Dubai, the city of tall skyscrapers, enormous shopping malls, and luxury buildings, is also home to an eco-friendly safari park. Once known as the Dubai Zoo, the park was transformed into the existing state after facing several criticisms about the condition of the park and the upkeep of the animals. The zoo was closed down in 2018 and reopened in 2020 after major renovations and improvements. Today, the Dubai Safari Park houses more than 2500 animals, amongst 250 species. It has slowly grown to be the top choice for the family holiday in Dubai.
All you need to know about the Dubai Safari Park
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Villages/Zones
Spread around an area of 12.8 million square feet area, the Dubai Safari Park is divided into several zones, each one giving you the chance to see the animals that the zone represents.
Arabian Desert Safari
A drive-through zone, the Arabian desert safari gives you a glimpse of the animals of the vast Arabian desert. The main attraction here is the Arabian wolf. However, you also get to see the Arabian oryx, Arabian gazelle, mountain gazelle, sand gazelle, and scimitar-horned oryx here. You can take the experience to a grand scale by booking a 6-hour desert safari excursion.
Asian Village
At the Asian Village, you get to enjoy the ornate architecture and diverse culture of the Asian subcontinent. Moreover, you also get to see a vast array of animals, including Mandarin duck, gibbon, and Southern cassowary. But the most popular member of the zone is the moon bear, which is also known as the Asiatic black bear.
Explorer Village
Also known as the safari village, the Explorer Village gives you the chance to see the inhabitants of the jungles of Africa and Asia. Some of the animals that you get to see while riding on the comfortable safari bus are cheetah, giraffe, brown lion, hippo, Nile crocodile, zebra, impala, baboon, big horned sheep, blackbuck, Sambar deer, hog deer, Nilgai, etc.
African Village
Enjoy the true reflection of the jungles of Africa while visiting the African village. Here, you get to meet a wide variety of animals, including the largest (elephants) and the smallest land mammals (meerkats) found on earth. Some other animals that you would find in this zone include peacocks, greater flamingos, gorillas, carpet vipers, ceiled chameleons, crowned guinea fowl, white lions, etc.
The Grand Aviary
If you are a bird lover, visiting the grand aviary would be delightful for you. At the aviary, you would get to see a wide variety of colorful birds, at least 111 of them. Some of the interesting birds that you would find at this aviary are the Australian cockatiel, the red-billed toucan, the canary, the American white pelican, etc.
Kids Farm
A unique section that you may not find in most zoos is the Kids’ Farm. Here, kids would not only get to meet a variety of farm animals but also pet and feed them too. The kids and their families would be able to be a part of a guided tour where they would be able to meet and know about the inhabitants of the park. Some of the animals found at the park are ponies, ducks, cows, sheep, chickens, goats, donkeys, etc.
The Wadi
The Wadi is a place where you can rest and have a picnic with your family and friends. There are 2 restaurants as well as a kiosk where you can buy snacks from. It is an ideal place to relax after touring the zoo.
Park Experiences
Apart from the different villages or zones, the Dubai Safari Park offers you some interesting park experiences:
Reptile House
More than 50 species of reptiles would be found at the reptile house at the Dubai Safari Park. The Burmese Python, the red-tailed boa, the veiled chameleon, etc. are some of the inhabitants of the reptile house.
Behind the Scenes Tour
If you want to have an up-close-personal look at the animals, a behind-the-scenes tour is a must for you. You would be guided by the staff of the zoo in an open-air Marshell vehicle to some special habitats. The tour would also give you the chance to feed the crocodiles, giraffes, and elephants and also take part in some enrichment sessions.
Live Shows
The park also offers some amazing live shows, which are the Birds of Prey Show, the Bird Show, and the Amazing Creatures of the World. These shows are not only entertaining but also educational.
Important Details about the Dubai Safari Park
The Dubai Safari Park is open 7 days a week from 9 AM to 5 PM. The safari journey is available throughout the day. The last bus for the safari trip leaves at 4:30 PM. Children under the age of 3 years do not need an entry ticket, and the same goes for disabled people and two of their companions as well.
Conclusion
The Dubai Safari Park is a must-visit for everyone visiting Dubai, especially those on a family holiday in the city. While regular tours like the Dhow Cruise with Buffet Dinner, desert safari, Burj Khalifa tour, etc. would give you the chance to see the popular side of Dubai, a visit to the Dubai Safari Park would show you the city in a different light.