Highlights
Home to more than 4,000 animals across 200+ species, Al Ain Zoo is the largest wildlife park in the Middle East and one of the most rewarding day trips from both Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Spread across 400 hectares at the foothills of Jebel Hafeet, this UAE wildlife park blends giraffe feeding, a full desert safari, and immersive conservation zones into one unforgettable family day out all covered by a single Al Ain Zoo ticket.
Availablity
Included in the TimeExplore Incredible Wildlife & Interactive Experiences
Meet Exotic Animals from Around the World
Encounter majestic African lions, playful chimpanzees, and towering Rothschild's giraffes across spacious, naturalistic habitats. Marvel at the success of Arabian Oryx conservation—once extinct in the wild, now thriving in the zoo's Arabian Desert section. Discover rare species including white tigers, Humboldt penguins, saltwater crocodiles, and over 200 diverse wildlife species from Africa, Asia, and the Americas.
Al Ain Zoo Animal Feeding & Encounters
Create unforgettable memories hand-feeding gentle giraffes daily from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Experience penguin parades, lemur walks on weekends, cheetah run demonstrations, and the exclusive Dinner with Lions experience. Visit the children's petting zoo daily from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM for hands-on interactions with farm animals.
Al Ain Safari: Authentic Desert Adventure
Embark on the Middle East's premier safari through African Savannah and Arabian Desert landscapes. Led by expert Emirati guides, witness free-roaming lions, rhinos, and diverse wildlife in 217 hectares of natural habitats.
Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Centre
Explore the UAE's first LEED Platinum-certified building featuring five interactive galleries on Arabian desert ecosystems, conservation, and sustainability. Perfect for families seeking educational experiences.
Al Ain Zoo Animals & Feeding Experiences
One of the zoo’s biggest highlights is its animal feeding programs, designed to be safe, ethical, and educational:
- Hand-feed giraffes under expert supervision
- Learn about animal diets and conservation
- Great for families and children
You’ll also see:
- Arabian Oryx
- Big cats
- Exotic primates
- African and Asian wildlife species
Visitors exploring Abu Dhabi can enhance their itinerary by combining wildlife attractions with other popular Experiences in Abu Dhabi, offering a perfect balance of culture, adventure, and family-friendly entertainment.
Al Ain Zoo Ticket Price & What's Included
An Al Ain Zoo ticket starts at AED 18 per person for general admission. This gets you into:
- Open-air animal habitats across the zoo's naturalistic enclosures
- Educational exhibits and conservation zones
- Family-friendly attractions and play areas within the main 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. Ticket pricing can shift by season, age bracket, and any bundled experiences you add — booking your Al Ain Zoo ticket online in advance is the safest way to lock in your rate and guarantee entry, especially on weekends and UAE public holidays
Where Is Al Ain Zoo? Location & How to Get There
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. The zoo spans 400 hectares, making it easily the largest zoological park in the region.
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)
What Animals Are in Al Ain Zoo?
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.
Best Things to Do & Activities at Al Ain Zoo
Beyond simply walking the enclosures, Al Ain Zoo is built around hands-on and guided experiences:
- Giraffe feeding — Get close enough to hand-feed one of the world's tallest animals under keeper supervision (paid add-on, subject to daily timing).
- 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.
- Cheetah run demonstrations and penguin parades — Scheduled activity sessions worth timing your visit around.
- 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.
- Keeper talks & shows — Sand Cat Keeper Talk, Reptile Encounter, and Birds Popup sessions run through the day.
- 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
Why Book Your Al Ain Zoo Ticket in Advance
- Guaranteed entry — skip potential queues at the gate, especially on weekends and school holidays
- Locked-in pricing — avoid last-minute rate changes
- Easy add-ons — bundle safari or feeding experiences alongside your entry ticket
- Flexible planning — pair your zoo visit with an Abu Dhabi city tour or other nearby attractions for a full day out.
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.
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