Dubai, which is primarily known for its world-class infrastructure and opulent lifestyle, also happens to be home to some of the diverse attractions and activities in the city. Upon arriving here, tourists can never run out of options when it comes to places to visit and trying out new adventures. One such attraction, which has garnered interest from both the locals and tourists as well, has been the Safari Parks in the city. Two of the biggest names that are most famous in this category are Dubai Safari Park and Sharjah Desert Safari.
While both are pretty famous, the visitors, especially the first timers, can have a really hard time deciding between which one to choose. At the end of the day, both wildlife parks provide an unparalleled experience. This blog provides a detailed breakdown of both the safari park, which can help you make the right choice on which attraction is worth your money.
Location & Size
- Dubai Safari Park – Nestled in Warqa, Dubai this famous park is spread across 119 Hectares of area. Its prime location comes in handy for the visitors as it provides them with easy accessibility from anywhere in the city. Location being one of its biggest advantages, makes it ideal for both tourists and locals to visit this park at their convenience.
- Sharjah Safari Park – One of the newest attractions at Sharjah, which has quickly garnered a lot of praise and attention, is Sharjah Safari Park, which opened in 2022 in the Al Dhaid Area of the city. This Park is considered to be the biggest wildlife park in the country, which covers a massive area of 8 square kilometres. This park is nestled in one of the prime locations of the city, which provides easy accessibility for visitors.
Range of Species & Habitat
- Dubai Safari Park – One of the most standout qualities of Dubai Safari Park is that today it is home to more than 3000 animals from different parts of the world. To accommodate them, the park has been divided into 5 different villages. Visitors here get to explore these villages to look at the animals and learn more about their habitat.
- Sharjah Safari Park – While Sharjah Safari Park does fall short against its counterpart when it comes to sheltering the number of animals, it does showcase a diverse range of exotic and indigenous species. Some of these animals include Arabian Onyx, Sand Gazelles, Arabian Wolves, and Arabian Leopard. Moreover there is also a wide range of birds, reptiles and other rare species.
What’s it like for visitors
- Dubai Safari Park – Visitors here can experience a wide range of activities that are catered to all age groups. The staff takes its visitors on a fun journey of guided tours which also provides in-depth insights on animals and their wildlife habitat. Moreover, there is also animal interaction under the watchful eyes of the zookeeper. Here guests can also feed the animals.
- Sharjah Safari Park – The biggest park in the UAE, also leaves no stone unturned when it comes to providing insightful knowledge and guided tours on the animals and their habitats. But the experience is further enhanced with an open vehicle safari where visitors are taken on a ride while they explore the beautiful landscape and animals.
Ticket Pricing & Operational Hours
- Dubai Safari Park – The average operating hours for Dubai Safari Park between 9 Am to 6 Pm. However, the timing can be extended as well during peak seasons. The prices, however, can vary depending on the package that the visitors opt for. But to avail the best deals and discounts, online booking is the way to go.
- Sharjah Safari Park – The operating hours for Sharjah Desert Safari are 9 am to 6 pm daily. In comparison to Dubai Safari Park, the passes are more affordable and also provide discounts to students, children, and UAE residents.
Stand-out Qualities & Features
- Dubai Safari Park – One of the unique features of Dubai Safari Park to have been introduced in recent months is its night safari expedition. This will allow visitors to navigate the park and its landscape during the nighttime while also watching animals in their nocturnal state. Moreover, it also provides a fun Toboggan ride, a scenic cable car trip, and also a petting zoo for the children.
- Sharjah Safari Park – Boasting a wide range of amenities and features of its own, visitors of all age groups are provided a fun and enjoyable experience at the park. Some of these amenities include a Parking Area, restrooms, a shaded seating area along with dining options and refreshments.
Conclusion
Both Dubai Safari Park and Sharjah Safari Park have their own benefits and strengths. While Dubai Safari Park features more variety of animals, Sharjah Park on the other hand is much more expansive and provides plenty of space to roam around and spend a nice picnic among the animals. It all comes down to the preference and budget.