Nearly everyone who visit Dubai arrive for the malls and the tall buildings. But ask them later what the best part of the trip was, and many will tell you it was the desert. A desert safari Dubai is easy to book, doesn't cost much and suits almost every age. You spend a few hours on the sand, ride over red dunes, watch the sun go down and finish the night with dinner and shows at a desert camp.
Here at Arabian Adventure Tour, we plan desert trips for families, couples, friends and large groups. This guide covers how the trip works, which package suits you, how much you'll pay and some simple tips from our team.
A Typical Arabian Desert Safari, Step by Step
It all starts with a pickup from your hotel or home in a 4x4. Once the city is behind you, the driver lowers the tyre pressure and the real ride starts. This is what people call dune bashing. The car climbs a dune, tips over the top and slides down the other side. It's short, but it's the bit most people talk about on the way home.
After that, you stop on a high dune for sunset photos. As the sun drops, the sand changes colour and everything goes quiet. Take a few pictures, then just enjoy the view for a minute.
Then you drive to the camp. There's time for a short camel ride and some sandboarding down the dunes. Ladies and kids can get henna designs on their hands, and water and soft drinks are unlimited. When it gets dark, dinner is served, followed by the shows: a tanoura dancer in a bright spinning skirt, a fire show and a belly dancer. When the shows end, you're dropped back at your hotel.
Picking the Right Safari Package
No one package is right for everyone. It comes down to your budget, who's coming with you and how much adventure you are after.
The Evening Desert Safari Dubai
This is the one most people book, and it's easy to see why. It includes dune bashing, a sunset stop, a camel ride, sandboarding, henna and live shows, so it's a proper desert safari with BBQ dinner and a fun night at the camp. Our standard Arabian desert safari starts from AED 100 per person. First time in the desert? This is the best place to start.
VIP Desert Safari Dubai
Same trip, more comfort. You're picked up in a Land Cruiser, and at the camp you read more get VIP sofa seating and a VIP buffet. The VIP desert safari Dubai starts from AED 130 per person, so the extra cost is small. Couples and people celebrating something special often pick this one.
The Morning Desert Safari Dubai
Not everyone has a free evening. The morning desert safari Dubai takes about four hours and includes hotel pickup, dune bashing in a Land Cruiser, a camel ride, sandboarding and photo stops on the high dunes. There's no dinner or show, but the soft morning light makes for great photos. Prices start at AED 120 per person.
Quad Biking on Your Safari
If you'd rather drive than sit in the back, pick the desert safari Dubai with quad bike. You ride your own ATV on the sand, then carry on with the full evening programme: dune bashing, a camel ride, shows and dinner. We give you safety gear and our team stays with you while you ride. Prices start at AED 200 per person.
Dune Buggy Rides
For people who love speed, dune buggy Dubai rides are the highlight. You're in the driver's seat, once you've had a quick safety talk, with a guide leading the way and stops on the high dunes for photos. Plan for about four hours in total, with prices from AED 200 per person. Pickup and drop-off cost extra, so mention it when you book.
Private Desert Safari Dubai
Prefer to keep it to your own group? A private desert safari Dubai gives you your own Land Cruiser and driver for up to five people, private dune bashing, a VIP area at the camp, a premium BBQ dinner and hotel pickup and drop. The price is AED 500 per car, which is good value when you split it between four or five people.
Planning a company trip or a family get-together? We look after groups from 10 to more than 500 guests, with one coordinator looking after everything. Send us your numbers and we'll send a quote.
Desert Safari Dubai Price: A Quick Guide
Your desert safari Dubai price depends on the package you pick, the car and any extras. Here are our starting prices per person:
• Evening Arabian desert safari: from AED 100
• VIP evening safari: from AED 130
• Morning desert safari: from AED 120
• Quad bike adventure: from AED 200
• Dune buggy ride: from AED 200
• Private car safari: AED 500 per car, up to 5 people
Very low prices you see online sometimes skip things, like transfers, dinner or drinks. Always check what's included before you pay.
Dune Bashing Dubai: What It Feels Like
Dune bashing Dubai trips feel wild, but our drivers know the dunes well. You'll bounce around, so keep your seatbelt on the whole time. Have a light lunch before you go, and sit in the front if you tend to feel car sick.
If you're pregnant, have back or neck problems or are travelling with a baby, tell us when you book. You can skip the bumpy part and still enjoy the camp, the food and the shows.
What to Wear and Bring
• Loose cotton clothes that keep you cool
• Closed shoes or sandals you don't mind getting sandy
• Sunscreen and a good pair of sunglasses
• A light jacket from December to February, as desert nights get cool
• Your phone, fully charged, for all the photos
The Best Season to Visit the Desert
October to April is the best time to go. The days are warm and the evenings feel fresh, which is perfect for dinner under the stars. Safaris still run in the summer months, just pick the evening trip, because the heat drops once the sun goes down. Weekends and public holidays get busy, so try to book two or three days in advance.
How to Book Your Safari
We like to keep it simple: fair prices, hotel pickup and a team that answers when you message. You can WhatsApp us on +971 50 991 2456 at any hour, or email [email protected] and we'll reply within 30 minutes. Just send your date, the number of guests and the package you want, and we'll confirm everything for you.
Ready for the Desert?
A desert safari Dubai is something every visitor should try at least once. Whether it's the evening trip, a morning ride or a quad bike in the dunes, you'll go home with sand in your shoes and a lot of good photos. Visit arabianadventuretour.com or message the Arabian Adventure Tour team today to book your spot.
