Dubai Safari Park is open for Season 8, which began on Monday 12 October 2026, daily from 9am to 6pm, with last entry at 5pm, until the end of May 2027. The Safari Park Pass costs from AED 50 and covers all six zones, the free animal presentations and the Arabian Desert Safari. The Safari Bundle at AED 117 adds the Explorer Safari Tour through the big-cat and hippo habitats, plus unlimited park train rides. Children under 3 and People of Determination enter free.
At a glance
- Status
- Open: Season 8 began 12 October 2026, listed through 31 May 2027; closes for the summer
- Hours
- 9am to 6pm daily, last entry 5pm
- Tickets
- Safari Park Pass from AED 50, Safari Bundle AED 117
- Free
- Children under 3, People of Determination
- Safaris
- Arabian Desert Safari included (15 min); Explorer Safari Tour in the Bundle (35 min)
- Best time
- November to March, from 9am to 11am, when the animals are most active and it is cooler
- Allow
- 4 to 5 hours
- Parking
- Free, car parks P1 to P3, EV charging at P1
Last verified: 12 October 2026 against dubaisafari.ae.
On this page
- Before you go: what changes the day
- Dubai Safari Park tickets for Season 8
- The two safari journeys compared
- The six zones and what to see in each
- Daily shows: times and places
- Animal encounters and feeding times
- Private and premium experiences
- Opening week and kids’ workshops
- A simple plan for the day
- Facilities, accessibility and rules
- Getting there by car
- From Dubai Zoo to Dubai Safari Park
- Season 8 change log
- Dubai Safari Park FAQs
Before you go: what changes the day
- Go early. The park covers 119 hectares and most of it is outdoors. In October, midday temperatures still pass 35°C, and many animals rest in the shade by late morning.
- Book online. The park says booking online gives the best price and skips the ticket queue, which on busy mornings can be long. Resale sites often charge more than the official AED 50 pass.
- Single entry only. Once you leave, you cannot re-enter on the same ticket, so eat inside the park.
- Feeding slots are limited. Giraffe and lemur feeding sell out on busy days. Add them at checkout when you book.
- Dress for the rules. Modest clothing covering shoulders and knees, comfortable shoes, a hat and sunscreen.
Dubai Safari Park tickets for Season 8
| Ticket | Price | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Safari Park Pass | From AED 50 | All six zones, the five daily presentations, the Arabian Desert Safari |
| Safari Bundle | AED 117 | Everything in the park pass, plus the Explorer Safari Tour and unlimited park train rides |
| Children under 3 | Free | Entry |
| People of Determination | Free | Entry |
| Animal encounters | Free to AED 75 each | Paid add-ons, limited spots |
| Fast Track and reserved seating | Extra fee | Ask at the park |
Buy on the official Dubai Safari Park website, where you can add a safari and encounters in the same booking. Children must stay with an adult throughout the visit.
Is the Safari Bundle worth it?
Yes, for most first visits. The park is too big to walk comfortably in the heat, the Explorer Safari Tour is the only way into the big-cat and hippo habitats, and the unlimited train rides alone save a lot of walking. If you are on a budget, the AED 50 pass still includes the Arabian Desert Safari and all five shows.
The two safari journeys compared
| Arabian Desert Safari | Explorer Safari Tour | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | About 15 minutes | About 35 minutes |
| Runs | 10am to 5:30pm | 10am to 5pm |
| Ticket | Included with every park ticket | Included with the Safari Bundle |
| What you see | Native wildlife in open desert: Arabian oryx, sand gazelles and the Arabian wolf | Big cats and hippos, plus African savannah animals such as giraffes, zebras, white rhinos and lions |
| Best for | A short first taste and young children | The highlight of the day for most visitors |
The six zones and what to see in each
| Zone | Headline animals | Don’t miss |
|---|---|---|
| African Village | African elephant, white lion, gorilla, chimpanzee, lemurs | The Grand Aviary, Dubai’s largest walk-through aviary; the Reptile House with dozens of reptile species; Lemur Island; the gorilla and chimpanzee houses; the Education Centre |
| Asian Village | Moon bear, Komodo dragon, gibbon | Pagoda paths through tropical forest, Komodo Cave, the Asian Theater and Birds of Prey Square |
| Explorer Village | Cheetah, tiger, hippo | Base for the Explorer Safari, the giraffe feeding platform, the Hippo Aquarium with underwater views of the hippos, and the Explorer Theater |
| Arabian Desert Safari | Arabian wolf, Arabian oryx, sand gazelle | The UAE’s own wildlife, seen from the safari vehicle |
| Kids Farm | Pygmy goats, Najdi sheep, ponies, lovebirds, rabbits | Petting and goat feeding for young children |
| Al Wadi | Swans, ducks and other water birds | A green oasis for a picnic-style break, restaurants and the free pony walk |
The park is home to more than 3,000 animals from over 300 species, 42 of them endangered. The interactive map on the official site lists every animal, train station and facility zone by zone.
Daily shows: times and places
All five presentations are free with your park ticket and last about 30 minutes. Arrive 10 minutes early for a seat, and check the board at the entrance, as times can change on the day.
| Time | Show | Where | Animals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11am | Birds Kingdom: The Great Sky Festival | Explorer Theater, Explorer Village | Toucans, parrots, hornbills and macaws |
| 1pm | Echoes of the Wild | Asian Theater, Asian Village | Dogs, lemurs, otters, coatis and binturongs |
| 2pm | Birds Kingdom | Explorer Theater | Second flight of the day |
| 3pm | Echoes of the Wild | Asian Theater | Second showing |
| 4pm | Birds of Prey | Birds of Prey Square, Asian Village | Owls, eagles and vultures |
Animal encounters and feeding times
The park runs 13 encounters in total. These are the main ones; spots are limited, so book them as add-ons at checkout or at the ticket counter on arrival.
| Encounter | Price | Where | Sessions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Giraffe feeding | AED 20 | Explorer Village | 11am, 1pm, 3pm, 5pm |
| Lemur feeding | AED 75 | Lemur Island | 12pm, 4pm |
| Goat feeding | AED 20 | Kids Farm | 11:30am, 4:15pm |
| Tortoise feeding | AED 20 | See the park map on the day | 2pm |
| Pony walk | Free | Al Wadi | 10am, 5pm |
Private and premium experiences
These are booked per group, on top of the park experience.
| Package | Price per group | Length and size | What you get |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jungle Capture | AED 1,275 | 3 hours, up to 3 guests | An early-morning guided photography tour with behind-the-scenes photo access, park train rides and reserved show seating |
| Behind the Scenes | AED 1,450 | 90 minutes, up to 10 guests | A private tour with five backstage experiences, including rhino and elephant feeding |
| Dine in the Wild | AED 2,150 | 2 hours, up to 6 guests | Breakfast or dinner beside the giraffes or the lions, with park access |
| King of Safari | AED 2,500 | 4 hours, up to 10 guests | A chauffeured private Explorer Safari, three animal feedings, reserved presentation seating and VIP parking |
For travel trade partners there is also a Royal Safari Experience for up to 10 guests over four hours.
Opening week and kids’ workshops
- Wildest Week, 12 to 18 October 2026: four stage shows a day, the Little Explorers’ Base Camp play zone, two safari parades, stilt walkers and dancing vets to celebrate the new season.
- Saturday Workshops for Young Explorers: free with a park ticket, every Saturday at 12pm and 3pm, for ages 6 to 12. October themes: a Habitat Workshop on 17 October and a Lemur Enrichment Workshop on 31 October at the Education Centre in African Village, and a Gibbon Enrichment Workshop on 24 October at Komodo Cave in Asian Village.
A simple plan for the day
- 9am: arrive at opening and walk African Village and the aviary while it is cool.
- 10am: take the Arabian Desert Safari as soon as it starts.
- 11am: Birds Kingdom at the Explorer Theater, then giraffe feeding at 11am or 1pm.
- Noon: the Explorer Safari Tour if you have the Bundle.
- 1pm: lunch in Al Wadi or African Village, then Echoes of the Wild at the Asian Theater at 1pm or 3pm.
- 3pm: Kids Farm and Asian Village, and finish with Birds of Prey at 4pm.
Facilities, accessibility and rules
| Facility | Detail |
|---|---|
| Getting around | Park train between the six zones (included in the Bundle, or as an add-on), air-conditioned shuttles, and a private eco-taxi for a fee |
| Accessibility | Free entry for People of Determination, wheelchair-accessible transport, manual wheelchairs and mobility scooters to rent (scooters limited to designated zones). Some areas have limited access; call 800 900 before you go |
| Families | Stroller rental, baby-changing stations near restrooms, the Kids Farm and the Education Centre |
| Food | Restaurants, cafés and kiosks, mainly in African Village and Al Wadi |
| Essentials | Prayer rooms for men and women, first aid stations, free Wi-Fi, lockers, lost and found at the main entrance, a souvenir shop and photo booths |
- No outside food or drinks.
- No pets, large luggage, drones or recreational devices.
- Cameras are welcome with the flash off.
- Smoking and vaping only in designated areas.
Getting there by car
Dubai Safari Park is in Al Warqa 5, on Hatta Road (E44) opposite Dragon Mart, about 20 minutes’ drive from Downtown Dubai outside rush hour. Parking is free in car parks P1 to P3, with EV charging at P1. Taxis drop off at the main entrance.
From Dubai Zoo to Dubai Safari Park
Dubai Safari Park opened in December 2017 as the replacement for the old Dubai Zoo in Jumeirah, which closed after about 50 years. The animals moved to a far larger home designed around open habitats and drive-through safaris. The park now runs a 24-hour veterinary hospital, prepares more than 5,000 fresh meals a day, runs over 150 enrichment activities and has rescued more than 158 flamingos. Recent milestones include Zuri, a southern giraffe calf born at the park, and captive-bred addax released back into the wild in Chad. On Google, the park is rated 4.5 out of 5 from more than 13,000 reviews.
Weekday or weekend? Weekday mornings are the quietest. Weekends, school holidays and public holidays get busy from late morning. During Ramadan, hours usually change; last Ramadan the park opened from 10am to 6pm.
Season 8 change log
- 12 October 2026: Season 8 opens at 9am with Wildest Week and the “Live More Wild Life” brand.
- October 2026: Season 8 tickets on sale, park pass from AED 50, Safari Bundle AED 117.
- Sharjah Safari: the bigger African safari, about an hour from Dubai.
- Umm Al Quwain Zoo: a cheap, relaxed zoo for small children.
- Dubai Crocodile Park: Nile crocodiles in Mushrif, about 15 minutes away.
- Theme parks, water parks and zoos in the UAE: compared in one table.
- Small zoos in the UAE: smaller animal parks across the emirates.
- Things to do in Dubai with kids: picks by age.
Dubai Safari Park FAQs
When does Dubai Safari Park reopen?
Dubai Safari Park reopens for Season 8 on Monday 12 October 2026 at 9am. The season runs until the end of May 2027.
What are Dubai Safari Park timings?
The park is open daily from 9am to 6pm. Last entry is at 5pm.
How much is the Dubai Safari Park ticket?
The Safari Park Pass starts from AED 50 and includes all zones, the shows and the Arabian Desert Safari. The Safari Bundle costs AED 117 and adds the Explorer Safari Tour and unlimited park train rides.
Is the safari included in the Dubai Safari Park ticket?
The 15-minute Arabian Desert Safari is included with every ticket. The 35-minute Explorer Safari Tour through the big-cat and hippo habitats is included with the Safari Bundle.
What time is giraffe feeding at Dubai Safari Park?
Giraffe feeding costs AED 20 and runs four times a day in Explorer Village, at 11am, 1pm, 3pm and 5pm. Spots are limited, so book it as an add-on.
How long does it take to see Dubai Safari Park?
Allow 4 to 5 hours to see the main zones, a safari and one or two shows. Arrive at 9am to see the animals while they are active.
Can I bring food into Dubai Safari Park?
No. Outside food and drinks are not allowed, but there are restaurants, cafés and kiosks, mainly in African Village and Al Wadi.
Is parking free at Dubai Safari Park?
Yes. Parking is free in car parks P1 to P3, and there is EV charging at P1.
Is Dubai Safari Park the same as Dubai Zoo?
Yes, in effect. Dubai Safari Park opened in December 2017 to replace the old Dubai Zoo in Jumeirah, and its animals moved to the new park in Al Warqa.