Dubai Safari Park

Dubai Safari Park is the city’s largest wildlife attraction, a 119-hectare park in Al Warqa 5 that is home to around 3,000 animals and makes for a full day out in Dubai for families, school groups and anyone who wants to see lions, giraffes and cheetahs without leaving the emirate. The park describes itself as a responsible wildlife park that mixes entertainment and education with animal welfare, and it reopened for its eighth season on 12 October 2026 under the new theme ‘Live More Wild Life’.

Six Zones of Dubai Safari Park

The park is laid out as six themed zones, all linked by a shuttle train, so you can ride between areas rather than walk the whole site. Alongside Al Wadi, the zones are mostly villages, each built around animals from one part of the world, with shops and restaurants spread through the park.

• African Village: African species roam among the bushes, and this is where you may meet an African elephant, the largest land mammal on the planet, alongside giraffes and lions.
• Asian Village: a varied mix of Asian fauna, from wallabies and brightly coloured birds to playful gibbons and the rare moon bear.
• Explorer Village: some of the rarest animals of Africa and Asia, including the cheetah, the fastest mammal in the world, plus a live birds show.
• Arabian Desert Safari: animals native to the area around Dubai and the wider Middle East, such as the Arabian wolf, Arabian oryx, addax and sand and mountain gazelles.
• Kids’ Farm: a hands-on area where younger children meet farmyard animals such as ponies, ducks and goats.

What the Standard Ticket Covers

Standard entry includes far more than walking paths. Your ticket covers entry to the park, unlimited rides on the shuttle train, the Safari Journey (a guided bus tour of about 35 minutes through the open enclosures), the Arabian Desert Safari (a ride of around 10 minutes by electric vehicle), the live shows and the Kids’ Farm. The two safari rides are the heart of the visit, so it pays to build your day around them: the last Safari Journey bus and the last Arabian Desert Safari tour leave late in the afternoon.

For Season 8 the park lists its live presentations as Birds Kingdom, Echoes of the Wild and Birds of Prey, alongside character performances and up-close animal encounters. Guests who want more can book premium experiences such as King of Safari, Behind the Scenes, Dine in the Wild and Jungle Capture, which add private touring, special access or dining close to the animals. A new Royal Safari Experience, created for travel-trade partners, takes groups of up to 10 on a four-hour private tour with reserved seating.

A Park With a Conservation Mission

Dubai Safari Park replaced the old Dubai Zoo in Jumeirah. It first opened in December 2017, closed within months for improvements, and reopened in October 2020 after a two-year expansion and refurbishment. Today it takes part in international education, research and breeding programmes as well as rescue missions, and it uses technology to support animal care and greener operations. The ‘Live More Wild Life’ theme for 2026 and 2027 is built around encouraging visitors to feel a deeper connection with wildlife, nature and conservation.

Planning Your Visit to the Wildlife Park

The park runs as a seasonal attraction: it closes over the hottest summer months and reopens each autumn, which makes the cooler period from October to spring the time to go. For Season 8, Khaleej Times reported daily opening hours of 9am until 6pm, with last entry at 5pm.

A few house rules are worth knowing before you set off. Outside food and drinks, glassware and alcohol are not allowed in, so plan to eat at the park’s own restaurants. Bring a valid photo ID. Casual, modest clothing is fine, but beachwear is not permitted. The park is suitable for all ages, including expectant mothers. Tickets are valid for a single entry and are non-refundable once bought.

Getting there is straightforward. The park sits in Al Warqa 5, with free parking on site for drivers. By public transport, the F10 bus route stops closest to the entrance, and taxi drivers know the location well.

Who Will Enjoy It

This is one of the strongest choices among family days out in Dubai: the train and safari rides cut down on walking for small children and older relatives, while older children can tick off the big cats and the cheetah. It also pairs well with other Dubai attractions for visitors on a longer stay, and fellow reptile fans can add the nearby Dubai Crocodile Park in Mushrif to the same trip. For more ideas this season, browse things to do in Dubai and our things to do in November guide.