Al Ain Zoo Ticket

Explore more than 4,000 animals across around 200 species at Al Ain Zoo, including giraffes, African lions, Arabian oryx, Amur tigers, flamingos and crocodiles. The zoo combines wildlife experiences with conservation and family-friendly activities.

Al Ain Safari: Truck and SUV Experiences

Choose a shared Safari Truck or a private Safari SUV experience to explore the zoo's safari area. Safari tickets have separate prices and inclusions, so check your selected option before booking.

Animal Feeding and Presentations

Depending on availability, visitors may enjoy supervised animal-feeding experiences and educational presentations, including giraffe feeding, the Sand Cat Keeper Talk and Reptile Encounter. Check the daily schedule for current timings.

Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Centre

Learn about UAE wildlife, desert ecosystems and conservation through educational exhibits at the Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Centre. Check your ticket details to confirm which experiences are included.

An Al Ain Zoo ticket starts at AED 26 per person for general admission. 

Inclusions

• Al Ain Zoo Ticket Inclusions General admission ticket to Al Ain Zoo
• Access to animal habitats featuring more than 4,000 animals across the zoo
• Entry to educational exhibits and wildlife conservation zones
• Al Ain Safari experience, depending on the selected ticket option
• Hotel pick-up and drop-off, if selected during booking
• Access to family-friendly attractions and play areas within the zoo grounds

Not included in the standard entry ticket:

• Al Ain Safari (the 217-hectare truck/SUV safari experience)
• Giraffe feeding and other hands-on animal encounters

These are bookable as optional add-ons once you're on-site or in advance, so plan your budget accordingly if a safari ride is on your list. 

Al Ain Zoo sits at the foothills of Jebel Hafeet Mountain in Al Ain — the UAE's "Garden City" — within the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. 

How to Go to Al Ain Zoo From Dubai

• By car: Roughly 130 km via the E66 (Dubai–Al Ain Road), about 90 minutes to 2 hours depending on traffic. Free parking is available on-site.
• By bus: RTA buses run from Al Ghubaiba Bus Station to Al Ain Bus Station, taking around 2 hours, with fares typically in the AED 20–30 range.
• By taxi: Expect to pay roughly AED 200–300 one-way from Dubai.

Abu Dhabi to Al Ain Zoo Distance

The drive from Abu Dhabi city to Al Ain Zoo covers approximately 130–150 km, taking around 1.5 to 2 hours by car depending on your starting point in the city. Al Ain Zoo also runs a shuttle service from designated pick-up points in Abu Dhabi and within Al Ain city, connecting visitors directly to the zoo entrance and internal experiences.

If you don't have a car, taxis (via the TransAD hotline or apps like Careem and Uber) and scheduled public buses both connect Abu Dhabi and Al Ain reliably throughout the day.

Address: Al Ain Zoo, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, UAE (foothills of Jebel Hafeet)

With over 4,000 animals and 200+ species — around a quarter to a third of them endangered — Al Ain Zoo's collection is organized into themed zones rather than one long walkway, so you can plan your route around what you most want to see.

Big cats & predators: African lions, white lions, Bengal and Amur tigers, cheetahs, jaguars, leopards, pumas

Giraffes & large herbivores: Nubian giraffes, white rhinos, hippos, Barbary sheep

Arabian & desert wildlife: Arabian oryx (a major conservation success story — once extinct in the wild), gazelles, Dama gazelle, Arabian leopard, sand cats

Primates: chimpanzees, gorillas, lemurs (including a walk-through lemur experience)

Birds: flamingos, desert eagle owls, emus, blue-necked ostriches, cockatoos

Reptiles & aquatics: saltwater and Nile crocodiles, tortoises, spiny-tailed lizards, terrapins

Key zones to look out for: Big Cat Oasis, Arabian Wildlife Park, Reptile Park, Sand Cat Conservation Centre, Amur Tiger Exhibit, and the Hippo Exhibit

Families exploring more of Abu Dhabi's animal attractions may also enjoy Emirates Park Zoo and Resort, which pairs wildlife encounters with resort-style amenities.

Beyond simply walking the enclosures, Al Ain Zoo is built around hands-on and guided experiences:

• Giraffe feeding — Enjoy a supervised opportunity to feed giraffes using food provided by the zoo. Availability and ticket inclusions depend on the selected experience and the animals' availability on the day.
• Al Ain Safari — A 217-hectare safari through African savannah and Arabian desert landscapes, led by Emirati guides, with free-roaming lions, rhinos, and antelope. Choose between the shared Safari Truck or a private Safari SUV.
• Elezba petting zoo — A farm-style setup where kids can interact with sheep, goats, camels, and other domesticated animals.
• Camel riding — A classic desert-style activity available on-site.
• Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Centre (SZDLC) — The UAE's first LEED Platinum-certified building, with five interactive galleries on desert ecosystems and conservation, plus included film presentations like A Conservation Oasis and The Enchanted Journey of Al Ain Zoo.
• Animal presentations and keeper talks — Depending on the schedule, visitors may be able to attend presentations such as the Sand Cat Keeper Talk, Reptile Encounter and Birds Popup. Check the official daily schedule for timings and availability. 
• Train tour — A relaxed way to cover ground across the sprawling zoo grounds.

If desert safaris are the highlight of your trip, you may also want to compare it with Sharjah Safari Park, one of the largest safari parks outside Africa.

Check the presentation schedule on arrival, since show timings can shift day to day

• Current Opening Hours: Daily 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM
• Recommended visit: Allow at least 3–4 hours to explore the zoo; a longer visit may be suitable if you plan to include additional experiences.
• Best time to visit: October to April generally offers cooler weather for exploring outdoor animal habitats.
• Visitor tip: Wear comfortable walking shoes and check the animal presentation schedule when planning your visit.

The official FAQ recommends allowing 3–4 hours, while the tourism authority suggests a full day to experience the zoo and safari more extensively.

Book your Al Ain Zoo tickets from AED 26 with Travellers Choice and plan your wildlife visit with confidence. As a Dubai-based travel company offering UAE attraction tickets and experiences, Travellers Choice makes it easier to explore destinations across the Emirates.

• Attractive online price — Get Al Ain Zoo admission tickets from AED 26, subject to the selected ticket option and availability.
• Choose the right ticket — Select general admission or explore additional experiences available with eligible ticket options.
• Plan your visit in advance — Review your ticket details before travelling so you know what is included in your booking.
• Arrange convenient transfers — Choose hotel pick-up and drop-off if this option is available with your selected booking.
• Explore more UAE attractions — Combine your Al Ain Zoo visit with other attractions or an Abu Dhabi itinerary to make the most of your trip.

Many visitors pair their zoo day with an Abu Dhabi City Tour, combining Al Ain's wildlife with the capital's iconic landmarks in one trip.