Sharjah is one of the fastest growing emirates in the UAE. Over the past 10 years, many attractions and places for entertainment have been built here. But tourists and independent travelers remember the “Desert Park” – Desert park. In Sharjah, the zoo appeared a long time ago, unique conditions for living of animals, several natural parks have been created here.
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Location how to get there
The original purpose of creating Desert Park – conservation of rare species of animals, birds. For this, the government of the United Arab Emirates has allocated a large area, which is now located in the area of Sharjah airport. The opening of the first parts took place in 1995. The zoo is located 28 km from the city limits, you need to eat inland. On the site of the former desert, several thematic sites have been built, where excursions are conducted, you can plan an independent walk.
Information about “Desert Park” in Sharjah :
- Address – Sharjah-Dhaid Road, Interchange 8.
- Contact phone – +971 6 531 1999.
- The fare for a taxi from the center of the capital of the emirate is 40 dirhams. From hotels and hotel complexes on the coast – 65 dirhams.
- Buses to the zoo in Sharjah do not go, you can only get there by taxi or rented car.
- Opening hours – from 9:00 to 18:00. Friday is a shortened working day. Some exhibits and enclosures may be closed for maintenance. Information about this is posted on the official website.
- The ticket price for an adult is 15 dirhams. Children’s ticket – 5 dirhams.
- The journey from Dubai will take 30-40 minutes. The price of a taxi is 100 dirhams.
Despite the relatively remote location from the city center, according to tourists, to get to the Wild Zoo Park in Sharjah is easy. Every taxi driver knows its location, only one road leads to it. For independent travelers who arrived by car, several parking lots have been built.
Description of the zoo
To attract guests and tourists, the zoo has created several thematic expositions. They combine useful information about the wildlife of the Arabian Desert and the Persian Gulf with modern technology. So, during the tour you can see a realistic model of a volcanic eruption, walk next to the dinosaurs.
A petting zoo has been created for children. In Sharjah, young tourists can see rare animals, some of them can be petted and photographed. This increases the interest of children in the animal world, develops responsibility. Everyone is allowed to enter, but you must follow the safety rules, and do not harm pets.
Animals
For animals, natural living conditions are created here. Each species has a large area; visitors can see them while traveling by car or walking. The first to meet are real wild camels, which freely walk around the territory. Behind them are enclosures with other animals. The Sharjah Zoo takes into account the climatic features of the region and the UAE, for some of the inhabitants built shelters from the heat and heat.
Who can be seen in Sharjah Wild Park:
- Cheetahs. These noble cats are located on a large territory; special African stunted trees are planted for them.
- Terrarium. In aquariums and closed areas you can see rare snakes, turtles, reptiles. The special pride of the zoo is a collection of different types of crocodiles.
- Ungulates – mountain goats, antelopes, zebras, deer, fallow deer.
- The poultry house contains the largest collection of birds on the Arabian Peninsula. There are mountain eagles, fast hawks and beautiful flamingos.
- A separate enclosure has been built for nocturnal animals. The lighting is subdued, a brood of bats is located on the ceiling, and desert hedgehogs live in sand aviaries. The kids love the antics of the mongoose, a local celebrity.
To travel around the zoo, you can choose an independent route or book a group tour. a guide in English will explain the features of each type of animal, tell interesting facts about them.
Botanical Garden
Rare plants are collected in this part of the park, a network of walking paths has been developed for guests, and there are comfortable places to relax. It will be convenient to spend time here before walking between animal enclosures. The premises have an air conditioning system.
Several pools and fountains have been installed to create natural coolness. For rest there are comfortable benches, gazebos. Each type of plant has signs with useful information. It is written in English and Arabic.
Museum of Natural History
The most interesting place for lovers of history and facts about the animal and plant world. In this part of the Sharjah Zoo, collections of interesting artifacts from the past are selected, explanatory models are installed, using the example of which you can understand natural processes, find out the structure of many things.
Interesting exhibits of the Natural History Museum in Sharjah Wild Park:
- Volumetric model of a camel. It shows how he stores water, why he walks so fast on the sand.
- Huge quartz crystal. It is he who is the source of the formation of sand in the desert.
- The globe in section with a detailed explanation of each layer.
- A meteorite containing nickel and iron.
- Natural fossils of ancient mollusks.
- Thematic exposition with models of dinosaurs.
This part of the park will be interesting for children and adults. You can take photos and videos without restrictions. Reviews about this place are positive, you can learn a lot of interesting facts.