Everything people mean by a Dubai desert safari
The Evening Desert Safari is the experience most visitors picture when they book a desert trip. You leave the city in the afternoon, drive into the red dunes, ride over them in a 4x4, stop for the sunset and finish at a Bedouin-style camp with dinner and live entertainment.
Timing matters. The afternoon pickup puts you on the dunes when the sand is cooling down and the light turns orange, which is also when photographs look best. By the time dinner is served the temperature has dropped, which makes the camp pleasant even in warmer months.
It is the most flexible option for first-time visitors, families and groups: it is shorter than an overnight stay, easy to fit around a day in the city, and you can add quad biking or upgrade to premium seating if you want more.
Highlights of the Evening Desert Safari
What you will do, see and eat.
Dune bashing
30 to 40 minutes of 4x4 driving over steep red dunes, similar to a gentle off-road rollercoaster.
Sunset photography
A dedicated stop on a high dune at golden hour, one of the best photo moments of any Dubai trip.
Camel ride and sandboarding
A short camel ride at the camp and a chance to slide down a dune on a sandboard.
BBQ dinner
A live BBQ buffet with grilled meats, salads, vegetarian dishes and desserts, plus unlimited soft drinks.
Live shows
Tanoura, belly dance and fire performances, with Arabic music playing around the camp.
Arabic hospitality
Arabic coffee, dates, henna painting, shisha (extra) and traditional dress for photographs.
Itinerary
Timings are typical and move a little with the season, sunset time and your pickup area.
- 3:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Hotel pickup
Pickup from hotels and homes in Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman. Exact time depends on your area and the sunset time.
- About 4:00 PM
Drive to the desert
A 45 to 60 minute drive. A short stop at the desert edge to adjust tyre pressure.
- 4:30 PM
Dune bashing
Climb and drop over the dunes with your driver, with photo stops on the way.
- 5:45 PM
Sunset stop
Get out, walk the dune and photograph the sunset. Sandboarding is often available here too.
- 6:15 PM
Arrive at the camp
Welcome drinks, Arabic coffee and dates. Camel ride, henna painting and traditional dress are available.
- 7:15 PM - 8:45 PM
BBQ dinner and shows
Dinner is served while the entertainment runs through the Tanoura, belly dance and fire shows.
- 8:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Drop-off
Return transfer to your hotel or home.
What’s included
Included
- Hotel or home pickup and drop-off
- Dune bashing in a 4x4
- Sunset photo stop
- Camel ride and sandboarding
- BBQ dinner buffet (vegetarian options available)
- Live Tanoura, belly dance and fire shows
- Henna painting and traditional dress photos
- Unlimited tea, coffee, water and soft drinks
Not included
- Alcoholic drinks
- Quad bike or dune buggy (optional upgrade)
- Shisha at the camp
- Professional photography
- Tips for staff
Packages and prices
Pick the option that fits your group. Prices are in UAE dirhams (AED).
Evening Shared
The full evening safari in a shared 4x4 with standard camp seating.
Child: AED 140
Book this optionEvening + Quad Bike
Shared safari with a 30 minute quad bike ride on the dunes.
Child: AED 340
Book this optionEvening Private 4x4
A private 4x4 for your group with flexible pickup.
Up to the vehicle's seating capacity
Book this optionStarting prices for standard dates. Peak season, public holidays and special events can change the final price, which we confirm before you pay.
Good to know before you book
Health and comfort
Dune bashing is not recommended for pregnant women, infants, or anyone with back, neck or heart conditions, or recent surgery.
What to wear
Light, loose clothing, sunglasses and sports shoes for sandboarding. Pack a thin jacket for winter nights.
What to bring
A camera, a small bag, sunscreen and a valid ID for pickup. Keep valuables to a minimum.
Before you go
Have a light lunch and avoid a large meal in the two hours before pickup to reduce the chance of motion sickness.
