If your Abu Dhabi plans are starting to feel repetitive, there is one place that deserves to be on your itinerary. The Al Ain Zoo is a full-scale wildlife escape with luxury experiences, conservation history and cinematic landscapes in the desert. It houses the world’s largest man-made safari and the Middle East’s largest zoo, all-in-one.
Think breakfast besides giraffes, safari drives with white rhinos, lions prowling besides your dinner table and the dramatic views of Jebel Hafeet. And the best part? It’s only a road trip from Abu Dhabi!
What you can expect from Al Ain Zoo & Safari
At the Al Ain Zoo, you will find over 200 species and over 4,000 animals in total. There are 180 species and approximately 30% are registered in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
The Al Ain Zoo was founded in the year 1968 by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The vision was to protect endangered wildlife and preserve the UAE heritage. And that it did.
Different zones and cafes in Al Ain Zoo
The 900-acres land is divided into four main zones for animals. Each zone is named according to the landscape of animals that live there.
First comes the Savannah Plains, where you will find greater flamingos, cheetahs, giraffes, hippopotamus, southern white rhinos, spotted hyenas, gorilla and iguanas. The Oasis Cafe is tucked in this zone with aromatic coffee, fresh juices, curated sandwiches and crunchy salads.
Next is the Desert Dunes zone, straight from the Arabian desert. It houses animals like the Arabian Oryx, gazelles, antelopes and more. The animals are majestic and the food includes Bites Corner, Wild Burger and Saqar’s Snacks.
The Monsoon Jungle comes next with Asia’s tropical lush habitats. The animals include the Amur or Siberian tigers, mugger crocodiles, mongoose, Aldabra tortoises, Barbary sheep, caracals, Desert or Pharaoh Eagle Owl and the infamous Nubian Ibex. The Zarafa Restaurant, Taste of Arabia and Asia Express are famous for their amazing taste and spread of culinary options.
The last zone is the Eucalyptus Forest in Al Ain, a replica of the great Australian outdoors. The second largest birds in the world, the emus make up the list of animals in this zone. They cover long distances with sheer will and power runs. The flora and fauna in this area are a highlight with gorgeous creepers and flowers marking the zone.
You can either choose to go around walking and hopping across the zones. Or you could use the Zoo Train for easier internal communication! You can also choose the Shuttle Service and let the bus guide you to the different zones and experiences.
Once-in-a-lifetime experiences at Al Ain Zoo
Breakfast with giraffes
You can enjoy the signature morning experience at Al Ain with giraffes casually wandering nearby while you eat breakfast. It’s a relaxing, interactive and rare wildlife encounter that many cherish for life. Make sure you go early for nicer lighting and cooler weather.
- Timings: Every Saturday; 9AM to 10:30AM
- Price: AED 252 per guest
- Ticket inclusions: Entry to Al Ain Zoo, giraffe feeding experience, breakfast
Dinner with lions
At this experience, you can dine with the pride of lions. You are separated by a giant glass viewing wall and enjoying a luxurious three-course meal. Watching these massive predators moving so graciously while enjoying fine and dine, it is a surreal experience.
- Timings: Every Saturday; 4:30PM to 7:30PM
- Price: AED 3300 per group of 6
- Ticket inclusions: Entry to Al Ain Zoo, private guided Safari SUV, three-course dinner, retail souvenir
Cheetah runs
The Cheetah run is the ‘fastest show’ in the UAE. Instead of seeing a cheetah lying under a tree, you get to see them accelerate from 0 to 100km/h in just 3 seconds.
- Pro tip: If you position yourself towards the end of the track, you will get the best view there is. The cheetah hits peak velocity towards the middle and the end of the track, and this is where you will get the best slow-motion video.
Wings of the Sahara
The Wings of the Sahara store is also called The Sky Theatre. The line-up has a massive cast of raptors (including falcons, eagles, vultures, and the desert eagle owl). This show highlights the tradition Falconry practices, embedded in Emirati heritage. It is usually scheduled for late afternoons (around 5PM or 6PM) to catch the cooler air and the ‘Golden Hour’.
Houses, playgrounds and more
The Cat House puts the remarkably stunning white lion in the spotlight. Less than 200 white lions are on the planet, making it an extremely rare endangered species. Tigers, leopards, cougars and panthers dot the landscape in this house.
The Reptile House is full of snakes, turtles, lizards and iguanas. These animals are houses in aquariums and terrariums, and honestly live much more comfortably than many humans.
And there are the animals and birds that love the desert, the ones who take to the skies and grounds at night. You will find the owls, hedgehogs, gnawing animals, and a few Arabic wild cats. Their houses are artificially darkened and only a small weak light rests inside.
There also exists the infamous Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Centre. Don’t skip it just because it sounds educational. The visually impressive building is futuristic and inside you will find interactive galleries, immersive exhibits and a massive 3D theatre exploring the environmental history of UAE.
Key information
- Location: Al Ain Zoo, Nahyan The First St, Shiab Al Ashkhar, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Timings: 9AM to 7:30PM daily
- Prices: From AED 10 for ages 4-11 and AED 30 for 12+ ages
- To book your ticket, click here.
