Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Centre is an impressive architecturally designed museum located within Al Ain Zoo, where visitors can learn about the UAE's natural environment.
How To Book
Entry to Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Centre is included in your Al Ain Zoo ticket price, so you won't need to pay anything extra to gain entry into this museum.
There are a number of different ticket types for entry into Al Ain Zoo, which can be viewed and booked by clicking here.
When To Go
You can visit Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Centre every day that Al Ain Zoo is open.
Most of the year, Al Ain Zoo is open 9am - 8pm daily, but this is subject to change, so best to contact Al Ain Zoo on +97137992000 or via email info@alainzoo.ae prior to your visit to confirm their opening days and times.
There are various free tours available at Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Centre and their daily schedule can be viewed here.
Please note that you don't have to join a tour in order to visit this museum.
Costs Involved
You will only need to pay for your entry tickets into Al Ain Zoo.
Once you are inside this zoo, Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Centre is free to visit and daily tours are also free.
How To Get There
Al Ain is approximately one and a half hours drive from Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
Once you have arrived in Al Ain's city, you can follow the brown tourist signs to Al Ain Zoo.
For a map of Al Ain Zoo you can click here, which also provides you with the contact details for Al Ain zoo, in case you get lost or need to contact them.
Tips For Your Visit
Both Al Ain Zoo and Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Centre are usually quieter to visit during weekdays and mornings on weekends.
In order to make your visit more comfortable, you can hire additional visitor services to help you move around Al Ain Zoo with greater ease and some of these services include:
Stroller for your child (AED42 for a single pram and AED73.50 for a double pram)
Wheelchair with custom golf cart for elderly visitors and people with special needs (Free)
There are family bathrooms with nappy changing facilities available throughout Al Ain Zoo and Sheikh Zayed Learning Centre, and there are also lift facilities within this museum to help visitors gain access to the different levels.
What To Expect
There are 5 main galleries within Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Centre and these include:
Sheikh Zayed Tribute Hall
Abu Dhabi Desert Overtime
Abu Dhabi Living World
People Of The Desert
Looking Into The Future
You could easily spend an hour at this museum or even a few hours, depending upon whether you stop to read the information included within all of the galleries.
The Verdict
Not only is this museum a great place to cool down after walking around Al Ain Zoo, but it's also a great place to learn so much about the UAE's natural environment.
It was great to see that this museum covered the past, present and future of the UAE, encouraging visitors to always look after the environment and lead more sustainable lifestyles.
We loved exploring the Abu Dhabi Desert Overtime gallery area, which stimulates the natural environment of the caves and peaks of Jebel Hafeet in Al Ain.
See if you can also find the incredible viewing deck on one of the highest floors at Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Centre.
It will be worthwhile finding this outside area of the museum, because this is the view that awaits you...
Sounds like fun? Don’t just take our word for it, experience it for yourself.
Be inspired to start or add to your very own bucket lists.
You can also click here for more unique bucket list ideas in the UAE!
Above prices & information correct as of March 2023.
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