Riyadh Zoo has created a new face to keep the entertainment going. The Zoo established in 1987 has gone through some major renovations to adopt a new face. Locally known as Malaz Zoo, the Riyadh zoo will be an ideal location to visit with family and kids also if you are into knowing and understanding exotic animals. 

For a weekend getaway to Riyadh Zoo here are a few things you need to keep in mind. 

Location: Al Ihsa, Al Malaz, Riyadh 12832, Saudi Arabia

The Zoo is located in the Almalaz district, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. You can reach the zoo in a private taxi with your family or take the bus or metro. The zoo offers a vast experience spread over 161,000 square meters featuring birds, mammals and reptiles. Kids can enjoy train rides and other activities in the zoo. 

Timings of Riyadh Zoo 

Riyadh Zoo has separate timing for families men and women, therefore take note of the timing and holidays before you make a trip to the Riyadh Zoo. 

Riyadh zoo is open all days but the time you are allowed varies. If you are visiting as a family the zoo allows family trips on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, the timing is as follows:

  • Tuesday and Wednesday – from 1 pm to 6 pm.

    Pic Credits: Blogger_er (google images)
  • Thursday-  from 9 am to 6 pm. 

For educational institutions that are planning a trip with students to the zoo. The Zoo is open on Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, the timing is as follows:

  • From Sunday to Wednesday from 8:30 am to 12:00
  • For men, the zoo is open on Sunday from 1 pm to 6 pm 
  • For ladies, the zoo is open Monday from 1 pm to 6 pm
  • On Fridays, the Zoo is open after the Jummah and Maghreb prayer. 

It is advised to visit a time when the sun is not too hot and blazing above your head. During these hours the animals like to stay in the shade and out of sight and you might miss out on many. 

Attractions of Riyadh Zoo

What attracts people to Riyadh Zoo is the exotic animals here, the fun and the quality amenities the zoo provides. The zoo has a surface area of 161,00 square meters and facilities to keep kids and adults relaxed and entertained. Inside the zoo, there is a train ride which is only for the kids. The ride gives a guided tour for kids. 

The Zoo also has outdoor restaurants and coffee shops to sit and relax when you are tired from walking. The zoo also has a separate prayer hall for men and women, and gift shops to get something for your collection. Riyadh zoo is well decorated and full of green with its trees and gardens. Visitors can also enjoy a 5D cinema experience here at Riyadh Zoo.

The other attractions offered by the zoo include:

The House of Pongo

At the House of Pongo, Riyadh Zoo zone visitors get to learn about different types of monkeys.

Ape Escape

At the Ape Escape visitors gets to see mountain gorillas and Ouranguttan, which are rare animals to come before your eye. Kids will be excited to see their favourite star from skull Island come to life. Ape escape will really be entertaining as you get to see monkeys and apes swinging from vine to vine.

Enchanted Forest

Here in the enchanted forest arena, visitors get to see animals that are mighty and magical creatures of the forest. The enchanted forest houses animals like giraffes, horses, llamas, deer etc. in this arena people get to hand-feed some of the animals here. 

House of Turtles

Did you know that turtles belong to the oldest reptile group? Here in the house of turtles, visitors get to learn more about turtles and enjoy interactive sessions with them. 

Malaz Bay

For the big cat lovers out there don’t forget to check out the Malaz Bay zone at Riyadh Zoo this is where you get to meet the members of Panthera families including Bengal tigers, leopards, cheetahs, jaguars etc. 

The swamp 

The swamps are nature’s transition area, this wetland ecosystem is a habitat for animals like crocodiles, alligators frogs etc. In the Swamp zone of Riyadh Zoo, visitors can meet crocodiles and other predators. 

Pink Lake

Pic Credits: Shadh (google images)

When flamingos gather in groups, they turn the surroundings into a beautiful shade of pink. At the Pink Lake zone of Riyadh zoo, visitors can witness flamingos and other birds like parrots.

Wild Adventures

Rember how Mowgli showed his respect to elephants as Bhaggera says “The elephants created this jungle. Where they’ve made furrows with their tusks, the rivers ran. Where they blew with their trunks, the leaves fell. They made all that belongs – the mountains, the trees, the birds in the tree, all of them.” You can meet the majestic elephants at the Wild Adventures zone in the Riyadh Zoo. 

The Farm 

A fun zone for kids to meet and interact with farm animals and farm life. In this fun, interactive zone kids get to get close to farm animals, feed and play with them. 

Performances

Riyadh Zoo also offers fun and entertaining performances including musical animal parades and other entertainment. 

VR Experience

It is more like meeting animals close to you but in virtual reality. The VR world offers a chance to get close to animals otherwise you may never get close to, say crawling poisonous spiders, creeping snakes etc. 

Ticket and Other Information: 

Entry Ticket: SR 11.00

Entry Ticket: SR 11.50

Kids Entry Ticket (3-10)Y: SR 5.00

Kids Entry Ticket (3-10)Y: SR 5.75

The History of Riyadh Zoo:

PicCredits: Habiba A

The Riyadh Zoo also called the Malaz zoo is the oldest zoo in  Saudi Arabia. The zoo was not open to the public until 1987. Before it was open to the public the zoo is where King Saud bin Abdulaziz kept his exotic pet animals. It was established in the year 1957 as a shelter for the animals gifted to the royal family.  Now the zoo has grown to be the largest in the country attracting many tourists.