Have you visited these zoos in the UAE? What are you waiting for!
Fancy watching the Lion King come to life as the king of the jungle sits regally atop his rocky throne throne with his mane swaying in the cool breeze? Or perhaps you want to create the memory of a lifetime by enjoying breakfast surrounded by giraffes? The zoos in the UAE offer a lot more than simply viewing animals in pens basking in the sun. These animal attractions provide unforgettable wildlife experiences for people of all ages.
So if you’re an animal lover or have little ones who are fascinated by animal encounters, here are some zoos in the country the whole family will enjoy.
ZOOS IN THE UAE
ABU DHABI
The capital is home to two of the zoos in UAE. Let’s take a detailed look at each of them. Starting with…
EMIRATES PARK ZOO
One of the top animal attractions in Abu Dhabi, Emirates Park Zoo is located in the Al Bahia area off the highway to Dubai. This Abu Dhabi zoo has 13 different zones dedicated to different animal species. The Wildlife Walk brings you face-to-face with the majestic Asian elephants and the big cats. The snake alley is where the anaconda and its other slithering mates live. The brown bear is a happy camper but is usually sleeping in his Bear Cave.
Emirates Park Zoo is particularly popular for the unique experiences it offers. You can have breakfast with parrots, watch the sea lion perform at the Animal Theatre and even feed the giraffes if you want! Other attractions at the zoo include the Camel Farm, Crocodile Pool, Hippo House, Birds of Prey, Primate Paradise, Mammal Cave, Equine Enclosure, Giraffe Park, Bird Park, Reptile House and Flamingo Park. There is a petting zoo enclosure as well.
- Tickets: AED 30 per person
- Timings: 09:00 am to 09:00 pm
AL AIN ZOO
The biggest and perhaps oldest zoo in the UAE, Al Ain Zoo was established by H.H. the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan himself. Around for over 50 years, this zoo is home to some of the most rare and endangered animal species in the region, including the Dama gazelles and the Arabian sand cats. The zoo also provides shelter to hundreds of migratory birds that make the facility their temporary home.
A visit to Al Ain Zoo is your chance to meet the Western lowland gorilla, the African fox, the white lion and tiger and other uncommon animal species. You can also watch the preppy parrots steal the show, find out how crocodiles are fed, take horse rides around the area, meet the endangered rhino family or explore the zoo on a bicycle. Al Ain Zoo also offers customised zoo tours for visitors.
- Tickets: AED 30 for adults | AED 10 for kids
- Timings: Thursday to Saturday 09:00 am to 09:00 pm | Ramadan Timings 2:00 pm to 08:00 pm
DUBAI
The zoo in Dubai is called the Dubai Safari Park. Here’s what you need to know about it.
DUBAI SAFARI PARK
When the Dubai Zoo in Jumeirah closed down in 2018, its resident animals found a new home in Safari Park Dubai. Now open to the public, this new animal zoo in the UAE is divided into four wildlife villages. The Arabian Village houses species native to the Gulf region like the Arabian oryx, while the African Village is where you’ll find the elephants, lions and giraffes. The Asian Village is where the tigers, gibbons and moon bears live.
The highlight of this Dubai zoo park in the UAE is the safari element that allows you to experience the African-style open safari in the Explorer Village. Dubai Safari Park also has a Kid’s Farm, a Grand Aviary and a bunch of fun activities and encounters with animals on offer.
- Tickets: AED 50 for adults | AED 20 for kids
- Timings: 09:00 am to 05:00 pm | Ramadan Timings: 10:00 am to 06:00 pm (Day Pass), 06:00 pm to 12:00 am (Night Pass)
AJMAN
The Pygmy Zoo in Ajman is the newest addition to the list of zoos in the UAE.
THE AJMAN PYGMY ZOO
More like an animal farm, the UAE Pygmy Zoo is a one-of-a-kind wildlife attraction in the UAE. Still partially under development, this unique zoo in Ajman, UAE is home to various bird, reptile and mammal species. Although small, the UAE Pygmy Zoo has the cutest bunch of miniature animals in its petting farm area. Kids can interact with pygmy goats, play with cute little pups and take rides on the pony and the camel.
Watch the colourful birds flaunting their gorgeous plumage, take a picture with the zoo’s resident macaws, feed the bunnies or observe the turtles lazing around. From ostriches and emus to deer and llamas, there are a bunch of animals to see and learn about at the UAE Pygmy Zoo.
- Tickets: AED 25 (adults) | AED 15 (kids) | Discounts available
- Timings: 03:00 pm to 10:00 pm | Weekends: 01:00 pm to 10:00 pm | Sundays closed
UMM AL QUWAIN
For the residents of Umm Al Quwain, the recently opened “Zoo Wildlife Park” is their nearest zoo in the UAE.
THE ZOO WILDLIFE PARK
The Zoo Wildlife Park is located in the Kabir area along the E55 highway. This zoo in the UAE has an impressive collection of big cats, including lions, lynx, tigers, leopards, cheetahs and the black panthers. There are smaller domesticated cats too and the children are allowed to play with them. The zoo’s resident brown bear is immensely popular, usually found lazing around his pen and enjoying the attention.
Make friends with Abooba, the friendly orangutan. The cheeky fellow loves some mischief and good company. The bunnies are a popular attraction for kids, especially because they are playful and always in the mood to eat – the kids get to play with and feed them. Other animals at the zoo include vultures, hyenas, Arabian oryx and a black bear among others.
- Tickets: AED 25 per person | Free for toddlers
- Timings: 10:00 am to 06:00 pm
RAS AL KHAIMAH
Those living in Ras Al Khaimah can head out to the RAK Zoo for some memorable animal experiences.
RAK ZOO
The last entry on this list of zoos in the UAE is RAK Zoo. Located on the Ras Al Khaimah International Airport Street in the Al Digdaga area, this zoo is open every day for families in search of good animal attractions in the emirate. RAK Zoo is home to several animal species, including lions, panthers, crocodiles, tortoises, camels, horses, ostriches and peacocks.
The playful chimpanzees have celebrity status. They live in an air-conditioned enclosure where you can visit them, play with them and even share some food with them! There is also an equestrian club and theatre in this UAE zoo, where people can enjoy horse riding and other outdoor events and activities.
- Tickets: AED 40 per person | Free for toddlers
- Timings: 09:00 am to 10:00 pm
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHICH IS THE BIGGEST ZOO IN UAE?
Al Ain Zoo is the largest zoo in the UAE, spread across a whopping area of 400 hectares.
WHICH IS THE BEST ZOO IN UAE?
Picking the best zoo in UAE is solely a matter of choice. While the bigger zoos are increasingly popular among the masses for the myriad of activities and interactions they offer, the smaller ones bring unique animal experiences that win the crowds over. However, if we had to pick one, it would be the Al Ain Zoo, which allows visitors the unique experience of witnessing endangered animal species up close.
WHICH IS THE MOST FAMOUS ZOO IN UAE?
While this is a tough one to answer, we’d say the Emirates Park Zoo is the most famous zoo in the UAE. This animal attraction in Abu Dhabi attracts throngs of visitors for its unique animal experiences, like Breakfast with the Parrots and a live Animal Theatre.
HOW MANY ZOOS ARE THERE IN THE UAE?
There are six zoos in the country open to the general public. Other than that, there are a handful of private zoos here as well. Entry to a private zoo in the UAE is solely at the discretion of the facility’s owner(s).
IS THERE A ZOO IN SHARJAH, UAE?
No, there is no zoo in Sharjah. However, the emirate has its fair share of animal attractions like Zoo Sharjah Desert Park, which also has a petting zoo. You can go to Arabia’s Wildlife Centre in Sharjah that is home to several wildlife species like the Arabian oryx and leopards. For those of you interested in magnificent birds, the Kalba Bird of Prey Centre is a great attraction in Sharjah.
With that, we wrap up this post on zoos in Dubai. For animal lovers in the UAE, there are a bunch of other attractions that may not be categorised as a “zoo,” but still offer some remarkable wildlife experiences.
Visit the Green Planet in Dubai for a walk through an indoor rainforest and meet with the species native to it or head over to the Mangrove Lagoon National Park in Abu Dhabi to witness the thriving mangrove ecosystem and its inhabitants. Mangrove Forest in Dubai is a spot that the public will be able to visit soon.
Play with the dolphins at Dolphin Bay in Atlantis the Palm or say hello to the penguins at Ski Dubai. You can even visit the Butterfly House at Al Noor Island, Sharjah to surround yourself with colourful flutters of flapping wings. For those who feel a little daring, a swim with the sharks at the Dubai Underwater Zoo and Aquarium is perfect!
If you have kids you want to introduce to different animal species, the petting zoos in Abu Dhabi are a good place to start. There are petting zoos in Dubai and other emirates as well, where the little ones can meet domesticated animals to pet and feed in a safe environment.
