Dubai Safari Park reopens on October 12 with a Little Explorers’ Base Camp

Gallop, don’t walk – the Dubai Safari Park is about to reopen after its traditional summer aestivation (fun animal fact: that’s the opposite to hibernation). This will be its eighth season introducing visitors to the full faunal furore of the animal kingdom. And to celebrate the occasion, the park is putting on a week of furry festivities, launching what they’ve described as ‘the wildest season yet’. Season eight begins with a roar, a week of exclusive experiences conceived to get you that much closer to the many wonders of the wild. Safari sojourners will be able to engage in a range of special experiences curated under a programme that fosters education, entertainment and commitment to animal welfare. Prey (ahem) tell, what might those activities be? The public have been told to expect surprises, hopefully not the sort that usually feature in the plot of the Jurassic Park movies, but we do know that the ‘mane’ event is a Little Explorers’ Base Camp, for junior safari guests. Adventure-themed fun here will include face painting, clay model making, arts and crafts, lawn games, as well as the opportunity to get wild with safari-themed inflatables. Dubai Safari Park tickets are available from just Dhs50. The central attraction remains the more than 3,000 animals representing 300-plus species housed in painstakingly recreated biomes. Explorers of all sizes can immerse themselves in the six themed zones: African Village, Asian Village, Explorer Village, Al Wadi, Kids’ Farm and the Arabian Desert Safari – allowing you to experience the raw awe of our own natural wilderness, here in the UAE. An optional extra, the Explorer Safari Tour, gives you a 35-minute truck ride through the simulated African savannah, tropical rainforests and a waterfall valley, with the opportunity to spot grazing zebra, lazing lions, and the occasional curious giraffe. And then there are the shows: Birds Kingdom, Echoes of the Wild and Birds of Prey – where expert guides offer insights and thrill audiences with the true stars of each show, the wildlife. Many animal encounters, including selected feeding experiences, are free, while others start from Dhs20 or are available as part of group packages.