Dubai Safari Park

Coordinates: 25°10′39″N 55°26′57.84″E / 25.17750°N 55.4494000°E / 25.17750; 55.4494000
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Dubai Safari Park
Previously known as Dubai Zoo
LocationDubai, United Arab Emirates
Coordinates25°10′39″N 55°26′57.84″E / 25.17750°N 55.4494000°E / 25.17750; 55.4494000
StatusOperating
Opened12 December 2017 (2017-12-12)
Operated byDubai Municipality
ThemeSafari
Area12.8 million Square feet[1]
Websitewww.dubaisafari.ae

Dubai Safari Park (Arabic: دُبَي سَفَارِي بارك, romanized: Dubai Safari Park) is an eco-friendly[2] safari park[3] located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The park's major source of energy is solar energy.[4] The park is located on Al Warqa 5 on the Hatta Road.[5][6]

The park has around 3000 animals from 78 species of mammals – including 10 different carnivores and 17 primates, 50 types of reptiles, 111 kinds of birds, and amphibians and invertebrates.[7][8]

The park replaced the Dubai Zoo on its 50th anniversary.[9][10] On 15 May 2018, the park closed for renovations and improvements until being reopened in October 2020.[11][12]

History[edit]

The old Dubai zoo was replaced by Dubai Safari Park when It only had a collection of 1000 animals. The park consists of 12.8 million square feet of area.[13] The old park had faced criticism internationally about the conditions the animals were kept in: caged up, very little space, barely able to move. It was obvious that there had to be a much larger, more open, more modern habitat for the animals.

Keeping in mind the tourism increase in Dubai, Dubai Municipality took the decision of increasing and moderating the Dubai zoo. $40.8 million were allocated to the project. The Project was given to Meraas, the main shareholder of Dubai Parks and Resorts operator. Parques Reunidos was hired as operation manager.[14] The park was opened on 12 December 2017, but closed for renovations and improvements in May 2018.[11]

Villages[edit]

Addaxes at Dubai Safari Park

Dubai Safari Park has five key areas: African Village, Explorer village, Asian Village, Arabian Desert Safari, and Al Wadi.[15] Visitors can also explore the free-roaming areas, such as the Safari Journey and Kids Farm.

The park also has two themed souvenir shops Zwadi and Soko, which are located in African Village and the main building respectively. Each shop has a range of items, such as toys, plush animals, apparel, gifts and souvenirs to commemorate the visit to the park.

African Village[edit]

Home to a range of animal species from the continent of Africa, housing some of the world’s largest and smallest land mammals, from the African elephant to the Meerkat.

Explorer Village[edit]

Explorer village is an open area where visitors can go by bus and have an amazing close encounter with animals from Africa and Asia, including giraffes, lions and tigers.

  • Safari Journey A unique 45-minute experience where you will embark on a drive-through adventure and have the opportunity to spot animals from Africa and Asia from a close range inside one of our Safari Buses. You will be accompanied by our knowledgeable guides, who will talk about the animals, answer your questions and feed your curiosity with interesting stories and fun facts.

Asian Village[edit]

The village is influenced by the ornate architecture of Asia and is home to animals from Asia, including the Komodo dragon and Indian elephant.[16]

Arabian Desert Safari[edit]

Arabian Desert Safari is a drive-through attraction spanning over 60,000 square meters, and is inspired by the vast deserts of Western Asia, including its mountains, flowers and plants. The main highlight of the Arabian Desert Safari in Dubai Safari Park[17] is the Petting Zoo or Children’s Farm. The zoo allows you and your kids to interact with the animals. It has animal species from the Arabian Peninsula, like the Arabian oryx and Arabian wolf.[18]

Al Wadi[edit]

Al Wadi "The Valley" area is created for relaxation after the long safari visit. The ground is lush green with ponds of fishes where you can watch fishes and waterfalls.

Kids Farm[edit]

The Kids Farm is a newly created section, which has some of the park's friendliest animals, including sheep, donkeys, ponies, goats, ducks, birds, amongst others. The area is designed with a view kept in mind of learning for children.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Gillett, Katy (27 September 2022). "Dubai Safari Park reopens today with new animals and experiences". The National. Retrieved 28 March 2023.
  2. ^ "Mohammed bin Rashid visits AED 1.25 bn Dubai Safari Park". Arabian Business. 25 December 2017. Retrieved 30 December 2017.
  3. ^ "Mohammad tours Dubai Safari Park". WAM. Gulf News. 24 December 2017. Retrieved 30 December 2017.
  4. ^ "Dubai Safari Park: Be A Part of A Wildlife Adventure Amidst The Desert!". Shout Out UK. Retrieved 28 March 2023.
  5. ^ "Free entry to Dubai Safari ends on Wednesday". gulfnews.com. Retrieved 28 March 2023.
  6. ^ "Dubai Safari Park reopens its doors for winter season". Time Out Dubai. Retrieved 28 March 2023.
  7. ^ "Sheikh Mohammed takes a tour of Dubai Safari". whatson.ae. Retrieved 30 December 2017.
  8. ^ Nick Webster (12 December 2017). "First look inside the walls of Dh1 billion Dubai Safari". The National. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  9. ^ Sajila Saseendran (13 December 2017). "Two weeks of free entry to Dubai Safari". Gulf News. Retrieved 30 December 2017.
  10. ^ "Four African elephants arrive at Dubai Safari". gulfnews.com. Retrieved 28 March 2023.
  11. ^ a b "Dubai Safari park to close on May 15". Khaleej Times. 13 May 2018. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
  12. ^ "Dubai Safari reopens with a wide range of new adventures after two years". gulfnews.com. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  13. ^ "Dubai Safari Park to reopen with new animals, adventures". gulfnews.com. Retrieved 13 June 2019.
  14. ^ McCaffrey, Sam (9 April 2018). "Parques Reunidos takes over operation of Dubai Safari". Blooloop. Retrieved 28 March 2023.
  15. ^ "Dubai Safari Park". www.dubaisafari.ae. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
  16. ^ "Dubai Safari gets new wildlife additions". The National. Retrieved 13 June 2019.
  17. ^ "Dubai Safari Park Tickets | Re-Opening on 27 September!". www.dubaisafaripark-tickets.com. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
  18. ^ "Dubai Safari – everything you need to know". Time Out Dubai. Retrieved 28 November 2018.

External references[edit]

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