Craving an adventure without a long trip to Africa? Sharjah Safari Park brings the African wilderness right to your doorstep. Whether you’re a wildlife photographer or a family planning a fun day out, Sharjah Safari will leave you amazed. Ready to explore the world’s second-largest safari park? Let’s get started!
- Location and How to Get There
- Ticket Packages
- Opening Hours
- The Regions of Sharjah Safari Park
- Amazing Wildlife Encounters
- Plan Your Visit
- Services and Facilities
- Food and Dining
- FAQs
Sharjah Safari Park – What to Expect
Opened in February 2022 by H.H. Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, the park is the largest safari in the world outside of Africa. Covering an area of 8 square kilometres, it houses over 120 species of African wildlife, including lions, rhinos, elephants and many others.
It’s designed in 12 distinct environments to replicate the different habitats of the African continent. From the towering trees of the Serengeti to the grassy plains of the Sahel, you can witness diverse ecosystems. This makes the park both entertaining and educational, allowing you to explore the wildlife in a setting that mirrors the wildernesses.
Location and How to Get There
Sharjah Safari Park is located in the Al Bardi Reserve, near Al Dhaid City. If you’re in Al Dhaid, it’s only a 5-minute drive on the Sharjah-Khorfakkan Road.
While those coming from Sharjah’s city centre can reach it within 50 minutes. Here’s how far it is from other Emirates:
- Fujairah: 40 minutes
- Dubai: 50 minutes
- Ajman: 50 minutes
- Umm Al Quwain: 50 minutes
Moreover, parking is available for free near the main entrance of Sharjah Safari Park. Also, parking spaces for people of determination are available close to the entrance.
Ticket Packages
Sharjah Safari offers three ticket tiers; Bronze, Silver and Gold, so visitors can choose according to their budget and preferences.
| Ticket | Price | Experience |
| Bronze | AED 40 for adults AED 15 for children (3-12 years) Free for children under 3 years | Access to walking safari in Into Africa and Zanzibar Village, plus Amphitheatre. |
| Silver | AED 120 for adults AED 50 for children (3-12 years) Free for children under 3 years | All Bronze benefits, plus a guided Safari Tour through Sahel, Savannah, Kalahari, Tswalu, Niger Valley, Ngorongoro and Moremi. A stop at Safari Camp is also included. |
| Gold | AED 275 for adults AED 120 for children (3-12 years) Free for children under 3 years | All perks of Silver, plus a personal guide, luxury vehicle and an additional walking tour in the Serengeti. |
Special Tours
For those looking for a private experience, there are also exclusive tour options. Also, these private tours include all the benefits of a Gold Ticket. The prices are as follows:
| Special Tours | Seating Capacity | Price Per Vehicle |
| Game Viewer | 6 seats | AED 1,500 |
| Safari Van | 9 seats | AED 2,250 |
| Safari Coach | 15 seats | AED 3,500 |
Note: Please note that the ticket prices are exclusive of VAT.
Opening Hours
Sharjah Safari welcomes visitors daily from 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM, though it’s important to note the last entry times. The last entry time varies depending on the ticket type:
- For Gold and Silver ticket holders, the last entry is at 1:30 PM, with the last safari departing at 2:00 PM.
- Bronze ticket holders can enter until 4:00 PM.
- Besides, the timings are different during Ramadan, with the safari opening from 8:30 AM to 1:30 PM, except on Fridays when it’s closed.
The Regions of Sharjah Safari Park
The Sharjah Safari Park features 12 distinct environments. Each of these environments simulates a specific part of Africa. These regions also provide animals with an environment that resembles their natural habitat. Some of them are detailed below:
Into Africa
The ‘Into Africa’ area is a walking tour of the East African Islands. Visitors will experience wildlife from the eastern islands, such as Lemurs, Baobab trees and much more.
Sahel
This is where the safari truly begins! The Sahel in Sharjah Safari Park is represented by its diverse wildlife and arid lands. The region forms a transitional zone between the Sahara desert and the humid Savannahs located in the South.
Savannah
The Savannah is the largest biome in Southern Africa. The savannah grasslands represent about 46% of its total area and one-third of South Africa. They are developed over the Kalahari region, located southwest of the Savannah.
Savannah’s lands are rich in all kinds of life, making it the most diverse region of Africa.
Serengeti
The highlight of the tour is the Sharjah Safari Park. The Serengeti plains are a vast, undulating plain with the largest wildlife migration in Africa. Over two million herbivores can be seen performing migration across a plain that stretches across 30,000 square kilometres.
Visitors can either take a bus through the Serengeti region on the Safari or take a stop-and-walk tour and observe the wildlife in close detail.
Ngorongoro
Home to Africa’s most famous species, Ngorongoro is a massive crater in the middle of the lands of Africa. It is the largest known intact volcano caldera in the world.
Moremi
One of the last parts of the Safari tour, Moremi, is home to various endangered species such as the Cheetah, White Rhino, Black Rhino and African Wild Dog. In the Sharjah Safari Park, at Moremi, visitors can see giraffes running through the gorge.
Amazing Wildlife Encounters
Sharjah Safari is home to over 120 species of animals, many of which are native to Africa. During your visit, you can spot iconic creatures like lions, African elephants, giraffes, zebras, rhinos and many others.
Whereas, smaller but equally fascinating animals like the Ring-tailed Lemur, Flamingos and Pancake Tortoise can also be found throughout the safari.
Nevertheless, those who cannot visit the Sharjah Safari Park can tune in to the ‘Live Cams’ on their official website. These live cams allow users to explore wildlife by viewing different areas of the park, including:
- Mamba Lodge
- Safari Camp
- Simba Koppie
- Elephant Pools
Plan Your Visit
To make the most of your day at Sharjah Safari, be sure to come prepared. Here’s what you should bring:
- Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen as the weather can be hot, so stay protected.
- Comfortable walking shoes to help do a fair amount of walking.
- Camera and binoculars to capture those memorable wildlife sightings.
- Reusable water bottle as there are refill stations available.
Services and Facilities
The park is well-equipped with several services to ensure visitors have a comfortable experience. These include
- Parents’ nursing rooms
- Playgrounds
- Drinking fountains
- Chilled water refill stations
- First Aid rooms
- Free Wi-Fi in certain areas
Moreover, wheelchairs and baby strollers are available at the entrance on a first-come, first-served basis
Food and Dining
When hunger strikes, you’ll find convenient dining options within the park. Zanzibar Village and Safari Camp offer a wide range of hot and cold meals, snacks and refreshing beverages.
FAQs
Absolutely! With its authentic African experience and diverse wildlife, it’s perfect for a family outing or a day of adventure.
Sharjah Safari Park is the largest safari park in the UAE, covering 8 kilometres and featuring around 50,000 animals.
The Sharjah Safari Park was closed for the summer, however, it is now all set to reopen on September 23, 2024.
Sharjah Safari Park offers a unique chance to experience the diverse beauty of African wildlife without leaving the UAE. If you want to see endangered species or simply want to take in the park’s vast landscapes, Sharjah Safari offers it all.
Nevertheless, you can also visit the Dubai Safari Park, if you want to experience wildlife while staying in Dubai.
