When you are visiting Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates, you must not miss out on visiting the Sharjah Safari. It is a unique animal safari established in the desert kingdom. Established by the Sheikh himself, it is the largest safari outside of Africa. It allows residents and tourists to enjoy all that they would in an animal safari.
The safari spans 8000 hectares and is a treat for nature lovers. People who seek the thrill of an animal safari will enjoy the time spent here and kids would definitely love it. It is a family destination that must be a part of your UAE itinerary. In this comprehensive guide, we tell you all you want to know about the Sharjah Safari.
Complete Guide to Sharjah Safari
The Sharjah Safari commenced operations in February 2022. It is host to more than 120 animal species and has a total of 50,000+ animals located in a natural environment. The park hosts animals in an Africa-like environment, so visitors can enjoy the same experience as they would in Africa.
There are more than 1,000 trees in the park. The park is not only about flora and fauna. It has a lot to offer tourists. There are restaurants and cafes surrounding the park allowing visitors to get the food and drink of their choice. A visitor’s tent and a conference room and other facilities are available at the Safari.
There are six regions in the Sharjah Safari park:
- To Africa offers a walking tour to explore the flora and fauna of the Eastern African coast.
- Sahel has a desert environment representing the area from the Sahara to the Savannah
- Savannah represents the region from the north coast to Kalahari and has tropical grasslands.
- Serengeti represents the region that sees the largest animal migration in the world annually.
- Ngorongoro is formed from a crater and has unique animal diversity.
- Moremi is based on the valleys and canyons in Southwest Africa.
Tickets
There are different ticketing options to suit your needs. The tickets are available in three categories – bronze, silver and gold. The details are as follows:
1) Bronze
The Bronze ticket entitles you to a 3-hour walking tour in the park. You can visit the Africa section of the park and enjoy all the attractions on offer. This is the basic tour package. The ticket pricing is AED 40 for adults and AED 15 for kids (aged 3 to 12 years).
2) Silver
If you prefer a tour by bus and want to cover more places, then you can choose the Silver ticket. The duration of this tour is for around 6 hours. You will be taken by bus around the park. The tour covers all areas of the park, except Serengeti. The ticket price for adults is AED 120 and AED 50 for kids. If you book for a group of 20+, then the price is reduced to AED 100 per ticket.
3) Gold
If you want a complete tour of the park with a personal guide, then you can choose the Gold ticket. It takes around 6 hours and the tour is in a private car. You will have a guide who will take you to all sections of the park and ensure you get the best experience. 275 AED is the fee for adults with AED 120 for kids. This is valid for a car with 6 people. For 9 people, the total price is 2250 AED and for 15 people it is 3500 AED. All trips are in luxury cars.
Timing
The timings of the Sharjah Safari are from 8:30 am to 6:30 pm. For gold and silver ticket holders, the last entry time is 2:00 pm. For bronze ticket holders, the last entry time is 4:00 pm.
How to reach
The Sharjah Safari is located in Al-Tid and is a part of the Bardi Reserve. It is 40 minutes away from the city centre. The park coordinates are 25.2502983, 55.9216604 and you can drive down to the safari from the city.
What to expect?
There are various species of animals inside the safari. You can view African birds in their natural environment. Then, there are the most popular animals like the lion, rhino, gazelle, giraffe, crocodile, and hippo. You can view these animals close up when you take the bus or car tour.
The Zanzibar village area has restaurants where you can enjoy tasty food in an African setting. There is also a safari camp where you can stay overnight if you want to enjoy the experience of staying in the wilderness.
You’re sure to enjoy your experience at Sharjah Safari. Plan ahead and book your tickets soon!
