Sharjah Desert Park – Complete Guide

Did you know that the Sharjah Desert Park is a hidden gem of new adventures and experiences? It is actually a great holiday destination for families and children. It is an immersive experience in Nature when you are actually too much into the city’s hustle and bustle and looking to have some respite to some nature getaway. Let us look into the different attractions of Sharjah Desert Park.

History of Sharjah Desert Park

The Sharjah Desert Park was founded in the year 1995. It is located within the premises of Seih Al-Masmout Reserve. The park had started as a centre of conservation for the flora and fauna that was endangered here. It came into being as a move to protect the natural vegetation and the animals of this region.

Activities at the Park

The guest will have four venues to look into when they reach the park. Each of these destinations offers novel experiences and a chance to get an insight into the lives of animals. The children can also experience a lot of interactivities with the farm animals. The other venues are all about educating visitors about the history of the Emirates in their museums.

The desert park has many engaging activities like the first being the ‘petting farm’

where the visitors can get interactive with the animals by feeding them and interacting with them. You can also visit the botanical garden and also look at the rearing up centre for the animals that are rescued and brought into the park.

Moreover, this place captures the essence of Arabian Wildlife. Most of the animals here are from the desert habitat. Also, the park is divided into four venues, each offering a wide variety of new experiences and a chance to learn about Arabian Wildlife and its animals. Actually, this place is also a sanctuary for the animals as they are kept in large places that are very much like their habitats and they live here safely in the natural surroundings.

1. Islamic Botanical Garden

This is a wonderful venue where 100 different species of plants like saffron, pomegranates and figs are grown.
It is a wonderful place to walk through.
There are so many decorated pools, channels and waterways as well as paved roads to pass through.
It is a very serene and quiet place that is enjoyable because it is away from the humdrums of the busy city life.

2. Sharjah Desert Park Zoo for Farm Animals

Sharjah Desert Park Zoo for Farm Animals are meant for petting the friendly animals.
This is a great activity for the children as the park zoo is safe for them and it is indeed fun being with the animals.
They can interact with various animals and birds like the ducks, sheep, goats, cows, horses, donkeys and camels.
You may feed these animals and also the children can enjoy pony and camel rides.

3. Sharjah Natural History Museum and Desert Park

Sharjah Natural History Museum and Desert Park tells a lot about the Emirates history and its progress.
The natural history of the place is presented and exhibited here.
You can go back in time to explore the different findings of rare species of animals, meteorites, fossils and so on.
Visiting the museum and going through the different exhibits is a fun way to learn about the ecosystems that existed in the past.

4. The Arabian Wildlife Centre

The Arabian Wildlife Centre is the only zoo in the UAE where the animals are left in their natural habitats.
This place is also known as the Sharjah Zoo and it is home to many reptiles and insects which belong to the desert.
The animals include the chameleons, scorpions, lizards, camel spiders and venomous snakes and Arabian snakes too.
Visitors can also see sand cats, nocturnal animals, rock hyrax, porcupines, hedgehogs mongoose and foxes.
Other endangered animals like Arabian Leopards, hyenas, cheetahs and wolves can also be found in the outdoor area for endangered animals
Arabia’s Wildlife Centre is also home to the gazellas, antelopes and other animals.

Nearby Attractions

The nearby attractions are quite near to the park and they are worth visiting.

You may have many fun things to d oat the historical landmarks and malls and other public parks.

JMR Sporting– It is a sporting destination that has been built for the Sports Enthusiasts by the Sports Enthusiasts. It has the best sports infrastructure and it is just a 30 to 40 minutes’ drive from the Sharjah International Airport.
Al Bataeh Public Park – Itis a park that holds some beautiful events which is popular among the locals as well as the visitors. The park is open everyday from 4 pm to 10 pm.
Al Dhaid Fort– This was once an oasis with flowing water, palm trees and with buildings that provided a lot of security for the insiders. The fort dates back to 1820 during the rule of Sheikh Sultan bin Saqr Al Qasimi, the ruling power in Sharjah then. The building has been presently transformed into exhibition halls that contains many historical testaments of Al Dhaid and its culture and heritage.
Al Rahamiya Mall – It is one of the best shopping malls and a leisure destination for the residents of Al Rahamiya locality and all its neighbouring areas. It provides a lot of services to the shoppers and visitors and covers an area of 58000 sqm. It is at a distance of ten minutes from Sharjah International Airport by car. It is the perfect destination for shopping, dining, entertainment and much more. You are offered a wide range of choices in their products.

When you are coming to visit Sharjah Desert Park, then you should also go for other famous attractive places like Blue Souk, Quran Roundabout, Sharjah Aquarium and many more in Sharjah.

Timing

It is important to know the timings of the park before going to the park.

The park timings for Sunday, Monday and Wednesday, Thursday are 9 am to 5.30 pm.
For Friday, the timing is 2 pm to 5.30 pm.
For Saturday, the timings is 11 am to 5.30 pm.
The Sharjah Desert Park is closed on Tuesdays.

Tickets

The tickets for the Sharjah Desert Park are quite reasonable both for adults as well as for children.

For Adults the tickets cost AED 15.
For Children aged 12 to 16 years old the tickets would cost AED 5.
The Park visit is free for children under 12 years old.

Location

The Sharjah Desert Park is located in the Al Rafea region near Dhaid Road in Sharjah. It is at a distance of 21 kilometres from the Sharjah International Airport. It is located along the Al Dhaid Highway, E 88 at interchange 9.

How to reach there

You may reach the Sharjah Desert Park by taking bus routes E311 and E 400 which have routes passing by the bus stops near the park. After that you may need a short ride on a taxi to reach the park which is a very short ride of 5 minutes. You must know there are no bus stops close to the park.

You can get down at the stops, Sajaa Terminal Stop B or Sharjah Cement Factory Stop F.

You may also take an Uber/Careem which will take you straight to the park unlike the bus which delays at the stops.
If you are driving your own vehicle to the Park, the ride will be very smooth. You may easily find a parking spot because there is a huge parking lot while you enter the main entrance of the park.

Conclusion

The Sharjah Desert Park is replete with all its services as a nature park and also has canteens and cafes for grabbing a snack. It is perfect retreat for families who want to spend a weekend away from the busy city life in the bosom of Nature. Touring the park usually takes around 4 to 5 hours, so it is also an ideal place to visit for a day out. The best time to visit the place is from December to February. It is one of the very few places where you get a taste of culture, wildlife and history all together. You also get a better understanding of the flora and fauna. It is a centre for infotainment for all the 300,000 visitors in a year.