The Future Is Now In The UAE: 20 Exclusive Dubai Photos

Expats make up over 88% of the population in the UAE. Not to be outdone by other nations, we also have a growing presence in the sandbox – according to Wikipedia, the South African expat population in the United Arab Emirates is estimated at between 40 000 and 100 000 as of 2008. Time Out magazine estimated that 50 000 South Africans resided in Dubai alone as of 2009. The influx of South Africans has been so large that Independent Online once referred to the UAE “South Africa’s 10th province”.

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Dubai’s world class physical infrastructure has already established it as a major player in terms of trade, tourism and as the leading conference and exhibition venue in this part of the world.

Jonty from Travelstart recently returned from a trip to Dubai. We asked him about it but he prefers to let his lens do the talking in this series of 20 Dubai photos.

Looking down on The Dubai Mall and The Dubai Fountain from ‘At The Top’, at Burj Khalifa

At The Top – Burj Khalifa

The Dubai Aquarium located on the Ground Level of The Dubai Mall, is one of the largest suspended aquariums in the world.

Aquarium Dubai Mall

If you do just one thing in Dubai, go see The Fountains at night

The Dubai Fountain

A juice seller at the Spice Souk in Deira, Dubai

Spice Souk Juice Seller

In the Old City, you can cross Dubai Creek on a traditional Abra for 1AED

Dubai Creek Abra

Dubai Museum is located inside Al Fahidi Fort. Built in 1787, it is the oldest existing building in Dubai

Al Fahidi Fort

Outside a Mosque in Dubai

Mosque in Dubai

Atlantis, The Palm on Palm Jumeirah in Dubai is one of the world’s most illustrious hotels

Atlantis The Palm

Aquaventure at Atlantis, The Palm is the standout attraction. It’s a 42 acre water park with twelve slides and a 2.3km river ride with cascades, tidal waves and rapids.

Aquaventure Water Park

The ‘Shark Attack’ Ride at Aquaventure Water Park. Slide down into the Tower of Neptune’s mysterious core, before emerging in the middle of a shark-filled lagoon … only in Dubai

Shark Attack Ride  Aquaventure

I want Dubai to be a place where everybody from all over the world meets each other, don’t think of fighting or hate, just love it, enjoy their sport, and that’s it – Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum

Wild Wadi Water Park adjacent to Jumeirah Beach Hotel is the only themed amusement park in the UAE situated on Jumeirah Beach road in front of Burj Al Arab

Wild Wadi Water Park

The colourful Dubai Miracle Garden is one of the city’s most recent attractions

Dubai Miracle Garden

Inside the lobby looking up at the 7-Star Burj Al Arab – the most luxurious hotel in the world

Burj Al Arab

Inside the Royal Suite at Burj Al Arab … we don’t know the price tag

Royal Suite Burj Al Arab

Al Mahara Restaurant at Burj Al Arab offers the best seafood dining experience in Dubai

Al Mahara Restaurant

Camel rides at Marina Beach in Dubai are a thing

Marina Beach Camel Rides

Standup Paddleboarding (SUP) is big in Dubai

Stand Up Paddleboarding Dubai

Dubai Marina District is a high-rise residential area popular with expats

Dubai Marina District

Dubai Marina by night

Dubai Marina

Jumeirah Beach Hotel offers another “mini-world” in Dubai where it’s all about entertainment and luxury on another level

Jumeirah Beach Hotel


Get some more Dubai travel inspiration or search the latest flight prices to Dubai.

All Dubai photos by Jonty Medcalf, Travelstart

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