Shaikha AlHajeri: the Woman Behind Dar Shaikha’s Success

Upon entering Dar Shaikha, you can’t help but feel the love and good energy. The place feels familiar and with olive trees and beautiful plants all around, filling up the space, Dar Shaikha sets the bar high for recreational farms in Kuwait.

I interviewed Shaikha AlHajeri in Dar Shaikha and had the pleasure of meeting her father, Abdulaziz, as well. They were both beaming with pride and joy as they remembered Shaikha’s beloved grandmother.

“I am the only one named after her, and by chance, it happened that I run Dar Sheikha. My grandmother, Sheikha, was attached to nature and loved coming to Wafra a lot. Before, the weekend was Thursday and Friday. And from Tuesday, she and Rosie – who is still with us- and Amir (the housemaid and the driver) would come here, and we usually came on Friday. She liked to sit here and enjoy; she loved nature and she loved to water the plants. This was her home, and we all used to get together here. When she passed away, my father had the house demolished, and when he built this place, he did not allow any of us to see it before it was done because he didn’t want anyone’s opinion. He dedicated it to his mother and when he finished, he named it Dar Sheikha.”

On the day of the interview, we opted for the double decker minibus as our mode of transportation through the farm and we saw the impressive different sections of Dar Shaikha.

Initially opening in January 2019, Dar Shaikha was in the beginning made up of eight cabins overlooking a lake, a small market, and a café. “All the plants need lots of water so that’s why we had the lake here. That was the goal of having the lake, to provide water for the plants and then it became for scenery as well,” says Shaikha. Today, Dar Shaikha has expanded and become a multi-purpose recreational area in Wafra that includes retail stores, dining areas, a sports center, boats for guests to cruise around the lake and a glass house. The glasshouse contains plants and trees from around the world that are imported by Dar Shaikha’s affiliated company, Greenfields Agricultural Co. “Overall, these expansions reflect a commitment to diversifying the offerings at Dar Shaikha, catering to a broader audience with various interests and preferences, and creating a more comprehensive destination experience,” notes Shaikha.

We walked past the lake that had boats and bridges. Shaikha told me the boats were named after her aunts, Dalal, Lulwa, Suad and Badriya. Later, we walked up Mount Aziz. Shaikha says, “It was originally a dumping ground for when the construction started. My father piled it up into a mountain. He covered it up with sand and it became this big mountain. We named it after him, Mount Aziz.”

Since 2020, many places seemed to be opening to the public in Wafra with a similar concept to Dar Shaikha. Competition seems to be at a high, but Shaikha doesn’t seem fazed by it because of the trust she has in her team to adapt and keep introducing new ideas to the place. She says, “Our

ability to stay competitive by consistently evolving and adding new significant attractions to Dar Shaikha is commendable. Our team's efficiency in managing the entire operation, from design to day-to-day activities, demonstrates a well-rounded skill set and a cohesive understanding of the business. It's an excellent strategy to ensure consistency and a unified theme throughout the venue.”

As we were getting ready to end the day, the weather was breezy, and the sky was colored with a stunning sunset of different shades of pink and orange. The palm trees reflected on the lake. The view was mesmerizing, and the lake looked like it was never-ending.

The last question I asked Shaikha was perhaps the most important one to bring up: “If your grandmother was alive today, what do you think she would say about what you’ve done with the place?”

“It's truly touching to hear about Mama Shaikha's deep love for nature and her connection to the farm, which now stands as Dar Shaikha in her honor. Naming the destination after her reflects a heartfelt tribute to the person who played a significant role in fostering the love for nature that is now a fundamental part of Dar Shaikha's identity,” She says. “The fact that Dar Shaikha has evolved from a simple house in the midst of nature to a thriving tourist destination for all of Kuwait is a testament to the vision and dedication that Mama Shaikha instilled in the place. The expansion and beauty that have grown since 2019 not only honor her memory but also continue to share her passion for nature with a broader audience. It's likely that Mama Shaikha, if she were alive today, would indeed be mesmerized by the transformation and the positive impact Dar Shaikha has had on the community. Her legacy lives on through the vibrant and flourishing destination that has become a testament to her love for nature and the joy it brings to others.”

Shaikha and her family kept their promise to her grandmother, to never stop the family gatherings. Now, Shaikha has an extended family, the people of Kuwait, who gather together in Dar Shaikha and have memorable experiences with their friends and families.