Sharjah Safari Park reopened for Season 5 on 21 September 2026 and is open daily from 8:30am to 6pm in Al Dhaid. Tickets come in three tiers: Bronze at AED 40 for a walking visit, Silver at AED 120 with a shared safari drive, and Gold at AED 275 with a personal guide. Children aged 3 to 12 pay AED 15, AED 50 or AED 120, and under 3s go free. The last Silver and Gold tickets are sold at 1:30pm.
Which Sharjah Safari ticket should you buy?
- Families with toddlers, or on a budget: Bronze. It covers the walking areas near the entrance, including Birds of Africa and the village zones, which is plenty for young children.
- First-time visitors: Silver. The shared safari drive through the savannah zones is the reason to come, with giraffes, elephants and lions seen from the vehicle.
- Keen wildlife fans and photographers: Gold. You get a personal guide, more time and a walking safari through the Serengeti habitat.
- Groups of 6 or more: compare a private vehicle, from AED 1,500 for up to six people, with buying Gold tickets for everyone.
At a glance
- Status
- Open for Season 5 since 21 September 2026; closes for the summer (date not yet announced)
- Hours
- 8:30am to 6pm daily
- Last tickets
- Silver and Gold 1:30pm, Bronze 4pm. Last Silver and Gold tour leaves at 2pm
- Adults
- Bronze AED 40, Silver AED 120, Gold AED 275
- Children 3 to 12
- Bronze AED 15, Silver AED 50, Gold AED 120
- Under 3
- Free
- Allow
- 2 to 3 hours for Bronze, 5 to 6 hours for Silver or Gold
Last verified: 9 October 2026 against the Season 5 announcement from Sharjah’s Environment and Protected Areas Authority.
On this page
- Which Sharjah Safari ticket should you buy?
- Sharjah Safari tickets compared
- Private safari prices
- What is new in Season 5
- The 12 zones and what lives there
- About Sharjah Safari
- Food, facilities and accessibility
- Rules for visitors
- Heat, food and comfort tips
- Getting there by car
- Season 5 change log
- Sharjah Safari FAQs
Sharjah Safari tickets compared
| Bronze | Silver | Gold | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult | AED 40 | AED 120 | AED 275 |
| Child (3 to 12) | AED 15 | AED 50 | AED 120 |
| Under 3 | Free | Free | Free |
| How you see it | On foot | Shared safari vehicle | Safari vehicle with a personal guide, plus a walking safari |
| Areas covered | Birds of Africa, East African Islands, Boma, Zanzibar Village | Bronze areas plus Niger Valley, Sahel, Moremi, Savannah, Ngorongoro, Kalahari and Tswalu, a bird show and a stop at Safari Camp | Everything in Silver plus a walking safari through the Serengeti habitat |
| Last ticket | 4pm | 1:30pm | 1:30pm |
| Time needed | 2 to 3 hours | 5 to 6 hours | 5 to 6 hours |
The 1:30pm cut-off catches people out. Silver and Gold tickets stop selling at 1:30pm and the last safari tour leaves at 2pm, even though the park stays open until 6pm. If you want the drive, aim to arrive by 10am. Some older guides still list a 2pm cut-off and a higher Silver price from earlier seasons.
Buy tickets on the official Sharjah Safari website or at the gate. Booking ahead secures a safari departure time on busy days.
Private safari prices
| Vehicle | Price per vehicle | Works out per person (full) |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 6 people | AED 1,500 | AED 250 |
| Up to 9 people | AED 2,250 | AED 250 |
| Up to 15 people | AED 3,500 | About AED 233 |
A full private vehicle costs slightly less per adult than a Gold ticket, and the whole group sets its own pace. It is less good value for families, because the child Gold price is only AED 120.
What is new in Season 5
- Behind-the-scenes tours showing the daily animal care, at selected times. Dates had not been published by 9 October 2026.
- Baby animals: 186 births in the second quarter of 2026, including South African giraffes, elephants, lions, oryx, blue wildebeest, impala, nyala and zebra.
- Radiated tortoise hatchlings: six young of this critically endangered species, on show in the Spiny Forest area.
The 12 zones and what lives there
The park is laid out as a journey across Africa, from the islands of the east coast to the southern savannah. Bronze covers the first group of walking zones; Silver and Gold add the drive through the rest.
| Zone | Modelled on | Highlights | Ticket |
|---|---|---|---|
| Into Africa and Baobab Avenue | The entrance walk | Baobab trees and the first animal enclosures | All |
| East African Islands | Madagascar and the Indian Ocean islands | Ring-tailed lemurs, Aldabra giant tortoises and the Spiny Forest with radiated tortoises | All |
| Birds of Africa | An African aviary | African bird species in a walk-through setting | All |
| Boma and Zanzibar Village | A traditional East African village | Village-style walking area with food and rest stops | All |
| Niger Valley | West Africa’s river country | Part of the guided drive | Silver, Gold |
| Sahel | The dry belt south of the Sahara | Arid-land habitat where the safari drive begins | Silver, Gold |
| Savannah | The East African grasslands | Open grassland habitat on the drive | Silver, Gold |
| Serengeti | Tanzania’s migration plains | The habitat for the Gold walking safari | Gold walk; drive-by on Silver |
| Ngorongoro | Tanzania’s volcanic crater | Part of the guided drive | Silver, Gold |
| Moremi | Botswana’s Okavango delta | Cheetahs, white and black rhinos, African wild dogs and giraffes in the gorge | Silver, Gold |
| Kalahari and Tswalu | Southern Africa’s red desert | Part of the guided drive | Silver, Gold |
| Safari Camp | A lodge stop on the drive | Restaurant, play area and toilets | Silver, Gold |
Animals move between enclosures and some are rested, so not every species is visible on every drive. The park’s live cameras, including Simba Koppie, the Elephant Pools, Mamba Lodge and Safari Camp, are on the official website if you want to see what is active before you go.
About Sharjah Safari
Sharjah Safari was opened on 17 February 2022 by Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, after about five years of construction and an investment of around AED 1 billion. It sits inside the Al Bardi Reserve near Al Dhaid and is run by Sharjah’s Environment and Protected Areas Authority. It covers 8 square kilometres, split into 12 environments modelled on African landscapes, and at opening held more than 50,000 animals from over 120 species, along with tens of thousands of African and local trees. It bills itself as the largest safari park outside Africa.
Food, facilities and accessibility
- Food: outside food and drinks are not allowed. Zanzibar Village and Safari Camp serve hot and cold meals, snacks and drinks, and there are cafés by the lake near the entrance.
- Water: chilled refill stations and drinking fountains around the walking zones, so bring a reusable bottle.
- Accessibility: the walking zones are wheelchair and stroller friendly, and wheelchairs and strollers can be borrowed at the entrance on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Families: nursing rooms, playgrounds and the amphitheatre bird show, which is included with every ticket.
- Other facilities: free parking, restrooms, first aid rooms, prayer rooms, picnic spots, a souvenir shop and free Wi-Fi.
Rules for visitors
- No outside food or drinks.
- No pets.
- No scooters, bicycles, skateboards, roller skates, balls, toy guns or balloons.
- Children under 12 must stay with an adult at all times.
- Stay inside the safari vehicle during the drive unless your guide says otherwise.
Heat, food and comfort tips
- Most of the park is open to the sun. In October, plan the walking areas for the morning and the safari drive before 2pm.
- Bring hats, sunscreen, sunglasses and a refillable water bottle for everyone.
- Wear comfortable walking shoes, especially on a Bronze or Gold ticket.
- Binoculars make a real difference on the safari drive.
- November to March is the most comfortable time of year to visit.
Getting there by car
Sharjah Safari is inland, near Al Dhaid, about 45 to 50 minutes from Sharjah city and about an hour’s drive from Dubai. Search “Sharjah Safari” in your maps app; the park entrance is signposted off the main road after the Al Dhaid cricket ground. Fill up with fuel before you leave the city.
Season 5 change log
- 21 September 2026: Season 5 opened with the same ticket prices as listed above and new behind-the-scenes tours.
- Sharjah Desert Park: Arabian wildlife, museums and a children’s farm on the way back.
- Dubai Safari Park: closer to Dubai, open again from 12 October.
- Buhais Geology Park and Mleiha: fossils and archaeology in the same part of Sharjah.
- UAE theme parks and zoos: every big family attraction compared.
- Sharjah National Park: a picnic stop on the way to Al Dhaid.
Sharjah Safari FAQs
How much is the Sharjah Safari ticket?
Bronze costs AED 40 for adults and AED 15 for children, Silver AED 120 and AED 50, and Gold AED 275 and AED 120. Children under 3 enter free.
What are Sharjah Safari timings?
Sharjah Safari is open daily from 8:30am to 6pm. The last Silver and Gold tickets are sold at 1:30pm and the last Bronze ticket at 4pm.
Is Sharjah Safari open now?
Yes. Season 5 opened on 21 September 2026. The park closes for the summer, and the end date has not been announced yet.
What is the difference between Bronze, Silver and Gold at Sharjah Safari?
Bronze is a walking visit of the areas near the entrance. Silver adds a shared safari drive through the main African zones. Gold adds a personal guide and a walking safari in the Serengeti habitat.
How long does Sharjah Safari take?
Allow 2 to 3 hours for a Bronze visit and 5 to 6 hours for Silver or Gold.
Can you take food into Sharjah Safari?
No. Outside food and drinks are not allowed, but Zanzibar Village, Safari Camp and the lakeside cafés sell meals, snacks and drinks.
What animals can you see at Sharjah Safari?
More than 120 species, including lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, cheetahs, white and black rhinos, African wild dogs, lemurs, flamingos and giant tortoises.
Is Sharjah Safari wheelchair accessible?
Yes. The walking zones suit wheelchairs and strollers, and both can be borrowed at the entrance on a first-come, first-served basis.
Where is Sharjah Safari?
Sharjah Safari is in the Al Bardi Reserve near Al Dhaid, in the Sharjah interior, about an hour’s drive from Dubai.