Desert Safari Dubai Highlights

In this guide, I will explain the Dubai desert safari highlights, from dune bashing to the camp activities, including BBQ dinner and live shows.

If you ask anyone what the must-do in Dubai is, the answer will be the same: the Dubai Desert Safari. The city is famous for luxurious hotels and malls, tall buildings, while the real charm of Dubai is in the desert. The desert safari is a must-do activity that lets you experience culture, entertainment, adventure, and relaxation in one place. The desert safari tour provides the full experience. Most people want to go on a desert safari, but don't know exactly what they'll find there. In this article, I will explain the detailed guide about the desert safari highlights and what you will experience there.

The Main Highlight: Dune Bashing

The driver picks you up from your hotel and takes you to the desert, but the real adventure starts here. The activity is called dune bashing. You will sit in a powerful 4 by 4 car with a professional driver, who guides you about the dune bashing, and then the real adventure starts. The vehicle surpasses the high dunes, and in the very next moment, it slips over the dunes, and like this, ups and downs will remain for some time. This is exactly like a roller coaster.

If you have a back problem, you should miss this activity. And if you get motion sickness easily, tell your driver before he starts so that he will drive gently over the dunes.

The Next One is Sandboarding

After the dune bashing driver stops the vehicle at the high dune for a break, where you can try the sandboarding, this is the boarding without the water or snow, it's on the sand, so it's named sandboarding. It is really an amazing activity.

It's a very simple and easy activity, and everyone can do it. You stand or sit on the wooden board, and someone pushes from behind, and you will slide down the side of the dune. Even if you fall, sand is very soft, and it will not hurt you; actually, it is part of the fun. Most people try this activity at once, because after sliding down, climbing to the dune is some workout.

The Golden Hour: Sunset Photography

After the dune bashing and sandboarding, the sun sets, and the reddish sand suddenly changes into a golden colour. In my opinion, these 20 minutes are the best of the whole trip. It is time to grab your phone or camera. Most of the drivers are good photographers, and they may help you to find the best lighting area to make your photos bright and beautiful, and also help you to make the best pose.

When the sand color changed, its looks like a painting in the desert.

Camel Riding Experience

As you reach the desert, you can find the line of camels waiting for you. Now it's time to ride on the camel. You will learn how older adults traveled across the sands before the SUVs existed. Usually, in standard desert safari packages, these rides last for 8 - 10 minutes. It's the highlight of old Dubai culture. It's really an amazing experience.

The Live Entertainment

After reaching the desert, you will be provided with a seating area where you can relax, and the stage performance will start.

The first activity will be the Tanoura dance, in which a male dancer with a light-up skirt comes to the stage and spins for over 15 - 20 minutes. It is a very wonderful experience. Sometimes, the dancer invites the kids to join him on stage.

The next activity is the fire show, in which a highly skilled group comes to the stage with fire sticks and turn it around at very high speed.

To wrap up the evening, a professional dancer came to the stage for a belly dance. It is not offered during the holy month and the Arafat days. If you plan to visit during these days, keep this thing in mind.

The BBQ Buffet Dinner

The food is the main highlight of your desert safari tour. After a long, adventurous, and entertainment acitivities, everyone is waiting for the food. The desert dinner is a massive buffet that caters to both meat lovers and vegetarians.

The buffet dinner typically includes:

1. Starter, salad of different varieties
2. The main course includes the Biryani, Samosas, Pakoras, and Tikka Boti with chutney and ketchup.
3. Dessert

Henna Painting, Arabic Costumes and Shisha Smoking

There is always a lady at the camp who is an expert at Henna art. This is a big highlight for women and children. You can get a beautiful design on your hand or wrist that lasts for a few days.

Most camps have local clothes. Most people wear and take pictures for memory. By putting on these clothes, you can imagine the cultural clothes. Men can try Kandura and Ghutra. And for women, there will be elegant abayas to wear.

For the adults, there is usually a designated Shisha area. You can relax on the cushions and try different flavors like double apple or mint. It gives you the social gathering majlis vibes.