We’ve just had our first glimpse of how Dubai Safari’s main building will look, and we have to say… we’re pretty impressed.
The wildlife park, which will house an incredible 10,000 animals and 350 rare and endangered species, is currently being constructed in Al Warqa and is estimated to be completed by the end of this year.
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Municipality, has just approved Dhs151 million to be spent on the main building, which will include a 1,000-seat theatre and futuristic interactive garden.
The stage will host shows featuring binturong (also known as bear cats) and raccoons.
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The safari park will cost Dhs1 billion to build in its entirety, and has been designed to replace Dubai Zoo.
It will feature treated-water renewable energy and solar power, a 3.7-kilometre fence around the perimeter, and will sit on an area of 119 hectares.
The enormous project is 75 per cent complete according to the municipality, and will offer visitors free wi-fi and plenty of smart and environmentally friendly services.
For the safari’s residents, there’s temperature controlled enclosures and even chilled pools to help the animals beat the summer heat.
“All the cats – lions, cheetahs and tigers – have air-conditioned areas, even the hyenas have got it in some areas,” Dubai Safari CEO Tim Husband told 7Days.
The park, which is being built on a landfill site, will initially be made up of an Arab Village, African Village, and Open Safari Village.
“The design of the project has taken into consideration the ease of movement for visitors — whether on foot or using various environmentally-friendly internal transport, such as trams, cable cars, bicycles, in addition to electric cars powered by solar energy to transport visitors internally or from the 3,600 parking slots available at the facility,” the municipality said.
Image: Instagram/Dubai Municipality
