Largest man-made safari in the world opens

The Al Ain Safari at Al Ain Zoo extends over 217 hectares – the size of 304 football pitches. Looking out the windows of the tour vehicle, seeing only wild animals among grass and sand, with mountains in the distance, it is easy to forget that this is in the heart of a modern city.

“Al Ain Safari has been masterfully crafted out of the desert environment to incorporate its pristine surrounds," Al Ain Zoo director general Ghanim Al Hajeri said. “The experience will be unique, being driven entirely by Emirati tour guides. This will emphasise local traditions and warm hospitality, drawing on an unrivalled passion for the UAE’s proud heritage."

The safari is not just home to Arabian and African animals, such as the scimitar oryx, springbok, eland, blesbok, giraffe, zebra and lion, but also to 38 native and African plants. Many more species will be introduced, including crocodiles and hippos, housed in an enclosure that makes it possible to view them both above and under the water, said Al Ain Zoo safari manager Luke Brown, from Zimbabwe.

Tickets for the safari experience cost Dh200 for a seat on a truck that allows great views of the animals. Each truck seats 22 people. Alternatively, Nissan Patrol 4x4s, seating six passengers, can be rented for private trips at a cost of Dh1,000 per vehicle. A full circuit of the safari area will take between 45 minutes and an hour.

Opening hours: 10am, 11am, 1pm, 3pm and 4pm.

No children under the age of 5 are allowed on the Truck Tour, and under 3’s are not allowed inside the Private SUV tours.