Joining a Dubai desert safari tour is the best option for seeing the desert especially since you won’t have to worry about honing your off-road driving skills. There are many tour companies that offer desert tours. We went through Viator, a tour company that arranges excursions from local tour providers. The tour was easy to book online in advance. It was our first visit to the desert and we sought an experience that included dune bashing, camel rides, and dinner in a Bedouin camp.
Dubai Desert Safari Tour Highlights:
Tour Pick Up
We were picked up from our hotel in the mid-afternoon by a 4×4 vehicle that sat up to 7 passengers. Aside from my friend and I in the 4×4, there was a family of 3 so we had plenty of room to spare. Once in the desert, our tour vehicle joined up with other tour vehicles – there were roughly 10 AWDs in all.
Sand Dunes
It was my first time in a desert and I was absolutely mesmerized by the sand dunes! I relished every moment the sand melted into my toes and spilled through my fingers like flour through a sifter. The granules of sand was so fine it actually felt like powder. Desert sand was a huge departure from Caribbean and Mexico sand that I only knew up until this point. Look down at the ground and you’ll notice sand art all around you. The fine granules of sand molds to the wind’s every whim, shape-shifting and settling into mysterious lines. My first experience scaling sand dunes was one to remember!
Photo-Ops
The dunes in the Arabian Desert were very low in comparison to some of the world’s taller dunes (it’s nothing like Namibia’s Dune 45) but with the right angles, you can alter the perception of height in your photographs.
There were 2 separate dune photo-ops on this tour. If you seek any opportunity to capture moments like me, you’ll appreciate the late afternoon sunlight that provides a warm glow against a crisp blue sky.
Dune Bashing
If you normally experience motion sickness, pop some motion sickness pills for this portion of the tour! Dune bashing is an exhilarating drive across the sand dunes in your 4×4 vehicle as your driver maneuvers over every hill and valley. This was almost done in synchronization with other 4x4s on the tour. It was fun for the first 5 minutes; after that, I was ready for the driver to stop showing off his driving skills.
Camel Farm
There was a brief visit to a camel farm.
Bedouin Camp
Next, we were transported to a Bedouin camp where we spent the evening portion of the tour. This part of the tour was very touristy. There were cliché Arabian experiences like getting henna tattoos and smoking shisha. But it was all in good fun. You could also sand board and ride camels. Riding a camel gave me quite the jolt. The mammals stand so high up that when their front knees suddenly buckle, you drop to a 45 degree angle without any warning.
Bedouin Camp Buffet Dinner & Show
The camp’s self-serve buffet dinner included foods like hummus, olives, grilled lamb and chicken, lentil curry and Arabic coffee and dates to finish off. The quality of food was not the best, but after working up an appetite, it was just fine! Seating was first come first serve, on ground cushions under the stars or a tent. Dining entertainment included a traditional tanoura dance performance and belly dancers.
Planning tip: We joined the tour in December so the evening temperature was chilly. A light jacket is highly recommended.
Suggested time to spend: The tour was 5 hours. If you need more time for photography, look into private tour options.
Did I miss anything? Did you enjoy this post? Let me know in the comments below or by sharing it using the social media links!
Safe Travels!
xx Deb
Karin Altariq says
You must welcome Deb Che and I am sure this travel agency makes your every trip to Dubai very enjoyable.
Karin Altariq says
Hello, thanks for sharing this blog. I think your experience in the deserts of Dubai was very awesome. Here I also like to share my views about the desert safari in Dubai. Last week, I visited Dubai with my friends and the trip was very exciting and enjoyable. There are many travel agencies but according to one of my friends suggestion we choose Altdubai travel agency and it wouldn’t become a wrong decision. Due to this agency we enjoyed our trip a lot and it became very memorable for us.
Deb Che says
Hi Karen, thanks for reading 🙂 I haven’t heard of that particular travel agency but it’d be good to note for the next time I visit Dubai again. A good and reliable travel agency certainly make all the difference when travelling to a new country.