Dubai may be known for its skyscrapers, luxury hotels and extravagant shopping malls, but some of our favourite memories were made far beyond the city skyline.
A Dubai Desert Safari offers a completely different side of the emirate. Think endless golden dunes, exhilarating dune buggy rides, spectacular sunset views and an evening spent enjoying a BBQ dinner and live entertainment beneath the desert sky.
We booked a package that combined a desert safari, dune buggy experience and evening BBQ dinner, giving us a full day of adventure followed by a much more relaxed evening at a traditional desert camp.
If you are visiting Dubai for the first time, this is easily one of the experiences we would recommend adding to your itinerary.
Depending on the package you choose, many desert safaris include hotel collection and return transfers, making the entire experience incredibly easy. Once you are picked up, everything is generally organised for you until you are returned to your hotel later that evening. It is worth remembering that this can be a long day, particularly if your package includes several activities. We recommend bringing some snacks and plenty of water with you, as refreshments may not always be available throughout every part of the experience.
Taking on the Desert in a Dune Buggy
For us, one of the biggest highlights was the dune buggy experience. There is something incredibly exciting about driving through the open desert with nothing but towering dunes surrounding you.
Before setting off, we were given safety equipment and instructions on operating the buggy. Once everything was explained, it was time to head into the desert.
Driving across the dunes was easily one of the most exhilarating parts of the day. One moment you are climbing a steep dune and the next you are descending into the sand below.
If you enjoy activities with a little adrenaline, we would definitely recommend choosing a safari package that includes a proper dune buggy experience.
Some tours also offer quad biking, sandboarding and traditional 4×4 dune bashing, so it is worth comparing packages before booking.
Sunset in the Dubai Desert
After the excitement of the dune buggy, the pace of the day begins to slow.
Watching the sunset over the Dubai desert was one of those moments where you simply stop and appreciate where you are.
As the sun begins to disappear, the colour of the desert completely changes. The bright golden dunes become deeper shades of orange, creating one of the most beautiful landscapes we experienced during our time in Dubai.
Make sure you have your camera or phone ready.
The combination of the sunset, untouched dunes and vast desert landscape creates some incredible photography opportunities.
An Evening at the Desert Camp
After sunset, we continued to the desert camp for the evening portion of the experience.
The atmosphere here is completely different from the adrenaline of the afternoon. Instead, the evening is centred around food, entertainment and experiencing elements of traditional Arabian culture.
Depending on your chosen package, you may find activities such as henna painting, camel rides, shisha and traditional entertainment available around the camp.
It is a lovely way to wind down after spending the afternoon exploring the dunes.
BBQ Dinner Under the Desert Sky
Dinner was served buffet style, with a selection of BBQ meats, salads, side dishes and traditional dishes available.
After such an active afternoon, sitting down with a plate of food beneath the desert sky was exactly what we needed.
The dinner is usually accompanied by live entertainment, which can vary depending on the tour and season. Many packages feature performances such as Tanoura dancing, fire shows and traditional dance performances.
The whole evening has a relaxed and sociable atmosphere, making it a great way to finish the experience.
Choosing the Right Dubai Desert Safari
One thing we quickly discovered is that there is no single Dubai Desert Safari experience.
There are dozens of different packages available, ranging from simple sunset desert tours to full experiences including dune buggies, quad bikes, camel rides, sandboarding, private transfers and premium desert camps.
We recommend using GetYourGuide to compare the different options before booking.
Take some time to read exactly what is included rather than simply choosing the cheapest package. If driving a dune buggy is important to you, for example, make sure the tour includes a genuine buggy driving experience rather than only a short optional ride.
You can also choose between shared and private tours, which can make a big difference to the overall experience.
Is a Dubai Desert Safari Worth It?
Absolutely.
Dubai has no shortage of impressive experiences, but escaping the city and heading into the desert gives you something completely different.
For us, the combination of driving dune buggies, exploring the desert, watching the sunset and finishing with a BBQ dinner and entertainment made it one of the most memorable days of the trip.
It is adventurous without feeling overwhelming, cultural without feeling like a sightseeing checklist, and completely different from anything you will experience in Downtown Dubai.
If you have a spare afternoon and evening during your trip, we would highly recommend it.
Luxury Traveller Tips
- Add the dune buggy experience: If you enjoy adrenaline, this was one of our favourite parts of the entire day.
- Bring snacks and water: It can be a long day and food may not be served until you reach the desert camp in the evening.
- Wear comfortable clothing: Lightweight, breathable clothing works well during the day, but consider bringing an extra layer for later in the evening.
- Bring sunglasses and sun protection: You will spend plenty of time outdoors and the desert sun can be intense.
- Keep your phone or camera charged: The desert at sunset is spectacular and you will definitely want photographs.
- Check exactly what is included: Transfers, buggy duration, quad biking, camel rides, drinks and camp activities can vary considerably between packages.
- Allow plenty of time: This is not an experience to squeeze between other plans. Treat it as one of your main activities for the day and enjoy it properly.
