With 3,000 animals from all over the world, Dubai Zoo, offering safari tours of themed areas and various interactive shows, is one of the most popular destinations in the UAE. There are no traditional zoos in this country, there are modern eco-parks located in a natural area. There are long queues here on weekends.
History
The famous Dubai Safari Park was opened in 2017, it replaced the old city zoo with 1,000 animals, which was often criticized for the conditions of animals. People didn't like that they were locked in cages and couldn't move freely. To ensure comfortable conditions, it was decided to create an open, spacious living environment.
It took more than $40 million to modernize the zoo, and in 2018 it was closed for reconstruction and landscaping. In the summer of 2024, the park was closed again, and it opened in the fall of the same year. During this time, more than 300 cubs were born at the Dubai Zoo, and new attractions were installed.
Description
The park is home to more than 75 species of mammals, including predators and primates, 50 species of reptiles, over 100 species of birds, amphibians and invertebrates. The area of the zoo is 119-120 hectares, the main source of energy is solar energy.
The territory of the Dubai Zoo is divided into 4 thematic zones:
- The Arabian Desert, dedicated to the flora and fauna of the Arabian Peninsula. Wild goats, gazelles, fennec desert foxes, and Arabian oryx live in recreated desert climate conditions. Special cooling devices are used here so that the animals do not experience discomfort.
- The African village is filled with rhinos, zebras, elephants, hyenas, monkeys, lemurs.
- The Asian village has become home to orangutans, Komodo lizards, and black bears.
- The Explorers' village is different from the previous sites. You can come here by bus and watch the lions, tigers and giraffes.
There is also a children's farm in the park, where young visitors can interact with pets. Children can pet them, feed ducks, other birds, ponies, goats, donkeys, and learn about their behavior and needs. You can't bring food to the Dubai Zoo for treats, you can buy it in the park. Educational tours are popular, where you can learn about a variety of birds and animals in a learning and playing format.
Where can I relax
After the safari, it is customary to go to Al–Wadi. This is a recreation area where you can watch the fish swimming in the pond and look at the waterfalls. The territory is covered with lush greenery, picnics are organized here or just relaxing in the shade. There are also cafes and ice cream stands to choose from.
The Zoomagnet attraction is popular among children, where they immerse themselves in the world of virtual reality, where they can feel like a real zoologist. It is easy to arrange a virtual hunt on the Safari Adventure and Fun Hunt attractions or drive a car during a safari, help the characters who meet along the way. Dubai Zoo hosts events with workshops and animal shows.
How to get
The Dubai Zoo is located at Al Warka, 5 Hatta Road. It is about 12 kilometers from the center. People come here by taxi or rented car. If it is more convenient to travel by metro, the nearest station is Centerpoint on the red line. When exiting the subway, you need to transfer to the F10 bus. Depending on the level of traffic, the trip takes from 12 to 30 minutes, and the distance from the bus stop to the entrance to the park is up to 10 minutes.
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