Best Desert Safaris in Dubai – prices, activities, timings

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Best Desert Safari in Dubai

A desert safari is one of the best ways to experience Emirati culture during your holiday in Dubai.

Choosing the right one for you and your family/friends is difficult with so many desert safaris.

To identify the best desert safari in Dubai that suits your needs, consider its start time, duration, included activities, and cost. 

Since some tour operators are better, you must also factor in the local operator while choosing the perfect desert safari.

This is why most tourists are confused and don’t know which Dubai desert safari to book. 

This article covers Dubai’s five best desert safaris according to their popularity.

Best Dubai desert safaris

There are hundreds of options for tourists, out of which we have selected the five best desert safaris available in Dubai and explained them. 

All these desert safaris are highly rated, with a 4.8/5 or 4.9/5. 

Each of these safaris is designed to drive you into the depths of the Arabian sandy desert experience and make your Dubai holiday memorable. 

Premium Red Dunes, Camel Safari, & BBQ at Al Khayma

Rating: 4.9/5
Duration: Seven hours
Starting time: 2 pm
Pick up: Available from all hotels or apartments in Dubai, Sharjah, and Ajman, as well as the cruise port (Port Rashid).
Type of tour: Small Group
Tour Operator: OceanAir Travel

A 4×4 Land Cruiser picks you up and drives you to the desert, after which you enjoy the adrenaline rush of a quad bike ride and dune bashing.

During this magnificent desert safari, you can also try sandboarding for an extra adrenalin kick.

This excellent desert safari continues to the Al Khayma Camp, where you will be welcomed with Arabic coffee, sweets, and dates. 

You can go on a camel ride, smoke Shisha, paint Henna, meet the resident falcon expert, etc.

The buffet barbecue dinner begins at sunset, and you can eat while enjoying traditional dances. 

After dinner, you relax and board your vehicle for a drop back at your hotel. 

Ticket Prices

Adult Ticket (12+ years): AED 253 ($69)
Child Ticket (3 to 11 years): AED 209 ($57)

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Red Dune Safari, Camel Riding, Sandboarding & BBQ

Rating: 4.9/5
Duration: 4 to 7 hours
Starting time: 8 am to 3 pm (many options)
Pick up: Available from all hotels or locations within Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, and the Port Rashid Cruise Terminal.
Type of tour: Small Group
Tour Operator: Ammar Tours

This tour is an opportunity to explore the Dubai desert in the best ways possible. 

It is one of the best desert safaris in Dubai if you want a thrilling adventure with family and friends. 

You will experience dune bashing, sandboarding, camel riding, etc., and then enjoy the brilliant desert sunset.

You can also enjoy the traditional Bedouin camp experience with a BBQ dinner, a classic Tanura show, and a belly dancing performance.

You will savor the rich flavors of local food at a BBQ dinner with Arabic coffee, fresh dates, falafel, and shawarma.

Ticket Prices

4-hour safari: AED 104 ($28)
7-hour safari (with BBQ dinner): AED 228 ($62)

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Red Dune Safari, Camel Ride, Sandboard & BBQ Options

Rating: 4.8/5
Duration: 4 to 7 hours
Starting time: 8 am to 2.30 pm (many options)
Pick up: Available from all hotels or locations within Dubai City and Port Rashid cruise terminal
Type of tour: Small Group
Tour Operator: Dream Journey Tourism

This tour is a 4-hour Dubai desert safari, which you can upgrade to a 7-hour safari with a BBQ dinner.

This outstanding desert safari in Dubai starts at 2.30 pm. However, there is a 10 am option as well.

You drive to the unforgiving Lahbab desert for some dune bashing. 

You can witness the splendid Dubai sunset from the highest dune around if you are lucky.

Dune bashing is followed by sandboarding before you head back to your hotel.

If you opt for the 7-hour tour, visiting a Bedouin-style camp is added.

You get closer to the locals by riding a camel, smoking a Shisha pipe, trying the Henna tattoo, and dressing up in Arabic costumes, followed by a belly dance, Tanoura show, and a barbecue dinner.

Ticket Cost: AED 210 ($57)

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Desert Safari, Quad Bike, Camel Ride & Al Khayma Camp

Rating: 4.9/5
Duration: 4 to 7 hours
Starting time: 7.45 am to 4 pm (many options)
Pick up: Available from Dubai, Sharjah, Dubai Cruise Terminal (Port Rashid), and Dubai Airport
Type of tour: Small Group
Tour Operator: OceanAir Travels

This guided dune-bashing safari is one of the best ways to discover the desert outside Dubai. 

Enjoy the opportunity to participate in various optional activities, including a quad bike ride, camel ride, or dinner and entertainment with an extended tour option.

For the cultural experience part of the safari, you will head to the best camp in the region – the Al Khayma camp.

The duration and cost of this exceptional safari depend on the activities you select.

Ticket Prices

Adult Ticket (12+ years): AED 420 ($114)
Child Ticket (3 to 11 years): AED 354 ($96)

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Desert Safari, Quad Bike, Camel Ride, and Sandboarding

Rating: 4.9/5
Duration: 4 hours
Starting time: 8 am to 2.30 pm
Pick up: Available from any hotel or location within Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, and the Port Rashid cruise terminal. 
Type of tour: Small Group 
Tour Operator: Ammar Tours

On this fantastic desert safari, you will escape the hustle and bustle of Dubai and experience the calm of the surrounding desert.

For four hours, you will enjoy legendary Arabian hospitality and satisfy your sense of adventure in Lahbab, approximately 50 kilometers from Dubai’s city center.

After your 4WD Land Cruiser slips and slides like a roller-coaster across the dunes, you can try the camel ride, sandboarding, or quad bike experience. 

After enjoying the desert sunset, you will be dropped back at your hotel.

Ticket Prices (with quad bike ride)

Adult Ticket (12+ years): AED 364 ($99)
Child Ticket (3 to 11 years): AED 357 ($97)

Ticket Prices (without quad bike ride)

Adult Ticket (12+ years): AED 203 ($55)
Child Ticket (3 to 11 years): AED 198 ($54)

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Best desert safari operator in Dubai

According to Tripadvisor, OceanAir Travel is the best Dubai desert safari tour company.

It is rated No 1 for outdoor activities in Dubai, and all their desert safaris end at Al Khayma camp. 

Check out a preview of the camp –

OceanAir Travel offers many desert safaris in Dubai, and we have listed some of the best below –

Desert SafariCost
Premium Red Dunes, Camel Safari, & BBQ at Al KhaymaAED 499 ($136)
Desert Safari with Camel Ride & SandboardingAED 283 ($77)
Desert Safari with BBQ, Camel Ride & SandboardingAED 359 ($98)
Desert Safari, Quad Bike, Camel Ride & Al Khayma CampAED 290 ($79)
Desert Quad Bike Safari, Camel Ride, Sand Surf, & BBQAED 434 ($118)
Red Dunes and Camel Safari with Overnight CampAED 716 ($195)
Adventure Quad Bike Safari, Camel Ride & SandboardingAED 294 ($80)

Recommended Reading

# Best Desert Safaris in Dubai
# Desert Safari from Sharjah
# Desert Safari in Abu Dhabi
# Desert Safari in Ras Al Khaimah
# Price of desert safari in Dubai
# VIP Desert Safaris in Dubai
# Morning desert safaris in Dubai
# Dubai Safari with BBQ dinner
# Dubai Safari with Quad Bike
# Dune Buggy Safari in Dubai
# Overnight desert safari in Dubai
# Safari in Dubai with belly dance
# Safari without dune bashing
# Falconry safari in Dubai

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Researched & Written by
Hanan Irfan is fascinated by exhilarating treks, alpine lakes, landscape photography, and football. He loves trying different cuisines and meeting people from around the world. He's a sucker for solitude and sunsets, capturing memories on the run. His favorite cities: Tromsø, Reykjavik, and Seychelles

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