Dubai Safari Park wraps up record-breaking sixth season

Dubai: Dubai Safari Park has officially closed its gates for the summer, concluding what officials call its most successful season yet. Running for eight months, the park attracted an unprecedented number of visitors, marked by a 16% year-on-year increase in footfall. Over 52,700 safari tours were conducted, with packed weekends and holiday crowds showcasing overwhelming interest in the park’s offerings.

The Eid Al Etihad holiday alone brought in more than 43,000 visitors over just four days — a new attendance record. From residents to tourists, families to wildlife enthusiasts, hundreds of thousands chose the park as a go-to destination for immersive, nature-driven experiences.

This sixth season introduced a range of attractions that captivated audiences. One of the biggest highlights was the launch of the region’s only Night Safari, which saw 17,000 guests in a single month. The debut of Echoes of the Wild, a live animal presentation, was another standout, attracting over 80,000 attendees.

Returning events like Wild Fiesta, Wild in the Night, and Iftar in the Wild continued to draw strong engagement, adding to the park’s vibrant seasonal calendar.

A defining feature of this season was the park’s emphasis on conservation awareness and community involvement. The Baby Rhino Naming Campaign became a breakout success, with over 13,000 people voting to name the park’s newest rhino calf, Onyx. The campaign underscored public interest in conservation and highlighted the community’s emotional investment in the park’s mission.

“Onyx is more than just a baby rhino — he’s a symbol of hope and collective responsibility,” said a park spokesperson.

Educational outreach also reached new heights. Under the theme Conservation of the Planet, Dubai Safari Park welcomed nearly 45,000 students from schools across the UAE. Activities ranged from awareness days to conservation-themed competitions. One such contest drew 560 students from 22 schools, who submitted innovative ideas for environmental preservation.

These efforts cemented the park’s role as a leading destination for edutainment and environmental learning, sparking interest and creativity in the next generation of conservationists.

This season saw major gains in the park’s conservation and breeding programs. A total of 162 new animal births and hatchings were recorded, including 17 from critically endangered species like white rhinos, moon bears, and Addax. These births were managed under strict ethical and scientific standards aligned with EAZA (European Association of Zoos and Aquaria) guidelines.

On the scientific front, Dubai Safari Park contributed four research papers to the global body of wildlife knowledge. Topics included rabies vaccine efficacy in African wild dogs, stress reduction in big cats, and disease surveillance — underscoring the park’s growing role as a hub for wildlife research and innovation.

“Season 6 marked a transformative chapter for us, not just in numbers, but in impact,” said Muna Alhajeri, Director of Dubai Safari Park. “We brought new life into the world, inspired future generations, contributed to global science, and created experiences that matter. And we’re just getting started.”

The park is set to reopen on 14 October 2025 for its seventh season. Guests can expect refreshed experiences, new attractions, and a continued focus on wildlife protection and education.