KHOR KALBA MANGROVE SWAMP

From Fujairah, you leave the city heading south towards the Omani border, only to cross the invisible border into the Emirate of Sharjah. Visible in fact, because suddenly the roads, parks and buildings seem sharper, more polished. Follow the road along the sea and go along the immense and beautiful beach of Kalba - a 5 km long Santa-Monica ribbon without bikinis - with a pedestrian walk. Interesting stop at the museum (Bait Sheikh Saeed Bin Hamed Al Qassimi) established in the house that Sheikh Saeed had built between 1898 and 1901: superb gypsum friezes, furniture and handicrafts, archaeological section. At the very end, one will notice the very decatized Breeze Motel and, on the other side of the narrow lagoon, the mangrove which makes the specialists run.

This is the northernmost mangrove forest in the world, a Ramsar site, and also the oldest in the region. Here, an endemic kingfisher called Kalba's White-necked Kingfisher and its mate, the Booted Hypolya, are active. The whole thing makes a charming excursion from the capital, or even a last stop if you take the S116 road towards Sharjah and Dubai.

Recently, kayaks can be hired and you can venture into the beautiful mangrove to discover its fauna and flora. It is also possible to venture to the bridge marking the beginning of the reserve, from where many birds can be seen. A break is also possible at the superb Kingfisher Lodge located just next door.