Meet White Lion, Arabian Leopard and others at Al Ain Zoo!
Do you enjoy visiting zoos to observe, learn about and connect with various species from around the world? Are you fascinated by the diversity of wildlife and appreciate the conservation efforts many zoos undertake to protect endangered species and promote animal welfare? If yes, you must visit the Al Ain Zoo, which has been the cornerstone of wildlife in the UAE for over 50 years. Want to know more about this spectacular place and why is it especially a hit with kids? Let’s go!
ABOUT AL AIN ZOO
Al Ain Zoo was established in 1968 by the late HH Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan due to his passion for preserving wildlife in the UAE. The zoo is one of the most popular attractions among animal lovers in Abu Dhabi.
Covering an area of 400 hectares and home to over 200 species of wildlife, the zoo is truly a spectacular recreational space where you can learn about exotic animals.
It is the largest zoo in the UAE with the aim to preserve the environment and contribute towards sustaining resources.
EDUCATION AT AL AIN ZOO
Here’s a quick look at some of the education programs and activities offered at Al Ain Zoo:
- Virtual programmes
- School visits
- Outreach programmes
- Camps
- Environmental research
- Heritage programmes
CONSERVATION CENTRE
There is also a conservation centre at the zoo where wildlife animals are bred and cared for until they are ready to go into their natural habitats.
The zoo has the largest group of Arabian sand cats. The conservation programme breeds and maintains the species and releases them in their natural habitats. Al Ain Zoo is also home to Dama Gazelles. The conservation centre has been working to grow its number and houses more than 80 Dama Gazelles.
Another proud project of Al Ain Conservation Centre is raising environmental awareness in the community. To achieve this, the zoo has launched several educational campaigns till date highlighting the importance of conserving the endangered species.
If you want to learn more about wildlife sanctuaries and nature reserves in the UAE, our guide has all the details.
FACILITIES FOR THE VISITORS
Al Ain Zoo offers certain facilities to visitors to make your visit memorable and comfortable. Let’s take a look at these facilities.
AHLAN SPECIAL SERVICE
The Ahlan Special Service offers a guided tour of the zoo and Sheikh Zayed Learning Centre, where you get to ride in a golf cart. The tour includes five main stops and reserved seats at the Wings of Sahar show.
Visitors also get to enjoy giraffe feedings, refreshments during the tour and discounts at the restaurants.
- Duration: 1.5 hours
- Timings and tickets:
- Monday to Thursday (1-6 persons) – AED 252
- Friday to Sunday and public holidays (1-6 persons) – AED 787.5
SHUTTLE SERVICE
Want to go around the zoo with ease? Then the shuttle service at Al Ain Zoo is ideal for a quick tour. It covers the five main stops so you can enjoy all the major attractions.
- Ticket price:
- AED 42 for adults
- AED 21 children
- AED 63 for adults on special occasions
- AED 31.5 for children on special occasions
AL MAHA ROYAL
Want to take it a notch further? Then experience the luxurious Al Maha Royal tour at the zoo. It includes a tour of the Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Centre and Al Ain Zoo Safari. You will also get to enjoy feeding giraffes, a lemur walk and encounter with penguins.
- Ticket price: AED 2625 for 1-6 persons
RESTAURANTS AND SHOPS
There are many cafes and restaurants dotted around the zoo. You will also find lush green picnic spots where you can enjoy a quiet meal with your fam jam. And don’t forget to get yourself a souvenir from the gift shop!
ATTRACTIONS IN AL AIN ZOO
SHEIKH ZAYED DESERT LEARNING CENTRE
The Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Center is one of the main attractions of Al Ain Zoo. It is an educational facility that offers loads of interactive exhibits, multimedia and visual materials which display the past, present and future of the UAE.
It has five interactive galleries, which include the Sheikh Zayed Tribute Hall, Abu Dhabi Desert Overtime, Abu Dhabi’s Living World, People of the Desert and Looking to the Future. They offer guided tours in both English and Arabic.
The learning centre also offers various activities where you and your kids can learn about UAE’s heritage and rich culture. They organise different activities every week. If you want to sign up for these activities, visit Al Ain Zoo’s official website.
VISIT THE ANIMALS
MAMMALS
From herbivores like the Barbary sheep and gazelles to your favourite big cats like the lion, jaguar and cheetah, there is loads to see at the Al Ain Zoo. Apart from the mentioned big cats, visitors can look forward to spotting pumas, the Arabian leopard, the South African cheetah and even an African white lion.
Other animals to watch out for are primates like the Western lowland gorilla and horned species like the springbok and white rhino.
BIRDS
The Steppe eagle looks as magnificent in person as it does in a nature documentary. And you can see it live at the Zoo, as well as another indigenous bird of prey — the desert eagle owl.
Other exotic feathered creatures at the zoo include two species of flamingos, cockatoos and the flightless emu.
REPTILES
Spot turtles and tortoises in enclosures that mimic their natural habitats, like the Aldabra giant tortoise. And a visit to the zoo isn’t complete without a trip to the crocodile enclosure where the magnificent Nile crocodile is the star attraction.
CHILDREN’S ZOO
If you are looking for kids’ activities at Al Ain Zoo, then head on over to the Children’s Zoo. Located right near the Asian Habitat, the Children’s zoo has petting zones and bird-feeding stations where the kids get to interact with the animals. They can also hop onto a horse, a camel, or a pony for a ride!
EXPERIENCES AT AL AIN ZOO
There are tons of fun things to do in Al Ain Zoo. Let’s take a look.
AL AIN SAFARI
The Al Ain Safari is spread across 217 hectares of land against the breathtaking backdrop of Jebel Hafeet mountains. It is one of the largest man-made safaris in the world and home to native African animals, including white rhinos, African lions and giraffes.
AL AIN SAFARI TOURS
The zoo has a number of private safari SUVs with multiple time slots to book throughout the day. Each SUV can easily accommodate up to 6 persons and. The safari tour takes about an hour.
And if you are a larger party, you can book a safari truck which is suitable for up to 22 people. The safari truck tours take about 45 minutes and are not suitable for children under 5-years.
DINNER WITH LIONS
The ‘dinner with the lions’ allows visitors to enjoy a gastronomic experience just metres away from the lions. The dining area and the lion’s exhibit are separated by a deep enclosure that is encircled by an electric fence.
- Duration: 3-4 hours
- Timings: Daily, Before sunset
- Price: AED 840 per person (minimum 4 persons required to make the booking)
Please note that dinner with lions is an exclusive experience, and you will need to book 48 hours in advance.
Children below 12 years are not allowed.
PENGUIN ENCOUNTER
Ever wanted to feed the penguins? If that’s the case, then this experience at Al Ain Zoo is your dream come true. Watch these amusing little creatures fight over small fish and don’t forget to capture the fun moments with them!
- Ticket price: AED 52.50
- Timings: Daily, 12:00 pm – 02:00 pm
- Location: Bird World
WINGS OF THE SAHARA SHOW
Al Ain Zoo has a show dedicated to showcasing how birds of prey, such as falcons, eagles, owls and vultures, use their swift flight and hunting skills to catch their prey. You also get a chance to snap a picture with these hunters at the end of the show.
- Timings: Daily, 06:00 pm
- Location: Birds Show Arena
KEEPERS TALK
Take a peek into a zoo keeper’s life at Keeper Talks. This is where you will learn about their encounters, care stories and much more! This is also a chance to closely observe the wildlife and take some shots for your ‘gram.
- Reptile Encounter at 04:00 pm (daily)
- Hippo Talk at 03:00 pm (Friday to Sunday)
- Parrot Talk at 01:00 pm (Friday to Sunday)
- Bird Popup at Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Centre, 03:00 pm (Saturday and Sunday)
- Bird Popup at Main Entrance, 03:45 pm (daily except Saturday and Sunday)
GIRAFFE FEEDING
Skip breakfast before your zoo trip. A delicious early morning spread awaits you at the Al Ain Zoo with a beautiful giraffe family. They are trained to respond to bell rings.
- Ticket price: AED 31.5 for 4 persons
- Timings: Daily, 09:00 am – 01:00 pm | 03:00 pm – 06:00 pm
- Location: Giraffe feeding station
BUDGIE FEEDING
Budgie feeding is a popular experience with kids. Your little ones can feed an army of colourfull budgies right from their hands.
- Ticket price: AED 10.50
- Timings: Daily, 02:00 pm – 04:00 pm
- Location: Children’s zoo
CHEETAH RUN
You can’t outrun a cheetah, but you can experience what the experience is like for the fastest land animal as it chases the wind. The Al Ain Zoo makes it happen in its amphitheatre.
Watch as the zoo’s champions Nazik, Cleo and Firas, race for the win in a competition called the Cheetah Run. Are your fingers fast enough to catch them in action on the camera?
Please note that this experience is currently unavailable.
- Timings: Friday to Saturday, 04:0 pm
- Location: Cheetah Run
ANIMAL RIDES
Take a quick tour around the lush green landscape of the zoo riding a horse, pony or camel!
- Ticket price: AED 15.75
- Timings: Daily, 10:00 am – 06:00 pm
- Location: Children’s Zoo
CROCODILE FEEDING
If you want to observe the crocodiles up close, you should watch the crocodile feeding sessions at the zoo.
- Timings and location:
- Sunday and Friday, 03:30 pm (Hippo and Crocodile Underwater Exhibit)
- Saturday, 03:30 pm (Bridge Aviary)
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
CAN I HOST AN EVENT AT AL AIN ZOO?
Yes! You can throw a birthday bash for your little one at the zoo. You can also host a team outing or a picnic here. The zoo offers buffet service to cater your events which includes fully equipped venue.
IS THE ZOO FRIENDLY FOR ELDERLY AND PEOPLE OF DETERMINATION?
Al Ain Zoo offers free wheel chairs with a custom golf cart for elderly and people of determination. When visiting the zoo, you can ask the guest relations agents at the main entrance to help you arrange a wheel chair.
Parents with toddlers can get a stroller from the main entrance. It will cost you around AED 42 for a single and AED 73.50 for a double stroller.
WHAT ARE THE AL AIN ZOO TIMINGS?
The zoo is open daily from 09:00 am to 08:00 pm.
WHAT IS THE AL AIN ZOO TICKET PRICE?
Al Ain Zoo ticket price for adults is AED 28.35, whereas children between 3 to 12 years are charged AED 9.45.
WHAT IS THE AL AIN ZOO LOCATION?
Al Ain Zoo is located at Nahyan First Street, Shiab Al Ashkhar.
And on that note, we end our guide to this amazing place.
This zoo is definitely the perfect place for both adults and kids, as it’s a wildlife adventure that everyone can enjoy! Not only is it a learning experience, but it’s also a day of fun for everyone who visits.
And if you’re visiting the emirate for the first time, our travel guide to Al Ain will come in handy.
You’ll be pleased to know that the inland city is also home to gorgeous parks. Our guide lists down the best parks in Al Ain where you can get away from the fast-paced life. Looking for more fun things to do in Al Ain? Our guide will point you in the right direction.
If you are looking for more places like this, the Emirates Park Zoo and Resort in Abu Dhabi is another great option.
You can also visit these amazing zoos in the UAE, offering unforgettable experiences for people of all ages.
The cover image is courtesy of Al Ain Zoo’s official Facebook page.
