Al Ain Zoo is one of those locations where one can not only watch animals resting in their natural habitat, but also lets people interact with them. From feeding the giraffes to playing with parakeets, people can enjoy various once in a lifetime experiences here.
At the Al Ain Zoo, visitors can feed giraffes up close, take camel rides, and interact with a variety of animals. This zoo is the region's largest and most acclaimed, with transparent enclosures housing locals and exotics such as Arabian oryx, Barbary sheep, rhinos, hippos, tigers, and lions.
In addition to being well known for its conservation and breeding programs, this zoo offers visitors the chance to walk through a lemur enclosure. Picnic areas and play areas are available along with restaurants and cafes for lunch. Additionally, the wildlife area can be toured by train.
At the Zoo, the Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Centre is housed in a beautiful building that has been awarded the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum certification. In addition to it, the Desert Conservation Center is a great place for learning about the UAE's natural environment.
A park with 217 hectares of land has many species of animals, including lions, white rhinos, zebras, wildebeests, gazelles, kudu, scimitar oryx, and addax. Dinner with the Lions is a wonderful way to end your evening. Enjoy a sumptuous meal while you watch the lions at play.
Highlights
• Exploring over 200 species in an untamed manner is no less than a delight for wildlife lovers.
• Enjoy seeing the animals having their meals or even try your hands at feeding a few giraffes.
• The Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Center is available to the public which educates us about the desert lifestyle and its ecosystem which includes the flora and fauna as well.
• A visit to the crocodile and hippo exhibits to have a close look at them.
• You get to enjoy the Desert Socks Show which is the most famous attraction here.
• Enjoy feeding the penguin.
• Zoo has a great collection of Arab Sand Cats.
• Enjoy the various activities while camping here which include art and craft, recycling, face painting, gardening, and team-building games.
How To Reach
From Dubai: The location is approx 130 km and it is easily reachable through car/taxi via Al Ain - Dubai Rd/E66.
From Abu Dhabi: Take line 990 bus from Al Ain - Tawam Hospital to Al Ain - Zoo and you will reach in no time.
Best Time To Visit
The Zoo is operational from 9:00 AM to 8:00 Pm daily yet the best time to visit is during the weekdays, as on weekends it is generally crowded. Additionally, make sure that you visit here early in the morning to catch a glimpses of the morning routines of these wild animals.
Other Essential Information
Here is the list of best places to eat in Al-Ain zoo
1. Yalanji Cafe- Food in this cafe tastes like it is home-cooked, and it's served in a rustic style. The meals here are served in a traditional way that makes them look even more delicious. The utensils are quite appealing for country lovers or old-school persons.
2. Zarafa Cafe - The menu includes biryani, pizza, pasta, burgers, Arabic grills, and more. This is probably the best place to have a lunch meal at the zoo as the prices of the meals here are pocket-friendly so that you don’t have to worry about your expenses while you dine over your favorite appetizers.
3. Stack Restaurant- The restaurant is most recommended for its Stuffed Burger and Mona Lisa Pizza. It is also known for its great hospitality. The food served here is a perfect balance of taste and quality.
4. Blue Kitchen- The atmosphere is classy, authentic, and cozy with a very friendly staff. Taking into consideration excellent quality control, the food here is just great. By using the finest ingredients at good prices, and making their own bread and pastries, they really value their customers. There's no better place to feed a hungry stomach in Al Ain than this one.
5. Ravi Restaurants and Sweets- If you got a sweet tooth or love enjoying the chatpati chaats then this restaurant and sweet shop should definitely be on your itinerary. The delicacies served here have a perfect blend of taste and texture and gastronomers are surely going to fall in love with the place.
Shopping at Al Ain zoo
The trip to Al Ain is incomplete without purchasing some souvenirs, and it is the perfect way to bring back a touch of nostalgia. Buying gifts for your family or friends who couldn't make it with you on this trip can be another way to show that you care. Make sure you visit the Gift Shops scattered throughout the Zoo, so you can find just the perfect gift for your loved ones. The gift shop has a huge collection of replicas of the rich flora and fauna here.
Tips for Visiting Al Ain Zoo
- Visit the Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Center for some additional information about the ecosystem of the desert.
- The children's zoo is a great place to take them and educate them about wildlife. You can also enjoy horse rides and camel rides.
- As the fastest land animal chases the wind, you can experience what it is like for a cheetah to outrun you. Al-Ain Zoo holds these events in its amphitheater which are fun to watch as well as educative for the kids. Watch Nazik, Cleo and Firas compete in the Cheetah Run competition at the zoo.
Animals at Al Ain zoo
The zoo was founded in 1969 and is the largest in the United Arab Emirates. Aside from endemic mammals such as Arabian antelopes, giraffes, and elands, visitors can also see African giraffes, African gazelles, and Arabian oryx. In the big cat enclosures, you can find lions, tigers, pumas, jaguars, and leopards. In addition, the establishment has an aviary, a monkey enclosure, and a reptile house.
More than 30 percent of the animals that can be found here are extinct. The zoo is known for its research facilities and breeding programs. With the Al Ain Safori, the zoo's latest expansion, animals from Africa and the Arabian Gulf (including some critically endangered species) are visitable in a more natural setting. You can only visit this area of the zoo by Jeep or truck. The most popular birds you can spot here include the Desert Eagle Owl, Chilean Flamingo, Emu Bird, Blue-necked OstrichLesser Flamingo, Steppe Eagle, Vulturine Guineafowl, Greater Flamingo.
Experiences at Al Ain zoo
In addition to the petting zoo, the camel rides give you an overview of the zoo while riding over the humped animal. Giraffe feeding activities which is the most pleasurable activity you are supposed to pay a little for the grass that is fed to these lovely towering creatures. There is a children's garden, which encourages biodiversity education for the kids. There are many other family-friendly attractions that could be experienced. The most loved attraction here is the Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Center, which features exhibits dedicated to the Arabian Gulf's desert ecology and environment. The zoo also has a garden for kids and various educational and team-building activities making for an offbeat experience of the zoo.
The most lovely experiences here include Al Ain Mountain Bike ride, Bicycle trail, Cheetah Run, Penguin Feeding, Parrot Show, Wings Of The Sahara Show, Reptile encounter, budgie feeding, etc. The most memorable experience here is that the zoo's owners are happy to host your special event or party either on-site or inside their well-equipped venue. The proficient chefs will prepare your favorite cuisines for the breakfast, lunch, and dinner buffets. Bring your guests to the zoo, the staff is ready to serve them delicious juices, fancy main courses, and delightful desserts.
Tourism Board Alliances
Al Ain Zoo FAQs
How many animals are there in Al Ain Zoo?
How much is the entrance fee to Al Ain Zoo?
How far is Al Ain Zoo from Abu Dhabi?
Is food allowed in Al Ain Zoo?
What is the best time to visit Al Ain Zoo?
What to wear in Al Ain Zoo
Al Ain Zoo Reviews
