Dubai Safari
- Duration4 hours
- Daily
- Group
- Pickup available
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Overview
Our Dubai desert safari takes you from your hotel to the red dunes outside the city for an afternoon and evening of adventure and Emirati hospitality. A licensed guide drives you in a shared 4x4 for dune bashing, then you try sandboarding, a camel ride and, on the recommended option, a 35-minute quad bike ride. The 7-hour options end at a traditional desert camp with Arabic coffee, henna, live shows and a BBQ dinner. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included on every option. Ideal for families and couples.
Highlights
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Dubai included on every option
- 30 to 45 minutes of dune bashing in an air-conditioned 4x4
- 35-minute quad bike ride on the recommended option
- Sandboarding, camel ride and a photo with a falcon
- Sunset over the red dunes on the 7-hour options
- Desert camp with Arabic coffee and dates, henna, horse and falconry shows and a BBQ dinner on the 7-hour options
- Unlimited water and soft drinks
Full Description
The Red Dunes of the Dubai Desert
Less than an hour's drive from the city, the Arabian Desert changes colour: the sand of the dunes south-east of Dubai has a deep red-orange tone from its iron oxide content, and the tall, soft ridges are perfect for off-road driving. This is where most Dubai desert safari tours head, far from the skyscrapers and traffic.
The best time for a desert safari in Dubai is from October to April, when afternoons are warm and evenings pleasantly cool; in summer the tour still runs, but the heat is intense in the middle of the day. On the 7-hour options you stop for sunset photos on a dune crest, the moment most travellers remember from the whole trip.
Dune Bashing, Sandboarding and Quad Biking
Dune bashing is the heart of any evening desert safari: your guide lowers the tyre pressure and drives the 4x4 up, along and down the dunes for 30 to 45 minutes, like a roller coaster on sand. It is thrilling but controlled, and the driver adjusts the pace for families.
After the drive you can slide down a dune on a sandboard and ride a camel, the traditional way of crossing the desert. On the recommended option you also ride a quad bike for 35 minutes over marked desert tracks, with a short safety briefing first. If you are wondering whether the Dubai desert safari with quad bike is worth it, it adds real adventure for anyone who enjoys driving.
The Desert Camp: Coffee, Shows and BBQ Dinner
On the 7-hour options the evening continues at a traditional Bedouin-style camp. You are welcomed with gahwa, the light Arabic coffee spiced with cardamom, served with dates and local sweets, and you can try henna painting, dress in traditional Emirati clothing for photos and feed the camels.
As night falls, the camp comes alive with an Arabian horse show, a falconry display, the traditional Yola dance and, on evening departures, a fire show. Dinner is a BBQ buffet with vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. The 4-hour options skip the camp and serve tea, coffee, dates and soft drinks in an air-conditioned tent instead.
Itinerary
- Hotel pickupYour guide collects you from your Dubai hotel or chosen location in an air-conditioned 4x4.
- Drive to the desertAbout 45 to 60 minutes to the red dunes outside the city.
- Dune bashing30 to 45 minutes of off-road driving over the dunes, with photo stops.
- Desert activitiesSandboarding, camel ride, falcon photo and, depending on the option, a 35-minute quad bike ride.
- Camp and dinner (7-hour options)Sunset photos, Arabic coffee, henna, live shows and a BBQ dinner at the desert camp.
- Return to your hotelDrive back to Dubai and drop-off at your hotel.
What's included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Dubai
- Shared air-conditioned 4x4 with licensed English-speaking safari guide
- Dune bashing (30–45 minutes)
- Sandboarding
- Camel ride and photo with a falcon
- Tea, coffee and dates with water and soft drinks in an air-conditioned tent
Not included
- Quad bike ride
- Desert camp, shows and BBQ dinner
- Personal expenses
- Tips
Is this right for you?
Great for
- Families with children — a child price for ages 3–11
- Travellers without a car — hotel pickup is included
- Nature and wildlife lovers
- Food lovers
Think twice if
- You want a private tour — this one is shared with other travellers
- Walking is difficult for you — expect active parts
- You travel with young children
Not suitable for
- Pregnant women
- People with back problems or heart conditions (dune bashing)
- Travellers who suffer strongly from motion sickness
Meeting point
Hotel pickup and drop-off are included on every option. Your guide collects you from your hotel or a selected location in Dubai; the exact pickup time is confirmed the day before, usually in the afternoon for the 7-hour tour. Please be ready in the lobby a few minutes early.
Important information
- Wear light, comfortable clothes and closed shoes; bring a jacket in winter, as desert evenings get cool
- Bring sunglasses and sunscreen
- The camp, BBQ dinner and shows are included only on the 7-hour options
- The quad bike ride is included only on options that list it
- The fire show takes place only on evening departures
- Dune bashing is not recommended for pregnant women or people with back or heart problems
- Tips and personal expenses are not included
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.
How much does the Dubai desert safari cost?
The price depends on the option you choose: 4 or 7 hours, with or without the quad bike. The booking panel on this page shows the current price for each option, for adults and children.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes. Pickup and drop-off from your hotel or a selected location in Dubai are included on every option.
How long is the Dubai desert safari?
Either about 4 hours (dunes and activities with refreshments) or about 7 hours (including sunset, the desert camp, shows and BBQ dinner), depending on the option.
What is the difference between the options?
The 7-hour options add sunset, the desert camp, live shows and BBQ dinner. Each duration is available with or without a 35-minute quad bike ride. The recommended option is 7 hours with the quad bike.
Is the desert safari suitable for children?
Yes, families with children join often. Children enjoy the camel ride, sandboarding and shows; quad bike rules for children are set on site for safety.
Is dinner included?
On the 7-hour options, yes: a BBQ buffet with vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. The 4-hour options include tea, coffee, dates and soft drinks.
What should I wear or bring?
Light clothing, closed shoes, sunglasses, sunscreen and, from November to March, a light jacket for the evening.
Can I book for today or tomorrow?
Usually yes, if the booking panel shows availability. Book early in the high season from December to March.
Is dune bashing safe?
Yes, drivers are trained and experienced, and seatbelts are mandatory. It is not recommended for pregnant women or people with back or heart problems.
What is the best time for a desert safari in Dubai?
October to April offers the most comfortable weather; afternoon departures give you sunset over the dunes.
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