Dubai Safari Park is one of those places I recommend visiting to anyone who comes to Dubai with children. No one will be left indifferent: you can see animals from different regions; feed giraffes, goats and birds; take part in an Arabian safari; watch a bird show… I have been there three times and found something interesting every time. Below are all the details.
What is Dubai Safari Park?
Dubai Safari Park covers a huge area: in terms of numbers, it covers 119 hectares and is home to more than 3,000 animals from all over the world. Don’t forget that the zoo was built in the middle of the desert, at a cost of around one billion dirhams!
The complex is impressive and incredibly green: it’s hard to believe that this was once desert land. The zoo is divided into five main areas that flow smoothly into one another: Arabian Village, African Village, Asian Village, Explorer Village and Kid’s Farm. You can simply walk between them or take a special bus that runs from one area to another.
At Dubai Safari Park, you can see lions, tigers, monkeys, crocodiles and other animals.
Feeding the giraffes is a special treat for both children and adults. You can do this in Explorer Village at specific times: 10:30, 12:30, 14:30 and 16:00. There is usually a long queue, so it is best to arrive early (you will need cash to buy food).
You can also feed birds and goats (visit Kid’s Farm). My daughter was scared of the giraffes, but she enjoyed feeding the goats.
At the entrance, children are periodically given various souvenirs. For example, we were given a bag with water and snacks. I don’t know if this is a regular thing or just a special promotion, but everyone was happy with the gift.
There are many places to eat in the zoo, offering snacks, ice cream, water, etc. There are cafes with full menus: La Venecia and Oregano serve Italian cuisine, Bait Al Qadeem serves Arabic cuisine, and Local House serves Mediterranean cuisine.
I even enjoyed just walking around Safari Park – walking without crossing anything. In good weather, when the sun is not so strong, you can spend the whole day in the park. I recommend coming to Dubai Safari Park right when it opens: then you won’t waste a lot of time waiting for the bus I mentioned above. A crowd gathers around lunchtime. After all, the distances in the zoo are considerable, and everyone wants to get to the locations they want to see.
How to buy tickets to Dubai Safari Park
A standard ticket to Dubai Safari Park costs 50 AED, and for children aged 3 to 12, it is 21 AED. You can choose an option that is almost twice as expensive. This includes additional options: an Arabian safari, during which you will see all the inhabitants of the local desert at arm’s length; and a half-hour bus tour, where you can get a closer look at lions, tigers, monkeys, jaguars, crocodiles and other animals.
If you are visiting the zoo for the first time, I recommend the second option. Without it, you won’t be able to see many of the animals: they are not kept in cages, which is great, but roam freely in conditions that are as close to real life as possible. And the programme is simply more varied 🙂
