Sharjah Safari is the largest safari park outside Africa. It is in the emirate of Sharjah, about an hour's drive from Dubai. It is also the newest and most modern safari park in the region, designed in the style of African lodges.

Size: about 8 square kilometres inside a 16-square-kilometre nature reserve.
Animals: more than 50,000 animals and birds of over 120 species, including lions, elephants, giraffes, rhinos, crocodiles and rare endangered species.
Zones: 12 themed zones inspired by the nature and landscapes of Africa, such as Into Africa, Sahel, Savannah, Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Moremi.

The private tour

A private tour runs in an open or closed vehicle for up to 15 guests, with an English-speaking guide from the park. It includes:

a walk through Into Africa: birds of Africa, the East African islands and the Boma;
Zanzibar Village, with a café;
the bird show in the amphitheatre, when it is running;
a drive in your own vehicle through Niger Valley, Sahel, Moremi, Savannah, Ngorongoro, Kalahari and Tswalu;
a stop at Safari Camp, with a café, a shop and a children's area;
a guided walk in the Serengeti zone.

The park is open daily from 8:30 to 18:00 during its season (autumn to spring). The last safari leaves at 14:00, so I plan the day for the morning.

Transfer and a Russian-speaking guide

The vehicle price covers the car and an English-speaking guide inside the park. You can get to the park on your own or add a transfer from Dubai with a Russian-speaking guide: