Spend the Day With Animals at These UAE Spots 

Ever wanted to get up close with a dolphin? Aquaventure World offers a number of encounters for all levels of adventure. Start with a dry meet-and-greet, where dolphins swim up to the edge of their lagoon to say hello. Trainers are close by to share interesting facts about their anatomy and personalities before inviting the dolphins to show off some of their energetic behaviours.

For those feeling a little more adventurous, put on a wetsuit and join a marine mammal specialist in the lagoon for an up-close training session. Still not enough? Venture into the deep end for a snorkelling and swimming adventure alongside these intelligent mammals. Just make sure you're confident in your swimming abilities!

Who says wildlife encounters have to take place in a zoo? At Sonara Camp Dubai, you can enjoy a little desert luxury alongside some fascinating wildlife. Hosted by Nara Hospitality Group, the desert oasis features a zero-waste campground, award-winning cuisine and a live falcon show. Watch these stately birds take flight across the vast desert landscape, guided by a professional handler, offering a glimpse into one of the region's most iconic traditions.

Ever wanted to sip on a matcha with an owl perched on your arm? At Boomah in Abu Dhabi, you can do just that. Twelve owls call the café home, where they are cared for by professional trainers and owl specialists. Guests can put on falconry gloves and welcome one of the feathered residents onto their arms before settling down with an iced latte, smoothie or tea.

The experience doesn't stop at coffee and owl encounters. The café also hosts creative workshops, including a recent felt-owl-making event where guests were invited to design and sew their own little owl friends to take home.

For a dinner with a rather wild view, Al Ain Zoo invites guests to spend an evening in the company of the King of the Jungle. ‘Dinner with Lions’ gives families a close-up view of the zoo's majestic residents, combining a safari adventure with a three-course meal.

Taking place every Saturday from 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM, the experience begins with a private guided safari in an SUV before guests settle in for dinner with the lions as their backdrop. Guests also receive a retail souvenir to take home, ensuring the memories last long after the evening ends.

Breakfast is usually the most ordinary part of the morning, but not when your dining companions happen to be giraffes! Every Saturday, families can head to Al Ain Zoo's Giraffe Feeding Balcony for a morning meal with some very tall guests.

From 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM, giraffes wander over to greet visitors and enjoy breakfast of their own. Zookeepers provide special food for guests to feed the animals, giving families the chance to watch their long necks stretch towards the balcony and get up close with the world's tallest land mammals.

For an animal encounter with a distinctly local twist, head to Dubai's famous Camel Farm. Located inside the Al Marmoom Conservation Reserve and operated by a group of dedicated Bedouin men, the farm offers visitors the chance to get to know one of the region's most iconic animals.

Beyond camel rides, guests can try camel-hugging therapy, which is exactly what it sounds like: spending some time embracing these famously docile animals. There's also a petting zoo where visitors can meet goats, donkeys and tortoises.

Fancy trading the desert heat for a little Arctic adventure? Head to The National Aquarium in Abu Dhabi for an encounter with the Clowns of the Ocean: puffins! These small, colourful seabirds are already a highlight for Aquarium visitors, but families can now take things a step further by venturing inside their enclosure to hand-feed the colony.

Your breakfast companions might be a little noisier than usual at Emirates Park Zoo, where guests can start their morning with a playful group of sea lions. The experience gives visitors the chance to feed these lively marine mammals before sitting down to enjoy a hearty breakfast themselves.

A member of the zoo's sea lion expert team will also be on hand to share insights into the personalities and behaviours of the animals, as well as the zoo's wider commitment to conservation.