Sharjah Safari

Sharjah Safari opened in 2022 on around eight square kilometres near Al Dhaid, holding several thousand animals of well over a hundred African species across a dozen zones representing habitats from the Sahel to the wetlands, and it is regularly described as the largest such park outside Africa. Visitors move by electric bus, in their own cars on some routes, or on foot in the walkable sections. Around a hundred thousand trees were planted to make the habitats.

What you actually see

• The habitat zones - a dozen sections representing different African environments.
• The bus routes - electric vehicles running through the drive-through areas.
• The scale - around eight square kilometres and several thousand animals.
• The planted landscape - roughly a hundred thousand trees put in to build the habitats.

When to go

October to April; the park closes for the summer months. Early morning is when the animals are most active. Weekends and holidays sell out and booking ahead is needed.

Honest expectations

It closes entirely for the summer. The site is very large and a full visit takes most of a day with a lot of sitting on buses. Animal viewing depends on the heat and midday is poor.

Nearby

Al Dhaid is north, and Sharjah Desert Park is west.