You will enjoy a day full of wonder at Riyadh Season this year. Riyadh Zoo opens on November 20 and becomes a key spot for animal lovers. You can explore expanded wildlife homes, touch animals up close, and learn new facts. If you travel with family or just like nature, this zone suits you well. It turns the zoo into a fun, safe place for all ages. You will walk paths with animals from around the world. Plus, it fits the big festival mood with lights and events.
When Does Riyadh Zoo Open and How Long Does It Last?
You should know that Riyadh Zoo starts its special Riyadh Season events on November 20. It keeps going until mid-December, matching the full festival from October to December. You can visit every day from 9 AM to 8 PM. That lets you go in the morning for cool air or stay till evening for shows.
The hours change a bit on weekends, with extra time for families. You will find it busy but organized. November weather helps too, with temps around 18 to 24 degrees Celsius. Flowers and trees look green, and animals stay active. In all, you have weeks to plan your trip without rush.
Read About All the Zones in Riyadh Season 2025:
|
Zone |
Activities |
Location |
| Beast Land | Created by MrBeast. 27 rides, 40 restaurants, and interactive gaming zones. | Northern Riyadh (exact site TBD, near Boulevard area) |
| Boulevard City | Features concerts, theatrical shows, 80+ restaurants, 14 plays, and 8 sports championships. | Hittin District, Riyadh |
| Boulevard World | Country pavilions (Egypt, France, India, South Korea, etc.), VR rides, floating markets, 1,700 stores, and 500+ restaurants. | Hittin District, near BLVD City |
| Kingdom Arena | 40,000+ capacity for WWE Royal Rumble 2026, concerts, and international sports. | Boulevard City, Hittin District |
| ANB Arena | Hosting Six Kings Slam, Joy Forum, Power Slap 17, and WWE SmackDown. | Boulevard City, Hittin District |
| VIA Riyadh | Luxury destination with St. Regis Hotel, designer shopping, fine dining, cinemas, and Ana Arabia 2025 exhibition. | Al-Hada District, next to Ritz-Carlton |
| The Groves | lakeside dining, 7 restaurants, 16 shops, live music, dog park, Zama Zulu and Vida Vera. | Al-Rafiyah District, Riyadh |
| BLVD Flowers | 215,000 sqm floral wonderland with 200 million flowers and 3 Boeing 777s turned into art. | Hittin District, near BLVD Runway |
| Aroya Zone | Riyadh Season’s first cruise experience. | Launches from Red Sea; on-ground presence near Boulevard World Lake |
| Riyadh Zoo | 1,600 animals, 6 themed zones, and interactive areas like Croc Cave and Bird Zones. | Al-Malaz District, Riyadh |
| Al Suwaidi Park | Celebrating 13 countries through music, art, and food festivals. | Al-Suwaidi District, Riyadh |
Why Should You Visit Riyadh Zoo During Riyadh Season 2025?
You will love Riyadh Zoo because it grows bigger and better for the season. The city zoo has been around since 1987, but Riyadh Season 2025 adds new homes for animals and fun activities. You can get away from city noise and connect with nature.
For families, it offers safe play and learning. Animal fans see rare creatures in good setups. You should know it supports wildlife care, with parts of ticket sales helping save animals. Plus, the zone has over 1,500 animals from 180 species. It teaches about the world in a simple way. You will leave with smiles and new knowledge.
What Animals Can You See at Riyadh Zoo?
You can spot many animals at Riyadh Zoo, thanks to the expanded habitats. The zoo covers 100,000 square meters now, with big areas for different groups. You will see lions and tigers in open savanna spots with rocks and grass. Elephants roam in a water play area, spraying trunks for fun.
Bird lovers find a walk-through aviary with parrots, eagles, and flamingos. You should know the reptile house has snakes, turtles, and crocodiles in glass homes that look like their wild spots. Monkeys swing in tree-filled zones, and giraffes reach high for leaves from safe platforms.
New for the season, you can view Arabian oryx and gazelles in desert setups. Penguins splash in a cool pool, and kangaroos hop in an Aussie area. All homes follow global rules for animal health, with vets on site. You will watch feeding times, like seals at 2 PM, to see them eat.
What Interactive Encounters Are Available at Riyadh Zoo?
You can get close to animals through hands-on meetings at Riyadh Zoo. The interactive zones let you touch and feed some creatures under guide watch. For example, you will pet goats and sheep in a farm yard. Kids feed carrots to them from small hands.
You should know the giraffe tower lets you hand greens to their long necks from a raised spot. It’s safe with fences. Bird shows happen twice a day, where trainers let you hold an owl or falcon. You can join a pony ride for little ones, with helmets and short loops.
For adventure, try the safari tram ride. It takes you through big animal areas like zebras and rhinos. Guides tell facts along the way. These encounters cost 20 to 50 SAR extra, but they make the day special. You will feel the joy of connecting with nature up close.
How Do Educational Experiences Work at Riyadh Zoo?
You will learn a lot from the teaching parts at Riyadh Zoo. Schools and families join talks and demos about animal life. You can sit in free sessions where experts explain how lions hunt or why bees matter. These last 15 to 30 minutes and use pictures and models.
You should know the kids’ center has games like puzzles on habitats or coloring animal books. Touch tables let you feel fur or feathers. Daily shows, like a puppet play on saving pandas, entertain while teaching. Guides speak English and Arabic.
For deeper info, you can download the zoo app for facts on each animal. It has quizzes too. The zoo works with schools for group visits, with buses and lunch spots. You will gain respect for wildlife and why we protect it.
Is Riyadh Zoo Good for Families and Kids?
You can bring your whole family to Riyadh Zoo without worry. It is built for all ages, with stroller paths and baby change rooms. Kids love the playgrounds near animal views, with slides shaped like elephants. You will find shaded picnic tables for breaks.
Parents relax knowing fences keep animals safe and rules are clear. You should know height limits on rides, like 1 meter for trams. Wheelchair access covers most areas, with ramps and lifts. Families get group tickets for savings.
Special days include story time for toddlers or teen talks on conservation. You will create bonds watching a child’s eyes light up at a monkey swing. It’s more than a zoo day; it’s family time with purpose.
What Is the History and Growth of Riyadh Zoo?
You should know Riyadh Zoo began in 1987 as a small park with basic cages. It started with local animals like camels and foxes. Over the years, it grew with help from the government. By 2010, it added international species and better homes.
Riyadh Season boosts it further. You can see the changes, like the new African village with hippos in a river setup. The zoo now follows AZA standards for care, with daily checks and natural diets. It partners with global zoos for breeding programs, like saving white rhinos.
You will notice the focus on Saudi wild life too, with exhibits on desert foxes and birds. This growth makes it a top spot in the Middle East. Past visitors share stories of how it sparked love for animals.
How Does Riyadh Zoo Support Wildlife Conservation?
You can feel good visiting Riyadh Zoo because it helps save animals. Part of every ticket goes to protection projects. You should know the zoo runs breeding for endangered species, like Arabian leopards. They release some back to safe areas.
Talks teach about threats like habitat loss. You will learn how to help, like not buying ivory. The zoo plants trees and uses solar power for green ways. It works with WWF for global efforts. Your visit supports real change.
Tips for Your Best Visit to Riyadh Zoo
You can plan your Riyadh Zoo trip to go smoothly. Check the app for animal schedules and crowd maps. You should know tickets cost 20 SAR for adults, free for kids under 3. Buy online to skip lines.
Arrive early for fresh air and less heat. Wear hats and sunscreen. Bring water and snacks, though cafes sell sandwiches and ice cream. You will find ATMs and lost child spots.
If driving, use the big parking lot. Taxis or buses work too. Stay till closing for night views, when lights make habitats glow. Follow no-touch rules for safety. Share your day with #RiyadhZoo on social media.
Why You Can’t Miss Riyadh Zoo This Season?
You will treasure your time at Riyadh Zoo during Riyadh Season. It opens November 20 with big animal homes, close meetings, and learning fun. You can watch wildlife thrive, touch a few, and teach your kids care. Make it a must on your list. Riyadh Season 2025 offers variety, but this zone brings nature’s magic. Go soon and let the animals amaze you.