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, which suits your needs, you must 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 lists Dubai’s five best desert safaris according to their popularity.
Top Dubai Desert Safaris Tickets
# Premium Red Dunes, Camel Safari, & BBQ at Al Khayma
# Red Dune Safari, Camel Riding, Sandboarding & BBQ
# Red Dune Safari, Camel Ride, Sandboard & BBQ Options
Table of contents
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.
For an extra adrenalin kick, you can also try sandboarding during this magnificent desert safari.
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.
Cost of desert safari
Adult ticket (12+ years): AED 297 ($81)
Child ticket (3 to 11 years): AED 252 ($69)
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.
4-hours safari: AED 115 ($31)
7-hours safari (with BBQ dinner): AED 210 ($57)
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-hours 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.
If you are lucky, you can witness the splendid Dubai sunset from the highest dune around.
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, dressing up in Arabic costumes, etc., followed by a belly dance, Tanoura show, and a barbecue dinner.
Desert Safari price: AED 200 ($54)
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.
This exceptional safari’s duration and cost depend on the activities you select.
Cost of desert safari: AED 129 to AED 452 ($34 to $124)
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 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.
With quad bike ride: AED 259 ($71)
Without quad bike ride: AED 126 ($34)
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 Safari | Cost |
|---|---|
| Premium Red Dunes, Camel Safari, & BBQ at Al Khayma | AED 393 ($107) |
| Desert Safari with Camel Ride & Sandboarding | AED 288 ($78) |
| Desert Safari with BBQ, Camel Ride & Sandboarding | AED 296 ($81) |
| Desert Safari, Quad Bike, Camel Ride & Al Khayma Camp | AED 279 ($76) |
| Desert Quad Bike Safari, Camel Ride, Sand Surf, & BBQ | AED 408 ($111) |
| Red Dunes and Camel Safari with Overnight Camp | AED 609 ($166) |
| Adventure Quad Bike Safari, Camel Ride & Sandboarding | AED 261 ($72) |
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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