Take a Walk on Qatar’s Wild Side with 7 Extraordinary Wildlife Experiences

Qatar may be synonymous around the world for its glitzy capital, Doha, and award-winning architecture, but just minutes from the city lie endless deserts, protected biospheres and wildlife-rich mangroves. Take a stroll on the wild side and visit some of the Middle East’s best animal experiences.

As always, check for travel restrictions and closures before planning your trip.

Ride Camels Across the Inland Sea

Camels walking through endless deserts is often the first thing people picture when thinking about the Middle East. Qatar’s inland sea is as close to this image as it is possible to find.

In the inland sea, an area of sparse, endless, golden sand dunes in Khor Al Adaid, you can climb on camelback and gently trot up and down towering dunes on a guided tour. Bedouin tribes have relied on their camels for centuries, and visitors can experience what it is like to spend the day with these intriguing and curious creatures.

Watch the Birds Fly By at Al Thakira Mangrove Forest

Qatar is located on the migration route for hundreds of bird species, including tens of thousands of flamingoes that cast a vibrant pink glow over the Al Thakira mangroves in the months between November and April.

The Al Thakira Mangrove Forest, near the city of Al Khor, is one of the natural wonders where the flocks of greater flamingoes wade in the shallow, salty waters, feeding on an abundance of fish and crustaceans.

The mangroves are protected by the government, ensuring that flamingoes are able to visit annually, safe from human interference, in the wild and natural surroundings.

Spot Mythical Arabian Oryx at Al Maha Sanctuary

The Arabian oryx is the national animal of Qatar and holds a special place in the hearts of Qataris. Legend has it that the oryx and its long, curved horns was the inspiration for the unicorn, and this large antelope species has taken on an almost mythical status.

The Al Maha Sanctuary, located just 30 minutes from Doha, is the only oryx breeding center in the country and is the result of the government’s attempt to ensure that these elegant horned animals never get to the verge of extinction, as they once were. The sanctuary produces up to 100 calves each year, and visitors are welcome.

Encounter Dugongs in the Arabian Sea

Dugongs — similar in appearance to manatees— are one of the strangest but friendliest sea creatures in the world, and the waters surrounding Qatar provide them a perfect, protected habitat. These gentle giants can grow up to around 1,000 pounds, earning them the nickname “cows of the sea,” and the National Museum of Qatar has even adopted a dugong as its mascot.

You can take a boat out from the town of Dokhan, named after the dugong, and go diving to spot these elusive mammals. Almost 1,000 of the creatures call the waters off Qatar home, where they can be found slowly gliding over and munching on sea grass. Dugongs are so inquisitive that they may even swim up to you.

Experience Bedouin Falconry Traditions at Souq Waqif

The Bedouin tribes of Qatar have lived side by side with their falcons for centuries, and the importance that Qataris place on these majestic birds of prey is demonstrated at the falcon hospital in Souq Waqif. Tucked within the traditional souk, the hospital provides the latest medical treatment for Qatar’s falcon population.

Qatar’s national bird is an integral part of the country’s heritage, and tribes symbolize their wealth by showcasing the healthiest and strongest birds. Walk through Souq Waqif and photograph the six endemic species of falcons, or venture to hold them — with close supervision from their handlers.

Stop by the souk’s falcon market and watch locals bidding eye-watering prices for these famous birds.

Embrace the Grace of Arabian Horses

Arabian horses are known for being among the most graceful and beautiful equine breeds in the world, noted for their strong stamina and distinctive head shapes. The breed was the first to be domesticated more than 5,000 years ago and has become popular with riders.

Each year Qatar hosts the Katara International Arabian Horse Festival to showcase this breed at its finest. A series of events dedicated to the horse, including soldiers riding horses in their finery, a horse auction that can raise millions of dollars, and an Arabian horse parade, attracts crowds from around the world.

Swim with Whale Sharks off the Coast of Qatar

As the waters surrounding Qatar are home to an abundance of fish and crustaceans, whale sharks congregate in the Al Shaheen oil field off the northeast coast between April and September.

Artificial reefs surrounding the oil platforms attract more than 100 of these sharks, some of which are 18 meters (nearly 60 feet) long. You can take boats out to spot these filter feeders gliding through the clear waters, or if you have permission from the Qatar Whale Shark Research Project, you can snorkel to watch them from a closer angle as they swim by with their mouths wide open, rounding up krill.