Dubai Desert Safari - an experience like no other.
Sunset dune bashing, camel rides, BBQ dinner under the stars, and live cultural performances - all in the heart of the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve. Booked easily through our travel agency in Abu Dhabi with hotel pickup from across the UAE.
The Dubai desert safari is the most iconic experience in the UAE.
Just 45 minutes from the glittering skyscrapers of Dubai city lies a vast, untouched landscape of golden sand dunes - the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve. It is here that the most authentic desert safari experience in the UAE comes to life, and Big Bird Travel has been curating these moments for thousands of travellers across the UAE.
Your adventure begins when our professional 4x4 driver arrives at your hotel in a pristine Land Cruiser. As the afternoon sun begins its descent, you'll head deep into the desert where the serious business begins - dune bashing. With expert precision, your driver will navigate the steep faces of the dunes at heart-pumping angles, surfing the sands in a way that leaves every first-timer gripping their seat and screaming with delight. For those who prefer something gentler, the option to pause and enjoy the scenery is always there.
At sunset - and the sunsets in the Dubai desert are genuinely extraordinary - the convoy pulls into a traditional Bedouin-inspired camp. Here, you can try camel riding along a sand trail, glide down the dunes on a sand board, or sit quietly with a hot Arabic coffee and watch the sky turn from amber to violet to deep indigo.
As darkness falls, the camp comes alive. A generous BBQ spread is set out - grilled meats, seafood, and an abundant vegetarian selection - around a flickering open fire. While you dine, professional performers take the stage: belly dancers in traditional costume, the hypnotic spinning of the Tanoura dancer, and the haunting melody of live Arabic music fill the cool desert air. Shisha pipes and sweet Arabic tea keep the evening going long into the night before your driver returns you, relaxed and full, to your hotel by 9:30 PM.
Whether you're visiting Dubai for the first time or the tenth, a desert safari at golden hour never gets old. It is the one experience every visitor to the UAE must have.
What's included
Desert safari packages.
Morning Desert Safari
Child (3-11): AED 80 | Infant (0-2): Free
Beat the heat - best for families & photographers
What's Included
- Hotel/residence pickup & drop-off (Dubai/Sharjah)
- Thrilling dune bashing in 4x4 Land Cruiser
- Camel ride at the desert
- Sandboarding on the dunes
- Sunrise / morning photography stops
- Arabic breakfast (dates, coffee, light snacks)
- Henna painting at camp
- Arabic costume photo opportunity
Optional Add-Ons
- +Quad bike ride: +AED 75/person (30 min)
- +Dune buggy: +AED 150/person (30 min)
- +Private upgrade: AED 699/vehicle (up to 6 pax)
- +Abu Dhabi pickup: +AED 40/person
Most PopularEvening Desert Safari
Child (3-11): AED 99 | Infant (0-2): Free
Sunset views, BBQ dinner, live shows - the full cultural experience
What's Included
- Hotel/residence pickup & drop-off (Dubai/Sharjah)
- Dune bashing in 4x4 Land Cruiser (45 min)
- Camel ride at Bedouin camp
- Sandboarding on red dunes
- Sunset photography stop
- Henna painting & Arabic costume photo
- BBQ buffet dinner (veg & non-veg)
- Unlimited soft drinks, water, Arabic tea & coffee
- Tanoura dance, belly dance & fire show
- Arabic welcome: dates & qahwa coffee
Optional Add-Ons
- +Quad bike ride: +AED 75/person (30 min)
- +Dune buggy: +AED 150/person (30 min)
- +Shisha: +AED 25/person
- +Private upgrade: AED 699/vehicle (up to 6 pax)
- +Abu Dhabi pickup: +AED 40/person
Evening Safari + Quad Bike
Child (3-11): AED 130 | Infant (0-2): Free
All of the Evening Safari, plus 30 minutes of quad biking
What's Included
- Everything in Evening Desert Safari
- 30-minute ATV quad bike ride on red dunes
- Safety helmet & briefing included
- Certified quad bike guide
- Suitable from age 10+ for self-drive
- Full BBQ dinner & live entertainment
- Hotel pickup & drop-off
Optional Add-Ons
- +60-min quad bike upgrade: +AED 60/person
- +Dune buggy (Can-Am / Polaris): +AED 100/person
- +Private 4x4: AED 899/vehicle (up to 6 pax)
- +Abu Dhabi pickup: +AED 40/person
PremiumPremium Evening Safari
Child (3-11): AED 150 | Infant (0-2): Free
Smaller groups, VIP seating, upgraded food & experience
What's Included
- Premium Bedouin-style camp (VIP seating area)
- Hotel/residence pickup & drop-off
- Extended dune bashing session (60 min)
- Camel ride + sandboarding
- Sunset photography stop
- Henna & Arabic costume
- Upgraded BBQ buffet (grilled meats, salads, desserts)
- Unlimited beverages incl. Arabic coffee & tea
- Live Tanoura, belly dance & fire show
- Stargazing session after dinner
- Shisha included
Optional Add-Ons
- +Private photography session: +AED 99
- +60-min quad bike: +AED 75/person
- +Full private camp upgrade: AED 1,299 (group)
- +Abu Dhabi pickup: +AED 40/person
Overnight Desert Safari
Child (3-11): AED 220 | Infant (0-2): Free
Sleep under the stars in a Bedouin tent
What's Included
- Hotel pickup in the evening (~3:00 PM)
- Dune bashing in 4x4 Land Cruiser
- Camel ride & sandboarding
- Sunset photography
- Henna & Arabic costume
- Full BBQ buffet dinner
- Unlimited soft drinks, tea & Arabic coffee
- Live Tanoura, belly dance & fire show
- Overnight stay in traditional Bedouin tent
- Stargazing in the open desert
- Arabic breakfast in the morning
- Morning camel trek (sunrise)
- Hotel drop-off (~8:00-9:00 AM next day)
Optional Add-Ons
- +Private Bedouin tent upgrade: +AED 150/tent
- +Quad bike (30 min): +AED 75/person
- +Abu Dhabi pickup: +AED 40/person
- +Couple romantic setup (rose petals, candles): +AED 200
Private Evening Safari
Up to 6 pax included in vehicle price | Infant (0-2): Free
Your own 4x4 Land Cruiser - flexible timing, ideal for families & groups
What's Included
- Dedicated private 4x4 Land Cruiser (up to 6 guests)
- Private certified driver & off-road guide
- Flexible pickup time (choose your slot)
- Dune bashing on private route
- Camel ride + sandboarding
- Sunset photography
- Henna & Arabic costume
- Full BBQ buffet dinner at camp
- Live entertainment shows
- Unlimited soft drinks & Arabic coffee
- Hotel pickup & drop-off (Dubai/Sharjah)
Optional Add-Ons
- +Quad bike: +AED 75/person (30 min)
- +Abu Dhabi pickup: +AED 100 flat (entire vehicle)
- +7-seater vehicle upgrade: +AED 100
- +Overnight upgrade: +AED 400 extra
PremiumPrivate Overnight Safari
Up to 6 pax included in vehicle price | Infant (0-2): Free
Total privacy, luxury Bedouin camp, full 18-hour experience
What's Included
- Private 4x4 Land Cruiser with dedicated guide
- All activities from the Overnight Safari
- Private Bedouin tent for your group
- Exclusive BBQ dinner setup (separate from other groups)
- Stargazing & morning camel trek
- Arabic breakfast next morning
- Flexible pickup time
- Hotel pickup & drop-off (Dubai/Sharjah)
Optional Add-Ons
- +Romantic setup (couple): +AED 200
- +Abu Dhabi pickup: +AED 100 flat
- +Quad bike: +AED 75/person
- +Professional photography: +AED 150
What's Not Included (All Packages)
- ×Personal travel insurance
- ×Gratuities for guide & driver (optional, appreciated)
- ×Alcoholic beverages
- ×Quad biking & dune buggy (available as add-on, prices listed per package)
- ×Abu Dhabi pickup surcharge (unless specified)
- ×Professional photography (available as add-on)
Important Notes & Conditions
- Not recommended for: pregnant women, or guests with back/neck problems or heart conditions (for dune bashing)
- Quad biking: minimum age 10 years (self-drive), 16+ recommended. An indemnity form must be signed.
- Dune bashing can be skipped - the camel ride and camp experience are still fully available
- Dress code: comfortable, loose clothing. A light jacket is recommended for evenings, as the desert gets cool.
- Pickup time: evening safari pickups are typically 3:00-4:00 PM, with drop-off by 10:00-10:30 PM
- Cancellation: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour
- Weekend surcharge (Fri-Sat): AED 20-30 per person extra on shared packages
- Summer (Jun-Sep): 10-20% discount available - temperatures exceed 40°C, so early morning/evening tours are recommended
Gallery.
Desert Safari FAQ.
All shared packages include hotel pick-up and drop-off, dune bashing, camel riding, sandboarding, and henna painting. Evening, Premium and Overnight packages add a full BBQ buffet dinner, unlimited soft drinks and Arabic coffee, and live Tanoura, belly dance and fire shows. Quad biking, dune buggies, shisha and private vehicle upgrades are available as paid add-ons on every package.
Evening safari pick-up from your hotel is typically between 3:00 PM and 4:00 PM depending on your location. The safari returns to your hotel by approximately 10:00-10:30 PM. The Morning Safari starts earlier to beat the heat, and the Overnight Safari pick-up is around 3:00 PM with a hotel drop-off the next morning around 8:00-9:00 AM.
Yes. Infants (0-2 years) travel free on every package, and children (3-11 years) get a discounted rate. Dune bashing can be skipped if needed - the camel ride and camp experience are still fully available. Quad biking specifically has a minimum self-drive age of 10 years (16+ recommended), and an indemnity form must be signed.
Comfortable, loose clothing is recommended. A light jacket is a good idea for evening and overnight tours, as the desert gets cool after sunset. Sandals or open shoes are fine.
The Evening, Quad Bike, Premium and Overnight packages include a full BBQ buffet dinner with both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. The Morning Safari includes a light Arabic breakfast (dates, coffee, light snacks) instead of dinner. Please mention any dietary restrictions when booking.
Yes. Our Private Evening Safari (AED 699/vehicle) and Private Overnight Safari (AED 1,099/vehicle) both include a dedicated 4x4 Land Cruiser and driver for up to 6 guests, with flexible pickup timing. Group bookings of 8 or more people on shared packages can also ask about discounted group rates.
In respect of UAE laws and the cultural setting of the desert camp, alcoholic beverages are not served. Soft drinks, water, Arabic coffee and tea are unlimited on the Evening, Quad Bike, Premium, Overnight and Private packages. Shisha is available as a paid add-on (or included on the Premium package).
Pickup is included from Dubai and Sharjah on every package. Abu Dhabi pickup carries a surcharge of around AED 40 per person on shared packages, or a flat AED 100 on private 4x4 packages (for the whole vehicle).
Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the tour. A weekend surcharge of AED 20-30 per person applies on Friday and Saturday departures for shared packages - weekday bookings (Tuesday to Thursday) are the cheapest. During summer (June-September) a 10-20% discount is available, and early morning or evening tours are recommended due to temperatures exceeding 40°C.
WhatsApp us the package name, date, number of adults and children, and your pickup location. We confirm availability and your exact pickup time within minutes. No prepayment is required for most packages - you simply pay on pickup.
Ready to ride the dunes?
Book your Dubai desert safari with Big Bird Travel today - WhatsApp us for instant confirmation.