Dubai Desert Safari Tour

Types of Dubai Desert Safari

Not all safaris are the same. Your choice depends on how much time you have, the season, and who is travelling with you .

Morning Desert Safari
Pickup is typically between 7 AM and 9 AM. You experience dune bashing while the air is still bearable, followed by a short camel ride, sandboarding, and photo stops. You are back in the city by lunchtime, making this ideal for travellers on a tight itinerary, families with young children, and anyone visiting during the hot months (May to September) . The morning safari strips the experience to its adventure core—no dinner, no shows, no camp evening .

Evening Desert Safari
This is the classic experience most travellers mean when they say “desert safari.” Pickup runs around 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM. You drive to the Lahbab red dunes, enjoy 25-35 minutes of dune bashing in a 4×4 Land Cruiser, stop for sunset photos, try sandboarding and camel riding, then arrive at a Bedouin-style camp as the sun sets . The camp experience includes Arabic coffee and dates on arrival, henna painting, shisha, falconry photos, and a live show rotation featuring Tanoura dancing, belly dance, and a fire show, all alongside a BBQ buffet dinner . You are dropped back at your hotel around 9:30 PM to 10 PM .

Overnight Desert Safari
The overnight safari is the evening experience extended into something quieter and more profound. After the day guests leave, the camp goes dark and silent. You sleep in a Bedouin-style tent, wake for sunrise over the dunes, enjoy a morning camel trek, and have an Arabian breakfast before returning to the city around 8:30 AM—about 18 hours after pickup .

Private and Premium Safaris
For honeymoons, birthdays, or travellers who dislike crowds, private safaris offer a dedicated vehicle, smaller camps, and often served dining instead of buffet . Prices for a private vehicle for the family start around AED 1,200 to AED 1,500 and climb higher for polished operators .

What Is Included in a Standard Evening Safari

Most reputable operators include the following :

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in an air-conditioned 4×4 (Land Cruiser or Nissan Patrol)

• Dune bashing: 25-45 minutes of thrilling driving over the red dunes

• Sandboarding: Glide down the dunes on a board

• Camel ride: A short ride around the camp

• BBQ buffet dinner: Featuring vegetarian and non-vegetarian options, fresh salads, and Arabic bread

• Live entertainment: Tanoura, belly dance, fire show, and often a singer or Dabka performance

• Henna painting: For ladies

• Shisha: Available in the shisha area

• Unlimited soft drinks, water, tea, and coffee

What is usually NOT included: Quad biking, dune buggies, alcoholic beverages, and VIP seating. These are typically available as paid add-ons .

What to Wear: The Complete Guide

Dressing properly transforms the experience. The desert is hot and sunny year-round, but evenings can turn surprisingly cool .

Daytime Essentials:

• Lightweight, breathable fabrics: Cotton and linen are ideal. Avoid synthetics .

• Long-sleeved top and trousers or longer shorts: Covers you from the sun and protects against sand. Loose-fitting is better than fitted .

• Comfortable, closed-toe shoes: Sandals fill with sand. Sneakers or light boots are best for walking on uneven dunes .

• Hat, scarf, and sunglasses: Protection from sun, wind, and blowing sand .

Evening and Winter Additions:

• A light layer or jumper: Desert nights in winter (December to February) can drop to 10-15°C . Even in summer, air-conditioned vehicles warrant a thin layer .

Cultural Note: The UAE follows conservative dress traditions. Swimwear should be confined to beaches and pools. Shoulders and knees should be covered in public spaces, especially in souks and villages .