This week, the sprawling Sharjah Safari joined the UAE's growing list of attractions where visitors can get up close and personal with wildlife, including some rare and endangered species.
The 800-hectare park in Al Dhaid, about 49 kilometres from the Sharjah city, has been seven years in the making.
“This safari is authentic. When you drive around early morning or late in the afternoon, you forget you are in the UAE — it feels as if you are in Africa," Kevin Budd, the operations manager for animals at Sharjah Safari told The National, on its opening day.
Here are the top places to see wildlife in the UAE:
Sharjah Safari
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Sharjah Safari covers an area of eight square kilometres. All photos: Antonie Robertson / The National -
The official opening of the Sharjah Safari Park took place on Thursday, February 17. -
Sharjah Safari Park is said to be the largest safari in the world outside Africa. -
It is located in Al Bridi Nature Reserve in the city of Al Dhaid in Sharjah. -
Sharjah Safari is home to more than 120 species, including rare animals native to Africa, the rarest of which is the black rhinoceros. -
Visitors can meet Bridi, the first African female giraffe born in Sharjah Safari. Bridi's parents arrived in Sharjah from South Africa in May 2017. -
Visitors experience the safari through 12 themed 'environments', each representing a region in Africa. -
More than 1,000 native and African trees, including the umbrella-shaped Acacia tortilis, have been planted across the site. -
Another highlight is Wuhaida, the first female southern white rhino born in Sharjah Safari in August 2021. -
Tickets start from Dh15 for children aged 3 to 12, and Dh40 for over 12s. -
Sharjah Safari will be open daily from 8.30am until 6.30pm. -
Sharjah Safari is located within Al Bridi Nature Reserve, created by Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah. -
Al Bridi reserve is located in the oasis town of Al Dhaid, about 49 kilometres from the city of Sharjah. -
Visitors show up on opening day. -
Sharjah Safari is a new major tourist attraction in the emirate. -
Last entry is 2pm for Gold and Silver ticket holders and 4pm for those with Bronze tickets. -
Indigenous creatures make their home in Sharjah Safari. -
Giraffes also reside here. -
On opening day, visitors to Sharjah Safari were able to see more than 1,000 animals and birds, including 70 species that are native to Africa. -
Initially scheduled to open in late 2021, the launch of the UAE's latest attraction was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic. -
Animals settle into their new habitats. -
Sharjah Safari's logo is a celebration of the animal kingdom. Photo: Sharjah Safari
The UAE's latest wildlife attraction was designed to replicate a real African safari. Across 12 environments, each representing a region in Africa, visitors will be able to experience the life and terrain of the animals and birds that live in them.
Currently, about 600 animals including lions, giraffes and rhinos call the Sharjah Safari home, with about 300 more expected to arrive later this month and in March. One of the star attractions is Wuhaida, the first female southern white rhino born in Sharjah Safari in August last year. Wuhaida's birth is the result of the safari's breeding programme, supported by the UN, that focuses on African native species.
Visitors will also be able to meet Bridi, the first African female giraffe born in Sharjah Safari. Both Wuhaida and Bridi's parents arrived at the Sharjah Safari in May 2017.
Conservation is also an important aspect of Sharjah Safari's operations. Through the emirate's Environment and Protected Areas Authority, which help develop the park, the attraction will become a centre for international captive breeding programmes for key species, and will partner with the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria.
Open daily, 8.30am-6.30pm; tickets are from Dh15 for children and Dh40 for adults for a guided Bronze walking tour and go all the way up to Dh3,500 for a group of 12 people in a luxury car in the Gold category; 06 803 7666
Dubai Safari Park
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Dubai Safari is poised to welcome visitors back on September 27. All photos: Dubai Safari Park -
The park is home to around 3,000 animals. -
The wildlife park welcomed 111 newborns that arrived over the summer. -
Offering visitors the chance to see a wide variety of species and interact with a few, Dubai Safari Park spent the time it was closed to welcome a few more members to the family. -
Dubai Safari Park gives visitors the chance to observe thousands of animals. -
Dubai Safari Park has been working with local and international programmes throughout the year to introduce, incubate and exchange new animals. -
The Park’s animal breeding programme has also added new animals before the start of the new season. -
The 116-hectare park is home to around 3,000 animals. -
Dubai Safari Park starts its new season on September 27. -
The park is home to a drive-through hippo exhibit. -
The park is home to 10 different carnivores and 17 primates. -
The elephant enclosure. -
Dubai Safari Park has a number of drive-through exhibits, including crocodile, lion, hippo and tiger. -
Visitors can interact with a few of the park's residents. -
In its new season, visitors can see new animals, such as the squirrel monkey, the Mona monkey, the Arabian wolf, and the northern white-cheeked gibbon. -
Dubai Safari Park has reopened for its new season.
Home to more than 3,000 animals, the 119-hectare attraction in Al Warqa first opened its doors in 2017, but closed six months later to “enhance the visitor experience”. If finally reopened in 2020 under a new management with a focus on conservation, education and sustainability.
Spread across five different zones — Africa, Asia, Arabian Desert Safari, Explorer and Adventure Village — Dubai Safari Park is made up of vast green spaces surrounded by waterfalls and artificial rock faces, and plenty of spaces for its main inhabitants. A drive-through safari, with a bus carrying guests through a series of gated enclosures, is also available.
Open daily, 9am-5pm; tickets are priced at Dh50 for adults and Dh20 for children; 800 900, www.dubaisafari.ae
The National Aquarium, Abu Dhabi
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The National Aquarium Abu Dhabi opened to the public in November. All photos by Ruel Pableo for The National -
It is the first attraction to open in Al Qana, a new waterfront destination. -
Inside The Sub, one of 10 zones in the aquarium. -
The Red Sea Wreck zone. -
The UAE's Natural Treasures zone. -
The Ring of Fire zone where guests can learn about volcanic caves and how islands are formed. -
Children outside of the National Aquarium on opening day. -
Tickets can be purchased at the door or online. Prices start at Dh105 ($28). -
Visitors explore the Red Sea Wreck zone. -
The National Aquarium Abu Dhabi is set to be joined by other attractions at Al Qana. -
The aquarium is home to 46,000 creatures, representing 300 species. -
Covering more than 9,000 square metres, it is the largest aquarium in the Middle East. -
An underwater tunnel at the National Aquarium Abu Dhabi. -
Visitors can book the aquarium tour or a behind-the-scenes tour. -
The Flooded Forest zone is home to Super Snake – a female reticulated python, aged 14, that weighs 115 kilograms. -
Inside the Red Sea Wreck zone visitors can can come face-to-fin with hundreds of fish. -
At the Atlantic Cave zone visitors can discover what really lives beneath the ocean's surface. -
The Frozen Ocean zone. -
The Ocean Magic zone. -
Inside Bu Tinah Island zone. -
The Ocean Magic zone contains a car filled with fishes. -
The Flooded Forest zone. -
The UAE's Natural Treasures zone explores the country's rich pearl diving history.
Located in Al Qana, a new waterfront destination in the capital, The National Aquarium Abu Dhabi is the largest aquarium in the Middle East, spanning more than 9,000 square metres, and home to 46,000 creatures and 300 species.
Opened in November last year, the attraction is divided into 10 zones: the UAE’s Natural Treasures, Red Sea Wreck, Atlantic Cave, The Sub, Ring of Fire, Ocean Magic, Frozen Ocean, Flooded Forest, Bu Tinah Island and Back of House.
One of the most popular zones is the Flooded Forest where visitors can find the super snake, a female reticulated python aged 14 that weighs 115 kilograms. The area also has more than 8,000 rainforest creatures, including free-roaming birds that fly around and yet don't go near guests.
Rehabilitation and conservation is also a priority. In July 2020, the aquarium signed a five-year partnership with The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, “with the aim to help create the largest and most innovative rehabilitation schemes of its kind to protect and rehabilitate wildlife in the emirate of Abu Dhabi".
"The partnership has resulted in a large number of animals saved, including 200 turtles being successfully rescued and released until today," said Paul Hamilton, general manager of The National Aquarium.
Open daily, 10am-10pm; 02 418 6666, www.thenationalaquarium.ae
Emirates Park Zoo & Resort
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An African lioness rests in the lion enclosure. The small but growing zoo has recently upgraded it’s facilities offering visitors better facilities and new exhibitions. Antonie Robertson / The National -
Turkey vultures aren’t the prettiest members of the bird world, but that means nothing to the committed staff at the expanded Emirates Park Zoo in Al Bahia. This fellow is a new resident of the Birds of Prey section. Antonie Robertson / The National -
The giraffe display is a popular stop among visitors. Antonie Robertson / The National -
The camels on display are among the popular attractions with visitors at the park. Antonie Robertson / The National
This private zoo on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi opened in 2008 and is home to more than 1,400 animals including mammals, reptiles, fish and birds. The zoo not only lets visitors interact with many of its inhabitants, but also offers luxury chalet-style overnight stays.
Tours on offer include giraffe feeding, monkey feeding and hippo feeding, while Keeper's Talk, meant as an educational experience, gives guests the lowdown on about the zoo's wildlife.
Open daily, 9am-8pm; tickets start at Dh40; 02 501 0000, www.emiratesparkzooandresort.com
Al Ain Zoo
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Cheetahs are encouraged to exercise in Al Ain Zoo through a process of positive reinforcement. Khushnum Bhandari for The National -
When cheetahs are not exercising, they are trained in ‘positive behaviour’ by the Al Ain Zoo keepers. Khushnum Bhandari for The National -
Myyas Qarqaz, general curator at Al Ain Zoo. Khushnum Bhandari for The National -
Saeed Al Shamsi, animal keeper, explains about the sleeping pens for the cheetahs at Al Ain Zoo. Khushnum Bhandari for The National -
Nobody works alone in the pens, and everything is checked twice for safety reasons at Al Ain Zoo. Khushnum Bhandari for The National -
Rhinos hang out in their enclosure at Al Ain Zoo. Khushnum Bhandari for The National -
Cheetahs at Al Ain Zoo. Each pen is designed for the specific animal at Al Ain Zoo. Khushnum Bhandari for The National -
Saeed Al Shamsi, animal keeper, feeds a cheetah at Al Ain Zoo. Khushnum Bhandari for The National -
Keepers at Al Ain Zoo give the right enrichment to stimulate the mental and psychological behaviour of the animals. Khushnum Bhandari for The National -
Two baby giraffes eat as their mother watches them at Al Ain Zoo. Khushnum Bhandari for The National -
Two baby giraffes eat as their mother watches them at Al Ain Zoo. Khushnum Bhandari for The National -
The giraffe pen at Al Ain Zoo. Khushnum Bhandari for The National -
Giraffes roam in their pen at Al Ain Zoo. Khushnum Bhandari for The National -
A sphinx cat at Al Ain Zoo. Khushnum Bhandari for The National -
Al Ain Zoo is spread across 900 hectares. Khushnum Bhandari for The National
More than 4,000 animals and creatures live on this 900-hectare parkland in the foothills of Jebel Hafeet. Founded in 1968 by Sheikh Zayed, the Founding Father, the zoo is home to oryx, giraffe, Barbary sheep, rhinos, hippos, tigers, lions and more. Kids will enjoy the petting zoo and there’s also a well-respected conservation and breeding programme.
Visitors can choose from various activities including The Cheetah Journey, The Rhino Journey and The Tortoise Journey.
An attraction called Al Ain Safari, which currently covers a 54-hectare section of the zoo, offers one of the world’s largest man-made safaris where you can encounter the Big Five (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo) from the safety of an SUV or safari truck. Emirati safari guides will take the lead, giving you more information about the animals and the surrounding landscape as you drive.
Open daily, 9am-6pm; tickets start at Dh9.45 for children and Dh28.35 for adults; 800 966, www.alainzoo.ae
