Animal encounters
Zone 1 · 2 encounters
Base camp for the drive-through safari, and where you come face to face with the giraffes.
Most popularCome face to face with the tallest residents of the park.
Experience the thrill of hand-feeding our majestic giraffes in Explorer Village. A unique up-close encounter with the tallest residents of the park that you won’t want to miss.
Get to know the park’s reptiles with a keeper.
Get to know the park’s reptiles up close with one of our keepers, and learn how these often-misunderstood animals live.
Zone 2 · 3 encounters
Giants of the savannah, Dubai’s largest walk-through aviary and the lemurs of Lemur Island.
Meet the playful lemurs up close on their island home.
Step onto Lemur Island in the African Village to meet and feed our playful lemurs, and discover the secrets of their social world and how we help protect them.
Treat the exotic ducks to their favourite snacks.
Watch the exotic ducks go “quack quack” as you treat them to their favourite snacks in the African Village.
Watch the cormorants dive for their lunch.
Join the keepers at feeding time and watch the cormorants dive and swoop for their lunch in the African Village.
Zone 3 · 5 encounters
Meet, pet and feed friendly animals. The best zone for little ones.
Hand-feed the friendly goats, a favourite with young children.
Make some furry friends at the Kids Farm as you pet and feed our friendly goats while learning all about farm life.
Meet the park’s gentle giants and help out at feeding time.
Experience a unique connection with nature as you hand-feed our gentle giant tortoises in a calm, natural setting.
Feed our colourful winged wonders in the Kids Farm aviary.
Turn your visit into a playful encounter with nature as you feed our colourful winged wonders in the Kids Farm aviary.
Little ones groom and plait our show-stopping pony.
Let your little ones’ creativity shine at the Kids Farm as they groom and plait our show-stopping pony in a fun, hands-on session.
Meet our colourful macaws for a vibrant feeding encounter.
Meet our colourful macaws up close for a vibrant feeding encounter, and watch them take treats right from your hand.
Zone 4 · 1 encounter
A green oasis for picnics, lunch and a gentle pony walk.
A gentle guided pony walk for little riders through Al Wadi.
Stroll through the serene Al Wadi and make a new friend as you take our adorable little hoof for a fun, guided walk.
By reservation
Rhino and elephant feeding are only available on the Behind the Scenes package: a private guided tour with 5 exclusive backstage experiences alongside our keepers.
AED 1,450per group · up to 10 guests
Feed the rhinos with their keepers, backstage.
Meet the elephants and help at feeding time.
At a glance
Dubai Safari Park runs 11 animal encounters every open day between 10:00 AM and 5:15 PM, plus rhino and elephant feeding on the Behind the Scenes tour. Pony Walk, Birds Feeding and Duck Feeding are free with any park ticket. The others are paid add-ons: AED 20 for Giraffe Feeding, Goat Feeding, Tortoise Feeding, Pony Grooming, Macaw Feeding and Cormorant Feeding, AED 50 for the Reptile Encounter and AED 75 for Lemur Feeding. All times are Dubai time (GST).
| Encounter | Where | Price | Daily times |
|---|---|---|---|
| Giraffe Feeding |
Explorer Village | AED 20 | 11:00 AM · 1:00 PM · 3:00 PM · 5:00 PM |
| Reptile Encounter |
Explorer Village | AED 50 | 5:15 PM |
| Lemur Feeding |
Lemur Island, African Village | AED 75 | 12:00 PM · 4:00 PM |
| Duck Feeding |
African Village | Free | 3:15 PM |
| Cormorant Feeding |
African Village | AED 20 | 1:00 PM |
| Goat Feeding |
Kids Farm | AED 20 | 11:30 AM · 4:15 PM |
| Tortoise Feeding |
Kids Farm | AED 20 | 2:00 PM |
| Birds Feeding |
Kids Farm | Free | 12:00 PM · 3:45 PM |
| Pony Grooming |
Kids Farm | AED 20 | 1:00 PM |
| Macaw Feeding |
Kids Farm | AED 20 | 1:30 PM |
| Pony Walk |
Al Wadi | Free | 10:00 AM · 5:00 PM |
| Rhino Feeding |
Behind the Scenes | Package | By reservation |
| Elephant Feeding |
Behind the Scenes | Package | By reservation |
Good to know
Every encounter needs a park ticket. The Safari Bundle includes one complimentary animal encounter.
Pick your feedings in the add-ons stage, after your ticket. Paid spots are limited, so add them now.
You can also book at the ticket counter when you arrive, subject to availability.
Questions
Giraffe Feeding runs 4 times a day at 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM, 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM in Explorer Village. It costs AED 20 per person and is our most popular encounter, so add it when you book.
Pony Walk (Al Wadi), Birds Feeding (Kids Farm) and Duck Feeding (African Village) are free with any park ticket.
Most paid encounters cost AED 20 per person. The Reptile Encounter is AED 50 and Lemur Feeding is AED 75. The Safari Bundle ticket includes one complimentary animal encounter.
Add animal encounters during the add-ons stage at checkout, after choosing your park ticket. You can also book them at the ticket counter on arrival, subject to availability.
The Kids Farm is made for little ones: goat, tortoise, bird and macaw feeding and pony grooming all happen there. The free Pony Walk in Al Wadi is a gentle guided walk for little riders.
Yes, on the Behind the Scenes package: a 90-minute private guided tour with 5 backstage experiences, including rhino and elephant feeding. It costs AED 1,450 per group of up to 10 guests and starts at 9:00, 9:30 or 10:00 AM, by reservation.
Paid encounters have limited spots per session, so add them when you book your ticket rather than waiting until you arrive.
Choose your park ticket online and add animal encounters in the same booking.
