strong>According to Mohammad Basheer, the guest coordinator at the reserve, a typical visit is one to three days, although guests can come for just one morning or afternoon hunt if they prefer.
One to three days: According to Mohammad Basheer, the guest coordinator at the reserve, a typical visit is one to three days, although guests can come for just one morning or afternoon hunt if they prefer.
Dean Irvine
<strong>Borrow a bird: </strong>Owning a falcon isn't essential for would-be visitors to the reserve. Visitors can go out with guides and trainers at the reserve, and their birds, and still get the full experience.
Borrow a bird: Owning a falcon isn't essential for would-be visitors to the reserve. Visitors can go out with guides and trainers at the reserve, and their birds, and still get the full experience.
Dean Irvine
<strong>Accommodation:</strong> Overnight stays are spent in one of three pop-up campsites on the reserve.
Accommodation: Overnight stays are spent in one of three pop-up campsites on the reserve.
Dean Irvine
<strong>Birds in the back:</strong> While many from the Emirates or Saudi Arabia come with their own falcons and in their own 4x4s, there is a garage on site housing classic Land Rovers and Toyota Land Cruisers from the 1950s and '60s.
Birds in the back: While many from the Emirates or Saudi Arabia come with their own falcons and in their own 4x4s, there is a garage on site housing classic Land Rovers and Toyota Land Cruisers from the 1950s and '60s.
Dean Irvine
<strong>Training:</strong> The trainers at Al Marzoom, who often have a few falcons each, use remote-controlled planes adorned with houbara feathers to teach young birds.
Training: The trainers at Al Marzoom, who often have a few falcons each, use remote-controlled planes adorned with houbara feathers to teach young birds.
Dean Irvine