Living in an ultra hot climate means that for a good couple of months a year your kids don’t get to experience normal outdoor activities, such as visits to parks, outdoor playgrounds, beaches and zoos. That is why I was over the moon to discover the Arabian Wildlife Centre in Sharjah.
The Arabian Wildlife Centre is an indoor air-conditioned zoo which means it can be visited comfortably all year round. Only a short 40 minute drive from Dubai it’s a hidden little gem that many visitors to Dubai are probably unaware exists. The Centre houses the world’s largest collection of Arabian wildlife and it really is an impressive array of animals, many of which we’d never seen before. The zoo is divided into sections by species including reptiles, invertebrates, birds, nocturnal animals and large carnivores. The displays are in immaculate condition and designed very well. Unfortunately no photography is allowed at the centre (fortunately for the animals though) so I’m unable to show you any of its treasures.
The Wildlife Centre is situated in the Sharjah Desert Park, which also includes a Children’s Farm and a Natural History Museum. The cost for adult entry is 21dhs ($5.5 USD or £4.50 GBP) and covers all 3 attractions, children under the age of 12 are free – what great value for a good afternoon’s entertainment! We also spent a good hour at the Children’s Farm which my toddler loved. The above photo was taken there and Miss M would’ve stayed all day long feeding the camels if we’d allowed for it. We had to convince her that the animals at the Wildlife Centre were just as enticing. And they were.
Thank you for reading! You may also be interested in reading Top Summer Activities for Kids in Dubai!
14 Comments
They must have loved this! This camel seems so sweet– not like the mean, spitting camels you see on shows like the Amazing Race!
What an adorable picture – she looks delighted to be feeding that camel!
Love the angle on this picture!
What a gorgeous photo. Your daughter looks like she’s having a wonderful time. We’re living in Malaysia which is hot enough but I still can’t imagine being somewhere so hot an indoor zoo is needed. I guess we’ll just have to come to Dubai to check it out for ourselves one day. Thanks for sharing this find.
Thanks, it truly is a great little zoo and definitely worth a visit when you are in this part of the world!
@Preparing for Takeoff, I have to admit this camel was very lovely natured, I have come across many others that you wouldn’t put your fingers anywhere near! I was slightly nervous nevertheless.
Ooh, I missed that when we were in Dubai a couple of years ago. My kids liked the Emirates, so we’ll probably go back, and I thought we’d stay a few nights in Sharjah – it seemed so much livelier than Dubai. Did the wildlife centre have Oryx antelopes, by any chance?
Sophie, definitely worth a visit if you return to the Emirates, and I think the centre has a breeding program for the Arabian Oryx 🙂
The animals are all indoors? Doesn’t it smell?
That’s a zoo worth visiting. 🙂 Love to see how sweet each of them to each other!
I would have never guessed an indoor zoo exists! Great photo!
Sonja, surprisingly it doesn’t smell at all. Many of the animals are indoors, however, there are a number of enclosures on the outside while you’re still on the inside (if that makes sense).
I absolutely love that place, LPV loves all the birds.x
thanks for this post. I was actually looking for an indoor zoo here in UAE, as this time is not a good time to visit an outdoor zoo. We are a homeschooling family and my boys are learning about animals and we would love for them to see them it the real world. Your post is very helpful. We would definitely visit the place, I just hope they allow photography this time…:)