Our Commitment to Wildlife

We operate within a protected desert ecosystem.
Every experience at Nara is planned with the safety, wellbeing, and natural behaviour of wildlife as a priority.

Our Approach to Animals at Nara Experiences

Our camps are located within the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve (DDCR), a protected natural landscape where environmental responsibility is not an initiative, but a condition of operating.

Within this setting, wildlife and domesticated desert animals are not presented as entertainment, but as part of the region’s cultural heritage and natural ecosystem. Our role is to ensure their presence is approached with care, restraint, and respect, always prioritising welfare over interaction.

Wildlife & Heritage Animals

Animal encounters at Nara are intentionally limited and form a small, considered part of the overall desert experience. These may include:

Camels, available for photographs and short, guided rides
Falcons and hawks, presented through traditional falconry demonstrations that reflect the UAE’s cultural heritage

All interactions are optional, calm in nature, and supervised at all times by experienced handlers.

Animals are never encouraged to perform unnatural behaviours, and experiences are designed to allow guests to observe and appreciate rather than engage excessively.

Welfare, Handling, and Time Boundaries

Animal welfare is a fundamental consideration in how experiences are designed and operated.

Animals participating in Nara experiences are cared for by qualified and experienced handlers who specialise in desert environments and traditional animal care practices.

To minimise stress and avoid overuse:

Animal activities operate only during defined time periods each day
Participation is limited to short interaction windows
Rest periods are built into daily schedules
Animals are continuously monitored by handlers, with participation adjusted according to environmental conditions and wellbeing

Nara works exclusively with specialist external partners for animal handling and falconry, selected based on professionalism, experience, and alignment with responsible welfare practices.

Guest Conduct and Guidance

Respectful interaction begins with education.

Guests are guided before any interaction takes place and are informed how to behave around animals in a calm and responsible manner. This includes:

Where and how to approach animals
When interaction is appropriate
What behaviours to avoid to ensure comfort and safety for both animals and guests

Free or unsupervised interaction is not permitted at any Nara experience.

A Broader Commitment to Conservation

Operating within the DDCR carries a wider responsibility to protect the desert ecosystem as a whole.

This philosophy extends beyond animal encounters to everyday operational decisions. For example:

Decorative choices are carefully considered, including the decision not to use real flowers due to environmental impact
Camp infrastructure and operations are designed to work with the desert environment rather than alter it

Animal welfare forms part of this broader commitment to conservation, balance, and respect for place.

An Ongoing Responsibility

Ethical wildlife tourism is not static. It requires continuous awareness, evaluation, and restraint.

At Nara, our approach is guided by:

Professional handling and expertise
Clearly defined boundaries for interaction
Guest education and awareness
Operating within a protected natural reserve

Always with the understanding that presence should never outweigh responsibility.