Summer holidays in the UAE usually mean parents start searching for ways to keep children active without letting them spend the entire day indoors, glued to screens. This year, Al Ain Zoo is bringing back a more adventurous option for families with its new summer camp programme, Legacy of the Desert.
Designed for children aged six to 12, the camp mixes wildlife experiences, outdoor activities and hands-on learning inside one of the UAE’s best-known family attractions. Set against the rocky backdrop of Jebel Hafeet, the experience feels far removed from the usual indoor holiday camps found across the city.
From animal encounters to desert-themed challenges, the programme is built around helping children reconnect with nature while staying active during the long summer break.
A summer camp where children swap screens for safari-style adventures
Walking through Al Ain Zoo early in the morning already feels different from the pace of Dubai and Abu Dhabi city life. The open spaces, shaded walking trails and distant views of Jebel Hafeet instantly create a calmer atmosphere, and that natural setting becomes a huge part of the summer camp experience itself.
Instead of spending the day inside classrooms, children taking part in the Al Ain Zoo summer camp will move between wildlife zones, outdoor activity areas and interactive learning spaces. One moment they could be learning about desert animals native to the UAE, and the next they may be taking part in team games or conservation-focused challenges.
The programme is designed to keep children curious throughout the day. It is not just about watching animals from a distance. The camp includes close-up educational experiences that introduce children to the importance of wildlife protection and environmental awareness in a way that feels engaging rather than academic.
For many UAE parents, that balance matters. Summer camps today are no longer only about keeping children busy for a few hours. Families increasingly look for experiences that combine entertainment with learning and confidence-building.
The setting makes the experience feel even more special
Part of what makes this programme stand out is the location itself. Spread across a huge natural landscape in Al Ain, the zoo feels more open and immersive compared to many indoor attractions around the UAE.
Children attending the camp will be surrounded by hundreds of animals, including Arabian oryx, giraffes, reptiles, big cats and endangered regional species. Even simple moments, like spotting giraffes across the landscape or hearing birds near the shaded pathways, add to the feeling of being somewhere completely different from the usual city routine.
Al Ain itself has quietly become one of the UAE’s favourite family escape destinations over the years. While Dubai is known for fast-paced attractions and entertainment hubs, Al Ain offers something slower and more connected to nature.
That is exactly the atmosphere this camp leans into.
More than just animal encounters
The Legacy of the Desert programme is also focused on helping children build life skills through outdoor experiences. Alongside wildlife activities, the camp includes teamwork exercises, creative workshops, problem-solving games and survival-inspired challenges designed for younger age groups.
The activities encourage children to interact with each other, stay active and gain confidence in outdoor environments. Parents often mention how difficult it can be to pull children away from devices during school holidays, which is why experiences like this continue growing in popularity across the UAE.
There is also a strong local element woven into the programme. Many of the activities are inspired by the UAE’s desert environment, wildlife heritage and conservation efforts, giving children a chance to understand more about the country they live in while still having fun.
What can you expect at the camp
The Al Ain Zoo summer camp includes a mix of educational and recreational activities, such as:
- Guided animal encounters
- Wildlife education sessions
- Outdoor nature games
- Desert-inspired challenges
- Conservation activities
- Team-building exercises
- Interactive workshops
- Creative learning experiences linked to UAE wildlife
The structure keeps the days varied, which is important during summer camps for younger children. The combination of movement, storytelling and hands-on activities helps maintain energy levels throughout the programme.
Parents can probably expect children to return home dusty, tired, and excitedly talking about feeding animals or completing outdoor challenges — which, honestly, sounds like a successful summer day.
Ticket prices and sibling discounts
The Al Ain Zoo summer camp costs Dhs525 per child. Families registering siblings can also receive discounts for up to three children, making it a more practical option for larger families planning activities for the school break.
With summer camps across Dubai and Abu Dhabi already opening registrations, programmes focused on outdoor learning and wildlife experiences are expected to attract strong interest this year.
For parents hoping to give children a summer that feels more adventurous and less screen-focused, this is one activity that ticks plenty of boxes at once.
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