The massive Arabian desert, which covers over 2 million square kilometers (!) also extends to most of the UAE and is merely 32 miles (52 km) from Dubai.
The rolling dunes of the desert provide a breathtaking backdrop for a truly unique experience, so it’s no surprise that desert safaris are one of the most popular things to do in Dubai!
Whether you’re an adventure seeker looking for a thrill or simply want to escape the city for a day, a desert safari is the perfect activity. It enables you to explore the desert landscape of Dubai with a professional, and enjoy epic adventures.
To help you choose the right excursion for you, I’ve compiled a comprehensive list of the best Dubai desert safari tours. This way, you can make your choice based on your interests, time, and budget without worrying about whether the tour is worthwhile – it is!
We’ll cover everything from traditional camel safaris to high-adrenaline dune-bashing tours, and give you all the information you need to make an informed decision. Read on!
Why should you trust me? I have a decade of experience in the travel industry, curating travel guides and tours all over the world. I’ve developed a knack for identifying astounding activities, and those are the only ones I include in my posts.
I’ve made sure that all the tours in this list are high-quality, offer excellent value, and are led by professionals.
I generally use Viator and Get Your Guide for booking tours when I travel. I especially recommend them because of their cancellation policy. If your travel plans change, you can cancel most tours and activities up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Limited time? These are the top tours:
| THE BEST TOUR | Premium Safari, Camel Ride & Al Khayma Camp |
| SUNRISE TOUR | Sunrise Desert Jeep Safari with Wildlife |
| BALLOON FLIGHT | Sunrise Balloon Flight, Breakfast and Transfer |
| OVERNIGHT SAFARI | Overnight Safari, Dinner, Stargazing & Al Khayma Camp |
| PRIVATE TOUR | Private Night Vintage Land Rover Desert Safari |
Interested in other types of tours? I’ve written a whole post about the best tours in Dubai. Check it out!
OUR PICK: The BEST Dubai Desert Safari
The Dubai: Premium Safari, Camel Ride & Al Khayma Camp – 3 Buffets is a 7-hour tour. The trip offers a wealth of activities to enjoy, including sandboarding, dune bashing, camel riding, and falconry.
You’ll also visit an exclusive desert camp to try shisha, get henna tattoos, witness Arabian entertainment, and feast on a BBQ buffet dinner.
The evening time slots include fire shows and a stargazing session. You’ll be treated to comfortable rides from your hotel, and have a desert guide by your side throughout the experience.
I personally went on this tour and thought it was the perfect introduction to the desert.
Why is this the top tour? It boasts over 25 THOUSAND stellar reviews, and offers a thrilling day with all the desert activities included. You’ll be driven through the sand dunes by a professional, try all the adrenaline-inducing sports, and relax at a camp with traditional entertainment. Plus, the tour is capped at small groups to ensure a personalized experience.
Read what the reviews say:
“It was the most fantastic desert Safari I have been to. Our guide, Ramzan, is super nice to ensure the pick-up time is well communicated. So the whole process is seamless. I brought my 70-year-old mom with me this time for the adventure, and Ramzan is very caring and also helps me take extra care of mom. I am very appreciative. And also thanks to Faheem Qureshi for giving us an excellent dining experience.”
Hsu – Read more reviews
This tour includes: Hotel pick up and drop-off, a safari guide, all activities with gear, a BBQ dinner, coffee, snacks, and unlimited soft drinks. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
OUR 2ND PICK: A Luxury Desert Safari Experience
▶️ The Dubai Heritage Land Rover Desert Safari with Traditional Dinner also takes you to meet the gazelles and oryx at the Conservation Reserve.
You’ll travel in an open-roof Land Rover, and pay a visit to a Bedouin-style camp for a falconry display and traditional dancing. Watch the live making of coffee and bread (which you’ll get to taste!) and ride a camel before relishing a proper dinner of Emirati cuisine.
This tour includes: Hotel roundtrip transportation, a guide, all activities, and a multi-course meal. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Best Dubai Safari Tours On a Budget
▶️ The Dubai: Half-Day Desert Safari, Camel Ride, ATV & Refreshment allows you to experience dune bashing and sandboarding at an affordable price.
Aside from experiencing the thrilling desert activities, you’ll visit a traditional camp for a treat of sweets, dates, and Arabic coffee. Finally, head to a camel farm to learn about these animals and ride one.
This tour includes: Hotel pick up and drop-off, a guide, all activities, snacks with coffee, soft drinks, and a camel ride. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ The Dubai: Red Dune Safari, Camel Ride, Sandboarding, and Dinner takes you to the desert for 4 or 7 hours (your choice!). You’ll enjoy sandboarding, dune bashing, and camel riding with a professional guide.
You can choose between a morning or afternoon departure, and if you opt for the longer tour you’ll also visit a Bedouin camp. Experience traditional dances, shisha smoking, and henna painting before finishing the day with a BBQ dinner.
This tour includes: Hotel pick up and drop-off, a guide, all activities, and dinner. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Have Fun On a Quad Desert Safari
▶️ This Dubai: Desert Safari, Quad Bike, Camel Ride and Sandboarding tour lasts 4 hours and takes you straight to the impressive red dunes. There you’ll go dune bashing, sandboarding, and even quad biking!
You’ll also have the chance to ride a camel after the thrilling activities, and enjoy comfortable rides back to your hotel. It’s a short trip that allows you to enjoy the desert with plenty of time left for city adventures.
This tour includes: Roundtrip transfers, a guide, all activities and gear, water, and a photo stop. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ The Dubai: Red Dune Desert, Dune Baggy Ride & BBQ Buffet Dinner is ideal for thrill-seekers, as you’ll get behind the wheel and drive a sand buggy in the sand dunes.
You’ll also try your sandboarding skills before visiting a desert camp. There you’ll get to indulge in Arabic coffee with dates, and take part in fun activities such as henna painting and shisha smoking. Cap off the trip with a BBQ buffet dinner.
This tour includes: Hotel pick up and drop off, a guide, all activities, safety gear, coffee, and a BBQ meal. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Sunrise Desert Safari in Dubai
▶️ With the Dubai: Sunrise Desert Jeep Safari with Wildlife you’ll enjoy a picnic breakfast as you witness the beginning of the day.
After the sun rises from behind the dunes, embark on a safari ride to look for the local wildlife, which includes gazelles and Arabian oryx. Visit the impressive Al Quadra Lakes, and practice your balance on a sandboarding session.
This tour includes: Hotel pick up and drop off, a guide, all visits, and light refreshments. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ The Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve Tour with Breakfast begins with a drive through the desert in a Range Rover. You’ll travel to the reserve, where you’ll look for the Arabian oryx, the gazelles, and the birdlife. If you’re lucky, you’ll even get to see Gordon’s wildcat, all while learning about the animals from your expert guide.
You’ll also visit a lake and a bird sanctuary within the reserve, and cap off the tour with a scrumptious breakfast.
This tour includes: Hotel pick up and drop-off, a guide, use of binoculars, a headscarf, and breakfast. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Go On a Balloon Flight Over the Desert
▶️ The desert can also be explored from above, and there’s no better way to do it than with a Dubai: Sunrise Balloon Flight, Breakfast and Hotel Transfer.
You’ll soar over the vast desert and spot the wandering camels and other wildlife as the sun rises, marveling at the changing shadows and green oases scattered in the landscape.
Upon your return, you’ll enjoy a hearty breakfast and visit a Bedouin camp, where you can opt for a photo with a camel, or to ride one.
This tour includes: Hotel pick up and drop-off, a guide, a balloon flight, a visit to a Bedouin Camp, and breakfast. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ This Dubai Hot Air Balloon, Land Rover Defender & Gourmet Breakfast is a morning excursion. You’ll enjoy a spectacular sunrise flight over the desert plains and the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve.
Admire the unbeatable viewpoint of the vast dunes, and spot plenty of wildlife roaming. After the flight, witness a falcon display and indulge in a gourmet breakfast.
This tour includes: Hotel pick up and drop off, a guide, a balloon flight, a falcon display, and breakfast. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Sleep in the Desert With an Overnight Safari in Dubai
▶️ Feel like camping in the desert? The Dubai: Overnight Safari, Dinner, Stargazing & Al Khayma Camp can make it happen. The trip, which lasts 17 hours, will take you dune bashing, sandboarding, and camel riding on the fabulous sand dunes.
After the afternoon adventures you’ll visit a Bedouin-style camp, where you’ll feast on a BBQ dinner, enjoy shows, and stargaze. Stay overnight, and wake up for a sunrise camel trek, followed by an Arabian breakfast.
This tour includes: Roundtrip transportation, a guide, all activities, accommodation, meals, and unlimited water. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ The Overnight Desert Safari – Vintage Land Rovers & Traditional Activities will drive you in a vintage Land Rover around the Conservation Reserve. There you’ll get to spot the wildlife and enjoy a falcon display.
After the activities, head to a Bedouin camp to spend the evening watching live bread and coffee-making. Get henna tattoos, smoke shisha, and ride a camel as the sun sets.
You’ll spend the night in an Arabic stone dwelling after a substantial dinner, and enjoy the once-in-a-lifetime experience of waking up in the desert to a fantastic breakfast.
This tour includes: Hotel pick up and drop-off, a guide, all activities, equipment, accommodation, and meals. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Private Tours from Dubai
▶️ The Private Night Vintage Land Rover Desert Safari & Stargazing takes your group in a vintage Land Rover to explore the desert after dusk. Spot the wildlife through night-vision binoculars as you drive around the Conservation Reserve!
Make your way to a desert retreat where you’ll stargaze with an astronomer guide, and feast on a 2-course dinner before trying shisha.
This tour includes: Roundtrip transportation, a guide, all activities, and dinner. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ You’ll also hop aboard a vintage Land Rover on the Private Vintage Land Rover Heritage Desert Safari – 4-Course Dinner & Activities.
It’s a 7-hour tour that takes you around the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve with a private guide. They’ll explain everything about the local flora and fauna as you pass by the wildlife.
You’ll then head to a desert camp to enjoy a falconry display, dance performances, camel rides, henna painting and a BBQ buffet dinner.
This tour includes: Roundtrip transportation, a guide, all activities, dinner, and a donation to the Conservation Reserve. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
The Most Luxurious Desert Safari in Dubai
The Dubai Luxury Desert Safari with 6-Course Fine Dining Experience offers a drive through the Conservation Reserve. There you’ll get to meet the wildlife, enjoy a falconry demonstration, and go camel riding.
The excursion includes a gourmet 6-course dinner in a private cabana. Dine under the stars, and witness a fantastic show before getting henna tattoos as a souvenir.
This tour includes: Hotel pick up and drop-off, a guide, all activities, and dinner. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Photoshoot in Dubai Desert
To make sure you have spectacular snaps of your time in the desert, book this Dubai Flying Dress Private Photoshoot in the Desert. It offers a very unique experience!
You’ll visit the sand dunes with an experienced photographer, and try splendid dresses of different styles for your exclusive photoshoot.
The photographer will ensure the glamorous dress’ train is flying in the air as he snaps your pictures, which you’ll get to take home with you (and post on all your social media!)
This tour includes: Private transfers, a flying dress rental, a photographer, and 10 edited pictures + the original ones. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Combos and Passes to Visit the Dubai Desert
▶️ The Dubai Desert Safari with Burj Khalifa (Ticket Only) combines a trip into the desert with tickets to the world’s tallest building. After your visit to the Burj Khalifa, which you’ll access easily on your given timeslot, you’ll be taken to a camel farm in the desert for camel rides.
Then, visit a Bedouin-style camp where you’ll be greeted with Arabic coffee and dates, and mesmerizing live performances. Smoke shisha, get henna tattoos, and cap off the activities with a BBQ dinner.
This tour includes: Hotel pick up and drop-off, Burj Khalifa tickets, a guide, camel rides, all desert activities, and dinner. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ The Dubai Explorer Pass with Burj Khalifa and Desert Safari grants you access to several attractions and activities. You can choose from 3 to 7 options from a list of over 45 possibilities, which boasts several desert adventures in Dubai, as well as regular excursions.
You’ll also get to enjoy other experiences for much less than if you were to buy the individual tickets, so it’s a fantastic deal!
This tour includes: Entrance fees and tours to the options chosen, and a digital guide to all the attractions. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ The Dubai City Tour and Evening Desert Safari Combo is fantastic to see Dubai’s major attractions: the skyscrapers and the sand dunes.
You’ll begin the day exploring Palm Jumeirah, visiting the Blue Mosque, and taking an abra across Dubai Creek toward the famous souks. All the while, you’ll be catching sight of the city’s most prominent landmarks.
On the second day, head for an evening desert safari in which you’ll go dune bashing in Dubai’s massive sand dunes. You’ll also get to ride and feed a camel, try shisha, get henna tattoos, and feast on a buffet BBQ dinner at a desert camp.
This tour includes: Hotel pick up and drop-off, a guide, all activities, entrance fees, abra ride, water, snacks, and dinner. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
