In the country’s remote far west, this 87-sq-km desert island with its craggy interior swooping down to acacia-studded plains was originally the private retreat of UAE founding father Sheikh Zayed. His love of animals inspired him to turn it into a wildlife reserve and bring many native species back from the brink of extinction. Today, 60% of the island is home to 13,000 free-roaming indigenous and introduced animals, including the world’s largest herd of the endangered Arabian oryx, sand gazelles, Barbary sheep, Indian blackbuck and even giraffes and cheetahs.
Abu Dhabi’s royal family maintains two palaces on the island, but if they forgot your invitation, you can visit by staying (or booking an activity-and-lunch package) at one of the island’s three resorts. The unique wildlife-viewing opportunities combined with lunarscape vistas are a highlight of the UAE. If you’re going to splash out just once on your trip, make it here.