For many, Dubai is synonymous with luxury and modernity. However, the city offers a wide variety of activities. A desert safari can be a great tourist activity, so we invite you to discover the reasons to opt for this experience.
The Middle East is a very diverse tourist destination. The United Arab Emirates offers a wide range of activities, from extreme luxury to the pleasures of the arid nature. Regarding this second theme, one of the best things to see and do in Dubai is a dune safari.
The following article gives you all the details about the different experiences you can have if you decide to include a desert safari in your next visit to Dubai.
And while you're there, don't miss out on the city's must-sees!
What activities can I do on a Dubai safari?
A Dubai safari is a recommended tourist activity because of the different experiences included within the same itinerary. Up to three different activities are included in the same safari:
Sandboarding Sandboarding in the dunes of the Dubai desert is a very fun activity. It is surfing, but in this case it is done on sand hills at full speed. This activity is primarily aimed at adults, but it can also be practiced by children of the appropriate size and weight.
Duration : A sandboarding session on a Dubai safari lasts a maximum of one and a half hours.
Price : This sport activity is usually part of excursions that cost around 60-70 euros per person.Jeep tours in the dunes
Jeep tours in the desert dunes are an essential part of the best safaris in Dubai. A must on all these tours. These are not just any Jeeps, but luxurious, state-of-the-art 4×4 vehicles.
Duration : The duration of a Jeep ride in the dunes depends on the activities included in the safari. The vehicle is usually the means of transportation between the road and the camel meeting point or the camp for dinner.
Price : This is directly related to the cost of the safari, as the Jeep is an integral part of the experience.Camel Rides Camel rides in Dubai are a major attraction if you have never had the chance to get close to these animals before . They are almost always part of a safari and sometimes include stops along the way for a picnic on the sand.
Duration : Camel rides can last from one to two hours, depending on the safari chosen. There will likely be stops for rest and refreshment.
Price : Safaris in Dubai that include a camel ride usually cost around 70 Euros per person. The price is the same when the safari is combined with other activities.Dinner with entertainment
Dinner shows in the Dubai desert are one of the main attractions of Dubai safaris. They are directly inspired by Bedouin culture and most often include a dance show and theatrical performances. Falcon shows can also be arranged, as the Bedouin are experts in training falcons.
Duration : the average duration of this type of dinner is about three hours, although some are shorter depending on the time of year and the number of participants.
Price : about 80 euros per person, but some packages are more expensive. Especially if it is a more exclusive experience.Quad racing
Driving at high speed on a sandy track is an activity often included in safaris. A quad bike tour in the Dubai desert is a great way to get a rush of adrenaline and feel comfortable behind the wheel of this type of vehicle. Children can also participate in this activity, provided they are over 10 years old and accompanied by an adult.
Duration : The duration of this type of safari is usually one hour, included in the time slot of the safari.
Price : The activity costs about 80 euros per person. A desert quad ride is often combined with other activities, such as a dinner show.
How to participate in a safari in Dubai?
Prices for a safari in Dubai vary between 50 and 100 euros per person. These prices are for tours shared with other participants. A private safari is significantly more expensive. To book the experience, you can do so online at a site such as Hellotickets. Going on a safari in Dubai is neither complicated nor difficult, and there are many fun ways to explore the dunes. It all depends on the package you choose. It can be a 4×4 tour, dinner in a camp in the middle of the desert, sometimes a camel ride, etc.
Are there any guided safari tours in Dubai and is it worth it?
Most safaris in Dubai are guided tours, as tourists often have no idea how to drive in the desert dunes. There is also little historical detail to learn about the desert. For each safari, the guides are specialists in the proposed activity. Professional drivers specialized in desert driving, professional camel drivers, etc.
Who can go on safari in Dubai?
Going on a safari in Dubai is a great experience for everyone. It is perfectly suited for families, entertaining for both adults and children. The long duration of the safari allows you to have a good time throughout the day. Men and women can all participate in the most extreme activities.
Children are allowed to participate in a quad ride, but only if they are in the same vehicle as their parents or legal guardians. For sandboarding, there is no limit and they can enjoy the steep sand slopes just like adults.
There are plenty of other interesting activities for children in Dubai. It is one of the most commercially dynamic cities in the world. The best theme parks in Dubai are among them. You will be amazed at their size and how entertaining they are for the whole family.
How long does a safari in Dubai take?
Time is an important consideration when deciding to go on a Dubai safari. Including various activities, most of these experiences last more than four hours or can extend up to seven hours.
That's why we recommend booking a Dubai safari on a day when you don't have too many plans in the morning and are free in the afternoon. The activities usually end just after sunset. You will have the rest of the evening to enjoy Dubai and its vibrant cultural life.
Tips for going on safari in Dubai
Although desert safari is one of the most recommended tourist activities in the United Arab Emirates, there are some very useful tips for visiting the Dubai desert. Keep in mind that this is a natural area with very specific climatic conditions, which can be difficult for some people. Therefore, it is best to take precautions when participating in this type of excursion. To know:
Do it during the winter months
Dubai's location in a desert area of the Middle East makes it one of the hottest cities in the world, especially during the summer season. For this reason, it is best to go on a desert safari during the cooler months, from mid-November to March.
Free all day
The best thing you can do to make the most of a Dubai safari, which lasts about seven to eight hours, is not to plan anything in the morning and afternoon. The best way to be in optimal shape to have fun playing in the sand and learning about Bedouin traditions. Don't forget that Dubai is also a nightlife city. When you return from your desert adventure, there will be other activities to keep you entertained, even after midnight.
Wear comfortable, breathable clothing
Participating in a Dubai safari is all about having maximum fun in this limitless natural space. The clothes you choose are very important. They should allow you to move freely and feel perfectly comfortable during camel rides and sandboarding sessions, if included in your tour.
Appropriate clothing is also necessary to cope with the high temperatures. In fact, it is essential that they are cool, breathable and do not attract the sun's rays. Otherwise, you will have a hard time enduring the heat of the Middle Eastern desert.
Footwear is another essential aspect when preparing for a Dubai safari. Wear shoes that are suitable for walking in the sand for a long time.