Of course, the dinosaurs there are all animatronic. But look on the bright side: none of them will try to eat you for dinner!
Dinosaur enthusiasts will probably have a Rex-traordinary time at Dino Desert, billed as Malaysia’s largest dinosaur theme park. The space is the newest of six theme parks built by Monkeys Canopy Resort.
Dino Desert is home to over 130 dinosaurs, and budding palaeontologists will likely get a kick out of trying to identify them all.
The big stars are the Velociraptor, Triceratops and Brachiosaurus featured alongside lesser-known names like Torvosaurus, Mamenchisaurus and Stygimoloch. Do take a photo with the large statue of the Pterosaur, a flying reptile, with its wings outstretched – it’s pretty awesome.
“I think many of us loved dinosaurs growing up. Now, everyone, no matter how old, can come to this park and relive their inner child. It’s a great place to help boost local tourism,” Husni Jaafar, Monkeys Canopy Resort operations coordinator, told FMT Lifestyle.
All the dinosaurs here are animatronic, and move from time to time, usually to roar, snarl or look super menacing. Most of them look quite realistic, with the most eye-catching displays being the ones with different dinosaurs fighting each other.
One popular spot features a clash between two predators, a Tyrannosaurus Rex and a Spinosaurus: probably a nod to the movie “Jurassic Park III.”
Every dinosaur has a signboard next to them displaying information and fun facts about them: learn, for instance, that the T-Rex was about 12 metres long, or the length of a school bus! (If you can’t understand some of the words on it, consult the “wordiest” dinosaur: the Thesaurus.)
Dino Desert is about 4.45 hectares in size, and the trail through this area stretches about 3km. Much effort has been put in by the park organisers to make it resemble an actual desert: look out for the cactuses growing all over the area! It can sometimes get hot, especially in the afternoon, so bring water and dress lightly.
Visitors with young children may be glad to hear that Dino Desert also has a play area, complete with slides, swings and climbing spaces.
There’s also a Fossil Zone, which features replicas of massive dinosaur skeletons, and the Look Out Peak offering unparalleled views of the park.
And if all that walking’s got you feeling sore, rest your tired bones with a drink or snack at the Bone Bites café. Yes, they have dinosaur nuggets!
According to Husni, about 12,000 people have visited the park since it opened on May 25 this year, with guests coming as far as Kuwait, Japan and the UK.
He recommended visitors come after 5pm, so they can explore the park in both day and nighttime.
Dino Desert is nicely lit up in the evening, which makes it great for photos: be careful though, as some dinosaurs look extra scary under the shade of darkness!
Overall, a visit to Dino Desert will probably prove a roaring good time for both the young and the young of heart.
Even if the only dinosaurs you like are the purple singing type on TV, the park is still a lovely, picturesque place for an invigorating walk. So put on your good shoes, and get ready for a dino-mite time!
Dino Desert
Lot 683
Jalan Persiaran Bukit Enggang Sg Long Hill
Sungai Long
43200 Cheras
Selangor
Opening Hours: 10am-10pm Daily
Admission Price
- RM55 (Adult)
- RM45 (Children/Senior Citizens/OKU)
For more information, visit Monkeys Canopy Resorts’s website. Also follow Dino Desert on Facebook and Instagram.