A large outdoor zoo on Dubai’s outskirts is set to be completed within months

A large outdoor zoo on Dubai’s outskirts is set to be completed "within months". Covering an area of nearly 1.2 square kilometres — more than two times larger than Vatican City — Dubai Safari located at Al Warqa’a 5 aims to create the ideal habitat for wildlife.

On Sunday, Hussain Nasser Lootah, director-general of Dubai Municipality, inspected the park with other senior officials. No opening date was given for the park’s opening, but a statement by the municipality said the park will be completed “within the next few months”. Areas in Dubai Safari include an Asian village, African village, Open Safari village, and a children’s park.

A valley, supported by solar power, has been set up in an area of 7.5 hectares, which includes a waterfall, a stream and a lake for fish, in addition to wooden bridges.

Work on a 0.22 square kilometre Open Safari is complete.

“The movement of visitors will be through electric vehicles,” said Khalid Al Suwaidi, director of the municipality’s leisure facilities department. “There are many special elements of suspense and excitement as well as opportunity to closely interact with the animals,” he added.

Under the plans, electric cars, buses and a train will transport tourists between the different sections of the park.