Dubai Zoo
Zoo Former urban zoo in Dubai's city centre
Located in Zabeel Park, Dubai Zoo was long a municipal collection of mammals and birds; operations have since shifted toward larger safari projects and redevelopment of the original site.
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Dubai Zoo was a city zoo located in the Jumeirah district of Dubai, originally established in 1967. It operated as Dubai’s main zoological attraction until its closure in 2017.
The site comprised a compact urban zoo with a mix of mammal, bird and reptile enclosures and family-focused facilities. Due to its limited footprint it offered close-up viewing in smaller enclosures rather than the wide-ranging habitats found at modern safari parks.
The zoo was opened in 1967 and was managed by the government of Dubai; over time it was deemed too small for modern animal welfare standards and a decision was made to relocate animals to the larger Dubai Safari Park. The Jumeirah site ceased operations in 2017 when the transfers were completed.
The former zoo sat in the Jumeirah area of central Dubai, on the coastal side of the city not far from other urban attractions. The animals and visitor operations were transferred east to the Al Warqa area where the Dubai Safari Park was developed.
- Current status: The original Jumeirah site closed in 2017 and most animals were moved to the newly opened Dubai Safari Park in Al Warqa.
How to Get to Dubai Zoo #
The former Dubai Zoo was in Jumeirah; the replacement Dubai Safari Park is in Al Warqa (near Ras Al Khor), accessible by car or taxi from central Dubai. Metro plus taxi is the usual public transit route; the park’s website includes directions and shuttle information.
Tips for Visiting Dubai Zoo #
- Note: the old Dubai Zoo in Jumeirah has been permanently closed since 2017; the city's animals were relocated to the newer Dubai Safari Park in Al Warqa.
- Visit Dubai Safari Park (the successor) for a modern, larger facility with improved animal habitats and educational programs.
Best Time to Visit Dubai Zoo #
October-April for comfortable outdoor visits; the original Dubai Zoo is permanently closed and replaced by Dubai Safari Park.
Weather & Climate near Dubai Zoo #
Tropical climate with very hot summers (peaking in August) and mild winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 14°C to 40°C. Very dry conditions with minimal rainfall with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is mild with highs of 23°C and lows of 14°C. Light rainfall.
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February
February is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 15°C. The wettest month with 35 mm of rain and mostly sunny skies.
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March
March is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 18°C. Light rainfall.
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April
April is warm with highs of 32°C and lows of 21°C. Almost no rain.
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May
May is hot, feeling like 33°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.
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June
June is hot, feeling like 38°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and mostly sunny skies.
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July
July is hot, feeling like 42°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.
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August
August is the hottest month, feeling like 41°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.
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September
September is hot, feeling like 36°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.
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October
October is hot, feeling like 31°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.
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November
November is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 20°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.
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December
December is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 16°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.
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