Christmas is behind us for another year and New Year’s celebrations just around the corner. But in this one week of the year where it feels acceptable to just chill, it is time for some family adventures. The Dubai Safari Park calls us.
We head off from home, it is about a 45 minute drive and it is nice to be out for the day. In this, the last week of 2020, I spend the time reflecting. The fact is that this time last year we never could have anticipated what was ahead and how our lives would be impinged. Yet also how we have made it through, considering ourselves lucky given all that has happened during the course of the year.
The Safari Park
The car park is already busy when we arrive just before 11am. We meet up with our friends – Brad, Diana and Kenny, and launch in. The Dubai Safari Park is a sprawling 119 hecatre park with over 2500 species of animals. It is dividend into four main areas for animals: the Arabian Village, Asian Village, Explorer Village and the African Village.
From the main entrance building we find the ring road that surrounds a recreational Wadi – a lush green area that centers the park with lakes, waterfalls and spaces for a rest in the shade or with a snack. A miniature train pulls up at the station and takes us around to the African train station where we alight to meander through the menagerie of animals from the African continent.
African Village
Here, an array of antelopes, meerkat, cape hunting dogs, lemurs, tortoises, baboons, chimpanzees, bongos and cheetah can be found as well as a Reptile House and a large aviary.
We enter from where the train drops us off and skip the queue to the Gorilla House, moving on to pass by the chimpanzee, lemurs, Pygmy hippo and antelope.
In the middle of the Village, the winding paths open onto a large village ‘square’ where restaurants, cafes and other facilities line the hub. Here we find the Reptile House and who can resist the fierce cobra at the entrance. The short queue moves relatively quickly and we find ourselves surrounded by cold reptilian stares.
Wary cobras, boa constrictors and even an anaconda lurk in the dimly lit cave. A water dragon, chameleon and some turtles seem innocent enough until I spot the Komodo dragon watching from a log.
After the tarantula and a string of venomous snakes including: the Arabian horned viper; hooded malpolon; carpet viper; and Afro-Asian sand snake, I am ready to face the less terrifying prospects from the African plains.
Back out in the Dubai winter sunshine we walk around the enclosures of the larger African animals. The cheetahs, elephants and my personal favorite, the majestic white lion are all out and about.
Although not limited to native African birds, the aviary, located within the African Village is well worth a stroll through. Striking Arabian Green Bee-eaters; Daurian or Isabelline Shrikes; Temminck’s Stints; and Common and Wood Sandpipers can be found. Among these are also more common varieties of ducks and other birds.
The structure of the aviary itself is admiralble, along with the fascinating bird life. Two ‘trees’ link viewing platforms by way of an elevated walkway. This allows a treetop viewing experience as well as meandering paths through the vegetation and waterways along the ground.
The area of the African Village takes us a good couple of hours to make our way around. After which, we are ready for lunch!
Al Bait Al Qadeem Restaurant
Just outside of the African Village is the Al Bait Al Qadeem Restaurant. From outside it looks like a large safari type hut. Inside it is a fantasy escape from the every day. A little water lagoon loops around the tables. Some low tables are raised on a platform where you can sit on scattered cushions and gaze out over the grassy slope towards the large play area. The walls are decorated with frescoes depicting falcon hunting on the desert dunes and a central colonnade is festooned with flowers.
We order a number of dishes to share beginning with traditional hummus and moutable dips, a tabouleh salad and some samosas. Then, for mains our Arabic grill platter arrives along with a curry and rice. I also order an excellent karak tea and by the time we finish off with a couple of servings of lgeimat, the traditional Emirati doughnut balls, I can barely get up again.
Explorer Village
We take a stroll back through the wadi, rather than waiting for the train. We end up at the Explorer Village where it is giraffe feeding time. Just catching the end of the feeding session we miss out on the up close and personal by a couple of minutes. Another feeding session is scheduled for later on. Moving on to the hippo house we are delighted by this giant beast swimming about in its pool. It does several laps and we get as up close and personal as we would want to. These are powerful beasts in the wild. And while these are, no doubt, somewhat tame and used to humans, I would not want to risk a close encounter. Thank goodness for the reinforced glass viewing pane in between us.
It is at this point that we realise we do not have the necessary ‘combo’ tickets for the safari park ride which would take us through the main animals of the Explorer Village. This area is only accessible by safari vehicle and it is booked out for today.
Asian Village
From here we pass back past the Birds of Prey arena and arrive at the Asian Village. Here we see some gibbons putting on a raucous display, the Moon Bears sparring and some wallabies grazing.
This is another area that offers a safari by vehicle through the various enclosures. However, by now it is the end of the day and time for us to get going. It is getting busy but we have been walking for a good number of hours. The children will begin to fade soon. We give the Arabian Village a miss and head on home, satisfied nevertheless with our day of adventures.
Good To Know
The Dubai Safari Park has various areas with differing levels of entry ticket. Be sure to sign up for the combo tickets. These allow access to the safari tours which are the only way to fully explore the wildlife on display in these ares.
There are various food and beverage options available in the park. These include numerous restaurants, cafes, fast food and on the go refreshments.
The playground is currently closed due to COVID restrictions.
Would I Return?
Yes. I would book tickets for the respective safari tours. Also be sure to anticipate a full day out to make the most of the experience.
