The Arabian oryx
Among the species bred here.
Peter Dowley from Dubai, United Arab Emirates — CC BY 2.0 · AhmadElq — CC BY-SA 4.0 · AhmadElq — CC BY-SA 4.0 · AhmadElq — CC BY-SA 4.0 · AhmadElq — CC BY-SA 4.0
Mohamed bin Zayed Nature Reserve, long known as Al Areen, is a nature reserve and zoo at Sakhir in Bahrain, and the country's only protected area on land. It covers about 8 sq km, half open to the public and half a closed reserve. It suits families especially, since children can see animals of Arabia and Africa here. The reserve was established in 1976 and drew about 199,000 visitors in 2013. In December 2025 Bahrain's king ordered it renamed Mohamed bin Zayed Nature Reserve, so you may find both names on signs and maps. It runs captive breeding for endangered species, among them the Arabian oryx. It holds more than 45 animal species and 82 bird species, including Arabian and scimitar-horned oryx, addax, Persian gazelle, giraffe, ostrich and Asiatic wild ass. Many animals are usually seen on a bus tour leaving from the entrance, while the area near the gate has small lakes, shaded walkways and water birds such as black swans and flamingos. Summers are fiercely hot, so choose the cooler months. The reserve is about 2.5 km from Bahrain International Circuit and 9 km from the Tree of Life in a straight line, so they fit together in half a day. A car or taxi from Manama along the highway towards Sakhir works best. Sources give visiting hours of 8 am to 4 pm, starting later on Fridays.
Among the species bred here.
Animals of Arabia and Africa.
Black swans and flamingos near the gate.
Zallaq, near Bahrain International Circuit, southern Bahrain
Yes. It was renamed Mohamed bin Zayed Nature Reserve in December 2025, and many people still call it Al Areen.
Yes, it is one of Bahrain's best family outings. Bring water and hats, and choose the morning on hot days.