Delicate ecosystem After a safety briefing and quick instruction on how to paddle, our guide Mark Freeman, who is co-owner and managing partner of Noukhada Adventure Company, leads us into the open water. Our flotilla of five kayaks surges towards the mangrove forests, with a mild headwind slowing things down. As it’s the start of the tour, however, we are full of energy and enthusiasm and the breeze provides welcome relief from the sun. On reaching the mangroves, we head down a dredged boating channel. Unfortunately the impact of boats cruising through at speed has caused erosion on a sand island, which is home to an elusive Arabian red fox. As Mark is telling us about the female fox that lives there with her young cub, she rears her head briefly. It’s the first time in a month that she has been spotted, but her appearance is limited. Nevertheless, we still feel privileged that she chose that moment to surface.
A number of herons can be seen on the tours, making it ideal for those who like to bird watch, particularly as the kayaks produce little noise
Paddling further along, a small flock of herons flies overhead. A number of different heron varieties can be seen on the kayaking tours, making it ideal for those who like to bird watch, particularly as the kayaks produce no startling noises to scare them away. Mark paddles close to the mangroves to explain why Abu Dhabi’s forests are so unique. Not only do they have to contend with extreme heat for a good portion of the year, they have also had to adapt to warm water temperatures, high salinity and very little rainfall. As a result, the mangroves have become extremely hardy.
Mark shows us some small crabs, no bigger than the palm of a hand. He says we will see thousands of the little crustaceans on the trunks of the plants, just above the water line. Our group ventures into the mangrove forest. The temperature is much cooler under the shade of the canopy and there are easy-to-follow natural canals. These change depending on the tide, however, so tours do not always follow the same route. The width of the canals varies as we proceed and sometimes thoughtful manouevres are required to nagivate the path, which causes a few pile-ups and giggles
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