Desert Safari Dubai

Desert safari Dubai: which one should you choose?

A desert safari in Dubai is a half-day or evening trip into the dunes by 4×4, with dune bashing, a camel ride, sandboarding and, on the evening safari, a desert camp with a BBQ dinner and live shows. We run three: a morning desert safari, an evening desert safari and a private VIP desert safari. Prices start at USD 40 per adult for the morning and USD 49 per adult for the evening. Hotel pickup and drop-off from Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman are included on all three.

They are not the same tour at different times. They differ in length, in what the camp offers and in whether the vehicle is shared, so the right one depends on your day, your travelling party and the time of year.

The three desert safaris at a glance

What happens on a desert safari

Every safari follows the same basic shape, and the evening adds the camp programme at the end.

1. Pickup. Your driver collects you from your hotel or home in Dubai, Sharjah or Ajman.
2. Into the desert. Where the tarmac ends, the driver stops to lower the tyre pressure. This is normal: softer tyres let a 4×4 float over sand instead of digging into it.
3. Dune bashing. Climbs, side slips and controlled descents in the 4×4. It runs roughly 20 to 25 minutes on the morning safari and 25 to 30 minutes on the evening one. Seat belts stay on throughout.
4. Photo or sunset stop. On the morning safari, a stop in low light that shows the dune ridgelines. On the evening safari, about 20 minutes on a high dune for the sunset.
5. Camel ride and sandboarding. The camel ride is short and led at walking pace. On the sandboarding slope you sit or stand and slide, and you can do as many runs as you like. Children handle it easily.
6. A welcome drink of Arabic tea or coffee.
7. The evening camp. Henna, Arabic costumes for photographs, a buffet BBQ dinner with vegetarian and non-vegetarian options, and three live performances: a fire show, a belly dance and a Tanoura show.
8. Drop-off back at your hotel.

A quad bike ride is optional on every safari, with helmets provided, and shisha is an add-on.

Morning, evening or VIP: how to choose

Choose the evening desert safari if you are doing the desert once

It is the full experience: dune bashing in late-afternoon light, the sunset from a dune top, then the camp, the dinner and the shows. Expect about six hours door to door, and to be back at your hotel between 8:30 and 9:30 PM depending on where you are staying. See the evening desert safari.

Choose the morning desert safari if you want the desert without the heat

It runs about three hours, from 8:30 AM to around 12:00 PM, and leaves your afternoon and evening free. It suits anyone travelling with a small child, anyone who gets car-sick easily, and anyone visiting between May and September. It does not include dinner, the camp or the shows, which is why it costs less. See the morning desert safari.

Choose the VIP desert safari if time and privacy matter more than price

It is the same evening programme with one change: the 4×4 is yours alone. You are collected directly from your hotel with no loop around the city collecting other parties, the pickup time can flex around your day, and the driver follows the pace of your group. The camp, dinner and shows are the same as on the evening safari. See the VIP desert safari.

Shared or private: the real difference is time

On a shared safari, one vehicle collects several parties. Guests staying further from the desert route are collected first, so the stated pickup time is the middle of a window: on the evening safari, 2:30 PM means somewhere between 2:00 and 3:00 PM. Expect 45 to 75 minutes in the vehicle before the sand starts. A private vehicle removes that wait, and it is the single biggest difference between the shared and VIP safaris.

The best time of year for a desert safari in Dubai

The season changes the experience more than most people expect.

• May to September: the morning safari is the more comfortable choice, because you see the desert before the heat builds.
• Winter evenings: sunset falls around 5:35 PM in December, so you reach the camp after dark and the whole programme happens under lights. The desert cools in the evening, so bring a light jacket.
• Summer evenings: sunset is closer to 7:10 PM in June, so the sun is still up when you arrive at camp and dinner starts in daylight.

Who a desert safari suits, and who it does not

Adults are aged 12 and over and children are aged 3 to 11. The evening safari is family-friendly, with parental guidance advised for activities such as dune bashing depending on a child’s age and comfort.

The safari is not suitable for people with back or neck problems, pregnant women, or anyone who has difficulty moving. Dune bashing is physically demanding, and we would rather tell you so before you book. If you are sensitive to motion, choose the morning safari, sit in the middle row and eat lightly beforehand.

What to bring

Wear comfortable, breathable clothing and closed-toe shoes. Bring a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and a camera, and a light jacket in the cooler months. If anyone in your party needs halal-only, vegan, Jain, gluten-free or nut-free food on the evening safari, tell the coordinator when you book.

Booking, pickup and cancellation

Choose your safari, pick a date and add adults and children on the tour page. Pickup points are in Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and in extreme weather we may reschedule your safari or offer a full refund.

Only Tourism is authorised, regulated and licensed by Dubai’s Department of Economy & Tourism, licence number 690148.

Desert safari Dubai: frequently asked questions

How much does a desert safari in Dubai cost?

Our morning desert safari starts at USD 40 per adult and our evening safari with BBQ dinner at USD 49 per adult. The private VIP safari is quoted by group size.

How long is a desert safari?

The morning safari is about 3 hours, from 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM. The evening and VIP safaris are about 6 hours, from 2:30 PM to 8:30 PM.

What is the difference between the morning and evening desert safari?

The evening safari is longer and adds the sunset stop, the camp, the BBQ dinner and the live shows. The morning safari is shorter, avoids the heat and leaves your afternoon free.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off from Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman are included on all three safaris.

Is a desert safari suitable for children?

Children aged 3 to 11 can join. The morning safari suits small children, and parental guidance is advised for activities such as dune bashing depending on age and comfort.

Can I book a private desert safari?

Yes. The VIP safari gives you your own 4×4 and a direct drive from your hotel, priced by group size on request.

What if the weather is bad?

In extreme weather we may reschedule your safari or offer a full refund. It is best to check the forecast and confirm your booking before the day.