Dubai Safari Park reopens it’s doors on October 2020
- Raising My Knight
- Oct 16, 2020
- 6 min read
After nearly two years Dubai Safari Park finally opened its doors on 5th October, 2020 with safety measures put in place. We wanted to visit it in 2017 when it just opened but due to it’s closure in May 2018 we couldn’t. Making it one of the top things for us to do as a family!
If you have a animal/ reptile love you might want to use this ‘Can you spot?’ free printable.
Before heading there I tried searching for information about what to expect, any specific shows, must knows but didn’t have much luck. Decided to put a blog post together of all you need to know, my experience and must knows before you head to Dubai Safari Park.
Start early as its a lot to cover on foot, animals are out during the mornings, around feeding time and park closes by 5pm. Last entry is at 4pm which I doubt anyone would use.
This review is based on our visit on 16th October, 2020 if there are any change do let me know.
Covid 19 Safety precautions put in place:
temperature scan is taken before entering.
every place had a hand sanitizer installed for easy use.
staff monitored and broke crowd down especially during entering near ticket area and enclosed exhibits.
at enclosed exhibits staff kept a minimum amount of people circulating. The door displayed what’s the minimum capacity and staff informed everyone how much time they had inside before the next batch of people were let in.
cleaners were ready to wipe viewing glass after each cycle of people.
all benches had a sticker tape to keep safety distance.
animal exhibits and walking spaces had foot stickers to remind of safety distance.
Dubai Safari Park map
Getting to Dubai Safari Park
There are three parking areas P1 (which is closer to the entrance), P2 (a descent walk), and P3.
Bookings:
Dubai Safari Park contains 5 zones African village, Asian village, Arabian village, Explorer/ Safari village, and Kids farm
Highly recommend you to book your tickets online to avoid queing. Safari combo entrance ticket goes out of stock best to book it online especially over the weekend.
Staff were readily available to assist and crowd control making sure safety distance was maintained. They allowed one member to stand in que and the others to wait in the entrance area which had two exhibits a hamster and a guinea pig.
Ticket options and pricing:
There are two different ticket options available:
Park Entrance -Doesn’t include Explorer/Safari Village which hold 16 exhibits
Adult-50Aed
Above 3 years- 20Aed
Safari combo entrance-Includes all exhibits and a safari through Explorer/ Safari Village
Adult-85Aed
Above 3 years- 30aed
Kids below 3 yrs go free
Out and about within Dubai Safari park:
No Maps were given while purchasing or entering the park. Make sure to print your own copy of Dubai Safari Park Map and African Village map from here.
As you scan to enter the park make sure you save your ticket to scan while exiting.
You can take your stroller with ease as slopes are available everywhere.
Toilets are available but not fitted with changing tables. Very few changing rooms available.
5 toilets at African Village, 2 Changing rooms
2 toilets at Asian Village, one changing room
You can carry food for little kids.
Carry cash as the kiosks, food trucks don’t accept cards. My 6 yr old wanted to have a Baskin Robbin ice-cream and I had to rampage my bag to find every dirham I possibly had. No boards informing only cash made it frustrating and disappointing to many.
Dining options at African Village – Oregano restaurant serving pasta, pizzas, soft drinks, juices, quick bites like fries, chicken wings is available and accept card. You have to order your meal, wait for a table, a buzzer is give for each order.
Hygiene kit kiosk available through vending machines.
Water vending machines available carry coins its 2aed for a bottle.
In between exhibits there isn’t much shade and it gets warm, make sure you’ve got sunscreen or sun caps.
Comfy shoes, extra bottles of water are a must to truly explore and enjoy. The water fans placed everywhere helped keep the surroundings cool.
You can use a bus to move in between villages if walking isn’t possible. These are available every 5 minutes with safety precautions put in place. There are seat left empty in-between occupied seats. Strollers are held behind the bus.
Show Timings:
Amazing creatures show – 3pm (stand in que at 2pm) (There’s only one show the whole day)
Location- Asian Village Theatre, Asian Village
We didn’t know about this and didn’t get to see it. Staff informed that it’s one of the best shows that showcases both animals and birds performing.
Birds show- 04:30 pm (stand in que by 4pm)
Location- Birds Show theatre, outside Explore/ Safari village.
Safari village has a show at 11am. I was informed about it by a staff member. Don’t have much information about it as we didn’t get to watch it.
Exploring African Village:
African Village map
Find Map above to explore African Village with ease without having to walk around in circles. This village some cycles, electronic scooters, remote controlled ride on cars to entertain kids , we didn’t use this thus cant share much information about it.
Enclosed exhibits have a que due to the current safety measure put in place for covid19 situation. These exhibits include Reptile house, Gorilla, Chimpanzee, Lion, Hippo and Grand Aviary.
The first exhibit we ventured into was Reptile house having around 44 exhibits from Snakes, frogs, boa, dragon, tarantula, tortise and so much more. We managed to spot and observe all of them with ease.
If you have a animal/ reptile love you might want to use this ‘Can you spot?’ free printable.
Interactions for kids: These are activations put up for kids to explore, play and learn whilst having fun.
Elephant water consumption
Gorilla strength
Lions Roar
chimpanzee face
chimpanzee climb
Chimpanzee hand exhibiton
Crocodile Bite Force
Cape hunting dog
Al Wadi:
Its a vast open green area with dining options. We didnt get to explore it as we headed straight towards Asian Village.
Asian village
Exploring Asian Village:
This was at a walkable distance from African Village. It was pretty small not very ellaborate. Included roughly around 5 exhibits (Komondo Dragon, Gibbon, Moon Bear, and Cassowary, Wallaby) The Asian theatre is the main spot as it the arena for ‘Amazing creatures’ show that takes place at 3pm only everyday and has a minimum capacity of 400 people due to safety measure put in place for covid19.
Enclosed exhibits included the wallaby, Komodo dragon which was a lovely cave with a waterfall. Great spot to take pictures.
We managed to find a handy shop selling slush, water, popcorm, soft drinks and accepted card. We finally got a Slush to cool us down before we could explore the next scene.
Exploring Arabian Village:
We had to que up for a ride to take us through Arabian Village. We saw Oryx, Ostrich, Gazelle, Antelope. The ride lasted around 15mins.We were dropped off to the Kid’s Farm.
Kids Farm:
This is a soft padded ground for kids to play and run around. It included exhibits of Rabbits, Sheep, Goats and Birds.
Enclosed exhibit included the birds. It was really fun as you could feed the parrots seeds and take a few pictures as birds flew around and sat on your head or shoulder. You have to que up as its maximum capacity was limited to 4 people.
Unfortunately, the interactive exhibits of animals heartbeat and sound. were not working. There were no donkeys, ponnies, ducks, chickens or cows.
The exit is walking distance from Kids Farm. You can find a grocery that doesnt take card and a pricey coffee shop. Dont forget to keep your tickets handy to scan. Theres a souvenier shop for any quick buys. It was easy to exit as we had parked at P1. Thankfully it was a shaded parking.
My 6 year old was looking forward to giraffe feeding and safari ride which we couldnt explore as the tickets were sold out. We will definetly take another trip when the weather gets a bit cooler.
After being to Al Ain zoo and comparing the two. I think Dubai Safari Park
needs to add more location maps to help. More exhibits in Asian village.
Add pay and ride cycling options.
QR code scan and gain animal information.
Only Cash payments at food truck vendors was frustrating especially when there were no ATMs available.
Clearer information on their website about shows available with timings and details.
Hope you find all the information shared within this post useful. Do drop a comment if you have any additional information or to share your experience about Explorer village. Feedback about using our printable. Until our next adventure…….Stay Safe, Create memories!
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