There’s something mesmerising about looking at creatures great and small.

We’ve got a whole jungle to explore in this city, so we’ve rounded up where to see animals in Dubai.

Whether you want to see animals in their natural habitat or interact with dolphins or just keep an eye on beautiful butterflies as they emerge from their cocoons and flit about, the options are endless.

So here’s a look at some encounters that will be loved by the whole family – especially the animal mad kid (there’s one in every family).

Aquaventure

Best for: Fans of water

Swim (and interact) with the fishes at Aquaventure’s Dolphin Bay Lagoon. Kids can learn how the professionals take care of the marine mammals and get a close-up look at them too. The experience is open to anyone eight and up.

From Dhs575. Daily. Atlantis The Palm. aquaventureworld.com (04 426 0000).

Dubai Safari

Best for: Dr Doolittle wannabes

If you (or your child) loves animals and animal encounters, there’s no better place to visit than Dubai Safari, which is home to 3,000 animals. From elephants to bears and even the Arabian Wolf, you’ll find something that catches your fancy.

Dhs50 (adults); Dhs20 (3-12 year olds) for a day pass. 9am-5pm. Al Warqa 5.dubaisafari.ae (800 900).

Dubai Butterfly Garden

Best for: Budding photographers

Arguably the world’s largest covered butterfly garden, this must-visit animal encounter has more than 15,000 butterflies of 50 different varieties flitting about the place. Kids can learn all about the different stages of a butterfly’s life and how they evolve. And they can experiment with their photo-taking skills; with such pretty subjects the result is bound to be winning.

From Dhs55. Sat-Fri, 9am-6pm. dubaibutterflygarden.com (04 4228902).

Green Planet

Best for: Future zoologist

Give your child the gift of being a zookeeper for a day – the experience at Green Planet will get them up close and personal with the many denizens of the bio-dome and they’ll get to shadow a biologist for the day. (There’s no cap on age when it comes to the experience. We are just saying.)

Dhs410. Daily, 3pm-6pm; 8.30am-11.30am (additional session on weekends). City Walk – Al Wasl. (800 7699).

JA Hatta Resort

Best for: Toddlers

Introduce your kids to animals in a safe and secure space at JA Hatta Resort, which allows dogs as guests, has deer in an enclosure and peacocks running free. There are also horses (they can ride) and rabbits (they can feed).

Free for hotel guests.24 hours. Hatta Oman Road Hatta Roundabout 9277. jaresortshotels.com (04 809 9333).

Sustainable City Equestrian Club

Best for: Pony-mad teens

Has your teen been pestering you for a pony? How about teaching them about the four-legged beauties by first learning to ride. Get them to saddle up or the 30 minute lessons for beginners and canter their way to the 45-minute sessions for intermediates. There are also grooming and stable management classes.

From Dhs1,700 (ten 30-minute classes). Daily. Dubai Sustainable City. sustainablecityequestrianclub.com (04 557 6611)

Turtle Rehabilitation Sanctuary

Best for: Conservationists

Turtles may have thick shells but they are still vulnerable creatures. The Hawksbill turtle, native to the Middle East, is critically endangered. Kids can see the recovery process and even help feed these amphibians on the daily at 11am at Jumeirah Al Naseem’s Turtle Rehabilitation Sanctuary.

Daily, 11am. Jumeirah Al Naseem’s Turtle Rehabilitation Sanctuary. jumeirah.com (04 3665 000).

Looking for activities to do in Dubai?

Things to do for Dhs50 (or less) per child
These activities are great value for money

50 free things to do in Dubai
Want to explore Dubai but save money? Here’s your guide

15 places to see incredible free art and culture in Dubai
Time to make the most of what the city has to offer