A Guide to the Standard Desert Safari in Dubai: The Ultimate Unmissable Adventure

Dubai: home to outstanding architectural feats (like the Burj Khalifa, the highest skyscraper in the world), one-of-a-kind and modern attractions, gorgeous beaches, and many other marvels. But if there’s anything you can’t miss in the glitzy Emirate, it’s the desert safari.

The desert safari in Dubai is a must: you’ll thrillingly traverse the gorgeous Arabian desert and experience rich Emirati culture in the best way possible. 

If you plan to go for the first time, read on to learn everything you need to know about the desert safari in Dubai:

Dubai has a unique landscape compared to other Emirates in the UAE, with its captivating red, sandy desert. This makes it ideal for a jam-packed desert safari, which includes exciting activities like dune bashing, sandboarding, quad biking, and more. You’ll also have roundtrip transfers to and from your accommodation, so all you have to do is sit back and enjoy the trip!

Here are the activities you can expect on the desert safari tour:

The highlight of the desert safari in Dubai is undoubtedly dune bashing, where you’ll journey across the massive sand dunes for 30 minutes on a jeep. Expect exciting speeds and thrilling twists and turns on the uneven and ever-changing terrain! It gives you a taste of adventure and provides a fantastic escape from the metropolitan area of Dubai.

You can also opt to go quad biking or sand biking after dune bashing, so you can feel the open air as you drive your 350cc quad bike and plow through the dunes. Ride through the uneven terrains while admiring the sea of Arabian sand around you. All the while, you’ll be guided by professionals and provided with safety gear!

Aside from the motor-aided sand exploration, you can also try your hand at sandboarding. Think of it as the desert equivalent of snowboarding but just as fun and exciting! Explore your skills with a new activity that’s a mix of surfing, skateboarding, and snowboarding amidst the captivating desert terrain.

Slow down after the more sporty and thrilling activities and venture into the desert the traditional way: by riding camels! You can go either in the morning or during sunset, but either way, you’re guaranteed to see spectacular views.

Aside from thrills and views, the desert safari in Dubai allows you to immerse in Emirati culture, like henna painting. While they were initially done to bring luck to nuptials, they are now modern beauty statements. Tourists are welcome to experience henna painting during their visit. 

You’ll be famished after all the adventures of the day, so a delicious barbeque dinner is just what you need! To further energize yourself after your journey, you can also sip Arabian coffee and have some sweets. You can also try the traditional way of smoking, which is by using shisha, an apparatus instrument for heating or vaporizing, and then smoking tobacco.

Another culturally enriching experience during the desert safari is the belly dancing show, which features the mesmerizing traditional dance of Middle Eastern and North African cultures. The tanoura (which translates to “skirt” in English), a folkloric dance of Islamic countries, is also a part of the show. Tanoura features vividly colored costumes and movements that symbolize giving praise to nature.

To have the best possible experience on the desert safari in Dubai, we’ve gathered some handy tips for you! Like the best months to do it being November to April, since it’s Dubai’s winter months with cooler weather and more pleasant afternoons. 

During the tour, expect the temperature to change throughout the day, so wear clothing that can accommodate warm weather, and pack hoodies, parkas, pullovers, and scarves for when it gets colder in the early morning or evening. These additional layers of clothing can also protect you from the sand. It’s also better to wear loose trousers that are still fitting for hot weather but can give you comfort inside air-conditioned vehicles. 

If you’re planning to visit during Ramadan, take note that alcohol will not be served, and the belly dancing shows will be postponed. 

You can book the standard desert safari in Dubai on Klook to experience the activities we mentioned! When booking your tix, you can choose between two categories (morning and evening) and pick add-ons, like the quad biking activity and access to the sunset lounge. Or you can just pick among the following packages:

Your Klook ticket also includes transfers to and from your accommodation, and you have the option to pick a private, shared vehicle or a centralized bus pick up.

Now that you know all the exciting things in the Dubai desert safari, it’s time to start planning your trip and head to the opulent city!