Dubai: Thinking of what to do with the kids over the Eid break? How about taking a trip to a neighbouring emirate (or staying in your city) and going to the zoo?
Not only does a trip to the zoo provide children with lasting memories of interacting with animals, it can also significantly increase their scientific learning about animals and habitats, according to a 2011 by the University of Warwick, UK.
The study looked at 3,000 children, and asked them about their knowledge of animals, habitat and conservation before and after a zoo trip.
The results showed that 53 per cent of the children had a positive change in educational or conservation-related knowledge areas, and amongst those who had not previously registered a concern about species extinction, 39 per cent switched to registering such a concern directly after a zoo trip.
The UAE provides families with various experiences to interact with animals and gain a better appreciation of the need for conservation, and zoos are one of more budget-friendly educational experiences that can have a lasting impact on how your child interacts with Nature.
Here is a list of zoos in the UAE, for you to plan out your weekend trip.
1. Al Ain – Al Ain Zoo
Timings
Every day from 9am to 8pm
Ticket prices
Dh31.50 for adults
Dh10.50 – three to 12 years old.
10 per cent discount if you book online, through alainzoo.ae
Location
The zoo is located near the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) Al Ain Women’s College on Al Nahyan the First street.
About the zoo
Founded in 1968 by the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding father of the UAE, Al Ain Zoo is the largest zoo in the Middle East, and currently home to over 4,000 animals across 200 species.
Take a look at the African Lion and Rothschild’s Giraffe, or take pictures while feeding the penguins. You can also visit the Sheikh Zayed desert learning centre, which provides information on the environment in Abu Dhabi and the kind of animals it has, which is a good educational experience for children.
2. Dubai – Dubai Safari Park
Timings
Every day from 9am to 5pm
Ticket prices
Dubai Safari Park has various ticket categories, depending on the experience you wish to choose. The starting prices (for a Day Pass) are as follows:
Dh50 for adults
Dh20 for children aged three to 12 years old.
Children under three enter for free. A Person of Determination and two companions can enter for free, by providing an original Person Of Determination card.
Location
Dubai Safari Park is located in Al Warqa 5, along the Ras Al Khor Road E44. You can reach the park by taking Exit 53, when driving along Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311).
About the zoo
Dubai Safari Park is home to around 3,000 animals, living on the 119-hectare site. Spanning over 119-hectares – or around 166 football fields – the park provides the service of a tram, which take visitors from one enclosure to another.
The different enclosures at Dubai Safari Park are the Arabian Desert Safari, the Asian Village, the Explorer Village, the African Village, the Kids Farm and Al Wadi, where visitors can relax and have a picnic.
3. Abu Dhabi – Emirates Park Zoo and resort
Timings
Every day from 9am to 9pm
Ticket prices
Dh50
Children younger than three years of age can enter for free.
Location
The zoo is located in the Al Shahama area, and if you are travelling from the direction of Dubai, you will find signs for the zoo, when driving down E11 (Sheikh Maktoum Bin Rashid), after you cross the Al Rahba area.
About the zoo
The zoo offers visitors the chance to see wild cats, like lions, tigers, panthers and leopards, as well as elephants, giraffes, zebras and more. You can pick up feeding grass or other food for the animals at the entrance, and enjoy engaging with the animals along your trip.
4. Ajman – UAE Pygmy Zoo
Timings
Weekdays from 2pm till 11pm
Weekends from 1pm to 12 midnight
Ticket prices
Dh15 for adults
Dh10 3-12 years old
Children younger than three years of age enter for free
Location
The zoo is located in the Al Zorah development, which you will find fall on your left, as you drive down E11 (Al Ittihad Road), after you pass City Centre Ajman.
About the zoo
The zoo is a family friendly destination, offering activities like horse riding, the opportunity to feed animals, interact with puppies and cats or take pictures with parrots. There is also a playing area and outdoor cinema for children, and multiple food vendors.
5. Umm Al Quwain - The Zoo Wild Life Park
Timings
Every day from 8am to 7pm
Ticket prices
Dh25 for all ages. Children younger than a year old enter for free.
Location
The zoo is located along E55 (Al Shuwaib-Umm Al Quwain Road). The easiest way to reach the location is to enter the following plus code - CMJP+GJ Umm Al Quawain - into the navigation app on your smartphone.
About the zoo
The Zoo Wildlife Park offers visitors the chance to see animals like lions, tigers, bears and crocodiles as well as the resident celebrity – Habouba the orangutan, who is happy to go on walks with visitors around the park. You can also feed animals and enjoy a horse ride.
6. Ras Al Khaimah – Ras Al Khaimah Wildlife Park
Timings
Every day from 9am to 9pm
Ticket prices
Dh40 per person. Children under 4 years old enter for free.
Location
The zoo is located along E55 (Al Manama Ras Al Khaimah Road / Airport Road), right across the Institute of Applied Technology.
About the zoo
The zoo gives visitors the chance to see animals like white lions and Bengal tigers, and you can take pictures with the birds and parrots. You can also visit the children’s zoo, where children can take pictures with baby animals like baby deers, rabbits and turtles, and feed them as well.
