Top Things to Do and Insider Tips for Best Dubai Desert Safari Experience

You cannot go to Dubai and return without experiencing the desert safari. The desert is an integral part of Dubai. This is where life existed before the tribes started moving to the city. Currently, very few desert villages and desert tribes exist in the deserts of Dubai, but the Bedouin culture and heritage remains intact. Going on a desert safari in Dubai is a great way of experiencing this culture. Moreover, desert safaris are filled with adventure and fun, ensuring you a memorable time. If you are visiting Dubai and going on a desert safari for the first time, here is a comprehensive guide about the things to do in desert safari Dubai.

Indulge in Adventures Galore

One of the highlights of a desert safari is the adventurous activities it offers. On the top of the list is dune bashing. Easily the most exhilarating activity in a desert safari, dune bashing takes you on a rollercoaster ride on the ever-shifting sand dunes of the desert. You also get to experience traveling in the desert in the most authentic way, i.e., on camels. After camel riding, you can try balancing yourself while trying to slide down a sandboard. Another desert adventure on sand dunes is quad biking, which is a ride on the dunes on an ATV. Some desert safaris also offer paragliding, a ride on a fat bike, and a dune buggy ride as well. If you are an adventurous person, look for a desert safari tour that offers maximum adventurous activities.

Experience Arabic Hospitality and Culture

The adventures are only a part of the desert safari in Dubai. One of the best things to do here is enjoy the Arabian hospitality and culture. As you reach the desert camp, you will be served welcome drinks and dates. You also get to explore the desert camp that is decorated in the traditional Bedouin style. At the desert camp, you can relax while smoking a shisha. You can also try traditional Arabic clothes and take pictures. Henna artists are also available at the camp to decorate your palms with intricate henna designs. Delicious food and drinks are also served to enhance your overall experience.

Savor Innumerable Culinary Delights

Food is also a star attraction of desert safari Dubai. Here, you will get to enjoy authentic Middle Eastern cuisine. One of the best things about the food at the Dubai desert safari is the BBQ. You will get to taste a variety of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes on skewers. Apart from this, flavored rice, hummus, shawarma, falafel, etc., are a few other things you will get to enjoy at the desert safari camp. You will also be served delicious desserts at the desert safari camp dinner that usually includes a three-course meal. If you are on a morning desert safari, you are likely to enjoy a delicious Emirati breakfast served with aromatic Arabic coffee or tea.

Appreciate Traditional Performances

Once the sun sets and you are done with all the adventurous activities, it is time for some entertainment. Settle at your table and get ready to be amazed with some awesome performances. Most desert safaris have belly dance and Tanoura dance performances by graceful, professional dancers. Fire shows are also a part of some desert safaris in Dubai. You will also get to enjoy the rhythmic beats of the Arabian drums during the desert safari.

Witness One of the Best Sunset of Your Lifetime

If one needs to pinpoint at a magical moment of the evening desert safari, it must be the sunset. The desert is one of the hottest and harshest places to be during the day. The vast open land with literally no shade is brutal. But everything transforms when the sun is about to set. As the sun dips into the horizon, the entire place glows in a beautiful blend of orange and red colors with a touch of purple and blue. It is the right time to take out your camera (or your phone) and get some cool pictures to adorn your Instagram page.

Watch the Unique Desert Flora and Fauna

The desert may seem like a vast, barren land. But what most people do not know is that this landscape is filled with unique flora and fauna. Some desert safaris also include a wildlife tour, where you tour the desert on a camel, buggy, or ATV and get the chance to see a variety of flora and fauna of the place. It is best to go on a guided tour, so that you not only get to see the desert animals and plants but also get to know more about them.

Lie Under the Blanket of Stars

The desert camp is miles away from the bustling city of Dubai. It gives you a good opportunity to be cut off from the noise and crowds of the city and enjoy the peace and quietude of the desert. If you choose to go for an overnight desert safari, you can spend time lying on the sand and enjoy the star lit sky of the desert. Some desert camps also organize star gazing activities, complete with telescopes and experts who would tell you all about the mysteries of the star lit sky.

View the Desert Landscape from a Hot Air Balloon

Another special activity that is associated with the desert safari is the hot air balloon ride. Hot air balloon rides are part of morning desert safari and usually start early in the morning, even before sunrise. As the hot air balloon floats over the desert, you will witness the desert turning from dark to golden. If you are lucky, you will get to catch a glimpse of the wildlife of the desert, as they start to become active during the daytime. Hot air balloon ride is followed by desert adventurous activities and an Emirati breakfast.

Insider Tips for Dubai Desert Safari

• Time of the Day: If adventure is your main goal, the morning desert safari would be apt for you. However, the evening desert safari offers both adventure and entertainment.
• Dress Comfortably: Dress in comfortable clothes. Light, cotton clothes are perfect to keep you comfortable in the heat of the desert.
• Prepare for the Chilled Weather: Carry a jacket or a sweater, as the temperature in the desert drops after sunset.
• Stay Hydrated: Do not forget to drink lots of water and stay hydrated while exploring the different offerings of the desert safari.
• Pick the Right Shoes: Wear comfortable walking shoes, so that your feet remain protected from the hot sand.
• Choose the Right Sun Protection: Apply sunscreen and wear sunglasses and a hat to protect yourself from the sun.
• Opt for a Guided Dubai Desert Safari Tour: Always go for a guided desert safari tour, especially if you are going for the first time. This will ensure that you are safe. Also, these desert safari guides are experts in local culture, ensuring that you have an enriching experience.
• Keep the Desert Clean: Do not litter or cause any damage in the desert. Make sure that you leave the place like it was before you visited.
• Be Cautious: If you are pregnant, have chronic back pain or neck pain, or a heart patient, avoid dune bashing activity.
• Book in Advance: Book the desert safari tour in advance. The best ones get filled fast. So, research well and book the one that you like the best at least a few days beforehand.
• Travel Light: Do not carry heavy luggage while going on a desert safari. A small backpack with essentials would be enough.
• Keep Cash Handy: Carry some cash, especially if you want to buy some drinks or additional activities or experiences in the desert.

The desert safari experience in Dubai is something you must not miss. Knowing what to expect will help you prepare for your desert safari better and enjoy it to the maximum.