The Dubai Desert Safari: A Primer for First-Timers

With numerous popular tourist attractions, a wide array of activities ranging from relaxing to exhilarating, and a diverse and exciting local food scene, it can really be hard to decide what to do first once you arrive for your holiday in Dubai.

But if you want to experience one of the most sought-after tourist activities here immediately, you won’t go wrong by going on a desert safari first.

If it’s your first time to go on a desert safari, here are some things you have to know about going on this exciting and memorable adventure:

1. There are three types of desert safari tours offered in Dubai

To suit your schedule and satisfy your expectations, choose from among these three, or experience them all:

• Morning desert safari

If you want to see the Dubai desert during the day, you need to book a morning desert safari. When you go on the morning tour, you will experience the usual activities such as dune bashing, camel trekking, and sand boarding. A morning desert safari tour can also be tailored according to your interests, preferences or budget.

• Evening desert safari

In case you only have time to explore the Dubai desert at night or you don’t want to do it while the sun is out, go on an evening desert safari instead. The tour starts in the afternoon so you will get the chance to see the sunset in the ocean of desert. You will also get to enjoy dune bashing, camel riding, sand boarding, and other activities with the beautiful sunset in the background as well.

At the end of the tour, you can eat to your heart’s content since a buffet dinner will be available at the camp. You can also sample authentic Arabic coffee, try smoking shisha, or get a henna tattoo. This outdoor dinner will also give you the opportunity to mingle with other travelers.

• Overnight desert safari

You can also explore more of the Dubai desert at night by signing up for an overnight package. You will experience all the usual activities, enjoy a great dinner, and great entertainment well into the night.

Depending on the package you choose, your accommodation for the night can either be a glammed-up tent or an ordinary one. Whichever you pick, you will get an idea of the lifestyle of the Bedouins of the UAE.

Don’t forget to take photos of the amazing Dubai sunrise as well. It is something worth waking up early for.  

2. Wear the right outfit and accessories to have an enjoyable time

Whether you are going on a morning or evening safari, wear light or comfortable loose clothing. However, make sure to bring a jacket if you sign up for a nighttime or overnight tour since it can get pretty cold in the Dubai desert in the evening.

It is also best to wear open shoes, sandals or flip-flops instead of covered shoes to prevent sand from getting inside your footwear. Another great option would be to wear hiking boots.

Don’t forget to wear sunglasses as well to prevent the dust and sand particles from irritating your eyes.

A hat will also serve you well, especially if you will be exploring the desert during the day. Remember to put on sunscreen before going out, too.

3. Pack light for the safari

Choose a medium-sized backpack or easy-to-carry bag to bring for the tour. Make sure you have a change of clothing if you are staying overnight and some basic toiletries especially since these won’t be provided by the tour operator.

Make sure you bring your medications as well. If you are prone to getting motion sickness, don’t forget to pack anti-nausea medicine.

Do not bring large amounts of cash, expensive things like jewelry and laptops, and other items that you will simply worry about or be encumbered with while you are out in the desert. For the safari, your smartphone and/or camera will be enough to capture the wonderful sights and your amazing experiences.

4. Choose a good tour operator

Lastly, your first desert safari will either be fun and unforgettable or boring and disappointing because of the tour operator you pick. As such, choose a company that has a good reputation, has already been operating for years and has constantly met the expectations of their customers.

To be sure you will choose a reputable tour operator, ask your friends or acquaintances in Dubai for their recommendations.

Read reviews about the tour operators and their packages as well. You should also get in touch with the tour operator to get an idea of the quality of their customer service and to find out if they can provide any extra desert activity you want to try.

A stay in one of the best hotels in Dubai will ensure you will have an excellent holiday here, too.

Trying out different activities and experiences, including the world-famous Dubai desert safari, will also guarantee that you will have a truly unforgettable and enjoyable time in the UAE.

AUTHOR BIO

Hafiz Umer Ali Zaib is the Social Media Specialist at Luxury Tours, a leading provider of tours, cruises and safaris across the UAE. The company’s top offerings include the Dubai Desert Evening Safari, City Tours, Dhow Cruises, Mountain Tours, Limousine Service, Discounted Tickets for theme parks and a variety of many other excursions.

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