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| This is a very basic guidebook. |
| The information in it was compiled from various reliable sources to serve as a quick reference for your journey. |
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| What's inside? |
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Bahrain is a country steeped in culture and blessed with a wealth of natural heritage, so if you're planning a visit sometime soon, be sure to grab our travel guide, because we know you'll need something quick and convenient to refer to! Let us show you where to go and tell you what you should look out for, from historical forts to wildlife parks, because you simply mustn't miss out on those must-sees! We'll also share our best travel tips with you, so you'll know exactly what to expect with the local transport, food and culture. Get one today!
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| Help Save the Arabian Oryx! |
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| Fund collecting in progress... |
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| The Arabian Oryx (Oryx leucoryx) is a bovid that is native to desert and steppe areas of the Arabian Peninsula. Its diet consists mainly of grass, but it will also eat trees, buds, herbs, fruit, tubers and roots. A hardy, desert-dwelling animal, the Arabian Oryx can go several weeks without water. Up to the early 1970s, Arabian Oryx were hunted to near extinction in the wild. There have been several attempts to reestablish the species, but they resulted in mixed success.
The species was, however, saved from extinction by The Phoenix Zoo in Arizona. In 1962, they initiated the first captive-breeding herd in a zoo. Starting with just 9 animals, they have had over 200 successful births. Their captive-bred Oryx were then sent to other zoos to establish other herds. Today, an estimated 1500 Arabian Oryx live in zoos and wildlife preserves around the world. Most of these animals can be traced back to the original herd from Phoenix.
Their remarkable success is widely recognised as one of the world's most successful wildlife conservation projects. Although some of these animals were reintroduced back to the wild in their native lands, unfortunately, the Arabian Oryx's habitat continues to be threatened by human activities like oil prospecting and drilling. |
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| What's an a4trip guidebook? |
| An a4trip guidebook is a travel guide that'll provide you with the information you'll need to plan your trip and to find your way around. Our guidebooks are downloadable in PDF format, and are designed to be so compact, you can take it with you everywhere you go. |
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| How can I pay for a guidebook? |
| We accept credit cards like Visa, MasterCard, American Express (USA only) and Discover (USA only) via PayPal. Your transaction will appear as 'PAYPAL*A4TRIP' on your credit card statement. |
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| Help! Why can't I download the guidebook? |
| Don't worry, just get in touch with us and we'll deliver the guidebook right to your inbox. |
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| Just how often do you update your guidebooks? |
| We try to update our guidebooks at least once a month. |
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| Have more questions about a4trip? |
| Just Contact Us, we'd love to hear from you. |
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Bahrain, sometimes known as "The Pearl of the Gulf", is an archipelago located in the waters of the Gulf of Salwa in the northern Arabian Gulf. Throughout history, it has been a vital maritime trade centre linking Europe and the Middle East with the Indian subcontinent; however, in recent years, the tourism industry has taken off, with considerable effort being made to attract visitors to its shores.
Blessed with an incredibly rich natural heritage, it's no wonder that Bahrain is often associated with the legend of "the Garden of Eden". Despite being in a desolate and arid region, its northern and western shores are a fertile oasis, harbouring a wealth of wildlife. Its muddy eastern shores, on the other hand, plays host to thousands of migrating birds, while its scrub deserts support specially-adapted plants and animals.
Its offshore islands and coastal waters are home to a number of rare and endangered species, including dugong, green turtle and sea snakes. If you'd like to experience Bahrain's wildlife for yourself, be sure to visit the Al Areen Wildlife Park, located 20 km south of Manama. The animal sanctuary is home to many rare and endangered species, including: the scimitar-horned oryx, Arabian oryx, dama gazelle and Nubian ibex.
The hub of travel in Bahrain is a landmark called the Bab Al Bahrain, which quite literally means "Gateway to Bahrain". Built in 1945 as a government office, the building was refurbished in 1986 and now houses the tourist information office and a handicrafts shop. It also serves as the entrance to the city's "souk" or market.
The must-sees in Bahrain include the National Museum, situated on the intersection of Muharraq Causeway and King Faisal Highway. Built in 1988, it not only houses a comprehensive view of Bahrain through the ages, but also provides an exciting overview of Bahrain's active art scene. Another historical attraction is the A'ali Burial Mounds, one of the largest prehistoric cemetery in the world, with an estimated 170,000 burial mounds dating back to between 3000 BC and 600 AD.
There are also three historical forts that you may like to visit: the 14th century Bahrain fort; the 15th century Arad Fort; and the 19th century Riffa Fort. You may continue to admire Bahrain's architecture at the palatial home of Shaikh Isa bin Ali Khalifa, a former ruler of Bahrain, which provides a glimpse of royal life in the 19th century. If you prefer to go off the beaten track, there are tours that will let you discover the charm of living in the desert, so why not spend a night in a Bedouin tent?
Bahrain's public transport system is rather limited, as there are no trains or trams. The bus fares are cheap, but as there aren't many of them, you may find it hard to catch one. Still, there are other ways of getting around. You could, for example, take an air-conditioned tour bus, which will ensure that you'll get to see the popular sites in relative comfort, without getting lost.
There's also no shortage of taxis in Bahrain, which you can flag them down on the street or order over the phone. A less expensive alternative is the shared taxi, which are usually pick-up trucks that run pre-determined routes. Go for it if you don't mind being crammed into a vehicle with about 4 other people.
Bahrain may not be a culinary epicenter, but there's bound to be something to pique your interest. The island has countless takeaway restaurants, shawarma delis, fast food outlets and casual eateries. The best places to shop are probably the souks, where you can find arts and crafts such as: stained glassware, textiles, pottery, paintings and prints by local artisans and artists.
All visitors to Bahrain will need a Visa, except for residents of the Gulf Cooperation Council States, as well as citizens of the UK for a maximum of 4 weeks. There are several types of visas, such as the Tourist Visa, which costs BHD5 each (about USD13) for a stay of 2 weeks; Group Visas, which are applicable to groups of up to 30 tourists or more for a stay of 2 weeks at a fee of between BHD2 to BHD3 per person.
There's also the 72-Hour Visa / 7-Day visa, which can be obtained on arrival at the Bahrain International Airport or at the King Fahad Causeway. These visas are mainly intended for business visits, trade delegations, attending exhibitions and seminars. Foreign nationals who have lived for six months in a GCC State are automatically granted a 72-hour visa on arrival. The fee is BHD10 for a 72-hour Visa and BHD15 for a 7-day visa.
If you have family or friends living in Bahrain, you might also like to find out about their Visit and Family Visas. To prevent confusion, your best bet would be to contact a travel agency to make the necessary visa arrangements. Do keep in mind that entry regulations and fees are subject to change without notice, so do contact the nearest Bahrain mission to confirm current entry rules.
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