Dubai Safari project set to open by end-2014

Dubai Municipality has released more details of its AED150m ($40.8m) Dubai Safari project, which is currently under construction and is scheduled to open by the end of 2014.

Dubai Safari, which is being built in Al Warqa 5, Aweer Road in an area of 396 hectares, will include a number of different areas, Dubai Municipality said in a statement on its official Facebook page.

The project will include several areas known as Arabian Village, Asian Village, African Village to accommodate animals from different continents, as well as open safari areas, a butterfly park, golf courses and entertainment and recreational areas.

"The safari that covers 60 hectares of the total area is aimed at establishing the best centre for wildlife in the world, providing a variety of environments appropriate to different animals," the statement said.

Built on an old Dubai landfill site, the safari "will use modern interactive methods in control and movement to ensure the distinctive and unique experience for visitors. The project comes in the old landfill area of Dubai."

A dedicated area for the valley will be in of 7.5 hectares, with a length of more than 1 km and a height of 12m and with a waterfall, restaurants and terrace overlooking the valley.

"The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2014," the municipality confirmed.

Dubai Municipality said work on ground levelling, internal roads and parking works was due to be finished by the end of the first quarter of 2013.

Hussain Nassir Lootah, director general of Dubai municipality, said future stages of development will be announced once the bids are finalised with contractors.

Dubai Safari will replace the ailing Dubai Zoo and hundreds of animals, birds and other creatures living in enclosures in the existing Dubai Zoo in Jumeirah will be relocated to the new site.

Dubai Zoo has attracted a wave of criticism over the years, with animal lovers and charities complaining about its small cages and poor living conditions.

Lootah said last year that the centre was outdated, and said the new zoo would provide better conditions for the animals.

Last year, Dubai also announced plans to establish a crocodile park in the emirate. The Dubai Municipality said the crocodile park would be set up "in the near future", adding that it was studying similar parks in France, Tunisia and Belgium.