Sharjah Desert Park - Everything you need to Know

While visiting the UAE, Dubai and Abu Dhabi will entice you with many modern attractions. Sharjah, on the other hand, invites you to gain a deeper grasp of cultural and natural experiences. While Dubai and Abu Dhabi's Desert experiences emphasise outdoor adventures, Sharjah provides an opportunity for people of all ages to gather together and explore wildlife in the desert. Sharjah Desert Park is an attraction that allows visitors of all ages to discover a variety of animal species in a spacious facility while also gaining knowledge about them. The Sharjah Desert Park is a one-of-a-kind experience in the UAE, and here's a preview of all it has to offer.

About Sharjah Desert Park

The Sharjah Desert Park is a wildlife zoo, natural history museum, horticultural garden and a kid’s farm all rolled into one. In 1995, Sharjah Desert Park was conceived as a conservation site at Seih Al-Masmout Reserve for preserving endangered flora and fauna. Today, the attraction is one of the most popular places for family vacationers visiting Sharjah. The sections in Sharjah Desert park showcase a diverse assortment of animals, including amphibians, birds, and reptiles, and a children's farm where children can interact with farm animals. Because most of its attractions are indoors, the park can be visited at any time of year. It is one of the most kid-friendly attractions in Sharjah, where kids will not only be delighted to witness such a diverse assortment of animals but will also find the experience educational and knowledge-enhancing.

Sharjah Desert Park Location

Desert Park Sharjah is located at interchange 9 of the Al Dhaid Highway - E88. Being only 30 minutes from Sharjah's city centre, it is ideal for a day trip without getting exhausted from the journey. Visitors spend an average of 2 to 4 hours exploring the park. The best way to reach is by car but you can also avail of public bus transportation to Sharjah. The nearest bus stop is Al Wasit Road.

Sharjah Desert Park Timings

Except on Tuesdays, Sharjah Desert Park is open daily. The park is open from 9 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. from Sunday to Monday and Wednesday to Friday. The park is open from 11 a.m. until 5.30 p.m. on Saturdays. On Fridays, the park opens at 2 p.m. and closes at 5.30 p.m.

Sharjah Desert Park Ticket Price

The admission fee at Sharjah Desert Park for adults is approximately AED 15 per person, while children under the age of 12 can enter free of charge. Children over the age of 12 must pay a cost of AED 5 per child. You can freely tour the entire venue and zones with a single access ticket.

Things to do in Sharjah Desert Park

View a myriad of animals and birds at Arabia Wildlife Centre

This Arabian zoo takes you on a journey through the emirate’s eclectic array of animals that one can find in the desert settings. The wildlife centre is split into zones dedicated to reptiles, amphibian animals, marine fishes, and nocturnal animals. Here you can find yourself gazing at sand cats, Arabian leopards, oryx, Arab frogs, vipers, camel spiders, and much more. You can also get acquainted with fascinating feathery birds at the aviary section of the Arabia Wildlife Centre where you can encounter an amazing variety of birds such as nocturnal Egyptian bats, flamingos, and much more

Take a stroll through Sharjah Desert Park Natural History Museum and Islamic Botanical Museum

Get acquainted with Sharjah’s various climates and how the flora and fauna of the emirate have evolved and adapted to the weather conditions. Sharjah Desert Park Natural History Museum has various segments which presents visual and interactive presentations, through which you can understand different desert climates, animals species, and how the animals are resilient and survived through harsh climate conditions of the desert. The Islamic Botanical Garden is a one-of-a-kind refreshing verdant venue within the natural history museum arena that welcomes visitors to wander freely among the cool shade of over 90 different plant species, including pomegranates, figs, and palms and much more. A stroll through its paved pedestrian alleys and manicured garden dotted with pools and falaj is an impressive experience to enjoy at this attraction.

Let kids have fun at the Children’s Farm

One of the highlights of this park is the petting farm. This zone is a hit among kids who would love to mingle with farm animals and poultry birds such as furry rabbits, Arabian horses, camels, grey geese, ducks, peafowls, and sheeps. They will have a delightful time getting up close to feed and pet them and even know a bit about them.

Tips for Sharjah Desert Park visitors

Even though a majority of the attraction is indoors and in air-conditioned facilities, it is better to consider this attraction as an outdoor excursion since you will need to do a bit of travelling away from the city. The attraction is a year-round experience but it is better to venture out during the cooler months in Sharjah.

Dress modestly and in light, airy clothes and wear comfortable clothes. When travelling with kids, ensure you keep all essentials packed for a road trip and stay hydrated. Water, snacks, sunscreen, and hats are not-to-forget essentials on your trip. Food items are allowed inside the park.

It is best to visit during the week, as weekends and public holidays will see a significant increase in crowds. Early mornings are the ideal time of day to begin your tour in order to arrive at Sharjah Desert Park as early as possible. This also eliminates parking hassles since you arrive early and secure a place without difficulty.

Although the animals are calm, it is your obligation as a tourist to follow the guidelines and exercise caution. Provoking the animals or engaging in unnecessary contact with wildlife should be avoided at this attraction to avoid any unfortunate outcomes.

If you are visiting with children, keep an eye on them at all times. Ensure that they maintain discipline and do not violate the attraction's decorum. Any harm to the attraction caused by negligence can result in penalties. Also, ensure not to pluck leaves or litter while visiting the botanical museum.

If you feel famished during your visit, you can pause for a bite at the cafeteria. However, there are some amazing cafes and food outlets nearby which you can check out such as Mandarin Cafe, Ashraf Restaurant, and Al Bathaieh Restaurant to name a few which are just 3 to 10 minutes away from Sharjah Desert Park.

The park is not pet-friendly and does not allow visitors to bring pets along.

Conclusion The Sharjah Desert Park was considered as one of the UAE's oldest national parks, and began as a protection effort for endangered species. Today, it has quickly earned recognition as a family-friendly Sharjah attraction containing a variety of Arabian animals. The Sharjah Desert Safari is an excellent choice for a fun and thrilling experience that will captivate and delight everyone in the trip. While it is a fascinating wildlife edutainment attraction ideal for arousing children's curiosity, adults can also learn about the flora and fauna and unwind in stunning lush, well maintained gardens and desert scenery far from the glamorous vibes of trendy emirates.