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
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
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
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
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
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
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Tank warfare
Lt Gen Erik Petersen, deputy chief of programs, US Army, has argued it took a “three decade holiday” on modernising tanks.
“There clearly remains a significant armoured heavy ground manoeuvre threat in this world and maintaining a world class armoured force is absolutely vital,” the general said in London last week.
“We are developing next generation capabilities to compete with and deter adversaries to prevent opportunism or miscalculation, and, if necessary, defeat any foe decisively.”
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
Who has been sanctioned?
Daniella Weiss and Nachala
Described as 'the grandmother of the settler movement', she has encouraged the expansion of settlements for decades. The 79 year old leads radical settler movement Nachala, whose aim is for Israel to annex Gaza and the occupied West Bank, where it helps settlers built outposts.
Harel Libi & Libi Construction and Infrastructure
Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinians. His firm has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts.
Zohar Sabah
Runs a settler outpost named Zohar’s Farm and has previously faced charges of violence against Palestinians. He was indicted by Israel’s State Attorney’s Office in September for allegedly participating in a violent attack against Palestinians and activists in the West Bank village of Muarrajat.
Coco’s Farm and Neria’s Farm
These are illegal outposts in the West Bank, which are at the vanguard of the settler movement. According to the UK, they are associated with people who have been involved in enabling, inciting, promoting or providing support for activities that amount to “serious abuse”.
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
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A cryptocurrency primer for beginners
Cryptocurrency Investing for Dummies – by Kiana Danial
There are several primers for investing in cryptocurrencies available online, including e-books written by people whose credentials fall apart on the second page of your preferred search engine.
Ms Danial is a finance coach and former currency analyst who writes for Nasdaq. Her broad-strokes primer (2019) breaks down investing in cryptocurrency into baby steps, while explaining the terms and technologies involved.
Although cryptocurrencies are a fast evolving world, this book offers a good insight into the game as well as providing some basic tips, strategies and warning signs.
Begin your cryptocurrency journey here.
Available at Magrudy’s , Dh104
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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%3Cp%3EApril%2021-23%3A%20Imola%3Cbr%3EMay%205-7%3A%20Misano%3Cbr%3EMay%2026-28%3A%20SPA-Francorchamps%3Cbr%3EJune%2023-25%3A%20Monza%3Cbr%3EJuly%2021-23%3A%20Paul%20Ricard%3Cbr%3ESept%2029-Oct%201%3A%20Mugello%3Cbr%3EOct%2013-15%3A%20Vallelunga%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
England World Cup squad
Eoin Morgan (capt), Moeen Ali, Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler (wkt), Tom Curran, Liam Dawson, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, James Vince, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood
It Was Just an Accident
Director: Jafar Panahi
Stars: Vahid Mobasseri, Mariam Afshari, Ebrahim Azizi, Hadis Pakbaten, Majid Panahi, Mohamad Ali Elyasmehr
Rating: 4/5
The five pillars of Islam
Fixtures (all times UAE)
Saturday
Brescia v Atalanta (6pm)
Genoa v Torino (9pm)
Fiorentina v Lecce (11.45pm)
Sunday
Juventus v Sassuolo (3.30pm)
Inter Milan v SPAL (6pm)
Lazio v Udinese (6pm)
Parma v AC Milan (6pm)
Napoli v Bologna (9pm)
Verona v AS Roma (11.45pm)
Monday
Cagliari v Sampdoria (11.45pm)
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%3Cp%3EAuthor%3A%20Alasdair%20Soussi%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EPages%3A%20300%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EPublisher%3A%20Scotland%20Street%20Press%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAvailable%3A%20December%201%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
THE SPECS
Engine: 1.5-litre
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Power: 110 horsepower
Torque: 147Nm
Price: From Dh59,700
On sale: now
The schedule
December 5 - 23: Shooting competition, Al Dhafra Shooting Club
December 9 - 24: Handicrafts competition, from 4pm until 10pm, Heritage Souq
December 11 - 20: Dates competition, from 4pm
December 12 - 20: Sour milk competition
December 13: Falcon beauty competition
December 14 and 20: Saluki races
December 15: Arabian horse races, from 4pm
December 16 - 19: Falconry competition
December 18: Camel milk competition, from 7.30 - 9.30 am
December 20 and 21: Sheep beauty competition, from 10am
December 22: The best herd of 30 camels
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Etihad (etihad.com) flies from Abu Dhabi to Mykonos, with a flight change to its partner airline Olympic Air in Athens. Return flights cost from Dh4,105 per person, including taxes.
Where to stay
The modern-art-filled Ambassador hotel (myconianambassador.gr) is 15 minutes outside Mykonos Town on a hillside 500 metres from the Platis Gialos Beach, with a bus into town every 30 minutes (a taxi costs €15 [Dh66]). The Nammos and Scorpios beach clubs are a 10- to 20-minute walk (or water-taxi ride) away. All 70 rooms have a large balcony, many with a Jacuzzi, and of the 15 suites, five have a plunge pool. There’s also a private eight-bedroom villa. Double rooms cost from €240 (Dh1,063) including breakfast, out of season, and from €595 (Dh2,636) in July/August.
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 247hp at 6,500rpm
Torque: 370Nm from 1,500-3,500rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 7.8L/100km
Price: from Dh94,900
On sale: now
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