From my time in modern Dubai, one of the things I remember with the most incredible emotion is the desert safari we did. Actually. It’s not a Safari but a 4×4 expedition through the desert dunes outside Dubai. It’s not for everyone, but if you dare, it’s VERY FUN!
What is included?
- Includes barbecue dinner
- Arabic tea, coffee and dates.
- Limited water and soft drinks at camp
- 4×4 dune bashing
- Camel riding
- sand boarding
- belly dance show
- air-conditioned vehicle
- henna painting
- smoking hookah
The adventure begins in the late afternoon when the driver stops by the hotel to pick up passengers. They all get into the beautiful 4×4 (the majority are Land Rovers) and head out on the road to the desert. After walking for a while, the trucks get into the sand and start walking through the dunes without getting too much into the most complicated ones. They usually will see what is going on before the most fun begins; they stop to wait for other vans from the same company and ask them to put on their seat belts. And then, yes, the drivers compete to see who can launch the fastest through the desert, going up and down the dunes and tilting the truck to impossible limits! More than once, you will feel that the vehicle will fall or that it is very tilted but don’t worry! The drivers have everything under control. In addition to the roller coaster feeling, what happens to the other trucks that travel with you is very entertaining: they get buried, and others have to help dig them up, they take a climb very quickly, and they leave the ground a little bit. Same thing with your vehicle, but you don’t see it.
Incredible sunsets:
After this tour, the drivers usually look for a quiet place and let them get off to appreciate the sunset in the desert, something INCREDIBLE and beautiful, leaving even the most talkative speechless.
After sunset, the expedition through the dunes resumes again until reaching a camp where the fun continues.
Camel ride:
Usually, I am against the use of animals to entertain tourists, but I must say that I have never seen camels better cared for or as chubby as the ones outside the camp. Talking with the guide, he told us they rest all day and are only taken out to work when the small group of tourists arrives, whoever wants to have the option of getting on a camel (no small ones, they are super big and chubby) and take a little ride on these beautiful animals.
After this, they can go to the camp, which consists of a stage surrounded by tables and cushions to sit where they can eat and drink at will, enjoy typical dances of the place and dress up as a sheikh or get Henna tattoos.
After they ate and drank to taste, they returned to the 4×4, and by road, they returned to the hotel.
The prices of the excursion:
The excursion prices vary where you buy it, but it usually starts at 55 Euros, you can get it for 120 as well. It depends on the demand and the anticipation with which they take it out. The price usually includes everything, from the transfer and the walk through the dunes to the food, the Henna tattoo and the drink, but always ask beforehand in case of doubt! Even the most daring can also practice Sandboarding on the dunes; for this, they charge an additional fee.
Pickup service is offered for travellers.
Arabian Adventures is an UAE-based company, and our pickup locations are within Abu Dhabi. Unfortunately, we do not offer pickup from Dubai or any other emirate except Abu Dhabi. Instead, we deliver to pick you up from any hotel or mall in Abu Dhabi or the Abu Dhabi cruise terminal.
Covid-19 precautions at the desert safari:
A note from Afternoon Desert Safari with BBQ Dinner, Henna Painting, Camel Ride and Belly Dance.
The guest must be able to show their negative PCR within 14 days and proof of vaccination card in case the Al Hosn app is not available.
What can you expect during your visit?
- Regular temperature checks for staff.
- High-traffic areas are frequently disinfected.
- Temperature checks for tour participants upon arrival.
- Gel alcohol available for travellers and staff.
- Frequent disinfection of transport vehicles.
- Contactless payment of tips and additional charges.
- Masks, chinstraps or face coverings are required for guides in public areas.
- Stay-at-home paid leave policy for staff members displaying symptoms.
- Equipment is disinfected between each use.
- Masks face coverings or masks are required for travellers in public areas.
- Social distancing is needed throughout the experience.
