What is a Dubai desert safari?
A desert safari is a half-day or overnight trip from Dubai into the Arabian desert, usually to the red dunes of Lahbab and Al Badayer, about 45 minutes from Downtown. You are collected from your hotel in a 4x4 Land Cruiser, taken for dune bashing – a fast, roller-coaster style drive over the sand – and then, on evening tours, brought to a Bedouin-style camp for camel rides, sandboarding, henna, live shows and a BBQ dinner.
It is the single most popular activity for visitors to Dubai, and for good reason: within an hour of the skyscrapers you are surrounded by nothing but sand, silence and an enormous sky. Choosing the right type of safari makes a big difference, so this guide walks through every option honestly – including who each one is not right for.
Types of desert safari compared
There are many ways to experience the desert – shared or private, morning or evening, with or without a quad bike or buggy. Prices below are our current rates in AED before 5% VAT.
| Safari | Duration | What you get | Best for | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Evening Desert Safari | 6 – 7 Hours | Dune bashing, sunset, camel ride, shows, live BBQ dinner | First-timers, best value | AED 79 |
| VIP Desert Safari | 6 – 7 Hours | Evening safari + no queues, reserved seats, table service | Couples, comfort | AED 119 |
| Evening Safari + Quad Bike | 6 – 7 Hours | Evening safari + 35–45 min quad bike | Thrill seekers | AED 249 |
| Premium Safari + Quad + VIP | 6 – 7 Hours | Quad bike + A/C VIP seating, table service, horse show | Adventure + comfort | AED 349 |
| Morning Desert Safari | 4 Hours | Dune bashing, sandboarding, camel ride (8 AM – 12 PM) | Cooler hours, before a flight | AED 149 |
| Morning Safari + Quad Bike | 4 Hours | Morning safari + 35–45 min quad bike | Summer visitors | AED 299 |
| Half Day Private Safari | 4 – 4.5 Hours | Private 4x4, dune bashing, sunset (back 6:30 PM) | Private groups, evening plans | AED 499 |
| Private Desert Safari | 6 – 7 Hours | Private 4x4 + full evening camp, shows, dinner | Families & groups | AED 549 |
| Evening Safari + 2 Seater Buggy | 6 – 7 Hours | Evening safari + 35–45 min 2 seater buggy | Couples, friends | AED 699 |
| Evening Safari + 4 Seater Buggy | 6 – 7 Hours | Evening safari + 35–45 min 4 seater buggy | Families, groups of 4 | AED 899 |
| Overnight Desert Camping | 16 Hours | Evening safari + tent, campfire, breakfast | Stargazing, couples | AED 349 |
Our honest recommendation: if it is your first visit, choose the Evening Desert Safari – it combines the dunes, the sunset and the camp in one trip from just AED 79. For a more relaxed evening add VIP Service (AED 119), and for extra adrenaline pick the evening safari with quad bike (AED 249). Choose the morning safari only if your evenings are already booked, as it does not include the camp.
Where does the safari take place?
Most Dubai safaris head south-east along the Dubai–Hatta road to the Lahbab red dunes and the Al Badayer area. The sand here has a deep orange-red colour from its iron content, and the dunes are tall enough for exciting dune bashing and buggy rides. The drive from Downtown Dubai or Dubai Marina takes around 45 to 60 minutes depending on traffic.
Hotel pickup is free from all main areas of Dubai:
- Downtown Dubai
- Business Bay
- DIFC
- Dubai Marina
- JBR
- JLT
- Palm Jumeirah
- Jumeirah
- Al Barsha
- Bur Dubai
- Deira
- Dubai Creek
- Al Nahda
- Dubai Silicon Oasis
- Dubai Hills
- Sheikh Zayed Road
- Sharjah
Best time of year and day
Time of year
- October to April – the best season. Warm days (24–32°C), cool evenings and the most comfortable conditions for every activity.
- May and September – hot during the day, pleasant after sunset. Evening tours work well.
- June to August – very hot. Choose the evening safari, which starts in the late afternoon when the heat eases, and drink plenty of water.
Time of day
The evening slot is the classic choice: dune bashing in the late afternoon, sunset on the dunes and dinner under the stars. The morning slot is cooler and quieter and is ideal if you want to be back in the city by lunchtime. For quad bikes and buggies, sunset rides look spectacular, while morning rides are more comfortable in summer.
What to wear and bring
- Clothing: light, breathable cotton – a t-shirt and long, loose trousers protect your legs from sand. Modest clothing is appreciated at the camp.
- Shoes: closed trainers or sturdy sandals. Closed shoes are essential for quad bikes and buggies.
- Sun protection: sunglasses, sunscreen and a cap.
- A light jacket from November to February – the desert can be surprisingly cool after sunset.
- Phone or camera with a full battery, and a zip bag to protect it from sand.
- Cash for optional extras such as photos or souvenirs.
Is a desert safari safe?
Yes – when it is run by a licensed operator. In Dubai, only tour operators licensed by the Department of Economy and Tourism (DTCM) may run desert safaris, and drivers need a special desert driving permit. Before you book with anyone, check that they are licensed, that their vehicles have roll cages and seat belts for every seat, and that quad and buggy rides are led by a guide.
Dune bashing is not recommended for pregnant women, children under 3, or anyone with back, neck or heart problems. These guests can still enjoy the desert with a smooth drive instead. You can read exactly how we run our tours on our Safety & Standards page.
Food, drinks and dietary needs
Evening and overnight safaris include an unlimited buffet dinner with grilled chicken and lamb, rice, salads, hummus, bread and desserts, plus a full range of vegetarian dishes. Water, soft drinks, tea and Arabic coffee are included. Vegan, Jain, gluten-free and allergy requirements can be arranged if you tell us when you book.
Quad bike or dune buggy?
| ATV Quad Bike | Dune Buggy | |
|---|---|---|
| License needed | No (16+ to drive) | Yes – car license, 18+ |
| Riders | 1 or 2 | 1, 2 or 4 |
| Feel | Open-air, agile, easy to learn | Powerful, enclosed roll cage, seat belts |
| Best for | First-timers, solo riders | Thrill seekers, families, groups |
| From | AED 150 | AED 499 |
If you have never driven off-road, start with a 30 minute quad bike. If you hold a driving license and want the biggest adrenaline rush, the Polaris RZR 1000cc or Can-Am Maverick X3 turbo is the way to go.
How much does a desert safari cost?
- Desert safari: from AED 79 per person; evening safari with dinner AED 79; VIP from AED 119.
- Quad bikes: from AED 150 per bike for 30 minutes.
- Dune buggies: from AED 499 per buggy for 30 minutes.
Be careful with very cheap offers. Prices far below the market often mean old vehicles, unlicensed drivers or extra charges at the camp. Our prices include hotel pickup and everything listed on each package page; the only extras are 5% VAT and a 3% charge for card machine payments.
Tips from our desert team
Ask for a window seat in the Land Cruiser – it gives you the best view during dune bashing and helps if you are prone to motion sickness.
Have a light lunch before an evening safari. Dune bashing is bumpy, and dinner at the camp is generous.
Fridays, Saturdays and public holidays are the busiest nights. Sunday to Thursday is calmer and seats are easier to get.
Birthdays, anniversaries and proposals deserve something extra – let us know when you book and we will help arrange it.
Frequently asked questions
Still have a question? See our full FAQ or contact our team.