Al-Ain Zoo (Al Ain Wildlife Sanctuary and Park). Al Ain Zoo, Al Ain: reviews Useful information for tourists

Al Ain Zoo is the largest in the Middle East. It covers an area of ​​400 hectares. The zoo was created back in 1968 under the patronage of the father of the country, Sheikh Zayed, and in 2006 it was completely reconstructed.

At the Al Ain Zoo you will see the most wonderful animals that can be found in different parts of the world. More than 4,300 animals of 184 species are represented here, including 2,500 mammals, 1,200 birds and 600 reptiles. All animals live in a huge, well-groomed, fenced area, which is as close as possible to their real habitat. The creators of the zoo try very hard to make all the animals feel comfortable and natural.

The Al Ain Zoo displays many animals and birds of the Arabian Peninsula, a huge collection big cats, including rare white tiger, as well as reptiles and nocturnal inhabitants, gorillas, chimpanzees and their relatives, zebras, giraffes, rhinoceroses, penguins and many other inhabitants, it is simply impossible to list them all.

Visitors also have the unique chance to see the daily evening game bird show, which starts at 19.30. Little visitors will enjoy the opportunity to feed giraffes with carrots or lettuce, ride camels or visit the farm-style Elezba section with baby sheep, goats, llamas, camels, chickens and ducklings. Every year, babies are born on the zoo grounds, and if you're lucky, you might get to see it small miracle. 2012, for example, was the year of the “baby boom” at the Al Ain Zoo, with the highest increase in births recorded.

The Al Ain Zoo also has an aquarium, a terrarium, gardens (flowers and native plants, medicinal herbs, fruits and vegetables, nature conservation garden), recreation areas and barbecues, cafes and shops.

Al Ain Zoo is a great place for the whole family to relax and have fun. People visit the zoo different ages from young to old, and everyone is delighted with what they see. All conditions for a comfortable visit have been created for guests of the zoo - these are special canopies that allow you to create shade and coolness, a train with open cabins or renting electric cars with a driver to facilitate movement, cozy cafes and much more.

If you love animals, then Al Ain Zoo will be a great place to spend your leisure time during your trip to the UAE!

Entry tickets: 15 Dirham adults, 10 Dirham children (3-12 years), children under 3 years free

Schedule: daily from 16:00 to 22:00 from May to October, from 9:00 to 20:00 from November to April, on holidays from 10:00 to 22:00

Address: Near Mount Jebel Hafeet, Al Ain

Vacationing in Al Ain? Then never miss a trip to the local zoo with your child, which is considered one of the largest in the Middle East region. This animal house, located in the Al-Ain Wild Life Park and Resort, is quite old - it was opened back in 1968. In 2006, reconstruction was carried out here, and today it is a huge, well-groomed area where a great variety of species of animals and birds live. Today, the area of ​​the zoo is about 400 hectares, and this is not the limit, as local authorities say. Once here, you and your baby will be able to observe the life of animals in their usual habitats.

Al Ain Zoo is home to animals from almost every corner globe. Here you will see animals from Africa, Australia, the Middle East and Far East and other continents. The Animal House has 35 species of reptiles, 88 species of the most different birds and 68 species of mammals. In addition, it has its own large aquarium. There is nothing like this in any other zoo in the United Arab Emirates. By visiting the aquarium, your child will get acquainted with the fauna and flora of various seas. Children especially like the huge ones sea ​​lions. The territory of the zoo is conveniently divided into thematic zones.

The first and one of the largest zones is home to representatives of the cat family. You will see cages with lions, tigers, leopards, lynxes, panthers, cheetahs and other species of big wild cats. In the second zone, reptiles await you. There are several terrariums in which snakes, turtles and the most comfortable live. different lizards: from miniature to huge. In the third zone there is an area for nocturnal animals. Darkened rooms have been created for them, in which owls, rodents, hedgehogs and many other animals and birds feel as comfortable as possible.

The bird zone is the fourth, where small and medium-sized birds live. As for such feathered giants as flamingos, peacocks and ostriches, their place of residence is in open enclosures. Penguins live in a separate bird house. By the way, in the bird zone, on a specially equipped area, a spectacular bird show is held every evening. Do not miss! There is also an area at the Al Ain Zoo where primates live, including orangutans, chimpanzees and large gorillas.

Al-Ain Wild Life Park and Resort is an ideal location for... family vacation. On its territory you can meet both noisy little children and silent old people enjoying the lush green vegetation and a pleasant, calm atmosphere. Zoo guests feel very comfortable here even in the most intense heat - large canopies have been built especially for them, under which they can find life-giving shade and take a little break from the heat. A small train with open carriages runs through the area, and you can have a snack in one of the small cozy cafes.

Al Ain Zoo is one of the best environmental, entertainment and educational places you can go to if you are on holiday in Abu Dhabi. Especially if you have a family with children and you want to look at animals in conditions as close as possible to their natural environment habitat in nature. The park is surrounded by greenery, and the animals are kept not in cages, but in spacious enclosures. An area of ​​400 hectares is home to more than 4,000 animals 200 different types. You are guaranteed a unique holiday with both entertainment and educational elements.

The zoo was founded by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan in 1968. It is one of the most important tourist attractions both locally and globally. In 2006, reconstruction was carried out here. It is now the largest zoo of its kind in the Middle East and has been committed to preserving wildlife in the United United Arab Emirates by protecting environment and maintaining its resources in accordance with the best global standards. Al Ain Zoo provides the opportunity to see some of the endangered species being conserved and found in habitats similar to their own, and provides an educational experience on the importance of finding a safe haven for these species. Staff work closely with and support the academic community (schools and universities), raising awareness of saving and caring for endangered species.

Zoo territory

Of course, the most important thing in a zoo is its inhabitants. In Al Ain, the entire area with animals is divided into zones:

  • The largest zone is mammals. Representatives of the cat family, monkeys, artiodactyls, hippopotamuses, rhinoceroses live here - all these animals come from Africa and Asia.
  • Reptiles. Crocodiles, snakes, turtles, and lizards live in this zone.
  • Birds. Large representatives of birds: flamingos and ostriches live in open enclosures, small and medium-sized birds live in a separate bird house. Penguins also live separately.
  • Nocturnal inhabitants of the desert. Owls, rodents and other animals live here and feel more comfortable at night than during the day. In their enclosures created special conditions: dim light, temperature.

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There is also a Sheikh Zayed Training Center within the Al Ain Zoo. Its main mission is to teach others the knowledge already acquired through interactive exhibitions, multimedia and visual materials specially developed by world-class experts and specialists.

The center consists of five interactive galleries: Sheikh Zayed Hall of Remembrance, History of the Abu Dhabi Desert, Living World of Abu Dhabi, People of the Desert and Looking to the Future. During your visit training center You will almost be able to travel back in time: multimedia materials will take you to the past, present and future of the UAE.

Sheikh Zayed Training Center is the first building in the United Arab Emirates to achieve five accreditation points sustainable development during the design and construction phase, where strict standards set by the Abu Dhabi City Planning Council are applied. The center has also achieved LEED Platinum (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification.

Helpful information

The zoo has all the conditions for a comfortable and entertaining pastime. There are restrooms throughout the area and seating areas with canopies to provide shade from the heat. There are designated picnic areas and children's playgrounds. There is a special trailer that anyone can ride on. There are souvenir shops where you can buy something to remember your visit to the zoo, and you can have a snack in one of the cozy restaurants.

Zoo visitors also have the opportunity to interact more closely with animals. For this purpose, special farms have been organized on the territory where you can care for animals and their young: pet, feed and play with giraffes, llamas, sheep, ducks, donkeys and others. And also ride camels. At a special area in the bird house, a spectacular bird show is held every evening, in which people take part different representatives family of birds, demonstrating their dexterity and skills.

How to get to Al Ain Zoo

You can get to the zoo by taxi or rented car. From Dubai the journey will take about an hour and a half, and from Abu Dhabi the same. Popular taxi services in Dubai are Dubai Taxi and Uber. You can also order a car through the Dubai Road Transport Authority (RTA) smartphone app. It is also available in Russian. National Taxi is a popular service in Abu Dhabi.

If you get to the zoo by personal car, then you need to go towards the city of Al Ain. The zoo is part of entertainment complex Al-Ain Wild Life Park and Resort is a landmark for the navigator. The roads in the UAE are good, there are many signs, so it is very difficult to get lost in the desert. There is ample parking on site at the zoo.

You can also visit Al Ain Zoo as part of excursion bus. Typically, travel agencies take travelers to see the city itself and include a trip to the zoo as part of the excursion, but keep in mind that in this case you will be limited in time. Most likely, you will have about an hour or two at your disposal, and of course, this is very little. Therefore, experienced travelers recommend planning a visit to the zoo yourself.

Al Ain Zoo is one of the most attractive places for travelers in the UAE, founded in 1969. This zoo is located at the foot of the famous Jebel Hafeet mountain, 160 kilometers from the emirate of Abu Dhabi.

This park is considered the most significant zoo in the Middle East in terms of area - its area reaches 400 hectares. But not only this fact attracts numerous travelers from different parts of the world. The zoo has a truly calming effect; There is an atmosphere of tranquility here thanks to the huge amount of greenery, the shade of palm trees and flowering gardens.

Every visitor can feel complete solitude with nature in these places. In this wonderful place you will not see thick iron bars and confining, stuffy cages. The animals at Al Ain Zoo are kept in natural enclosures. Amazingly beautiful animals and the opportunity to observe their behavior are the main things that attract tourists to Al Ain.

Zoo inhabitants

Al Ain Zoo is not just another attraction, it is home to many animals whose homeland is considered to be Africa, Australia, India and the Middle East. The main population consists of animals and birds from the desert of the Arabian Peninsula.

In total, the zoo has more than 4 thousand animals of 180 species, of which approximately 30% are listed in the Red Book. Al Ain is fighting for their safety along with the Botanical Tropical garden in Miami "Fairchild", with the San Diego Zoo and World Association Zoos and Aquariums.

Al Ain Zoo offers visitors a wonderful opportunity to feed giraffes. Special places are equipped for this. You can also ride on the back of a slowly moving camel and visit the Elezba mini-zoo, designed in the style of local farms. This is a paradise for all children and animal lovers. There are domestic goats and sheep, llamas, chickens and ducks that you can pet, play with and feed.

Brief excursion

In total, the zoo has three main zones:

  • Cat House;
  • Reptile House;
  • Home of the night dwellers.

The cat family is particularly widely represented; remarkable White Lion, considered a very rare endangered species - there are less than two hundred individuals in the world. This area is also home to leopards, tigers and panthers.

The reptile house is filled with iguanas, snakes, lizards and turtles. These animals, of course, have to huddle in aquariums and terrariums, but even such “houses” are equipped with maximum convenience for their inhabitants.

Those animals and birds of the desert that lead predominantly night look life, gathered in the area of ​​​​the house of the night inhabitants. You can observe owls, rodents, hedgehogs and some Arabian wild cats. To make them feel comfortable, the animals’ “dwellings” are specially darkened and only have weak lighting.

To make it easier for visitors to move around, tours with a kind of “train” with open carriages have been launched throughout the park. Also in Al Ain there are special places for picnics, there are small cafes where you can have a snack and relax while enjoying the view, and playgrounds have been built for children.

Useful information for tourists

Operating mode: daily from 9:00 to 19:30; during periods of intense heat (from June to September) - from 16.00 to 21.00.

Zoo tickets: Ticket sales at the box office stop one hour before the zoo closes. You can see the prices of excursions to the Al Ain Zoo and buy a ticket online on the official website.

contact number: +97137992000.

Al Ain Zoo is located in the emirate of Abu Dhabi near the foot of Mount Jebel Hafeet. A huge space of 900 hectares was allocated in 1969 for the opening natural park, where animals could live in the most natural conditions possible. Here you will not find the usual cages: all enclosures are made suitable for their inhabitants, so that they feel comfortable and spacious.

Inhabitants of Al Ain Zoo

In total, 4,000 animals live here, they belong to 180 species, of which about 30% are on the verge of extinction. The park maintains their population and collaborates with other world zoos to maintain the animal diversity of our world.

The main territory of the zoo is divided into zones:


In addition, there are interactive areas where you can feed the giraffes healthy food: lettuce, carrots and other vegetables. Other entertainment options include camel riding and riding a special train past savannah animals.

Children's park

For children, the Al Ain Zoo has many recreational areas and interactive areas. Among them, the most delightful is the separate Elezba petting park, where you can pet and play with numerous young domestic animals and birds, such as llamas, camels, donkeys, sheep, goats, ducks, geese, and chickens.

Here children can feel like residents of real farms. They will groom, feed and care for the babies living here, and at the same time they will develop a love for animals and learn to appreciate the nature around them.

Children will be introduced to flora by the plant garden, where not only desert cacti grow, but fruit trees, flowers, majestic baobabs and other representatives of arid climates.

How to get to Al Ain Zoo?

You can get there from Dubai in 1.5 hours by your own car, taxi or bus. The roads here are good and there are signs along the way, so it’s impossible to get lost in the desert. In front of the entrance there is a large parking lot, where there is always free places. Another way to get here comfortably is to buy an excursion, which most often includes interesting city Al Ain (El Ain) plus meeting the zoo animals.

  • Address: Al Ain Zoo, Nahyan The First Street
  • Telephone: +971 3 7041500
  • Website: www.awpr.ae
  • Year of foundation: 1969
  • Total area: 900 ha
  • Working hours: 9:00-19:00 from September to June and 16:00-22:00 from June to September
  • Ticket price: adult $4, child $1.4

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Al Ain Zoo

Abu Dhabi Zoo

The Abu Dhabi Zoo is quite large, so the entry price of AED 25 for adults and AED 10 for children over two years old is really reasonable, especially when you consider that there are over 1,700 animals. The main highlights of the zoo are a pair of white tigers and a bear over 30 years old and weighing over 300 kg. The zoo has a humidification system that cools animals, guards and visitors even in hot weather. summer months. Of course, there are not only animals to look at, but also animals to pet and feed, as well as a seating area for visitors and some attractions. For example, at the Abu Dhabi Zoo there are bumper cars, computer games and other entertainment.

Abu Dhabi Zoo on the map

How to get to the zoo

The Abu Dhabi Zoo is not located on the outskirts, but about 35 km from the city, right on the Abu Dhabi Highway. The drive to the zoo from central Abu Dhabi takes about 30 minutes, and from central Dubai it takes about 60 minutes. This makes the zoo an ideal day trip destination from any of these famous cities.

Zoo Features

Not all animals at Abu Dhabi Zoo are easy to see this moment, because the zoo is gradually being rebuilt and enlarged. It is expected that he will have more than 2000 animals in the near future.
If you want to immerse yourself in the wild, you can stay overnight at the zoo as there are chalets set in man-made jungle landscapes. Various restaurants offer the opportunity to eat right at the zoo.
Is your child having a birthday while on holiday in Abu Dhabi? The zoo can organize a party for him!
They work at the zoo professional photographers who take amazing pictures. Visitors can take photos with the animals upon request. However, these services must be ordered separately in advance. In addition, the park is always hosting special events, which you can find out about in advance on the website.

Animals in the zoo

Abu Dhabi Zoo is divided into three sections: the Giraffe Park, the Raptor Zone and the Bird Park. At the Giraffe Park, you can navigate continuous paths through a varied, rocky desert landscape where giraffes live. Naturally, as you pass through the fence, the animals will approach you and you can feed the giraffes with branches and leaves. This is an unforgettable experience, especially for children.

In the predator zone you will see various big cats. Lions, tigers, white tigers, cheetahs and hyenas can delight many visitors. Of course, you won't be able to go through the fences here, but still try to stay away from the animals. Under certain circumstances, the cubs of these predators can be petted.
The bird park is home to many different species of birds. Here you can watch ratites, touch small birds and simply learn about birds that you have never seen before.

Opening hours and ticket prices

Abu Dhabi Zoo is located on Dubai Road, near the capital of the UAE, in the city of Al Rahba. There is a large parking lot near the zoo.
Opening hours: Sunday to Wednesday from 09:30 to 20:00 and from Thursday to Saturday from 09:30 to 21:00.
Entry costs AED 25 for adults and AED 10 for children.

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