What's Included in a Dubai Desert Safari Package

A standard Dubai desert safari (from AED 99 per person) includes hotel pickup, 15 to 20 minutes of dune bashing, a short camel ride, sandboarding, a BBQ buffet dinner, five live shows and unlimited soft drinks. Quad bikes, dune buggies, sofa seating, shisha at your table and alcohol cost extra.

That's the short version. The longer one is that two safaris at the same price can feel completely different once you're at the camp. Where you sit, how long you queue for dinner, and whether anyone else rides in your car all depend on the package. Here's how ours compare:

Standard evening desert safari (from AED 99 per person)

This is the safari most people mean when they say "desert safari Dubai". Pickup is usually around 2:00 pm, and you're back at your hotel at about 9:30 pm.

What's included

• Shared pickup and drop-off at your hotel or home, usually six people (up to seven) in the car
• Dune bashing in a Land Cruiser or Nissan Patrol for 15 to 20 minutes
• A sunset photo stop on the dunes
• A short camel ride
• Sandboarding
• Five live shows: belly dance, two fire shows, tanoura and Khaleeji dance
• Starters and a BBQ buffet dinner, with vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes
• Carpeted majlis seating with low tables and cushions
• Unlimited water, soft drinks, tea, coffee and snacks
• Henna for ladies
• Photos in Arabic dress (subject to availability)
• Free shisha in the camp's shisha area

Not included

• Quad bike and dune buggy rides
• A longer camel ride
• Alcoholic drinks
• Personal expenses

Good to know before you book

These are the things people usually only find out at the camp, so we'd rather tell you now:

• You sit on the floor. Seating is on carpets and cushions at low tables. It's comfortable for most people, but less so for older guests or anyone with back or knee trouble.
• Dinner isn't served straight away. The buffet usually opens about an hour to an hour and a half after you arrive at camp. Use that time for the camel ride, sandboarding and henna.
• Expect a queue for food. Everyone goes to the buffet at once, so on busy nights the line can be long.
• There's no waiter service. You collect your own food and drinks.
• The live BBQ grill is for VIP guests. Standard guests eat from the buffet.

None of this spoils the evening. It's still a great night out at a great price. It just helps to know what you're paying for.

VIP evening desert safari (from AED 149 per person)

The desert part is the same as the standard safari. The difference is how you spend the evening at the camp, which is most of the night. For about AED 50 more per person, it's the upgrade we recommend most, especially for families with older parents.

What's included

• Everything in the standard evening safari
• No waiting: your meal is ready when you reach the camp
• A live BBQ, grilled fresh, with no buffet queue
• VIP sofa seating for dinner and the shows, instead of floor cushions
• Waiter service for bottled water and soft drinks

Not included

• Exclusive pickup. On a shared VIP safari, other guests may ride in your car. For a car of your own, book a private safari with VIP options.
• Shisha at your table. It can be ordered for an extra charge.
• Waiter service for anything beyond soft drinks and water
• Quad bike and dune buggy rides
• Alcoholic drinks

Quad bike desert safari (from AED 285 per person)

For anyone who'd rather drive the dunes than sit in the back of a 4x4. After a short safety briefing, you get your own quad bike for 30 minutes, then carry on with the full evening.

What's included

• Everything in the standard evening safari
• A 30-minute quad bike ride on the dunes, with a safety briefing
• Free shisha in the camp's shisha area
• If you book it with our VIP safari, the VIP extras are included too: sofa seating, no wait for dinner and waiter service

Not included

• Exclusive pickup. It's only included if you book a private quad bike safari, so check that price before you book.
• Extra quad bike time beyond 30 minutes
• Alcoholic drinks

Premium / luxury desert safari (AED 885 for 2 people)

This one is for travellers who care more about the experience than the price, and want an evening that feels different from the standard safari. You get a car and guide to yourselves, more time in the dunes, and the VIP treatment at camp.

What's included

• Exclusive pickup and drop-off in a new 4x4, just for your group
• An experienced desert guide with real dune driving skills
• 30 minutes of exclusive dune bashing
• A 30-minute photo stop deep in the desert
• Sandboarding
• A longer camel ride, about 5 to 10 minutes
• A 30-minute quad bike ride
• VIP treatment at the camp: sofa seating, no wait for dinner and waiter service
• Everything else in the evening safari: the BBQ dinner, five shows, refreshments and henna

Not included

• Shisha at your table (extra charge)
• Dune buggy rides (available as a paid upgrade)
• Alcoholic drinks

Private desert safari (AED 750 for up to 6 people)

A private safari gives you the standard evening safari, but the car and the dune bashing are only for your family or friends. One price covers the whole car, so for a group of six it works out to about AED 125 each.

What's included

• Everything in the standard evening safari
• Exclusive pickup and drop-off for your group only
• Exclusive dune bashing: no strangers in your 4x4
• Complete privacy, with no extra hotel stops to collect other guests

Not included (ask us about upgrades)

• Instant meal access with no queue
• VIP sofa seating
• Shisha at your table
• Alcoholic drinks

The private safari takes care of the car and the drive. If you also want comfort at the camp, ask us to add the VIP options.

Morning desert safari (from AED 150 per person)

The morning safari is shorter and quieter. The desert is cooler, the light is soft for photos, and you're back in the city by around midday with the rest of the day free. It needs a minimum of three people, and the price per person depends on the group size, so ask us for the exact price before booking.

What's included

• Pickup and drop-off at your hotel or home
• Dune bashing over the red dunes
• A camel ride
• Sandboarding
• Photos in the middle of the desert
• Bottled water

Optional extras (paid)

• Dune buggy ride
• Quad bike ride
• Falcon photography

Not included

• Meals: no breakfast or lunch
• Entertainment or shows (these are part of the evening safari)
• Snacks and soft drinks

Premium extras and price traps to check before booking

Some activities come free with your tour. Others are premium and only come with the right package, or for an extra charge. This is where most desert safari complaints start: a cheap price online, then surprise costs at the camp.

These are premium on almost every safari, ours included:

Before you book with any company, ask these five questions:

1. Is pickup shared or private, and how many people will be in the car?
2. Is the seating on floor cushions or sofas?
3. Is dinner a buffet with a queue, or served at your table?
4. Are the quad bike and camel ride included, and for how long?
5. Is there anything I'll be asked to pay for at the camp?

We answer all of these before you book, in writing, so nothing comes as a surprise on the day. If anything isn't clear, just ask us. We'd rather spend five extra minutes on WhatsApp than have you disappointed in the desert.

Which desert safari package suits you?

A few more things worth knowing

• Timings: evening safaris usually pick up around 2:00 pm and drop off around 9:30 pm. Morning safaris finish by about midday.
• Who should skip dune bashing: it's bumpy. It isn't recommended for pregnant women, babies, or anyone with back, neck or heart problems. Tell us, and we'll arrange a gentler drive or suggest another option.
• Food: the buffet always has vegetarian dishes. If you have an allergy or special diet, tell us when you book.
• What to wear: light, loose clothes, closed shoes or sandals you don't mind filling with sand, and a light jacket for winter evenings. Our desert safari dress guide covers it in detail.
• During Ramadan: camps usually change the evening programme, and some shows may not run. We'll tell you exactly what's on when you book.

Frequently asked questions