Dubai Safari Park is a 119-hectare wildlife park in Al Warqa home to more than 3,000 animals across 300+ species, spread over six themed zones. A Safari Park Pass starts at AED 50 and includes entry to all zones, the 15-minute Arabian Desert Safari vehicle tour, unlimited park train rides and live shows. The park runs seasonally, closing over summer and reopening each October so checking current season dates before planning a visit matters more here than at most Dubai attractions.
Most visitors rush straight to the malls, the Burj, or the beach and this genuinely large wildlife park often gets overlooked entirely. That’s a mistake few Dubai attractions offer this much space, this many animals or this level of up-close access in a single visit.
Dubai Safari Park Season Status: What to Know Before Planning
Unlike Dubai malls or observation decks, Dubai Safari Park does not run year-round on fixed hours. It operates in seasons, typically opening in October and running through late spring, then closing for a break over the hottest summer months before the next season begins.
As of writing, the park most recent season has wrapped, with the next season scheduled to open in October 2026. This isn’t a permanent closure it’s the park normal seasonal rhythm and previous seasons have consistently reopened on schedule each autumn. Anyone planning a trip during the closed period should check the official Dubai Safari Park website for the confirmed reopening date before booking flights or building an itinerary around it.
During its most recent season, the park welcomed guests across all six zones with more than 3,000 animals, 15+ animal encounter experiences and two distinct safari adventures numbers that give a clear picture of what to expect once the next season opens.
Dubai Safari Park Zones: What’s Inside
The park is organized into six themed zones, each with its own habitat style, animal collection, and pace:
| Zone | Highlights |
| African Village | Elephants, giraffes, zebras, rhinos, meerkats in open savannah-style habitats |
| Asian Village | Tigers, orangutans, komodo dragons, sun bears in a moonlit-forest setting |
| Explorer Village | Lions, cheetahs, hyenas, crocodiles accessed via a 35-minute guided bus safari |
| Arabian Desert Safari | Arabian oryx, sand gazelles, Arabian wolves, camels 15-minute electric vehicle tour |
| Kids Farm | Goats, sheep, ponies, donkeys, ducks an interactive petting zoo |
| Al Wadi | A green relaxation zone with fish ponds, cafés and restaurants |
Two of these zones are worth calling out specifically, since older guides (including outdated versions of this one) often miss them entirely: Kids Farm, the park’s dedicated petting-zoo area and Al Wadi, a shaded rest zone built for slowing down between safari sections rather than viewing animals.
Walking between zones genuinely feels less like a single park and more like moving between different countries the African Village open savannah look is a world away from the Asian Village’s forest-canopy feel just a short walk away.
Dubai Safari Park Ticket Prices
Ticket pricing is built around a base pass rather than separate per-zone charges and it’s simpler than many visitors expect:
| Ticket Type | Price | What’s Included |
| Safari Park Pass | AED 50 | Entry to all 6 zones, unlimited park train rides, 15-minute Arabian Desert Safari, live shows, feeding sessions, wildlife talks, free parking |
| Safari Bundle (online only) | AED 117 | Everything in the Safari Park Pass + one 35-minute Explorer Safari Tour |
| Behind the Scenes Tour | AED 1,450 | Up to 10 people, 90 minutes |
| King of Safari VIP Experience | AED 2,500 | Up to 10 people, 4 hours |
| Dine in the Wild (Breakfast with Giraffes or Lions) | AED 2,150 | Up to 6 people |
| Jungle Capture Photography Tour | AED 1,275 | Up to 3 people, 3 hours |
Free entry applies to children under 3 and People of Determination, who may bring one companion at no charge.
One detail worth flagging clearly: the base Safari Park Pass already includes the 15-minute Arabian Desert Safari vehicle tour it isn’t a separate add-on. The longer, more immersive 35-minute Explorer Safari Tour through the lion and cheetah habitats is the one that requires the Safari Bundle upgrade or a separate ticket. Knowing this distinction in advance avoids a common source of confusion at the gate.
Booking online ahead of a visit is the safer move, particularly on weekends, when walk-in demand can be high. Combining the visit with an evening Desert Safari is worth considering too between the two, a single day covers both the wildlife side and the dune-and-sunset side of what makes Dubai outdoor experiences distinctive.
Dubai Safari Park Opening Hours
Hours shift by season, which is worth building into any visit plan:
- Winter (November–March): 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Summer (April–October): 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Last entry: One hour before closing, both seasons
Winter’s extended evening hours open up options that aren’t available in summer including cooler late-afternoon visits and the chance to catch feeding sessions and shows scheduled later in the day.
Best Time to Visit Dubai Safari Park
November through March is the strongest window for a visit. The weather cooperates, the animals are noticeably more active during cooler hours and the extended winter closing time (8:00 PM versus 6:00 PM) gives more flexibility to pace the day.
Summer visits are doable during the open season, but midday heat is genuinely intense and shouldn’t be underestimated mornings are the better call regardless of season, since arriving around 9:00 AM means beating both the crowds and the day peak heat while animals are still at their most active.
Weekends fill up fast, so a Tuesday or Wednesday morning visit tends to be noticeably calmer than a weekend one.
What a Full Day at Dubai Safari Park Looks Like
A proper visit takes four to five hours. Visitors who try to rush it in two almost always wish they’d budgeted more time.
Kids Farm is typically where families with young children spend the most time a petting zoo, a walk-through aviary that’s larger than most visitors expect and scheduled feeding sessions that consistently rank among the park most popular moments for younger kids.
The safari bus and vehicle tours through the African, Asian and Arabian zones are what most visitors talk about afterward. Animals genuinely approach the vehicles a giraffe craning toward the bus, a rhino grazing just meters away and none of it feels staged for tourists.
After a morning of wildlife, switching gears to something completely different, like Atlantis Aquaventure Waterpark, makes for a strong afternoon follow-up if there’s still energy left in the day.
Getting to Dubai Safari Park
The park sits in Al Warqa 5, roughly 30 kilometers from central Dubai, on the E44/Hatta Road opposite Dragon Mart.
By car: The easiest option, with free on-site parking included in every ticket type.
By taxi or ride-hailing: Uber and Careem both drop off directly at the park entrance.
By public transport: Take the Dubai Metro to Centerpoint Station (Rashidiya), then transfer to the F10 bus, which runs to the park gate.
Comfortable shoes matter more here than at most Dubai attractions the walking distance between zones adds up quickly. Sunscreen is worth applying year-round, not just during summer visits.
Dubai Safari Park Conservation Role
Dubai Safari Park isn’t purely a visitor attraction it operates as an active conservation facility, a detail that adds real credibility to a visit beyond the entertainment value. The park is a member of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA), the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), and the South East Asian Zoos and Aquariums Association (SEAZA) and operates a 24/7 veterinary hospital supporting more than 40 endangered species.
Recent conservation milestones include the successful release of captive-bred Addax antelope one of the world’s rarest antelope species, with fewer than 100 remaining in the wild back into their native habitat in Chad, along with an active rescue and rehabilitation program that has helped over 150 flamingos to date.
Key Takeaways
- Dubai Safari Park spans 119 hectares in Al Warqa and holds 3,000+ animals across 300+ species in six themed zones.
- The park operates seasonally, typically running October through late spring, then closing for the summer before the next season opens check current dates before planning a visit.
- The Safari Park Pass (AED 50) already includes the 15-minute Arabian Desert Safari; the longer 35-minute Explorer Safari Tour requires the AED 117 Safari Bundle or a separate ticket.
- Winter hours (9 AM–8 PM) run longer than summer hours (9 AM–6 PM), with last entry one hour before close either way.
- November through March is the best window to visit and Tuesday/Wednesday mornings see the smallest crowds.
- Budget four to five hours for a proper visit rushing it in two hours means missing the park best parts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dubai Safari Park open right now?
The park operates seasonally, typically running from October through late spring before closing for a summer break. Check the official Dubai Safari Park website for the current season’s exact dates before planning a visit.
How much does Dubai Safari Park cost?
The Safari Park Pass starts at AED 50 and includes entry to all six zones, unlimited train rides, the 15-minute Arabian Desert Safari, live shows and feeding sessions. The Safari Bundle, at AED 117, adds the longer 35-minute Explorer Safari Tour.
Is the safari bus included in the ticket price?
The 15-minute Arabian Desert Safari vehicle tour is included in the base Safari Park Pass. The longer 35-minute Explorer Safari Tour through the lion and cheetah habitats requires the Safari Bundle upgrade.
What are Dubai Safari Park’s opening hours?
Winter hours (November–March) run 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Summer hours (April–October) run 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Last entry is one hour before closing in both seasons.
How many animals and zones does Dubai Safari Park have?
The park is home to more than 3,000 animals across 300+ species, spread over six zones: African Village, Asian Village, Explorer Village, Arabian Desert Safari, Kids Farm, and Al Wadi.
Is Dubai Safari Park good for toddlers?
Yes. Kids Farm is designed specifically for young children, with a petting zoo, gentle animal encounters, and a walk-through aviary that works well for even very young visitors.
How do I get to Dubai Safari Park without a car?
Take the Dubai Metro to Centerpoint Station (Rashidiya), then transfer to the F10 bus, which runs directly to the park entrance.
Plan Your Dubai Safari Park Visit
Dubai Safari Park delivers one of the most surprising full days out in the city six distinct zones, over 3,000 animals and safari-style encounters that feel genuinely unscripted. Since the park runs on a seasonal schedule, the smartest first step is confirming the current season open dates before locking in travel plans. Pair a morning at the park with an evening desert safari or a waterpark afternoon and it becomes one of the most complete single-day Dubai itineraries available.