Things to do in Dubai

Dubai Safari Park: A guide to explore the exotic wildlife species in Dubai

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Dubai Safari Park opened its doors for the 2023-2024 Season on October 5, 2023.

Embark on an unforgettable adventure at Dubai Safari Park, where a world of wildlife awaits! This expansive reserve, spanning 119 hectares, is home to an incredible array of exotic animals from across the globe. Immerse yourself in the wonders of the African Savannah, explore the lush jungles of Asia, and traverse the rugged Arabian Desert. With 3000 animals representing 250 species, Dubai Safari Park offers a truly captivating experience for nature enthusiasts of all ages . You’ll see majestic lions, graceful gazelles, and playful chimpanzees as you embark on a journey through meticulously recreated habitats. In this ultimate guide, we'll take you through the park's major attractions, provide essential information, and reveal some insider tips that will help you make the most of your visit.

Dubai Safari Park In A Nutshell


Dubai Safari Park
Dubai Safari Park
Dubai Safari Park

Know Before You Go

⏰ Suggested Duration:1 hour
☀️ Best Time to Visit:Early opening hours or late afternoon
💜 Must see:African Village
🎟️ Dubai Safari Park ticketsAED 90
🚇 Closest MetroAl Warsan 1, Eppco 2

Opening Hours

Open every day from 9am to 5pm
Last entry at 3:30pm

Must-do

Guided Tour Villages
Reptile House
Safari Journey
Animal Feeding

Address

Al Warqa 5 - Dubai - United Arab Emirates
Get Directions

Why Visit Dubai Safari Park


Dubai Safari Park
  • Immersive habitats: Step into meticulously crafted environments that transport you to the far corners of the Earth, from the African Savannah to the Asian jungles.
  • Diverse wildlife: The interactive park is home to 3,000 animals, birds, and reptiles, comprising of 250 different species from various habitats.
  • Educational experiences: A DH150 million project, Dubai Safari Park aims to educate visitors about the different animals and their ecosystems, taking them as close to the wild as possible.
  • Adventure tours: Embark on unforgettable adventures like Breakfast with Birds or thrilling safari drives through the various zones.

Scoring Dubai Safari Park Tickets


Inside Dubai Safari Park


Dubai Safari Park, formerly known as Dubai Zoo, has undergone a remarkable transformation. What was once a modest collection of 1000 animals has blossomed into a sprawling 12.8 million square foot sanctuary. The park now boasts four captivating villages, a Kid's Farm, the Wadi Area, and the highly anticipated Adventure Valley. Note that Arabian Desert Safari and Explorer Village can only be visited with a guided tour via tram or bus. Don't forget to stop by Zwadi in the African Village or Soko in the main building for unique souvenirs to commemorate your journey through Dubai Safari Park.

1Arabian Desert Safari

Dubai Safari Park

Dubai Safari Park offers an immersive adventure that begins with a guided tour of the Arabian Village. You can explore the desert ecosystem from the comfort of a luxurious tram while learning about the park's conservation efforts from an expert guide. The Children's Farm, or petting zoo, provides an interactive experience for families. Kids can engage in educational activities, such as trying on animal footprints and learning how to milk a goat or cow. This season, the Arabian Desert Safari features the Arabian Wolf as a new addition to the drive-through attraction.

Animals found
Addax, Arabian Oryx, Arabian gazelle, Sand gazelle, Mountain gazelle, Scimitar-horned Oryx, and Arabian Wolf
Time Taken
10-15 minutes for the tram tour; 30 mins at the petting zoo

2Explorer Village

Dubai Safari Park

Explorer Village is the crown jewel of Dubai Safari Park. Here, you can board a 4WD and traverse the African grasslands, where you'll encounter a troop of 70 baboons, majestic white rhinos, giraffes, zebras, and African lions. The adventure continues with the UAE's only drive-through tiger and hippo exhibits and the world's first drive-through Nile crocodile exhibit. In the Asian region, marvel at thars, mountain goats, cheetahs, and the UAE's largest elephant herd. Witness these gentle giants swim and play at the Elephant's Region, and pass under a waterfall at Tiger Falls. You can watch a Bird Show, feed giraffes at the platform, and get an underwater view of Hippos at the Hippo Aquarium.

Animals found
Cheetah, Hippo, South africa Giraffe, Giraffe, Sarus cranes, Guineafowl, Baboon, Zebra, African buffalo, Ostrich, Blackbuck, Nilgai, and Sambar Deer.
Time Taken
60 - 90 mins

3African Village

Dubai Safari Park

Get a taste of Africa as you step into this village’s diverse collection of mammals and reptiles. Upon entering, you’ll pass by huge baobab trees, setting the scene for your tour of the African Savannah. Visit two of the continent’s great apes (chimpanzees and gorillas). Watch lemur monkeys swinging in the trees, catch a family elephants, visit the UAE’s largest aviary exhibit, admire a plethora of snakes at the reptile house, and see pygmy hippos swimming in the water. And last, but certainly not least, witness lions laying in the grasslands.

Animals found
African White Lion, Spotted Hyena, Bongo, Chimpanzee, Pygmy Hippo, African Elephant, Gorilla, Flamingo, Ring Tailed Lemur, Black and White Lemur, and more.
Time Taken
60 - 90 mins

4 Asian Village

Dubai Safari Park

The Asian Village is characterized by its orangutan population. A species originally from Indonesia and Polynesia, orangutans are a severely endangered species. This village is home to the moon bear, also known as the Asian black bear. You can see Komodo dragons and other reptiles over here. Situated in the Asian Village is the park’s largest theater where you can watch the Creatures of the World show. Accommodating more than 600 people, the theatre features five different shows each day. This season white handed Gibbon is a new addition to the Asian Village.

Animals found
Black bear, Orangutans, Komodo dragons, Gibbon, Southern Cassowary, and Mandarin Duck
Time Taken
20 - 45 mins

5 Wadi

Dubai Safari Park

Al Wadi, also known as the valley, is a serene escape where you can relax beneath the canopy of towering trees, enjoy a family picnic, or savor a meal at one of the two authentic Arabian restaurants in the area. This section also offers leisurely activities along the riverbank, where you can observe a diverse array of birds, including peacocks, swans, and pelicans, and grab a snack from the numerous small kiosks. Serving as the hub of the park, Al Wadi connects all the villages, allowing you to stroll through and use it as a shortcut to reach different destinations.

Animals found
Duck, Peacocks, Swans, and Pelicans
Time Taken
1 hour

6 Kids Farm

Dubai Safari Park

Dubai Safari Park's Kids Farm offers children a unique opportunity to experience farm life and interact with various domestic animals. This dedicated walk-through area allows visitors, especially children, to meet and engage with ponies, cows, sheep, goats, ducks, chickens, donkeys, tortoises, various birds, and other farm animals. By interacting with these creatures, kids can learn about their habitats and develop a greater sense of care and appreciation for them. The Kids Farm combines the best aspects of a petting zoo and a farm in one convenient location. New addition for this season include goat feeding and a dedicated yard for the chickens.

Animals found
Donkey, Eurasian bullfinch, Cockatiel, Local duck, Love bird, Najdi sheep, Pony, Amazon parrot, and more
Time Taken
30 mins

7The Grand Aviary

Dubai Safari Park

To wake the ornithologist in you, make a visit to your feathered friends at the Grand Aviary. You can find every species of bird from Canary to the Australian Cockatiel, Red-billed Toucan to the American White Pelican, and a wreck of seabirds. The unique flock of birds from around the world who live across water, air, and land will leave you startled. The Aviary offers a lot to see and learn about and is a no-miss, especially if you have your little ones around.

Animals found
Australian Cockatiel, Red-billed Toucan, American White Pelican, and more
Time Taken
30-45 minutes

Dubai Safari Park Timings


  • Dubai Safari Park is open from 9am to 5pm, every day of the year including holidays.
  • Timings during the Holy Month of Ramadan will be from 10am to 6pm.
  • Towards the end of the season, which is around May the park operates from 10am to 6.30pm.

Live Shows and Interactions at Dubai Safari Park

  • Bird Show at Birds Prey Square:
    First Show: 12pm
    Second Show: 4pm
  • Amazing Creatures of the World at Asian Theatre, Asian Village:
    First show: 1pm
    Second show: 3pm
  • Birds of Prey at Bird Theatre, Explorer Village:
    First Show: 12pm
    Second Show: 2pm
  • Giraffe feeding at Explorer Village
    Daily at 10:30am, 12:30pm, 2:30pm and 4pm
  • Lemur feeding at African Village
    Daily at 12am and 4pm
  • Birds feeding at Kids Farm
    Daily at 12:00pm to 12:30pm & 3:45 to 4:15pm
  • Goat feeding at Kids Farm
    Daily at 11:30pm to 11:45am & 4:15pm to 4:30pm

Getting to Dubai Safari Park


By metro

The nearest Dubai Mtero station to Dubai Safari Park is Centerpoint. From here take the RTA bus no. F10 which will directly drop you at the park.

By Bus

Catch the RTA bus F10 from Rashidiya Bus Station to directly reach Dubai Safari park.

By taxi

Taxis are readily available throughout Dubai, and you can easily hail one to reach Dubai Safari Park. It’ll cost you approximately AED 50 if you are coming from Downtown Dubai.

Dubai Safari Park Map


Here is a handy map for you to navigate the park with ease.

Tips For First-Time Dubai Safari Park Visitors


  • Buy the Safari Journey Package: It gives you access to all the zones including a safari ride in the Explorer Village to make the most of your time while saving a few bucks.
  • It is always a good idea to download the map and keep it handy since the park is huge and you can get lost if you don’t follow the signs.
  • Purchase Safari Journey Plus Package to get around with ease and have free access to the buses. If not, you will need to pay extra every time you take a Safari Taxi (a small golf car) to get around.
  • Plan your visit during October to January when the days are not very humid since most of the park is located outdoors.
  • Wear a comfortable pair of shoes, bring a hat and sunscreen since Dubai is mostly sunny all year round.
  • Make sure to participate in the feeding sessions of your favorite animals if you want to get close and personal with them.

Dubai Safari Park Reviews


Great experience, we traveled with our 4 year old, he was very excited. I recommend with confidence. The best app to quickly get access to all the attractions without the need for intermediaries. I will be using it much more often.


Lucian, Headout, May 2024

The entry was smooth, thanks to headout tickets. The safari is well designed, be prepare to walk a lot (or use inside taxi service). Set aside 3-4 hours of your day easy. The higlight was the bus journey, our guide Francis did an amazing job, he was very knowledgeable and pleasnt especially when interacting with kids. Consider yourself luck if you end up in the same bus as he is in.


Yasir, Headout, Jan 2024

Dubai Safari Park Guide