Saddens me to write this review as I have been many times to Al ain zoo in the past and loved it. Right now most of the zoo is under construction. Depending on who you ask, they estimate by January they will finish the upgrades. Currently, even the bathrooms are under renovation, the main bathrooms right outside have stalls but no toilet bowls. Only 2 working toilets. Signage is sparse so you mostly wander around and find yourself back to where you started. Some areas are cordoned off for construction. We went yesterday, Friday and there was no Hippo, no elephant and because of the lack of clear directions or lack of any map, we missed the penguins. On the plus side, it was lovely to see the big cats, especially the white tiger and the serval. The gorrila, and other monkeys were impressive to see. One big advantage, for kids, most of the exhibits are kid friendly and toddlers can see it from their height and viewpoint. My children spent most of the time walking or in the stroller and were able to see all the animals. They are open from 9am. We did not take the safari package at aed 1,000 it was definitely not on our budget.

Al Ain Zoo is a fantastic destination for nature enthusiasts, boasting a vast and diverse array of wildlife. The expansive grounds showcase the zoo's commitment to providing a spacious and comfortable environment for the animals. However, it's important to note that access is limited to visitors with personal vehicles, as walking through the entrance is not allowed. Despite this restriction, the size of the zoo allows for an immersive and enjoyable experience, making it a must-visit for those looking to explore the wonders of the animal kingdom in a unique and expansive setting.

The zoo is a must see in the area. We saw a lot of animals we had never seen in a zoo. The giraffes and rhinos area was amazing. The wild birds area too. We felt a bit sorry for the lions as they don't seem very happy but every animal there was very well taken care of. The price is also affordable to anyone. There's a free of charge train to take you back to the exit point after you have visited the whole place. I recommend to all to visit.

We were in Al Ain only for one day as we'd been up Jebel Hafeet. As that took no time, we decided to go to the zoo. I found the zoo to have a very confusing non flowing layout, and many of the areas were closed, which was very disappointing. I wasn't overly impressed by the size of cages, and it looked like a lot of the animals were alone. I'd always heard good things about this zoo, but it must do better, in my opinion. It made me sad to be honest. The only saving grace is that it's cheap.