Most people who visit Dubai arrive for the malls and the tall buildings. But ask them later what the best part of the trip was, and plenty will say 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, drive across red dunes, watch the sun go down and end the night with dinner and shows at a desert camp.
At Arabian Adventure Tour, we take care of desert trips for families, couples, friends and big groups. This page explains how the trip works, which package suits you, what it costs and a few tips we share with every guest.
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. That's dune bashing. The car climbs a dune, tips over the top and slides down the other side. It doesn't last long, but it's the part most guests talk about afterwards.
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.
From there, you head to the camp. There's time for a short camel ride and a go at sandboarding down the dunes. Ladies and kids can have their hands painted with henna, and water and soft drinks are unlimited. When it gets dark, dinner is served, and then come the shows: a tanoura dancer in a bright spinning skirt, a fire show and a belly dancer. After the last show, you're dropped back at your hotel.
Which Package Should You Choose?
There's no single best safari. It depends on how much you want to spend, who you're travelling with and how much adventure you want.
The Evening Desert Safari Dubai
This is the one most people book, and it's easy to see why. You get 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. If it's your first time in the desert, start here.
The VIP Desert Safari Dubai
It's the same evening, just more comfortable. You're picked up in a Land Cruiser, and at the camp you 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. It's a nice choice for couples, birthdays and anyone who wants a calmer evening.
Morning Desert Safari Dubai
Some guests already have plans at night. 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. It skips the dinner and shows, but the soft morning light makes for great photos. It starts from AED 120 per person.
Desert Safari Dubai with Quad Bike
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 Dubai
If you love speed, a dune buggy Dubai ride is hard to beat. You're in the driver's seat, once you've had a quick safety talk, with a guide in front and stops on the high dunes for photos. The ride takes about four hours in total and starts 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. It costs AED 500 for the whole 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 as your single point of contact. Send us your numbers and we'll send a quote.
How Much Does a Desert Safari in Dubai Cost?
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 desert safari: from AED 130
• Morning desert safari: from AED 120
• Safari with quad bike: 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, such as transfers, dinner or soft drinks. Always check what's included before you pay.
A Few copyright About Dune Bashing Dubai
Dune bashing Dubai rides look wild, but our drivers know the desert well. You'll bounce around, so keep your seatbelt on the whole time. Eat light before the trip, and sit in the front if you tend to feel car sick.
Pregnant guests, people with back or neck problems and parents with babies should let us know when booking. You can skip the dune bashing and still enjoy everything at the camp.
What to Pack for the Desert
• Loose cotton clothes that keep you cool
• Shoes you don't read more mind filling with sand
• Sunglasses and sunscreen
• A jacket in winter, because nights in the desert can feel chilly
• Your phone, fully charged, for all the photos
Best Time for a Desert Safari
The cooler months, October to April, are the best time. 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 holidays fill up fast, so book a couple of days ahead.
How to Book Your Safari
We like to keep it simple: clear prices, pickup from your hotel and a team you can reach any time. You can WhatsApp us on +971 50 991 2456 at any hour, or email [email protected] and we'll reply within 30 minutes. Tell us your date, how many people and which package you like, and we'll confirm everything for you.
Ready for the Desert?
A desert safari Dubai is one of those things you should do at least once. Whether it's the evening trip, a morning ride or a quad bike in the dunes, you'll leave with sandy shoes, full camera rolls and a big smile. Book your spot today at arabianadventuretour.com or message the Arabian Adventure Tour team on WhatsApp.
