We do not necessarily think of the desert safari Dubai when planning a trip to Dubai. We often imagine in the first place the huge buildings, the artificial islands and the luxury hotels. One could almost forget that this very modern city was still not so long ago a simple fishing village, lost in the middle of an arid desert.
During a stay in Dubai, going on an excursion to this desert will probably be one of the most memorable experiences you can have. For my part, it is an outing that I never miss when I return to the emirate. From a simple walk in the dunes to a real safari, passing by hot air balloon flights over the desert, a large number of activities are possible in the desert safari Dubai.
In this short guide, I will show you the different ways to explore the Dubai desert.
PLAN A DUBAI DESERT TOUR
The Rub al-Khali desert extends over approximately 650,000 km² and represents the largest expanse of sand in the world. This desert has always been the natural habitat of the people of the region. Many of the locals in Dubai are direct descendants of the Bedouins, and the desert still retains a very important place in local traditions and culture today. Starting from Dubai, you won’t have to go very far to truly enter the desert.
The first dunes await you directly on the outskirts of the city, just twenty kilometers away.
The first thing to do will be to choose your type of excursion.
Whichever activity you choose round-trip transport between Dubai and the desert will be included. To go to the Dubai desert, you will have several choices:
The 4×4 safari
The camel excursion
Flying over the desert by helicopter or hot air balloon
Buggy or quad tour
ATV or motocross excursion
As you can see, you will therefore have the choice between very different ways of discovering this desert. I will detail each of these options later in this short guide.
To properly prepare for your outing in the desert, it will be important to dress accordingly. The dress rules of the United Arab Emirates are of course still in force in the desert. You must therefore respect them. Dubai is a place of welcome and tolerance, so you will have no obligation to wear the veil or the burqa. You just have to avoid wearing outfits considered provocative (yes I know it’s actually not terrible but that’s how it is…), and cover yourself well from shoulders to knees.
For the rest, it will directly depend on the season in which you plan to make your trip to Dubai.
The desert is not a place where it is hot all year round. On the contrary, if you leave during the winter period, I really advise you to bring at least one sweater. During the summer, on the other hand, a good sunscreen will be absolutely essential, and it will even be useful to provide a headgear.
If you do not know when to go to Dubai, do not hesitate to consult my article on the subject
TAKE A 4X4 SAFARI IN THE Desert Safari Dubai
The all-terrain vehicle safari is the most popular and accessible option. A large number of formulas will be offered to you, but as a general rule, they plan to leave for a few hours in the desert to enjoy the landscapes and feel some sensations while crossing the sand dunes at full speed.
Depending on the formula you choose, the duration of these excursions will vary, and you can also enjoy certain bonuses, such as the possibility of admiring a sunset in the desert or enjoying a barbecue in a Bedouin camp. You can even attend a belly dancing show and spend the night there if you wish.
These excursions are offered at prices ranging from approximately €30 to €100. I still advise you to avoid the shortest excursions. The tours that are scheduled to last only a handful of hours will only take you to places too close to Dubai and too crowded with tourists for you to really enjoy the beauty of the desert.
This excursion is offered as part of the Dubai pass. If you want to go on a 4×4 safari in the desert, this pass quickly becomes interesting.
STAY THE NIGHT IN DUBAI DESERT
The various activities offered to discover the Dubai desert are most of the time departing from Dubai itself. But as an option, you can often choose to spend a night in the dessert, either in a hotel or in a typical Bedouin camp. This will allow you to end a day rich in discoveries in style, or to be there to start a visit early in the morning. It will also be an opportunity to watch a sunset and a sunrise in the desert safari dubai deals.
Even in the middle of the desert, you will still find yourself in the emirate of Dubai and therefore the various accessible hotels will have all the comforts you may need. However, they offer a typical desert atmosphere, quite different from that of the hotels in the city. Rooms in these hotels are available from around €100 per night. For all the activities you want to do in the desert, you will be picked up from the hotel and driven back to the place once your excursion is over.
GO MOTOCROSS OR MOUNTAIN BIKE IN THE DUNES
Motorcycling is another way to discover the Dubai desert on the occasion of a sporty and thrilling outing. During these motocross excursions, professional instructors will be there to accompany you and guide you to some remarkable sites. These outings are not only reserved for experienced pilots, and some circuits are also planned for beginners. In addition to the vehicle, all protective equipment will be provided at the start of this activity.
If all those motorized vehicles don’t appeal to you that much, then maybe going mountain biking in the desert will suit you more. Here you can make your excursion at your own pace, in order to enjoy nature on these bikes which are specially designed to easily roll on the sand, thanks to their very wide tires.
