AL AIN ZOO

This 900-hectare sanctuary is home to 4,000 animals, 30% of which are threatened with extinction. It has been open since 1968, in cooperation with the San Diego Zoo, the Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden in Miami and the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums to support conservation efforts. Opened as an emergency refuge for Sheikh Zayed's protégés, it now offers all the services of a modern zoo, housing animals in enclosures that are configured to resemble their natural habitat. Families especially enjoy the night visits in the summer when temperatures are cooler. On foot, aboard a small train, or by cart, one can observe gazelles, oryx, vultures and other endemic creatures, as well as the great African fauna, including giraffes and hippopotami. Among the most amazing species: albino lions from Sanbona in the South African Karoo desert; a falcon show closes the visit wonderfully. Poor quality snack bar, picnic areas in the shade. There is also the Sheikh Zayed Education Center, dedicated to desert life and the legacy of the founder of the UAE. Children discover through interactive terminals the history of the country and its ambitions for the future. It is a jewel both in terms of museology and the interest of the information for children. You also have the possibility to participate in the meals of the animals and to make safaris in a space of about 215 hectares.