Dubai Safari Park, spanning 119 hectares, gives visitors a rare, up-close encounter with hundreds of exotic animals across 250 species in habitats replicating regions worldwide. Currently home to 3,000 animals, including lions, tigers and gorillas, the park plans to increase its population to over 5,000 animals from over350 species, including endangered species. Transport yourself through the African Savannah, Asian jungles, Arabian Desert and more at Dubai’s ticket to the wild.
Know Before You Go
Best time to visit: Early opening hours or late evenings
Suggested Duration: 5 Hours
Closest Bus Stop: Al Warsan 1, Eppco 2
Opening Hours
- Open every day from 9 AM to 5 PM
- Last entry for ticket holders4 PM
- Last entry for non-ticket holders3:30 PM
- Holy Month of Ramadan: 10 AM to 6 PM
Must-do
- Guided Tour Villages
- Reptile House
- Safari Journey
- Animal Feeding
Address
Al Warqa 5 Dubai United Arab Emirates
Reasons to Visit Dubai Safari Park
- Home to 2,500 animals, birds, and reptiles belonging to 250 different species
- The DH150 million project educates about animals and ecosystems
- Focuses on the conservation and breeding of endangered species
- Replicates animals’ natural habitats like Savannah and rainforests
- Education programs for local schools
- Kid-friendly zoo and interactive theatre
- Interactive games and activities like the cheetah race
Dubai Safari Park the Top Attractions
Guided Tour Villages
These villages can only be accessed by a vehicle. A professional and friendly guide will lead the way, providing informative, interesting and fun commentary.
Arabian Desert Safari
When you step into Dubai Safari Park, your exciting journey starts with a tour of the Arabian Village. Sit back in a comfy tram and let your knowledgeable guide tell you about the animals and creatures in this delicate desert environment.
Animals: Addax, Arabian Oryx, Arabian gazelle, etc.
Time Taken: 10-15 minutes for tram tour; 30 mins at petting zoo
Explorer Village
Explorer Village is the best thing to see in the park. It’s an exciting journey that goes from Africa to Asia. When you hop into a 4WD vehicle, get ready to see many animals in the UAE’s best safari park.
Animals: Cheetah, Hippo, Giraffe, Zebra, Lions etc.
Time Taken: 60-90 minutes
Walking Tour Villages
You can walk around these villages whenever you want. If you have any questions about the displays, there are experts who can help you.
African Village
Experience Africa by visiting a village with many animals like mammals and reptiles. When you enter, you’ll see big baobab trees, creating the atmosphere for your tour of the African Savannah.
Animals: White Lion, Hyena, Chimpanzee, Elephant etc.
Time Taken: 60-90 minutes
Asian Village
The Asian Village is known for its group of orangutans. Orangutans originally come from Indonesia and Polynesia, and are at a high risk of becoming extinct.
Animals: Black bear, Orangutans, Komodo dragons etc.
Time Taken: 20-45 minutes
Wadi
Al Wadi, also called the valley, is where you can get your energy back. You can chill out under tall trees, have a picnic with your family, or enjoy a meal from the two genuine Arabian restaurants there.
Animals: Ducks, Peacocks, Swans, Pelicans
Time Taken: 1 hour
Kids Farm
The Kids Farm at Dubai Safari Park lets kids learn what it’s like to live on a farm. They can interact with various farm animals, such as ponies, cows, sheep, goats, ducks, chickens, donkeys, and more. This experience helps them understand how to care for animals and learn about where they live.
Animals: Donkey, Sheep, Pony, Parrot etc.
Time Taken: 30 minutes
The Grand Aviary
If you’re interested in birds, check out the Grand Aviary. There, you can see all kinds of birds, such as Canaries, Australian Cockatiels, Red-billed Toucans, American White Pelicans, and many seabirds. It’s a great place to awaken your inner bird enthusiast!
Animals: Cockatiel, Toucan, Pelican etc.
Time Taken: 30-45 minutes
Park Experiences – Live Shows
Exciting Animals Around the World: Join this fun show to see different birds and mammals doing their usual things in the sky, water, and on the ground.
Time Taken: 25 mins
Behind the Scenes Tours
The tour lets you get close to the animals and their caretakers. You’ll be driven around the place in a private vehicle, and the guide will teach you about how they take care of animals.
Time Taken: 90 minutes
Park Timings
Opening Hours
- Open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM
- Timings during Ramadan: 10 AM to 6 PM
Live Shows and Interactions
Bird Show, Explorer Village:
- First Show: 12 PM
- Second Show: 2 PM
Amazing Creatures Show, Asian Village:
- First Show: 1 PM
- Second Show: 3 PM
Birds of Prey Show:
- Daily at 4 PM
Giraffe Feeding, Explorer Village:
- Daily at 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM, 2:30 PM, 4 PM
Animal Encounters
- Guinea Pigs Feeding: 10 AM to 2 PM
- Kids Farm Aviary Feeding: 12 PM, 3:45 PM
- Kids Farm Goat Feeding: 11:30 AM, 4:15 PM
- Pony Walk & Goat Feeding: 10 AM, 1 PM, 3 PM
How to Reach Dubai Safari Park?
Dubai Safari Park is located in Al Waqra 5 on Hatta Road. The main road is Al Awir, opposite Desert Palm Resort. The park is easily accessible by cab from major Dubai landmarks at the following distances:
- Dubai International Airport – 17 km
- Dubai city – 23 km
- Jumeirah Beach area – 25 km
- Palm Jumeirah area – 41 km
- Sharjah – 30 km
The closest bus stops are:
- Al Warsan 1 Bus Stop – Pick up bus 8E from this stop near International City and Al Warqaa metro station to reach Dubai Safari Park.
- Eppco 2 Bus Stop – Take bus E11 from this stop near Emirates Petroleum Products Company and Emarat Petrol Station to get to the Dubai Safari Park entry gate.
Both bus rides will take around 20 minutes from the respective stops. Cab rides typically take 15-20 minutes to reach from Dubai, depending on traffic. Plan for extra travel time during rush hours. There is parking available within Dubai Safari Park.
Things to Follow While Visiting Dubai Safari Park
Here are tips for first-time Dubai Safari Park visitors:
- Purchase the Safari Journey package for full access at a discount.
- Download the park map since the extensive grounds can get confusing.
- Opt for the Safari Journey Plus package to utilize the free buses for transportation within the park. Otherwise, Safari Taxis cost extra per ride.
- Plan trips during October-January when the weather is ideal for outdoor sightseeing.
- Dress comfortably and pair with good walking shoes. Also, put on a hat and sunscreen.
- Participate in animal feeding sessions for intimate encounters.
- Arrive early and utilize guided tours to see exhibits before crowds gather.
- Plan for a minimum of 5 hours to experience major attractions.
- Pre-booking tickets online saves time and money.
Savoring Delights at Dubai Safari Park
Dubai Safari Park features four main restaurants situated in different park villages:
- Bait Al Qadeem (near Chimpanzee stop) –It is known for local and Arabic dishes plus Persian cuisines representing Dubai’s cultural diversity.
- Oregano (African Village Plaza) –This is a casual Italian dining with rustic décor and al fresco atmosphere. It has a family-friendly service and traditional Ligurian-inspired recipes.
- Local House (near Explorer Vill–ge) – It provides Mediterranean cuisine in ambiance paying homage to regional culinary history and traditions.
- La Venecia (Glass Building) – Italian fare like pasta and pizza served with unique views of the bird aviary. It is a perfect recharge spot before continuing your journey.
- Additionally, various international food trucks and kiosks are located throughout the park and offer quick snacks like Indian and Asian cuisines to satisfy all tastes during your visit.
Collectables from Dubai Safari’s Souvenir Haven
Dubai Safari Park features two distinct souvenir shops: Zawadi in the African Village and Soko in the main building. Both themed stores offer a diverse collection of items to commemorate your park visit, including toys, plush animals, apparel, and a variety of gifts and souvenirs.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)