Wadi Wurayah

Wadi Wurayah National Park lies in the Hajar Mountains of Fujairah between Masafi, Khor Fakkan and Bidiyah, covering 12,700 hectares^[1]. It is the UAE's first protected mountain area and a Ramsar site.

The site has 11 threatened mammal species including the Arabian tahr, 73 bird species including the endangered Egyptian vulture, 17 reptile species, at least two amphibians and the threatened fish Garra barreimiae, endemic to the Arabian Peninsula^[2]. An Arabian caracal was spotted in October 2025^[1].

Sources count more than 300 plant species, including the wild orchid Epipactis veratrifolia; the name comes from the 'warrah', a tall marsh plant of its wetlands^[1].

A hydrogeological system lets runoff emerge between impermeable and permeable rock, forming freshwater streams, pools and waterfalls uncommon in an arid region^[2].

The wadi lies in an arid region, but the mountains receive more rain than the coast, and heavy rain fills its pools.

The site has 29 heritage sites, including Islamic graveyards, petroglyphs and settlements from the Iron Age (1300-500 BC). The last local family left in 1981^[2].

On 16 March 2009 it became the UAE's first protected mountain area after a three-year campaign by the Emirates Wildlife Society with WWF; it was designated a Ramsar site on 10 July 2010^[1].

Its scenic features are a waterfall, streams and pools^[1].

The park lies near Masafi, about 30 km from Fujairah^[1]. It is managed by the Fujairah Municipality.

Threats include water exploitation, rock extraction and wildlife poaching; the park is managed by the Environment Protection and Development Department of Fujairah Municipality^[2].