Adventure in the Desert: A Basic Guide for Anyone

Have you ever seen a vast, golden desert? Picture yourself driving through towering sand dunes at high speed. The sunset sinks beneath the dunes, and you’re enjoying dinner under the canvas of night. That's what a desert safari is like. It is one of the most exciting experiences in Dubai. This guide breaks down everything in simple terms.

What Is a Desert Safari?

A desert safari is an excursion in the desert. The experience is one of driving a large 4x4 into the sand, where a driver takes you deep into the desert for fun activities, food, and enjoying the scenery.

It is an experience that goes beyond just driving. It includes food and cultural experiences. The most common desert safari locations in Dubai are Lahbab and Al Badayer, both featuring towering red sand dunes.

DID YOU KNOW Desert safari experiences range from 4 hours to 18 hours, depending on the type you choose. The short ones are known as morning or evening safaris, and the long ones are called overnight safaris.

What is the process like?

The journey begins at your accommodation. A driver arrives in a large SUV, specially built for desert driving. As you leave the city, the buildings decline in number, and the road is eventually replaced by sand. It is like entering another world.

Peaceful, enormous, and beautiful. As the adventure begins, the driver lowers the tire pressure. This is done so that the car can travel over the soft sand more easily.

GOOD TO KNOW Being in the car is completely safe. Going over the dunes is all part of the fun. The drivers are expertly trained for this purpose, and they definitely know what they're doing. Your safety is their top priority.

Dune Bashing — The Most Exciting Part

Dune bashing is the number one activity. The car drives up and down the sand dunes and slides down their other sides. It is just like a giant roller coaster. Your heart starts to race, you grip your seat, and you scream in excitement! While it may sound dangerous, it is completely the opposite.

The driver knows the safest way to go. On the other hand, if you are the type of person to not enjoy rides of this sort, just communicate that to the driver, and he will be more than happy to do a nice calm drive.

PARENT TIP Dune bashing is suitable for most kids. However, if your child is prone to easily becoming car sick, then it would be wise to request a gentle drive to avoid any possible sickness.

Sandboarding — Like Snowboarding But on Sand

When it is finally time to sandboard, you will exit the vehicle. This is another fun activity. You will be boarding down an actual sand dune. This is similar to snowboarding, just without the snow, of course.

No special skills are required to be able to do this. Sand is soft to land on, so you will not be injured if you fall. Just get up and try again. Many people claim that this was the best part of their trip.

Quad Biking and Dune Buggies

Trying quad biking is the best way to add more adventure to your trip. Quad bikes are small four-wheeled vehicles. You get to ride your own and drive it through the sand. The quad bikes are really easy and fun to drive.

You will have a guide to show you the area you are allowed to drive in. Dune buggies are meant for more thrill. They are bigger, faster, and have a lot more powerful engines. If you love adventure, both activities are completely worth the extra cost.

Watching the Sunset in the Desert

This part of the tour is more calm, and it is beautiful in a magical way. As the sun sets, the colors of the desert will change. The sand starts with a dull yellow, and with the setting sun, it will change to a deep, rich orange, then a dark, bold red. At the same time, the sky goes from blue to a soft hue of pink and bold burgundy.

The whole tour stops somewhere with a nice view for a photo opportunity. Most people just sit in the silence and stare out. It's one of those memories you will have locked in your brain for the rest of your life.

PHOTO TIP If you want to get some nice photos with the desert sunset without using a filter, I suggest taking a photo 15 minutes before the sun sets to capture a nice warm light.

The Desert Camp — Food and Culture

After all the adventures, you will end your day by going to a desert camp. The camp is designed to look like an old Arabian village. You will see a lot of rugs on the ground, and cushions to sit on, and the lights are really soft and relaxing.

While at the camp, you can:

• Experience a camel ride

• Henna on your hand

• Drink some traditional Arabic coffee

• Enjoy eating some dates

• Don some Arabic traditional clothing for photos

Shows and Entertainment

The entertainment starts in the evening, and you can enjoy a Tanoura show. The dancer spins beautifully in a skirt that opens into a large circle. A fire show is also scheduled for the dark desert night, which looks incredible.

The performances are done to entertain visitors and share a part of the local culture based on old Arab traditions.

Dinner in the Desert

Food is a big part of the safari experience. Expected in the buffet style dinner are:

• Grilled chicken and lamb

• Rice dishes

• Fresh salads

• Bread and dips

• Soft drinks and water

If you are a vegetarian, the food is almost always available; just let the tour operator know when you are booking. Opening up the desert, with stars watching, is a great experience. The bonus of booking an overnight safari is that it will make the trip a lot longer. You can enjoy some clean and comfortable tents in the desert when you sleep.

BEST SEASON FOR OVERNIGHT The best time for booking an overnight safari is from October to April. Summer nights can be unbearably hot, so the clear and comfortable nights of spring and autumn are great to spend sleeping under the stars.