Sheikh Sultan opens world's largest Safari Park outside Africa in Sharjah
- Last updated: February 17, 2022 | 16:45
Gulf Today, Staff Reporter
His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, affirmed that development projects in the central region come carefully and take care of their nature and the deserts, trees, plants, and animals Sharjah seeks to preserve.
All are done in parallel with the development in various sectors of infrastructure, culture, tourism, heritage, economy, sports, etc.
This came during Sheikh Sultan’s speech delivered on Thursday, in the presence of Sheikh Abdullah Bin Salem Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, and Sheikh Sultan Bin Ahmed Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, at the opening of Sharjah Safari, the largest safari in the world outside of Africa. It is located in Al Dhaid.
Upon his arrival at the Sharjah safari, Sheikh Sultan had removed the curtain, marking the official opening of the safari, which includes 12 different environments, and extends over an area of 8 square kilometres.
The Ruler of Sharjah and the audience toured all over the Sharjah Safari, moving in its 12 different environments inspired by all parts of Africa, representing the life and terrain of the brown continent, and the animals and birds that live in it.
He was briefed on the safari facilities and services, which enable visitors to enjoy distinctively exploring the wildlife of Africa.
So far, there are more than 50,000 animals from more than 120 species that live in Africa, and the black rhino is one of the most critical and rare animals in the safari. In addition, more than 100,000 African Acacia trees were planted at Sharjah Safari, and the plants vary between local and African species.
Sharjah Safari offers its visitors an integrated experience to discover the flavour of Africa and its islands. Visitors will find the flamingo and other birds, the Madagascar island and the Aldabra giant tortoise.
You will enter an African village, in addition to the traditional farm with Watusi cattle, Zanzibar village, and other facilities and sections where you see hundreds of species of African animals and plants. Sharjah safari entry tickets vary into golden, silver, and bronze categories.
Sheikh Sultan stressed that Bedouin has characteristics, customs, values, heritage and authentic identity that must be preserved.
Al Wousta channel from Al Dhaid does this by presenting programmes in which it hosts the elderly, poets and narrators to define and document this heritage.
The Ruler of Sharjah referred to several projects being implemented in the central region, including pastures, reserves and Al Dhaid Fort, which will open next week.
Al Batayeh Lake was also mentioned, which, when opened after 14 months, will constitute a distinguished tourist site and be a water reservoir for the region.
International competitions for rowing will be held on it. His Highness pointed out that the Sharjah Sports City, located on the Sharjah-Al Dhaid Road, will include facilities and infrastructure for sports, gather athletes, and organise various competitions and competitions, including swimming and rowing.
He pointed to the project to preserve the names in the central region by documenting the names of trees, dunes, wells and other terms relating to the region’s environment.
The Department of Municipal Affairs, Agriculture and Livestock Resources will preserve and document everything moving forward on the site.
Sheikh Sultan also referred to the preservation of some natural desert areas from construction, reconstruction and urbanization work, which will be through Amiri decrees preventing the use of these areas to continue their nature and preserve their environmental components.