Qatar’s wildlife is rich with falcons and oryx or gazelles being the nations pride. Although you may not see them in our daily lives, there are many zoos, game reserves, farms and parks you can visit to meet and interact with these marvellous animals.
Here are the best places to visit to see animals in Qatar:
Al Dosari Zoo and Game Reserve
Also known as Al Dosari Zoo and Nature Reserve, the private park in Al Khuraib is owned by Mohamed
Al Dosari, a Qatari. Spread over 100,000 sq m, the zoo houses various kinds of animals, birds and reptiles, and a heritage centre. Every visitor is taken on a guided tour of the animal reserve, and offered tea and Arabic coffee. Open-air barbecues are permitted. There are umbrellas and Arabian huts, and many available spaces to sit under trees. Twelve housing units and 11 cottages have been added to the park for overnight visitors.
Opening times: Sunday to Wednesday 7 am – 7 pm; Thursday to Saturday 9 am – 5:30 pm. Admission: Free.
Al Khor Park (Al Khor Park and Zoo)
The 240,000 sq m park features a zoo, battery-operated train, restaurant, mosque, museum, mini golf area, wall mural, skating area, children’s play area, basketball court, food kiosks, drinking fountains, and an amphitheatre. One of the park’s main attractions is the mini zoo, which includes seven new sections with a large number of different birds and animals. There are 290 new animals, bringing the total number of animals to 315 (49 different species). There’s also an aviary, which contains a waterfall and a lake, which is home to different birds. Opening times: Daily 8 am – 10 pm (Tuesdays: women and children only). Admission: QAR15 for adults; QAR10 for children under the age of 10 and persons with special needs. QAR50 to feed animals. Train ride: QAR5 per person, free for persons with special needs. Contact: 4426 5050
The new Panda House Park at Al Khor Park is home to two giant pandas, Suhail and Thuraya. The pair arrived in Qatar in October 2022 as a gift from China to mark the strengthening relationship between the two countries. Opening times: Daily 9 am – 5 pm. Admission: QAR50 for adults; QAR25 for children under the age of 14. Tickets can only be booked online through the Oun application. Contact: 3342 7954
Baladna Park
Located in Umm Al Hawaya near Al Khor, Baladna Park is an outdoor family entertainment park, which includes a restaurant, farm, zoo, lake, carnival area and outdoor activities and entertainment such as pedal car racing, cow chariot, trampoline, zip lining, bumper boats, obstacle course and more.
Opening times: Operates only in the winter season. Sunday to Thursday 10 am – 7 pm, Friday noon – 8 pm, Saturday 10 am – 8 pm. Admission: QAR35 for adults aged 13 and above; QAR55 for children aged 3 – 12. Contact: 4424 6000, baladnapark.com
North Sedra Farm
Located in Ghashamiyya, north of Qatar, the family-friendly educational and entertaining agritourism farm is where visitors can pick strawberries, harvest vegetables, feed animals, take a stroll around the lush greenery, learn about Qatari heritage and more. The farm also has a museum, children’s play area, pedal boats, cat’s cafe, cafes and restaurants, and more. In addition, there are cabins available for rent for the day.
Opening times: Operates only in the winter season from October to April. Friday and Saturday 12:30 pm – 8 pm. Admission: QAR20 per person; free for children under the age of two. Contact: 6665 0388, northsedra.qa
Important note: Call in advance to make a booking. Rates are subject to change. Please check with the hotel before you confirm your reservation.
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