منتزه الشارقة الصحراوي is a family friendly wildlife and nature park at Interchange 9 on the Sharjah to Al Dhaid Road (E88), about 28 km east of Sharjah city and around 40 to 50 minutes by car from Dubai. Managed by Sharjah’s Environment and Protected Areas Authority, one entry ticket covers four attractions: Arabia’s Wildlife Centre, the Sharjah Natural History Museum, the Children’s Farm and the Islamic Botanical Garden. Children under 12 enter free, visitors aged 12 and above pay a small entry fee, and the park opens every day except Tuesday, making it one of the best half day trips from Dubai and Sharjah for families.
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We book your flights, hotels and transfers, with the option to pay later with Tabby, Tamara أو أقساط شهرية لبطاقة ائتمان الإمارات العربية المتحدة.
جدول المحتويات
What is Sharjah Desert Park?
Sharjah Desert Park is a protected area in the Sharjah desert that brings native Arabian wildlife, natural history and plants together in one place. It is the home of Arabia’s Wildlife Centre, one of the best places in the UAE to see rare animals such as the Arabian leopard and Arabian oryx up close, mostly from cool, air conditioned viewing halls.
The park also includes the Breeding Centre for Endangered Arabian Wildlife, which works on protecting rare species. This centre is not open to the public, so plan your day around the four attractions included in your ticket.
Many people think it is just a petting zoo in the sand. It isn’t. It is a calm, educational day out that suits families, school groups, nature lovers and photographers.
Things to see at Sharjah Desert Park
Arabia’s Wildlife Centre
This is the main highlight. Large glass windows look out onto open enclosures where you can see Arabian leopards, Arabian wolves, striped hyenas, caracals, sand cats, gazelles, oryx and a large troop of baboons. Inside you will also find a reptile house, an insect section, a nocturnal house with animals that are active at night and a walk through aviary with colourful birds. A cafeteria overlooks one of the big enclosures, so you can have a snack while you watch the animals.
Sharjah Natural History Museum
The museum explains the story of the earth, the desert and the sea through interactive halls. Look out for fossils, meteorites, marine life displays and exhibits about the plants and animals of the UAE. Start your visit here so children understand what they will see outside.
مزرعة الأطفال
Kids love the Children’s Farm, where they can see and pet goats, sheep, camels, ponies and donkeys under staff guidance. It is a good last stop of the day, as it is outdoors and young children enjoy ending on a fun note.
حديقة النباتات الإسلامية
استخدم Islamic Botanical Garden in Sharjah grows plants mentioned in the Holy Quran and the Sunnah, such as figs, olives, pomegranates, date palms and saffron. Its shaded paths make it a peaceful place to slow down after the wildlife centre.
Sharjah Desert Park tickets and timings
One Sharjah Desert Park ticket gives you entry to Arabia’s Wildlife Centre, the Natural History Museum, the Children’s Farm and the Islamic Botanical Garden. Tickets are sold at the entrance.
| زائر | تذكرة دخول |
|---|---|
| الأطفال تحت 12 | الباقة المجانية |
| الزوار الذين تبلغ أعمارهم 12 عامًا فأكثر | 21.50 درهمًا إماراتيًا للفرد |
| يوم | ساعات العمل |
|---|---|
| Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday | 9: 00 AM إلى 5: 30 PM |
| الجمعة | من 4 ونصف عصراً إلى 9 ونصف ليلاً |
| السبت | 11: 00 AM إلى 5: 30 PM |
| الثلاثاء | مغلق |
The ticket price is based on the latest published rate reported by أخبار الخليج. Timings and ticket prices may change, especially during Ramadan, summer and public holidays, and T&C apply. Plan to spend 3 to 4 hours to see everything comfortably.
Sharjah Desert Park location and how to get there
العنوان Sharjah Desert Park, Interchange 9, Sharjah to Al Dhaid Road (E88), Al Rafea area, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.
- من دبي: about 40 to 50 minutes by car. Take Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road (E311) or Emirates Road (E611) toward Sharjah, then join the Al Dhaid Road (E88) and exit at Interchange 9.
- من مدينة الشارقة: about 25 to 30 minutes by car along the E88.
- من مطار الشارقة الدولي: حوالي 15 إلى 20 دقيقة بالسيارة.
- بواسطة سيارة أجرة أو خدمة نقل خاصة: there is no direct metro or regular bus to the park, so a taxi or private car is the easiest option. White Sky can arrange a private transfer for your family.
Free parking is available at the park, but it fills up on busy winter weekends, so arriving early helps.
Best time to visit Sharjah Desert Park
The best time to visit is from October to April, when the weather is cool and pleasant for the outdoor farm and garden. Weekday mornings are the quietest. Animals are usually most active early in the day and late in the afternoon, so arriving at opening time gives you the best chance to see them moving around. In summer, most of the wildlife viewing is indoors with air conditioning, so the park still works well if you keep outdoor time short.
How to plan your desert park visit
- Avoid Tuesday, as the whole park is closed.
- Arrive at opening time to enjoy cooler weather and active animals.
- Start at the Natural History Museum for background, then move to Arabia’s Wildlife Centre.
- Walk through the Islamic Botanical Garden, then finish at the Children’s Farm.
- Bring water, sun hats and sunscreen for the outdoor sections.
- Wear closed shoes, as some paths have sandy patches.
- Use a stroller for small children; most main paths are paved.
Problems you might run into
| ما تلاحظه | ما يعنيه ذلك عادةً | ماذا أفعل |
|---|---|---|
| Gates are locked | You arrived on a Tuesday | Plan your visit for any other day |
| Gates are closed on Friday morning | The park opens at 2 PM on Fridays | Visit in the afternoon or choose another day |
| Animals are hiding | It is too hot outside | Watch from the indoor viewing halls or come earlier |
| Kids get tired early | The walking distance adds up | Bring a stroller and take breaks at the cafeteria |
Rules you need to follow
The Environment and Protected Areas Authority sets clear rules to protect the animals. Do not feed wild animals outside the Children’s Farm, as human food harms their health. Drones are not allowed, since the noise stresses the animals and birds. Do not tap on the glass of the viewing windows, and keep noise low inside the wildlife centre. Smoking is only allowed in marked areas.
نصائح التصوير
You’ll likely take lots of Sharjah Desert Park photos. Shoot through the viewing windows with your lens close to the glass to cut reflections, and turn off your flash, which disturbs the animals. Fine desert dust can get into camera lenses and phone ports, so wipe them with a dry microfiber cloth before putting them away, and don’t leave cameras or souvenirs in a hot parked car.
When this trip isn’t the right fit
This outdoor excursion doesn’t suit every traveller. If someone in your group uses a wheelchair full time, the sandy stretches between buildings can slow you down. An indoor attraction like the مربى الشارقة للأحياء المائية offers smoother access for mobility devices.
If your kids only enjoy fast rides and loud games, the quiet educational pace here might bore them, and a theme park serves that need better. And if you only have two hours free, the drive each way takes up most of your time, so a closer city attraction is a better choice.
Hotels and resorts near Sharjah Desert Park
If you want to turn your visit into a weekend in the Sharjah desert, these stays are within easy driving distance of the park:
- Al Faya Retreat by Sharjah Collection: a small boutique retreat in the Mleiha desert with private plunge pools and starry night skies.
- Al Badayer Retreat by Sharjah Collection: a desert resort styled like a traditional Arabian fort, surrounded by the red dunes of Al Badayer.
- Mysk Moon Retreat: a glamping style camp in Mleiha with comfortable tents and desert activities. Read more in our مليها للتخييم الفاخر يرشد.
- The Chedi Al Bait, Sharjah: a luxury heritage hotel in the Heart of Sharjah, about 30 minutes from the park.
- Sheraton Sharjah Beach Resort and Spa: a family beach resort in Sharjah city, a good base for combining the desert and the sea.
White Sky can book any of these through our حجوزات الفنادق في جميع أنحاء العالم خدمة.
Places to visit near Sharjah Desert Park
- مليها: about 30 minutes away, the مركز مليحة للآثار tells the story of life in the region from the Stone Age, with desert drives, stargazing and Fossil Rock nearby.
- جبل فايا: one of the oldest human sites in Arabia. See our Jebel Faya Sharjah يرشد.
- الذيد: a green oasis town further along the E88, with farms, a fort and a wildlife museum. Read our الذيد الشارقة دليل السفر.
- سفاري الشارقة: a large African safari park near Al Dhaid, a great pairing for wildlife lovers.
- كثبان البداير الرملية: popular red sand dunes for dune bashing and sandboarding.
- حديقة الشارقة الوطنية: a big free park with playgrounds and picnic areas on the way back. See our منتزه الشارقة الوطني يرشد.
- Sharjah Classic Cars Museum: a fun stop near Sharjah International Airport for car lovers.
- جزيرة النور: an art and nature island in the city, perfect for a relaxed evening. Read about جزيرة النور في الشارقة.
خطط لرحلتك إلى الشارقة مع وايت سكاي
White Sky Travel and Tourism can book your flights, hotels and private transfers for your Sharjah trip, whether you are visiting the UAE or planning a desert weekend with family. You can split the cost with Tabby, Tamara or أقساط بطاقات الائتمان في الإمارات العربية المتحدة لمدة تصل إلى 12 شهرًا. راسلنا على واتساب على +971 4 220 2133 لبدء التخطيط.
مقالات ذات صلة
استكشف المزيد من الأماكن التي يمكنك زيارتها في الشارقة:
- Islamic Botanical Garden in Sharjah
- Mleiha Sharjah: UNESCO Heritage, Things to Do and Tickets
- Al Dhaid Wildlife Museum in Sharjah
- Khor Kalba Mangrove Centre in Sharjah
- مركز الحفية لحفظ الطبيعة الجبلية
- مراجعة حوض أسماك الشارقة
الأسئلة المتكررة
Where is Sharjah Desert Park located?
Sharjah Desert Park is at Interchange 9 on the Sharjah to Al Dhaid Road (E88), Al Rafea area, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. It is about 28 km east of Sharjah city and around 40 to 50 minutes by car from Dubai.
What is the Sharjah Desert Park ticket price?
Children under 12 enter free and visitors aged 12 and above pay AED 21.50 per person. One ticket covers Arabia’s Wildlife Centre, the Sharjah Natural History Museum, the Children’s Farm and the Islamic Botanical Garden. Prices may change and T&C apply.
What are the Sharjah Desert Park timings?
The park opens Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM, Friday from 2:00 PM to 5:30 PM and Saturday from 11:00 AM to 5:30 PM. Timings may change during Ramadan and public holidays.
Is Sharjah Desert Park open on Tuesday?
No. The whole park, including Arabia’s Wildlife Centre and the museum, is closed every Tuesday.
What animals can you see at Sharjah Desert Park?
At Arabia’s Wildlife Centre you can see Arabian leopards, Arabian wolves, striped hyenas, caracals, sand cats, oryx, gazelles, baboons, reptiles, nocturnal animals and birds. At the Children’s Farm kids can meet goats, sheep, camels, ponies and donkeys.
How long does it take to visit Sharjah Desert Park?
Most families spend 3 to 4 hours to see the wildlife centre, the museum, the botanical garden and the Children’s Farm comfortably.
Is Sharjah Desert Park good for toddlers and young children?
Yes. Children under 12 enter free, the main paths are paved and suitable for strollers, the wildlife viewing halls are air conditioned and the Children’s Farm is a favourite with little ones.
Can I bring food to Sharjah Desert Park?
You can carry water and light snacks, and there is a cafeteria inside Arabia’s Wildlife Centre. Feeding the wild animals is not allowed.
What is the best time to visit Sharjah Desert Park?
The best time is from October to April, on a weekday morning right at opening time, when the weather is cooler and the animals are more active.
Can White Sky help me plan a trip to Sharjah Desert Park?
نعم. White Sky Travel and Tourism can book your flights, hotels and private transfers for your Sharjah trip, with Tabby, Tamara أو أقساط بطاقات الائتمان الإماراتية لمدة تصل إلى 12 شهرًا. راسلنا عبر واتساب على +971 4 220 2133.
خاتمة
Sharjah Desert Park is one of the easiest and most rewarding family days out in the UAE. In one visit you can see rare Arabian animals at Arabia’s Wildlife Centre, learn at the Natural History Museum, relax in the Islamic Botanical Garden and let the kids meet friendly animals at the Children’s Farm, all for a small ticket price and free entry for children under 12. Go on any day except Tuesday, arrive early, visit between October and April for the best weather, and add nearby Mleiha, Al Dhaid or a desert resort stay to make a full weekend of it. When you are ready, White Sky Travel and Tourism can take care of your flights, hotels and transfers on WhatsApp at +971 4 220 2133.
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