Al Ain Zoo is the UAE’s largest zoo, set over about 400 hectares in the foothills of Jebel Hafeet on the edge of Al Ain. It’s home to more than 4,000 animals, with a strong focus on Arabian desert species such as the Arabian oryx, alongside African savanna animals and big cats.
It also includes the Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Centre and the Al Ain Safari area, making it a full day out for families.
Plan your visit to Al Ain Zoo
- Entry: from about AED 32 (safari extra)
- Hours: daily 9 AM – 7:30 PM in the 2026–27 season
- Time needed: 3–5 hours
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History of Al Ain Zoo
The zoo was founded in 1969 on the initiative of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and opened to the public in the early 1970s. It began as a home for Arabian wildlife and has played a part in breeding programmes for desert species such as the the Arabian oryx and the Arabian sand cat.
Since then it has grown into a large wildlife park with a safari area and the Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Centre, an exhibition about desert environments and the UAE’s natural heritage. In 2022 the zoo left the world and European zoo associations (WAZA and EAZA) after controversy over a planned import of wild African elephants from Namibia.
Attractions at Al Ain Zoo
- Arabian wildlife: Arabian oryx, gazelles, sand cats and other desert species, many in large enclosures.
- African animals: giraffes, big cats and other savanna species.
- Al Ain Safari: a separately ticketed truck tour through a large open area.
- Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Centre: an indoor exhibition about deserts, wildlife and sustainability.
- Reptile and bird areas: the zoo keeps dozens of reptile and bird species.
Things to Do at Al Ain Zoo
- Take the safari: book the Al Ain Safari truck tour for a closer look at herds in a wide open setting.
- Visit the Desert Learning Centre: a good indoor break from the heat.
- Watch the animals behave naturally: go early or late in the day, when they’re most active, and keep a respectful distance.
- Picnic: there are shaded areas for families to rest.
A note on animal welfare: we suggest skipping hands-on animal feeding or encounter add-ons and enjoying the animals from the viewing areas instead.
Al Ain Zoo – Entry Eligibility and Open Timings
- Tickets: general admission is sold online from around AED 32 for adults, less for children; under-3s go free. The safari is an extra charge.
- Hours: for the 2026–27 season (from early September to the end of May), listings show the zoo open daily from 9 AM to 7:30 PM. Summer hours are shorter, so check the official website before you go.
- Tip: visit on a weekday morning to avoid the weekend crowds and the afternoon heat.
Tickets and tours for Al Ain Zoo
- Al Ain Zoo entry ticket (safari available as an add-on): on Klook
Some links in this guide are affiliate links: if you book through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you.
How Long to Spend at Al Ain Zoo
Allow 3–5 hours, or most of a day if you add the safari and the Desert Learning Centre.
How to Get There
- By car: Al Ain is about 1.5 hours from Dubai and 1.5–2 hours from Abu Dhabi. The zoo is on the southern side of the city near Jebel Hafeet, with plenty of parking.
- By bus and taxi: intercity buses run from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Al Ain; from Al Ain bus station, a taxi to the zoo takes about 15–20 minutes.
- From the airport: Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) is the closest major airport.
Arriving at Abu Dhabi Airport? Book a fixed-price airport transfer to your hotel in Al Ain or Abu Dhabi.
Eateries Nearby Al Ain Zoo
- Inside the zoo: several cafés and kiosks serve snacks, drinks and family meals.
- Al Ain city: malls and restaurants are a short drive away.
- Jebel Hafeet: the Mercure Grand hotel near the summit has restaurants with views over the city.
Other Attractions Nearby Al Ain Zoo
- Jebel Hafeet: drive the famous mountain road for sunset views over Al Ain.
- Al Ain Oasis: shaded palm groves and falaj irrigation channels, part of a UNESCO site.
- Al Ain Palace Museum: the former home of Sheikh Zayed, next to the oasis.
- Al Jahili Fort: a restored fort with exhibitions on local history.
Before your trip
- Find hotels in Al Ain: staying overnight lets you combine the zoo with Jebel Hafeet and the oasis.
- Get a UAE eSIM before you land, for maps and ride-hailing apps.
Al Ain Zoo is the UAE’s biggest zoo, with more than 4,000 animals, a focus on Arabian desert species, the Al Ain Safari and the Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Centre. Book tickets online, go early in the day and allow at least half a day.
Round off your trip with sunset on Jebel Hafeet or a shady walk through Al Ain Oasis.
