Known for its skyscrapers and glitz, the city also has a hidden secret outside of its urban centers — the great, exciting desert. Nothing could be more epic than taking a safari through the deserts of Dubai when someone speaks about a dream trip. Whether you love adventure or sugary nature, this adventure gives you something that you will never forget.
The Journey Begins
Your Dubai desert safari gets underway with a pickup from your hotel in a 4×4 — most often a tough Land Cruiser that can conquer the desert. The departure through golden ridges out of the jungle of the city is startling. The true thrill, we learn, arrives when your driver masterfully maneuvers the continuously re-forming sands in a pulse-quickening round of dune bashing — a franchise ride across the steep dunes that annihilates the desert quiet with whoops of delight.
A Photographer’s Paradise
After the heart racing dune bashing, the safari will stop at a point of interest for visitors to take some photos and appreciate the mind blowing desert scenery. When the sun approaches dusk, the sky illuminates with the shades of orange, pink, and purple. A photographic delight, the golden hour shines its light on Arabian desert beauty.
Sandboarding and Camel Rides
And for the more adventurous, sandboarding offers a heart-pumping way to surf down the dunes. It’s a similar activity to snowboarding, except instead of thrilling ice-coated mountains, you coast down hot, silky sands. Camel rides are a great way to add the classic Bedouin charm of travel to the experience if you want a more traditional form of desert transport. Dubbed the ‘ships of the desert,’ camels provide a more leisurely mode of transportation, allowing travelers to take in the idyllic surroundings.
Immersing in Bedouin Culture
On the return journey as the sun starts to set, safari will take you to a traditional Bedouin-style tent, where all guests are greeted with Arabic coffee (Gahwa) along with sweet dates and refreshing drinks. (This has carpets and low seating all around, and gives a very Arabian feel to it, even lanterns.)
One of the evening’s highlights is the opportunity to wear traditional Emirati dress and have your photograph taken. Also, guests can get intricate henna tattoos, which have long been practiced in the area.
An outdoor banquet underneath the stars
A feast of feasts for Arabian food lovers is a must if you want to make an Arabian safari experience worth it. The buffet dinner includes a selection of Middle Eastern food such as grilled meats, hummus, falafel and fresh Arabic bread cooked on the premises. These flavours can be savoured sitting on soft cushions under the sky, with stars in sight.
Enchanting Live Entertainment
An astonishing series of performances bursts the night open. Salar traditional Tanoura dancers spin in colorful skirts as visual spectacles. Alluring belly dancers sway to Middle Eastern music, and fire dancers to really light up the night! A classy experience in the beautiful desert environment serving you music and dance.
Stargazing and Relaxation
Afterward, guests can hang out near the campfire and do some stargazing. And in the desert, far away from the city’s bright lights, the night sky opens to thousands of twinkling stars. It’s a nice send-off for the day, given the shenanigans that have taken place and the calm of the infinite sea of desert.
The Bottom Lines
A Dubai desert safari is more than just a tour, it is the immersion in the roots of Arabian adventure and culture. From high-octane dune bashing to serene camel rides, cultural encounters and delectable food, this adventurous experience is one everyone visiting Dubai should try. A peaceful desert landscape and the traditional UAE way of life are waiting for you.
