Dubai is famous for its modern skyline, luxury lifestyle, and breathtaking attractions like the Burj Khalifa. However, just beyond the city lies the vast Arabian Desert, offering an exciting and unique adventure— the Dubai Desert Safari Tours. If you’re visiting for the first time, here’s everything you need to know about this thrilling experience.
Why Choose a Desert Safari in Dubai?
Dubai’s desert is different from the rest of the UAE due to its stunning red sand dunes. A desert safari lets you explore this beautiful landscape through various exciting activities, from dune bashing to camel riding. Plus, most tours offer roundtrip transport, so all you have to do is enjoy the adventure.
Top Activities in a Desert Safari
A desert safari offers a mix of adventure, culture, and relaxation. Here are the must-try activities:
Dune Bashing
One of the highlights of a desert safari is dune bashing, where you ride in a 4×4 vehicle across the massive sand dunes at high speed. This thrilling experience lasts about 30 minutes and gives you an adrenaline rush as the car twists and turns over the dunes.
Quad Biking
For those who love adventure, quad biking is a must-try. Ride a powerful 350cc bike across the desert dunes and enjoy the open-air experience. You will be provided with safety equipment and guided by professionals.
Sandboarding
If you love snowboarding, you will enjoy sandboarding. Strap a board to your feet and glide down the golden dunes. It’s an exciting way to experience the desert terrain from a different perspective.
Camel Riding
For a more traditional experience, try camel riding. This slow and steady journey across the desert lets you enjoy the scenery at a relaxed pace. An evening ride is even more special, as you can watch the sunset while riding a camel.
Hot Air Balloon Ride
A hot air balloon ride offers breathtaking views of the desert from 4,000 feet above the ground. As the sun rises, the golden sand dunes change color, creating a picture-perfect scene. It’s a peaceful and unforgettable experience.
Cultural Experiences
A desert safari isn’t just about adventure—it also lets you experience Emirati culture. You can get henna tattoos, try traditional shisha, dress in cultural outfits, and even see falconry displays.
Live Entertainment: Belly Dancing & Tanoura Show
Enjoy live performances in the desert camp, including belly dancing and the Tanoura dance, a traditional folk dance where performers spin in colorful skirts. These performances add a cultural touch to your evening.
BBQ Dinner & Camping
As the night sets in, enjoy a delicious BBQ dinner featuring Middle Eastern dishes. Relax in luxury tents under a star-lit sky while watching fire shows and other entertainment. If you choose an overnight camping experience, you’ll wake up to a beautiful desert sunrise.
Stargazing
The desert is one of the best places to see a star-filled sky. Away from the city lights, you can enjoy stargazing while sipping on traditional Arabic coffee. It’s a peaceful way to end your desert safari experience.

The desert is one of the best places to see a star-filled sky. Away from the city lights, you can enjoy stargazing while sipping on traditional Arabic coffee. It’s a peaceful way to end your desert safari experience.
How Many Types of Desert Safaris Are There?
Dubai Desert Safaris are divided into many types; let us tell you about some of the most famous ones.
Morning Desert Safari
Whether you are limited in time or wish to learn about desert plants and animals, this is the most suitable desert safari. Safaris in the early dusk hours is the best way to discover and enjoy the desert in the early dusk hours before the city awakens. During your stay in the desert camp, enjoy Arabic coffee and dates to begin your day in the Bedouin style. This desert safari includes various exciting adventure activities, such as dune bash, camel rides, sandboarding, quad biking, etc.
Some tour operators may also offer hot air balloon rides and wildlife explorations that can be more fun. Desert Planet Tourism offers all the mentioned activities under the Premium Morning Desert Safari package at a very reasonable price, so you check it out.
Evening Desert Safari
Taking place in the late afternoon and lasting well into the evening, this is ideal for those seeking an unforgettable desert safari in Dubai. The package includes all the benefits of a morning desert safari, barbeque dining, and cultural activities, such as belly dancing, Tanura shows, etc.
And not to forget dune bashing, quad biking, and sandboarding. Check out our fantastic Evening desert safari packages here and book a tour now.
Overnight Desert Safari
Those who love the night will enjoy the night desert safari experiences. Safaris at night allow you to explore the desert under the stars in the dark. A dune-bashing adventure will lead you into the desert camp, where we will showcase traditional performances while serving a delicious meal.
With the onset of darkness, you can observe and learn more about the skies through astrological charts. You can enjoy an evening safari from evening to night and return to the city afterward. In addition to overnight safaris, you can camp in the desert, explore the stars, and view sunrises over the dunes from your tent.
Private Desert Safari
In private Desert Safari Dubai, you get an all-exclusive and customized package per your group’s requirements with more intimate settings. Unlike other desert safaris, we explained above, which often involve larger groups of tourists, a private desert safari provides a more tailored and customizable adventure.
In a private desert safari, you and your companions have the luxury of having a dedicated vehicle and guide solely for your group. All the safari activities we mentioned, including dune bashing, quad biking, and camel riding, are designed according to your preferences and interests. Even a private tent and customized buffer dinner are arranged only for you. You can choose vegetarian or non-vegetarian options. Please learn more about our Private Desert Safari deals and book a tour on your preferred date and time.
When is the Best Time to Book Dubai's Desert Safari Tour?
The Dubai Desert Safaris are offered at various times, allowing you to choose when is most convenient. You may choose from morning or evening safaris, depending on your schedule. Something is enchanting about heading out to the dunes in the morning as the city sleeps; desert sunrises are truly spectacular, and if you want to splurge, you should do it at sunrise.
It is also cooler in the early morning due to the lack of light. However, in the mid-afternoon, children and elderly companions may be fatigued by the sun’s glare. A morning desert safari is recommended if you visit the city’s other sights in the afternoon. This arrangement will give you plenty of time to explore the rest of the town at your leisure.
On the other hand, a desert safari conducted in the late afternoon has several advantages, not least because it begins later in the day. Still, also it has more activities that are more fun and exciting. Evening safaris start around 3 PM with dune bashing excursions, follow up with the rest of the activities, and conclude at night in the desert with BBQ dinner and entertainment shows.
Regardless of your choice, these packages are nonetheless exciting; the desert charm will remain unchanged no matter the time of day, and there will be no inconveniences. Moreover, the best time to travel on a desert safari in Dubai is from November to April, when the weather is cooler and the afternoons are more pleasant.
Helpful Tips To Enjoy Desert Safari to The Fullest
The following are some helpful tips for enjoying a desert safari and for safety purposes.
Taking Precautions
Whenever you travel in the desert, it is essential to bring plenty of water, especially before embarking on an adventure such as dune bashing. The desert temperatures are very hot and unbearable, and water keeps you hydrated and energized during your safari tour.
Make Yourself Comfortable
Wear appropriate desert clothes that make you comfortable and relaxed during the safari. A loose dress suit that does not irk you through your adventurous journey is the ideal dress code for the climate and surroundings. The evening breeze will make you crave a jacket, so carry one.
Capture Your Memories
Take a high-definition camera with a suitable hat and sunscreen to capture all the memorable moments. You should avoid bringing drones on desert trips as they are not permitted.
Physical Caution
For individuals suffering from cardiac or back conditions, dune bashing is not ideal. A bumpy safari is prohibited for pregnant women, including dune bashing, quad biking, and sandboarding.
Instead, they can go directly to the desert camp and participate in the desert safari exercises there. You may book a desert safari without dune bashing in that case.
Camel Ride Tips
During your camel ride trip, you should avoid a few things. First, you should not attempt to go off on your own. Remember that it is important to stay with the group and follow the guide’s instructions. Protect yourself from the sun’s rays by wearing sunglasses and a hat while on a camel.
Book Your Desert Safari Tour With Us
Booking a Private Desert Safari in Dubai is relatively easy. We at Desert Planet Tourism have 10+ years of experience in the UAE. and surrounding areas providing desert safari tours. With all tours, we also offer pickup and drop-off services.
Book your tour today and try to participate in entertaining activities like henna painting, traditional clothing, shisha smoking, and Arabic foods. And capture your outbound memories. Finally, remember to pay attention to the beauty of the desert. We hope this guide helps you prepare for your private desert safari tour, and we wish you the best adventure experience while you are in Dubai.

Bilal Mohsin



Latest posts by Bilal Mohsin (see all)
- The Excitement of Viewing Fire Play Show in Evening Desert Safari Dubai Tours - February 4, 2025
- 5 Tips for Surviving in the Desert Safari Dubai - January 31, 2025
- Plan Your Dubai Overnight Desert Safari with This Guide - January 30, 2025