Most of us have some extremely animated pictures (and depending on your experience: graphic memories) of frequent visits to the zoo as kids. Walking around and excitedly pointing at animals we’d only ever seen on TV was a staple childhood activity in the not-so-distant past.

Yet, luckily (especially for the animals), zoos, and all the caged-up horrors they bring, are finally being boycotted all around the world.

So, what are animal lovers meant to do on their travels now? Visit and volunteer at animal sanctuaries, of course!

From falcon hospitals to wildlife centres, these are the animal sanctuaries you should definitely add to your itinerary, as you plan your next trip around the MENA region.

Falcon Hospital

📍Abu Dhabi, UAE

The largest of its kind in the world, this hospital was built to offer check-ups, treatments, and feather substitutions for Abu Dhabi’s national bird—all of which, you can watch in action.

Nofa Wildlife Park

📍Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

With 18 different species of herbivores—like giraffes, zebras and hippos—this wildlife park is where you can take open-topped vehicles and watch over 700 animals roaming free.

Al-Ma’wa Wildlife Sanctuary

📍Jerash, Jordan

This 110-hectare wildlife sanctuary offers animals that can’t be sent to their origin country or released into the wild a permanent home made up of species-specific enclosures.

DJ Kennels Jeddah

📍Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

An animal shelter that gives abandoned pets and rescued wild animals—including hyenas and lions—a home, DJ Kennels offers pet therapy, volunteering opportunities, and training.

SFT Animal Sanctuary

📍Tangier, Morocco

Home to over 900 animals—including wild boars, a monkey and a mule—this animal sanctuary fully relies on government funding, and could definitely use some helping hands.

Arabian Wildlife Center

📍Sharjah, UAE

One of the largest homes for rare animals, this wildlife centre hosts Arabian Oryxes and Arabian leopards in large landscaped enclosures, and has its own conservation centre and nature reserve.

Shaybah Wildlife Sanctuary

📍Ar Rub' al-Khali, Saudi Arabia

Located in Saudi’s “empty quarter”, one of the largest continuous deserts in the world, this sanctuary aims to reintroduce iconic Arabian animals that were once locally extinct.

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