There are few travel experiences quite like a desert safari in the United Arab Emirates. A short drive from the city, you’re suddenly surrounded by waves of golden sand, endless horizons and the occasional camel. It can be an incredible opportunity to experience the desert at close quarters and soak up its peace and silence.
That said, the UAE’s desert safaris are often raucous, high-energy affairs, offering dune bashing, sandboarding and quad biking along with cultural elements like camel rides and henna painting. The evening sessions usually end with big communal barbecues under the stars with live music and dancing. Whether you opt for these or the quieter tours, you’re bound to have a fun and memorable experience.
Wear lightweight casual clothes that you’d be happy hopping from quad bike to camel saddle in, and remember to bring hats and sunscreen – there’s rarely shade outside the campsites. Pack a layer for the evening excursions as desert nights can get chilly.
Bear in mind that prices range enormously – there are great-value safaris that cover the basics and don’t cost much, as well as high-end desert excursions that involve fine-dining, luxury tents and private guides. These are some of the UAE’s best desert tours.
1. Evening Desert Safari, Dubai
This all-action desert tour is the quintessential safari experience, packing in everything from dune-bashing and camel rides to belly dancing and barbecues. Great value for money, the Evening Desert Safari is a firm favourite with first-time visitors, families and groups who want the full desert package without breaking the bank.
You’ll be picked up in a 4WD from Dubai in the afternoon and driven out to nearby dunes for some high-energy desert adventures. First comes heart-pounding dune-bashing, as an experienced 4x4 driver takes your group careering up and down the steep sandy slopes. There’s always a chance for some photos on the dunes, before heading to a desert camp. Here there’s a wealth of activities available (some more authentic than others), including sandboarding, camel rides, henna tattoos, and dress-up in UAE national costumes. Some of these come with an additional charge. The evening ends with an all-you-can-eat buffet barbecue out under the stars – a great chance to sample some traditional local dishes. There’s an onsite bar, and often music and dancing after dinner too.
2. Romantic Desert Dinner, Abu Dhabi
For travellers based in the capital – or those seeking a quieter, less raucous version of the classic desert safari – an Abu Dhabi desert dinner is an excellent alternative. It’s perfect for couples or visitors in search of a peaceful, atmospheric experience.
The landscape around Al Khatim desert is spectacular, with long, rolling dunes and far fewer crowds than Dubai. Xtreme Abu Dhabi offers an exclusive tour that includes private transfers, a dune drive (you can request this to be kept gentle if you prefer), a camel ride, photo stops and a glass of fizz to toast the sunset. After dark, there’s a romantic evening meal served out on the sands in a private, Bedouin-inspired dining area. Lastly, there’s a chance to make the most of the clear desert skies and do some stargazing, a deep-rooted Bedouin tradition.
3. Platinum Desert Safari
An extremely elevated version of your typical desert safari, Platinum Heritage has upped the ante on every aspect from the food and transport to the level of environmental immersion.
Guests travel through the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve in vintage Land Rovers, learning about the environment and spotting Arabian wildlife along the way. The tour takes in a Ghaf tree forest, a remote lake, and of course plenty of scenic sand dunes – all tremendous photo ops.
Next is a spectacular falconry demonstration and sunset canapes, followed by a gentle camel ride to a private desert oasis campsite. Here guests are served a six-course fine-dining menu (created in collaboration with a Michelin-star chef) and to round off the night there’s entertainment, including acrobatics and fire performances.
4. Morning Safari
If you're short on time or just want to dive into the action first thing, lots of operators in Abu Dhabi and Dubai offer early morning jaunts into the desert. This can also be a great option if you’re keen on fitting in some sandsports and want to make the most of the cooler early hours. With Desert Rose Tourism’s tour, the day starts at 8am, with an exhilarating drive across the dunes.
There’s free time for camel riding and sand skiing (included) or the more adventurous can hire a quad bike (for an additional charge) and zip through off-road tracks by themselves. There’s a chance to wind down in a cushioned camp with traditional Arabic coffee, dates and soft drinks before heading back into town by midday. It’s a fast and flexible safari, making it a great choice for solo travellers or anyone who’d rather skip the dinner-and-show side of things.
5. Overnight Safari
Overnight safaris are tailor-made for couples, stargazers and anyone who wants a slower, more immersive experience in the desert. Numerous tour operators offer camping as an extension of the classic evening safari, with guests bedding down in a traditional tent for the night.
Sonara offers a slightly more glam alternative – the campsite features all the typical activities and more, including camel rides, sandboarding, soft archery, hawk shows and kids movies under the stars, all in a more modern, fairy-light strewn setting. Dinner is in an open air restaurant, with a three-course fusion Mediterranean menu.
After an evening of live music and entertainment, you'll be shuttled to your ‘Nest,’ a dune-shaped luxury pod that blends into the desert surroundings and comes with an ensuite bathroom and private terrace. You can also do a guided stargazing session here if the mood takes you.
6. Sharjah Desert Safari
Dubai and Abu Dhabi’s safaris might attract most of the tourists, but there are plenty of reasons to head to Sharjah for your desert adventure. Prices are often much cheaper, making it a good option for budget travellers. And on many of the tours, there’s the chance to visit Mleiha Archaeological Centre before visiting fascinating formations such as Fossil Rock and Camel Rock. Wake up early for a sunrise hike and spectacular early morning views of the Mleiha desert.
