[1] The Arabic name of the reserve translates to "sanctuary of monsters of the desert", because in the past the area was known for its predatory animals.

[3] The reserve is located in eastern Dubai, occupying an area of 15.06 km2 along the border with the Al Bataeh municipality of the Emirate of Sharjah.

In the northern part of the reserve there are some camps for tourists managed by authorized tour operators.

[3] The mammal community is home to various species including gazelles, desert foxes, hedgehogs and wild hares.

[3] The reserve is home to a variety of native plants, including a remarkable assortment of tree species such as Prosopis cineraria, Acacia tortilis (umbrella acacia), Ziziphus spina-christi, Salvadora persica, Calotropis procera (apple of Sodom) and Heliotropium kotschyi.