Almost 300,000 people visit Dubai Safari Park since reopening

The park is home 3,000 types of animals such as lions, giraffes and rhinoceroses

A white lion is viewed by zoo visitors. Victor Besa for The National

The Dubai Safari aviary. Victor Besa for The National

Dubai Safari picnic area. Victor Besa for The National

The African stop entrance. Victor Besa for The National

The park on Al Awir Road on the outskirts of Dubai. Victor Besa for The National

The aviary. Victor Besa for The National

Mandarin ducks at the aviary. Victor Besa for The National

A hyena roving around its area. Victor Besa for The National

Screw horned antelope. Victor Besa for The National

Mandarin ducks at the aviary. Victor Besa for The National

Screw horned antelope. Victor Besa for The National

Dubai Safari features a wide range of open exhibits across four themed villages – African, Asian, Arabian and an open Safari Village. Victor Besa for The National

The zoo shuttle. Victor Besa for The National

Dubai Safari features a wide range of open exhibits across four themed villages – African, Asian, Arabian and an open Safari Village. Victor Besa for The National

Almost 300,000 people visited Dubai Safari Park since it reopened in October.

The park closed in May 2018 to add enclosures. It had opened five months earlier with a grand ceremony.

It is now home to more than 3,000 kinds of animals, including lions, giraffes and rhinoceroses.

Dawoud Al Hajri, director general of Dubai Municipality, said: "Dubai Safari Park has received a remarkable turnout during the past three months, as the number of its visitors reached 290,000, amid the application of strict precautionary and preventive measures as the park extended over 119 hectares.

“The park is working to provide a wide range of animal welfare and conservation strategies to contribute to providing a better life for local animals, as well as hosting educational and research projects that support the goal of setting up the park.

“It also contributes to the preservation of wild animals and endangered species during breeding programmes and rescue missions around the world.”

Mr Al Hajri said visitors can watch and interact with some of the most amazing animals in the world.

“A team of experts is working to provide a healthy environment and provide care and attention to all animals in the Dubai Safari Park,” he said.

“As for the species that do not belong to this region, they have closed habitats dedicated to maintaining climate control and to ensure the comfort of the animals.”

The park consists of three main sections, which are the African, Explorer and Asian villages, in addition to the Arabian Desert Safari Tour.

In keeping with social distancing rules as a response to the coronavirus, the park is operating at a reduced capacity and all visits must be booked online.

The park is open daily from 9am to 5pm and more information is available at www.dubaisafari.ae