Wadi Al Many (after rainfall)

Januari 2022

In the four years we’ve lived in Dubai, we’ve never experienced rainfall quite like this, the kind that turns quiet streets into streams and even seeps into homes. 

While the disruption was real, there’s something remarkable about seeing the UAE transformed by water. A country better known for its arid deserts suddenly feels alive: sand deepen in color, plants emerge where there was only dust, and the wadis, usually dry, stony channels, come back to life.

Across the UAE, wadis are a defining feature of the landscape, especially along the rugged spine of the Hajar Mountains. These valleys are typically dry for most of the year, shaped by ancient water flow but waiting for the rare, intense rains that bring them back into motion.

When the rain does come, it doesn’t linger, it rushes down from the mountains, carving through rock and filling pools, sometimes within hours.

That’s when you see their true character: fast-moving streams, clear pools, and a kind of wild beauty that feels almost out of place in the Gulf.

We took advantage of this rare moment and headed to Wadi Al Munay, tucked within the Hajar range. The drive itself felt different, greener, fresher, with low clouds clinging to the mountains. When we reached the wadi, the transformation was striking. Water flowed steadily through the rocky channel, something you can’t always count on seeing here. The sound alone, rushing water echoing through the valley, was enough to make the trip worthwhile.

Hiking in wadis after rainfall is one of the most rewarding experiences in the UAE, but it also comes with a sense of respect for nature. 

Still, when conditions are right, walking through a wadi filled with water, surrounded by steep rock faces and unexpected greenery, offers a completely different perspective on the region.

Moments like this are fleeting in the UAE. The rain passes, the water recedes, and the wadis slowly return to their dry, quiet state. But for a brief time, they remind you that beneath the desert surface lies a dynamic and ever, changing landscape, one that only reveals itself when the skies open.

On the way back, we decided to stop at one of the fruit stalls along the road and stock up on fruit so we could make smoothies for the whole family. 

Still the best remedy for a bad cold or flu! Hubby is great at haggling, these guys are always so funny.