Do The Dubai Desert Safari Like a Pro: What To Wear and Must-Haves Guide

So, you’ve booked your trip to Dubai and have plans to go on a desert safari. Great news—you’re now almost halfway through having the best trip ever! Next step on the agenda: plan your outfits and what to pack as early as now for a fuss-free trip. Yes, that includes choosing what to wear in Dubai, where it could get as hot as possible.

If you’re wondering what to wear in Dubai, you’re in the right place! We’re here to help you plan what to wear for a desert safari, so you don’t have to worry about anything else. Plus, planning ahead is always a good idea, so you’re ready for those Insta-worthy pics in the Arabian desert.

Fill your luggage with lightweight fabrics! The temperature in Dubai could get as low as 14°C and as high as 44°C, depending on what month you visit. However you should expect to be under the sun most of the time. Even when you visit during the winter months (November to April), the temperature could still get as high as 30°C. Choose cotton or linen clothing when choosing what to wear in Dubai.

If you’re going on an early morning or evening desert safari that bleeds into the night, bring a hoodie or poncho (or anything that could keep you warm). While Dubai could get swelteringly hot during the day, temperatures in the desert fall a lot when the sun goes down.

Dress for the weather! Since you’ll be under the sun most of the time, a long-sleeved shirt will be your savior for sun protection. Just wear lightweight ones so you won’t be swimming in sweat during the hot afternoons. Long-sleeved tops are also your best option if you’re thinking about what to wear in Dubai as a woman—given the general dress code in UAE.

Wearing shorts may be a good idea, but we couldn’t stress enough that trousers are the best clothing for a desert safari. Dubai desert tours usually involve a lot of sand activities like sandboarding or dune bashing, which means you’ll most likely get sand all over your body. Trousers are also more convenient if you’re planning to ride on a camel.

Mark yourself safe from painful sunburns by bringing your handy sunglasses, a trusty hat, and a light shawl. Make sure you tuck them close to you when you’re dune-bashing! Having all three is not mandatory, especially if you’re going on an evening desert safari.

You’ll be doing a lot of walking during the desert safari, so comfy shoes are a no-brainer when it comes to picking what to wear in Dubai. Choose your most comfortable sneakers to protect your toes from getting sand in them and keep ‘em warm when you camp at night. If your sneakers don’t fit your outfits, you can opt for light boots!

Those are the five essentials when deciding what to wear in Dubai. Ready to go on your desert safari adventure? Now that we’ve planned what you can wear on a Dubai desert safari, here are tours you can join in:

Fancy a Dubai desert adventure? This Evening Desert Safari Tour includes many activities, like camel riding, dune bashing, and henna painting. You’ll be picked up from your hotel in a 4WD, which will take you straight to the Arabian desert. Don’t worry; you’ll have tons of time to capture pics of the desert until the breathtaking desert sunset. The night tour concludes with a delicious BBQ dinner accompanied by Tanoura and belly dancing shows under the stars.

Wanna see what it’s like to be in the Mad Max movies? This Abu Dhabi Morning Desert Safari Tour is the perfect wake-up call—it’s an exhilarating experience you should try at least once! Explore the vast golden dunes of the Arabian desert aboard a luxury 4x4 Land Cruiser and feel the thrill of roaring up and down the dunes first thing in the morning. If you dread the desert heat, this morning desert safari is your best option.  

Go all out for your desert night out by booking this Premium Evening Red-Dunes Desert Safari! Here, you’ll be tackling the high red dunes of the Arabian desert aboard a 4x4 ride. Aside from dune bashing, you’ll also have the chance to go sand surfing or go for a photoshoot session. After your day in the desert, your guide will take you to a Bedouin camp, where you’ll be welcomed with Arabic coffee. From then, it’s a night of Bedouin culture and festivities like shisha smoking, henna painting, Tanoura, and belly dancing shows, followed by a luxurious barbecue buffet dinner in the desert. What more could you ask for?