Arabia’s Wildlife Centre is an indoor, air conditioned zoo inside Sharjah Desert Park, about 26 km east of Sharjah city on the Al Dhaid Road (E88) at Interchange 9. Run by Sharjah’s Environment and Protected Areas Authority, it showcases more than 100 species native to the Arabian Peninsula, including the critically endangered Arabian leopard, cheetahs, the Arabian oryx, Arabian wolves, striped hyenas and sand cats, all viewed from comfortable glass fronted galleries. Adult tickets are listed at AED 15, children over 12 pay AED 5 and children under 12 enter free, and the centre is open every day except Tuesday. Your ticket also covers the other venues in the park, which makes it one of the best value family days out in the UAE.
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Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- Arabia’s Wildlife Centre sits inside Sharjah Desert Park, around 30 minutes from Sharjah city and 45 minutes from Dubai by car.
- It is one of the only fully indoor zoos in the Middle East, so you can visit comfortably even in summer.
- One ticket includes the Natural History and Botanical Museum and the Children’s Farm in the same park.
- The centre is closed on Tuesdays and opens later on Thursdays and Fridays.
- White Sky Travel and Tourism can arrange your private transfer, hotel stay and flights, with Tabby, Tamara or UAE credit card installments for up to 12 months.
Arabia’s Wildlife Centre at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Sharjah Desert Park, Interchange 9, Al Dhaid Road (E88), Sharjah, UAE |
| Distance | About 26 km from Sharjah city, just past Sharjah International Airport |
| Managed by | Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA) Sharjah |
| Adult ticket | AED 15 |
| Children over 12 | AED 5 |
| Children under 12 | Free |
| Saturday to Wednesday | 9:00 am to 5:30 pm (closed Tuesday) |
| Thursday | 11:00 am to 5:30 pm |
| Friday | 2:00 pm to 5:30 pm |
| Time needed | About 2 to 3 hours for the whole park |
Ticket prices and timings are based on the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment listing. They may change, especially during summer and public holidays, and T&C apply.
Where Is Arabia’s Wildlife Centre?
The centre is part of Sharjah Desert Park, a protected nature complex on the road from Sharjah city towards Al Dhaid. According to Visit Sharjah, the park lies along the Al Dhaid Highway (E88) at Interchange 9. Once you leave the highway, follow the signs for Sharjah Desert Park; there is free parking right outside the entrance.
How to Get There
- From Sharjah city: about 25 to 30 minutes by car or taxi along the E88.
- From Dubai: about 40 to 50 minutes via the E311 or E611, then the E88 towards Al Dhaid.
- Public transport: there is no direct bus to the park gate, so a private car or a prearranged transfer is the easiest option.
Prefer not to drive? Message White Sky Travel and Tourism on WhatsApp at +971 4 220 2133 and we will arrange a comfortable private transfer from your hotel in Dubai or Sharjah. We can also take care of your flights and hotel stay.
Animals and Exhibits Inside the Centre
The centre is laid out as a long indoor walkway. Large windows look onto natural style enclosures, so the animals live in sand, rock and plant settings that copy their desert and mountain habitats while you stay in the cool.
| Section | What You Will See | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Big Cats and Predators | Arabian leopard, cheetah, Arabian wolf, striped hyena, caracal | The leopard viewing area is the star of the centre |
| Small Desert Carnivores | Sand cat, Arabian red fox, Blanford’s fox, porcupine | Look closely, they often rest in burrows |
| Nocturnal House | Night animals such as hedgehogs, bats and owls | A darkened hall where animals are active by day |
| Reptile and Insect House | Desert snakes, monitor lizards, spiny tailed lizards, scorpions | Temperature controlled glass displays |
| Indoor Aviary | Native birds of Arabia | A walk through bird hall |
| Hoofed Animals | Arabian oryx, gazelles and mountain goats | Large open enclosures visible from the gallery |
| Primates | Hamadryas baboons | Active, social troop that children love |
Tip: keep your voice low near the glass. Shy animals such as the sand cat and the Arabian wolf are far more likely to come out when the gallery is quiet.
What Else Is Included in Your Ticket
Your Arabia’s Wildlife Centre ticket also opens the other public venues inside Sharjah Desert Park:
- Natural History and Botanical Museum: interactive halls about the geology, fossils, plants and marine life of the UAE.
- Children’s Farm: a petting farm with goats, camels, donkeys and ducks, plus a shaded picnic area.
- Botanical gardens: outdoor plantings of native desert flora.
The Breeding Centre for Endangered Arabian Wildlife, also inside the park, is not open to the public, but it is the reason the Arabian leopard and other rare species still have a future in the region.
Conservation and Education
Arabia’s Wildlife Centre opened in 1999 to raise awareness of animals that are disappearing from the Arabian Peninsula. Its sister breeding centre runs one of the most important captive breeding programmes for the critically endangered Arabian leopard. Information boards throughout the gallery explain how each species survives heat, drought and limited food, which makes the visit a great outdoor classroom for school age children.
Best Time to Visit
- Season: October to April is ideal if you also want to enjoy the outdoor Children’s Farm. The wildlife gallery itself is indoors, so summer visits work well too.
- Time of day: arrive soon after opening, when animals are being fed and are most active.
- Day of week: weekday mornings are quieter than weekends; remember the park is closed on Tuesdays.
Practical Tips for Visitors
- Wear comfortable shoes; you will walk through several buildings and outdoor paths.
- Carry water, a hat and sunscreen for the outdoor farm and gardens.
- Avoid flash photography so the animals are not disturbed; a zoom lens helps for large enclosures.
- There is a cafeteria with light snacks, plus picnic areas outside.
- Walkways are paved and suitable for strollers and wheelchairs.
Nearby Attractions to Combine With Your Visit
Sharjah Desert Park is a great starting point for a day exploring central Sharjah:
- Mleiha National Park: archaeology, desert drives and stargazing about 35 minutes further east.
- Fossil Rock: a striking limestone outcrop with a short hiking trail and red dunes around it.
- Buhais Geology Park: dramatic pod shaped museum buildings set in an ancient seabed.
- Sharjah Safari in Al Dhaid: one of the largest safari parks outside Africa, ideal for a full wildlife day.
- Al Noor Island and the Sharjah Aquarium: easy evening stops back in Sharjah city.
Where to Stay Near Arabia’s Wildlife Centre
There are no hotels inside the park, so most visitors stay in Sharjah city, Dubai or one of the desert retreats in central Sharjah:
- Desert retreats: Al Badayer Retreat by Sharjah Collection, Al Faya Retreat and Mysk Moon Retreat offer peaceful stays among the dunes, or try Mleiha glamping for a night under the stars.
- Sharjah city: heritage stays such as Al Bait Sharjah in the Heart of Sharjah, or beach resorts like Sheraton Sharjah Beach Resort and Spa.
- Near the airport: business hotels close to Sharjah International Airport keep you only 15 minutes from the park.
White Sky Travel and Tourism can book any of these hotels for you and spread the cost with Tabby, Tamara or UAE credit card installments for up to 12 months. Not sure which plan suits you? Read our guide to Tabby vs Tamara for travel bookings in the UAE.
Plan Your Sharjah Wildlife Day With White Sky
Arabia’s Wildlife Centre is a self guided visit: you walk through its cool indoor gallery at your own pace, watching the animals in their rocky desert enclosures through large windows, and entry tickets are bought at the gate. To make the day easy, White Sky Travel and Tourism can take care of your flights, hotels and transfers, with Tabby, Tamara or UAE credit card installments for up to 12 months. Message us on WhatsApp at +971 4 220 2133 with your dates and group size.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Arabia’s Wildlife Centre?
Arabia’s Wildlife Centre is an indoor, air conditioned zoo in Sharjah Desert Park, Sharjah, UAE. Managed by the Environment and Protected Areas Authority Sharjah, it displays more than 100 species native to the Arabian Peninsula, including the Arabian leopard, Arabian oryx, Arabian wolf and striped hyena.
Where is Arabia’s Wildlife Centre located?
It is inside Sharjah Desert Park, Interchange 9, Al Dhaid Road (E88), Sharjah, about 26 km east of Sharjah city and just past Sharjah International Airport. The drive takes around 30 minutes from Sharjah city and 45 minutes from Dubai.
How much is the ticket for Arabia’s Wildlife Centre?
The listed price is AED 15 for adults and AED 5 for children over 12, while children under 12 enter free. The ticket also covers the Natural History and Botanical Museum and the Children’s Farm. Prices may change and T&C apply.
What are the opening hours of Arabia’s Wildlife Centre?
The centre opens Saturday to Wednesday from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm, Thursday from 11:00 am to 5:30 pm and Friday from 2:00 pm to 5:30 pm. It is closed every Tuesday, and timings may change during summer and holidays.
Which animals can I see at Arabia’s Wildlife Centre?
Highlights include the critically endangered Arabian leopard, cheetah, Arabian oryx, Arabian wolf, striped hyena, caracal, sand cat, foxes, baboons, desert reptiles, native birds and nocturnal animals.
Is Arabia’s Wildlife Centre good for children?
Yes. Children under 12 enter free, the walkways suit strollers, and the same ticket includes a petting farm and an interactive natural history museum, so families can easily spend two to three hours there.
Can I visit Arabia’s Wildlife Centre in summer?
Yes. The animal viewing gallery is fully indoors and air conditioned, making it one of the best wildlife attractions to visit in the UAE during the hot months. Only the farm and gardens are outdoors.
How can I get to Arabia’s Wildlife Centre from Dubai?
There is no direct public bus, so driving or a private transfer is easiest. White Sky Travel and Tourism can arrange your flights, hotels and a private transfer from Dubai or Sharjah; message us on WhatsApp at +971 4 220 2133.
Conclusion
Arabia’s Wildlife Centre is the best place in the UAE to see the Arabian leopard, the Arabian oryx and dozens of rare desert animals up close, in a cool indoor setting that works all year round. With low ticket prices, free entry for children under 12 and a museum and petting farm included, it is an easy, affordable and educational day out for families, couples and nature lovers. Pair it with Fossil Rock, Mleiha or a night in a desert retreat to turn it into a full Sharjah adventure, and let White Sky Travel and Tourism handle your flights, hotels and transfers. Contact us on WhatsApp at +971 4 220 2133 to start planning.
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