A Dubai Desert Safari is one of the most popular and thrilling activities you can experience in Dubai. It offers an exciting mix of adventure, cultural immersion, and beautiful desert landscapes. According to Tripadvisor, here are the top-rated desert safari experiences in Dubai, showcasing various options ranging from thrilling dune bashing to luxurious dinners under the stars.
1. Platinum Heritage Desert Safari
- Why Go: If you're looking for a premium and more traditional desert experience, Platinum Heritage offers exclusive safaris in vintage Land Rovers. This eco-friendly safari also focuses on Dubai's cultural heritage, offering guests a chance to explore the desert in style and comfort.
- Highlights:
- Vintage Land Rover desert drive through Dubai’s protected desert conservation area
- Visit a Bedouin-style camp and experience traditional activities like camel riding, falconry, henna painting, and Arabic coffee
- Barbecue dinner with a cultural performance (belly dancing and Tanoura dance)
- Stargazing under the desert sky
- Location: Departure from Dubai, with safaris into the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve.
2. Arabian Adventures Desert Safari
- Why Go: Arabian Adventures is one of the longest-running and most reliable safari companies in Dubai. Their safaris offer a good mix of adventure and cultural experiences, with an emphasis on providing top-notch customer service.
- Highlights:
- Dune bashing in a 4x4 vehicle
- Camel ride through the desert dunes
- Sandboarding on the golden dunes
- Dinner in a Bedouin-style camp with entertainment (belly dancing, fire shows, Tanoura dancing, and a buffet)
- Optional stargazing experience
- Location: Pick-up from hotels across Dubai, including popular areas like Downtown Dubai and Jumeirah Beach.
3. Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve Safari (with BBQ Dinner)
- Why Go: This desert safari takes you into the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, a protected area where you can witness the unique beauty of the desert's flora and fauna, including oryx and gazelles. It’s a more eco-conscious option, focusing on sustainability and conservation.
- Highlights:
- Dune bashing and camel ride through the desert
- Visit to the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, home to rare wildlife
- Barbecue dinner under the stars at a luxurious desert camp
- Cultural activities, including henna tattoos, falconry, and Arabic coffee tasting
- Location: Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve (approximately 45 minutes outside Dubai city center).
4. Arabian Safari by Desert Safari Dubai
- Why Go: If you're looking for a safari experience that blends adventure with traditional desert charm, Desert Safari Dubai provides an immersive and affordable experience. Known for great service, they offer a variety of options depending on what you want from your safari.
- Highlights:
- Thrilling dune bashing in a 4x4 vehicle
- Camel riding and sandboarding
- Traditional BBQ dinner in a Bedouin-style camp with performances (belly dancing, Tanoura, and fire show)
- Henna painting, shisha smoking, and Arabic coffee tasting
- Optional VIP packages for a more luxurious experience
- Location: Pick-up from various hotels in Dubai.
5. Big Red Safari and BBQ Dinner
- Why Go: Big Red is famous for its thrilling dune bashing experiences. The tour is named after the large red sand dunes located in the desert, which are ideal for high-speed dune bashing. If you’re an adrenaline junkie, this safari is a great way to experience the desert in a more adventurous way.
- Highlights:
- Dune bashing at the iconic Big Red dunes
- Camel ride and sandboarding
- BBQ dinner and cultural entertainment (belly dancing, Tanoura dance)
- Traditional Arabic experiences, including Henna, shisha, and falconry demonstrations
- Location: A short drive from Dubai to the Big Red dune area.
6. Sunset Desert Safari with Dinner
- Why Go: If you’re short on time but still want to experience the magic of the desert, a sunset desert safari is a great option. This shorter experience offers a relaxing time in the dunes with a beautiful sunset view followed by a delicious barbecue dinner.
- Highlights:
- Dune bashing and a camel ride through the dunes
- Capture sunset photos against the backdrop of the desert
- A relaxing BBQ dinner in a Bedouin-style camp
- Cultural entertainment including Belly Dancing, Tanoura dancing, and a fire show
- Location: Pickup from Dubai and transport to the desert, with the safari focusing on catching the sunset.
7. Lahbab Red Dune Desert Safari
- Why Go: Lahbab Desert is known for its iconic red sand dunes, which are some of the highest and most scenic in Dubai. This safari offers the chance to experience a thrilling dune bashing session, followed by a more relaxed evening at a desert camp.
- Highlights:
- Dune bashing in the red sand dunes of Lahbab
- A camel ride, sandboarding, and henna tattoo options
- BBQ dinner with cultural entertainment like belly dancing and fire shows
- Location: Lahbab Desert, about 45 minutes outside Dubai.
8. Self-Drive Desert Safari
- Why Go: For those who prefer to take the wheel, the self-drive desert safari allows you to drive your own 4x4 vehicle through the dunes, guided by experienced instructors. This is a great choice for adventure enthusiasts who want to be in control of their desert experience.
- Highlights:
- Self-drive dune bashing in a 4x4 vehicle
- Camel ride and sandboarding
- BBQ dinner at a desert camp with entertainment
- Traditional desert activities like henna, shisha, and Arabic coffee
- Location: Pickup from your hotel, with the safari heading to the desert for the self-drive experience.