New Butterfly Gardens Abu Dhabi opens this January

From butterflies to sloths, the Butterfly Gardens Abu Dhabi, a new indoor wildlife space opens in Al Qana this January

Abu Dhabi is adding a new indoor wildlife attraction to its leisure lineup this January. The Butterfly Gardens Abu Dhabi opens on January 9. Located in Al Qana, directly opposite The National Aquarium and just minutes from the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the attraction promises a nature-led experience designed for year-round visits. Fully climate controlled, the gardens aim to offer a calm alternative to the city’s busier entertainment spaces.

The space will be home to more than 10,000 butterflies moving freely through walk-through biodomes inspired by landscapes in Asia and the Americas. Instead of a traditional exhibit, the gardens are designed as an immersive environment, with visitors walking through tropical planting, soft lighting and water features as butterflies flutter through the space.

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Visitors can also expect to see a mix of rare animals including a two-toed sloth, Palawan bearcat, Cuvier’s dwarf caiman, tamandua, Sri Lankan giant squirrel and Gouldian finches. These species will move through open habitats, allowing guests to observe natural behaviour up close in a setting intended to feel quiet and unhurried.

Ethical sourcing plays a central role. The butterflies come from long-standing partnerships with small-scale farming communities in Costa Rica and the Philippines. These programmes focus on conservation-led breeding, ecosystem protection and sustainable livelihoods. Each month, some butterflies will be released back into the wild to support local pollination.

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Education is built into the experience, with school sessions focused on ecosystems, biodiversity and pollination, alongside interactive learning areas. Guided tours will be available for families, private groups and tourists.