There’s a perfect weekend getaway 30 minutes out of Doha, Qatar, in Al Wakrah City, called Wakrah Mini Zoo. The Animal park in Qatar is located at Street 8،, Qatar, and is the perfect getaway for families on the outskirts of Doha. It’s also the ideal sanctuary where families with young children can enjoy the beauty and magnificence of nature.
The Wakrah Mini Zoo is a mini zoo in Al Wakrah City. It started as an animal breeding facility for exotic animal companies in Qatar and was officially open to the public last year (October 2023). However, it is essential to note that the Wakrah Mini Zoo is a private farm.
Animal lovers in Al Wakrah City see some exotic animals that are not native to the United Arab Emirates. The Animal park in Qatar cares for exotic birds, grazers, fish, and farm animals.
If you’ve never had a chance to see a real live antelope, flamingo, or fish – the Wakrah Mini Zoo is the perfect location around Doha to take your loved one. And what’s best is it’s absolutely free!
First Impressions of Wakrah Mini Zoo
There are thousands of hidden gems all over Qatar, but most of them are artificial—that means hotels, resorts, restaurants, and parks. These establishments, while marvelous, lack a simple ingredient—animals.
The moment you get to the Wakrah Mini Zoo, you’ll notice it is unlike anything you’ve experienced in Qatar. You can hear the animals right from the gate. The neatly paved trails and huge gate with elephant murals, indigenous trees, shrubs, and wildflowers give a warm welcome to the most fulfilling hidden gem in Al Wakrah—the Wakrah Mini Zoo.
There’s no specific order to view the animals. Right at the gate, you can choose to go left or right. It’s quite a big establishment.
I recommend starting with the bridge. If you have children who’ve only seen live fish at an aquarium in a mall, it’ll be their first chance to see these fascinating creatures swimming free in their natural habitat under the bridge.
The water under the bridge is covered with water plants, making up for the perfect game for children trying to pick them out. The Koi Fish will stand out thanks to their conspicuous red, orange, and pink colors.
What to Expect at the Wakrah Mini Zoo
The Wakrah Mini Zoo is quite a fascinating establishment and a must-go destination for families in Qatar.
- Entry is free: For starters, it’s free, and you’ll not need to pay anything at the gate to gain entry. You’d expect such an animal conservancy with exotic animals to charge a fee as a token of maintenance, but fortunately – Wakrah Mini Zoo is free.
- Opening/Closing Time: The Animal park in Qatar is open daily from 3 to 8 pm. It is open in the afternoon to allow the staff to clean the pens and feed the animals before visitors can gain access. For the best experience, visit this Zoo on a weekday. It can get crowded over the weekends.
- Child-Friendly: A zoo can be hazardous for obvious reasons. It hosts wild animals that are aggressive by nature. The management behind the Wakrah Mini Zoo has secured all the animal pens, making it safe for children to interact with the animals without getting hurt. Best of all, the Wakrah Mini Zoo has a kids’ play area.
- Huge Parking Space: The Wakrah Mini Zoo has a huge parking lot, so if you are traveling with children or the entire family, you don’t need to worry about finding a safe location to park your vehicle.
- Prepare for the sights and smells: If you’ve been to a farm, you understand that animals have unfamiliar smells, especially when secured behind cages. The animal park in Qatar has thousands of animals, and as a result, it comes with specific smells that are expected of caged animals. Don’t forget to carry a mosquito repellent and a mask.
- Cabins: Since there are no restaurants in this animal establishment, the perfect place to take a break from sightseeing is designated cabins. They are airy and offer the perfect vantage point of the entire farm. You and your family can sit and recharge after a long session of walking and viewing animals.
- No Food and Drinks: The Wakrah Mini Zoo does not operate a restaurant or food and drink shops within the premises. If you’ll be visiting with young ones, come prepared with food—or plan on a suitable location nearby to enjoy snacks.
Animals to See at the Wakrah Mini Zoo
There are hundreds of animals to see at the Wakrah Mini Zoo (both wild and domesticated). The following are some of the exotic animals that stand out:
Fish
The animal park in Qatar has several different types of fish species you can view, the most common being the Koi fish. Some fish are in a glass aquarium, while others are underneath the footbridge in a pond.
Farm Animals
The Wakrah Mini Zoo has a variety of farm animals, the most common being goats, cows, and even horses. The goats are the most friendly and quite curious; they’ll lean over the fence to get a glimpse of any visitor close by.
Birds
The Wakrah Mini Zoo is famous for its bird variety. The most common are the several species of pigeons enclosed in a huge pen. You’ll also find Marabou Storks, Peacocks, and even Flamingoes, which are surprisingly misplaced in this zoo.
Antelope and Wild Game
The Wakrah Mini Zoo is a perfect spot to check out wild game outside Qatar. There are antelopes and a herd of majestic Arabian Oryx. You’ll notice that the Antelope is in a small enclosure, which is a bit awkward for an animal that naturally thrives in big spaces.
NB: The Wakrah Mini Zoo is a great destination, especially for families with small children. However, there is a lot of concern over the living conditions of wild animals, especially regarding cleanliness. We hope the farm management can improve. This facility is of great benefit to the residents.