You’ll find the Sharjah Desert Park 28km from the centre of Sharjah, en route to Al Dhaid. It has three components spread over one square kilometre: the Natural History Museum, Arabian Wildlife Centre and the Children’s Farm.

The museum provides people of all ages with an opportunity to learn about the flora and fauna of the Arabian Desert and has five main exhibition halls: A Journey through Sharjah, Man and the Environment, A Journey through Time, The Living Desert and The Living Sea.

The Arabian Wildlife Centre showcases the rich diversity of fauna in the Arabian Peninsula as well as teaching about species which have become, and are becoming, extinct. It contains more than 100 species of animals, and is divided into a reptile and insect house, aviary, nocturnal houses, viewing area and a section for large predators and monkeys. The children’s farm gives children a chance to come into close contact with farm animals, such as donkeys, goats, sheep and chickens.

The Breeding Centre for Endangered Arabian Wildlife is also located near the museum. It aims to breed the indigenous animals of Arabia which are under threat of extinction, to reintroduce them into their natural habitat and also to provide zoos with some of the indigenous animals of the area.

The desert park makes for an enjoyable day’s outing and is open every day except Monday. For enquiries call (06) 531 1999.