Al Qudra lakes Dubai

January 2018 

All we have to do is follow the D63 out of Mira, heading toward the Al Qudra Cycling Track, and before long we’re rolling past the Last Exit. Just like that, the city noise fades and the desert takes over.

Wildlife area Al Qudra 

The man-made Al Qudra Lakes, created in 2015, sit close to the famous Love Lake and right in the heart of the Al Marmoom Conservation Reserve. 

This protected area lies deep in Dubai’s Saih Al Salam Desert, on the city’s southern outskirts, and it feels like a completely different world. Quiet, wide, and wonderfully open.

Al Qudra is a haven for wildlife. If you slow down and look around, you’ll spot plenty of free-roaming animals, more than 100 species of birds, and a surprising variety of desert plants thriving against all odds. 

A quick stop turns into an extended stay

It’s the kind of place you plan to visit just briefly, only to find yourself lingering far longer than expected. What starts as a quick stop turns into hours of wandering, soaking up the atmosphere, and discovering small details you hadn’t noticed at first. Time seems to slow down there — and before you realize it, the day has slipped by in the most enjoyable way.

Patagonian mara

The first public sightings of the Patagonian mara around the Al Qudra Lakes in Dubai go back to 2020.

The animals aren’t native to the UAE at all — they are originally from central and southern Argentina. They look like a fascinating mix between a rabbit, a small deer, and even a miniature kangaroo: long legs for fast running, big upright ears, and a sleek body.

No one knows exactly how they arrived in the desert around Al Qudra — but experts and observers think that they escaped from captivity. Despite being native to a much cooler climate, these maras seem to be surviving, and even breeding, in the desert around the lakes and the wider Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve.

Love Lake

Love Lake, the newest addition from 2018, adds a romantic touch to the area and has quickly become a favorite. 

Flamingo Lake

Flamingo Lake also situated at Al Qudra is a natural wetland oasis within the Al Marmoom Conservation Reserve — part of the man-made lakes near the Al Qudra Cycling Track and desert lagoons. 

It’s a peaceful spot where flamingos and other migratory birds gather, especially during the cooler months.

Behind the lakes, the landscape opens into endless dunes—perfect for a laid-back picnic, flying a kite, or just run, climb and slide down the sand.