A unique experience awaits at the Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Centre in Abu Dhabi which takes visitors on an interactive journey focusing on the natural environment of the UAE.

Location & History

This site is located within Al Ain Zoo about 1.5 hours from Abu Dhabi city and is open daily from 9:00am to 7:30pm. The zoo was inaugurated in 1968 by Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan who also established a wildlife reserve on Sir Bani Yas Island home to Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara as well.

WajhuallahFlamingo birds at Al Ain Zoo Abu Dhabi, U.A.ECC BY-SA 4.0

What to Expect

Those visiting here from resorts in Abu Dhabi can look forward to gaining fascinating insights into the environment and how it’s linked not only to the UAE’s past but the present and future too. It features movies, stories, interactive elements, specimen collections and more which also lead one to consider more sustainable lifestyles.

Learning More

There are five galleries with interactive features namely Abu Dhabi Desert Over Time, People of the Desert, Abu Dhabi’s Living World, Looking to the Future and the Sheikh Zayed Tribute Hall. There are public tours as well as a short feature film screened daily at multiple times which is worth seeing.

Explore Al Ain Zoo

Since the Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Centre is at Al Ain Zoo, you can easily explore this attraction as well. The zoo is home to diverse wildlife including lions, tigers, hippos and the Arabian oryx while also offering fun experiences; the Cheetah Run, giraffe and chimpanzee feeding and the Al Ain Safari to name a few.