Small Zoos & Farms in the UAE: Pygmy Zoo, RAK Zoo & Wadi Al Amardi Farm

For a short, cheap animal outing with young children, the UAE’s small zoos and farms beat the big safari parks. The UAE Pygmy Zoo, with miniature camels and horses, costs about AED 20 for adults at its Sharjah branch; RAK Zoo is about AED 40; Emirates Park Zoo in Abu Dhabi is from about AED 40 to 65 with a large petting farm; and farms such as Wadi Al Amardi in Dubai, Green Heaven in Sharjah and the new Fili petting farm let children feed goats, rabbits and camels for little or nothing. Most open in the afternoon and evening, and October to April is the season.

On this page

1. Small zoos and farms compared
2. UAE Pygmy Zoo
3. RAK Zoo
4. Emirates Park Zoo
5. Farms in Dubai
6. Farms in Sharjah and the north
7. In Abu Dhabi and Al Ain
8. Petting and feeding rules
9. Which one should you choose?
10. Best time to go
11. Small zoos and farms FAQs

Small zoos and farms compared

UAE Pygmy Zoo

The UAE Pygmy Zoo is the country’s only zoo dedicated to miniature animals, started as a hobby by Emirati owner Abdullah Binjarash. Its stars are miniature camels, which he calls the rarest animals in the park, miniature horses and ponies, and albino kangaroos, alongside rodents, birds and a small safari section, about 15 types of animal in each zone.

• Sharjah branch: opened in January 2025 at the Al Saja’a livestock market. Tickets are AED 20 for adults and AED 15 for children, and children aged two and under go free. It opens daily from 10am to 10pm, and Fridays from 2pm to 11pm.
• Ajman: the original zoo, often listed as “Ajman Zoo”, in Al Zorah’s Marina 1 area, a few minutes from Al Zorah Beach. Older listings show entry as low as AED 5, with miniature pony and camel rides for an extra fee, and opening from the afternoon until 10pm.
• Good to know: children can feed many of the animals, and the zoo aims to be one of the cheapest animal outings in the UAE. Check which branch is open before you drive, as the zoo has moved before.

RAK Zoo

Ras Al Khaimah’s zoo, in the Al Digdaga area on the road to RAK International Airport, is a traditional small zoo with lions, panthers, crocodiles, chimpanzees in an air-conditioned enclosure, tortoises, camels, horses, ostriches and peacocks. Entry is around AED 40 per person over 3, with toddlers free, and VIP experiences cost much more. It is open from the morning into the evening in winter, and only from mid-afternoon in summer. Combine it with a RAK beach or Jebel Jais to make the drive worthwhile.

Emirates Park Zoo

In Al Bahia, about 30 minutes north of Abu Dhabi city, Emirates Park Zoo is the biggest of the “small” zoos, with more than 1,700 animals, a petting farm, a reptile house and paid encounters. Standard tickets cost from about AED 40 to AED 65 depending on where you buy (the Visit Abu Dhabi listing links to the official ticket site), and Explorer passes with extra experiences cost more; children aged 2 and under go free. Book online to skip the queue at weekends.

Farms in Dubai

• Wadi Al Amardi Farm: a family-run organic farm near Al Khawaneej that began as a private farm in the 1990s and is still run by an Emirati family. Children can feed and pet goats, rabbits and camels, and there is a small splash area and playground. It is popular with schools on weekdays and local families at weekends. Prices and hours are not published online, so call or message before you go.
• Desert Oasis Petting Farm: in Al Khawaneej, with deer, ducks, donkeys and sheep to feed; day passes have been about AED 10 for adults.
• DAMAC Hills Pet Farm: a community farm with rabbits, deer, tortoises, peacocks and goats.
• Dubai Safari Park Kids Farm: goats, ponies and sheep inside the big safari park, included with park entry.

Farms in Sharjah and the north

• Fili Petting Farm: opened on 15 February 2026 by Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi as part of the Heritage Fili project in the Sharjah interior, beside the heritage souq and fort. It covers about 14,800 square metres with eight barns, indoor and outdoor enclosures for small animals such as tortoises and rabbits, and an education hall for school workshops. Ticket details had not been published when we checked.
• Green Heaven Farm and Camping: a working farm in Al Zubair, Sharjah, where children can feed the cows, with camping on site. Open 7:30am to 11:30am and 3:30pm to 6:30pm.
• Sharjah Desert Park Children’s Farm: goats, sheep, camels, horses and ducks, included in the park ticket; under-12s are free. Closed Tuesdays.

In Abu Dhabi and Al Ain

• Umm Al Emarat Park animal barn: ponies, rabbits, tortoises, pygmy goats, horses and camels in central Abu Dhabi, run with Al Ain Zoo. See our Abu Dhabi city parks guide.
• Al Ain Zoo Children’s Farm: goats, sheep and chickens inside the large Al Ain Zoo; see places to visit in Al Ain.

Petting and feeding rules

• Feed animals only with food sold by the farm or zoo; human snacks make animals ill.
• Hold food on a flat palm, and let small children feed with an adult beside them.
• Wash hands after touching animals, and before eating; most farms have basins.
• Wear closed shoes, and expect dust and mud after rain.
• No pets; your dog will upset the animals.
• Do not chase, pick up or pull animals; ask staff before holding anything.

Which one should you choose?

• Toddlers, short attention spans: the UAE Pygmy Zoo or a Dubai petting farm, an hour or two at most.
• A full day out: Emirates Park Zoo in Abu Dhabi, or Sharjah Desert Park plus Sharjah Safari.
• Bigger animals on a budget: Umm Al Quwain Zoo for AED 25, with giraffe feeding.
• Combining with a road trip: RAK Zoo with the RAK beaches or Jebel Jais.

Best time to go

Most small zoos and farms are outdoors, so October to April is the season. Go in the morning or the late afternoon, when it is cooler and animals are more active. Several open only in the afternoon and evening, especially in summer, and weekends are much busier than weekdays.

Small zoos and farms FAQs