Top things to do in Dubai’s desert

Key takeaways
- 1. Quad Biking
- 2. Off-road driving
- 3. Hot Air Balloon Ride
- 4. Camel Safari
- 5. Sandboarding
- 6. Falconry Demonstration
- 7. Traditional Dance Shows and Performances
- 8. BBQ Dinner Under the Stars
- 9. Stargazing
- 10. Visit Tomorrow land in the desert
- 11. Visit a spa resort in the desert
- 12. Visit an eco-restaurant in the middle of the dunes
- Conclusion
- FAQ
Dubai is a fantastic city with giant skyscrapers, heavenly beaches, theme parks, and historical landmarks. Luxury cars, fashionable restaurants, and huge shopping malls are everywhere. However, your trip to Dubai will not be complete without visiting the Arabian desert. This is a magical place that will give you a lot of unforgettable emotions. It does not matter whether you like active leisure (quad biking, sandboarding, etc.) or prefer peace and tranquility; you will not be bored in the Dubai desert. It offers the perfect combination of excitement and relaxation among pristine natural beauty.
However, before you set off on a trip, make sure that a comfortable car will be waiting for you when you leave the desert to take you to your hotel or apartment. For this, you can use the luxury car hire service from Trinity Rental. Service fleet comprises over 80 automobiles with minimal mileage, including the latest 2024 models.You can rent Lamborghini, Rolls-Royce, Porsche, Bentley, McLaren, and other luxury supercars with minimal mileage. Among them are models released in 2023-2024 as part of a limited series. Rental price includes increased daily 300 km mileage and full insurance, toll roads, and VAT. The Trinity Rental manager will ensure the car arrives on time at your specified location (hotel, airport, apartment, business center, restaurant, and nightclub). You can pay for the service in cash, by credit card, or cryptocurrency. No deposit required for the rental period. You can get a Ferrari rental in just a few clicks. To do this, go to the Trinity Rental website, select the car model, and indicate your phone number and rental period. After that, your manager will contact you to agree on all the details. He is ready to answer your questions at any moment.
1. Quad Biking
Quad biking is one of the most thrilling activities when visiting the desert in UAE. While driving through the dunes, you will get an adrenaline rush and feel the spirit of adventure. Riding a giant quad bike through challenging terrain without obstacles is an unrivaled experience you will not get anywhere else. All you need to do is choose a route in the desert (within the permitted driving zone) and press the gas pedal. This is a great way to enjoy the beauty of the Arabian Desert away from the crowds of tourists.
- Time: About an hour.
- Cost: About AED 135.
- Where to go: Big Red Adventure Tours, Dubai — Hatta Road, Sharjah, UAE.
2. Off-road driving
Dune Bashing is another great activity in the Dubai desert. In a massive SUV, you ride through giant dunes, each climb giving you breathtaking views of the desert landscape.
Powerful jeeps under the control of experienced drivers will carry you along the dunes, overcoming steep climbs and descents. Photos and selfies are mandatory conditions for participating in this entertainment.
- Time: about 45 minutes.
- Cost: about 200 dirhams.
- Where to go: Emirates Holiday Building, Sheikh Zayed Road, Business Bay — Dubai.
3. Hot Air Balloon Ride
A hot air balloon ride is an unforgettable adventure, allowing you to discover Dubai from a new perspective. You will enjoy the thrill of flying above the clouds and admiring the stunning desert landscapes. During the flight, you will see a fantastic sunset and herds of Arabian oryx and gazelles that roam freely across the vast desert expanses. It is like a fairy tale, especially at a time when the colors of the morning sky are constantly changing. Only here can you see the sun's rays touch the golden sands of the desert.
- Time: About 1 hour. Flights are available for 5 hours per day.
- Cost: About AED 1,020 per person.
- Where to apply: Balloon Adventures - Office 1303, Control Tower, Motor City, Dubai.
4. Camel Safari
Adventure Safari Dubai is a great way to explore the desert that is suitable for adults and children. It is a relaxing activity that will allow you to take a new look at the life of the Bedouins and their habitat, feel the grandeur of the desert, and appreciate its role in the region's history.
Camel Safaris allows you to explore vast, untouched territory covered with tempting red dunes and enjoy the magic of wildlife.
Everyone decides whether to go on a safari: in the morning or the evening. It all depends on your personal preferences. Choose a morning trip to meet the sunrise in the desert. Choose an evening tour if you prefer the romance of the sunset and love to sit by the fire, admiring the starry sky.
- Time: about 45 minutes.
- Cost: from 140 dirhams.
- Where to go: Al Marmoom Conservation Reserve, Saih Al Salaam, Al Marmoom, Al Qudra.
5. Sandboarding
Sandboarding is a popular activity in the UAE desert. It involves riding special boards attached to your feet down the slopes of dunes. Due to the terrain and local climate conditions, sandboarding in Dubai is possible at any time of the year.
All you need to do is climb to the top of the dune, attach the board to your feet, and start sliding along the sand like snow. People of all ages and skill levels can participate in this activity. Sandboarding is one of the least dangerous and most convenient desert activities Dubai.
One of the most popular places for sandboarding is the Al Badayer Dune (or Red Dune), located off the highway between Hatta and Oman. You can also practice your sliding skills in the Al Qudra and Lahbab deserts.
Sandboarding is a great activity for the whole family. Start with gentle, small slopes to master the basic techniques, then move on to more complex maneuvers on the board. The experts will select the best location for you to ride, provide all the necessary equipment, and give detailed instructions.
- Time: about an hour.
- Cost: AED 200 per person.
- Where to go: Dream Explorer (Hadaeq Mohammad Bin Rashid, Jumeirah Lake Towers).
6. Falconry Demonstration
Falconry is part of the cultural identity of the UAE. This dynamic show will give you the thrill of seeing falcons, hawks, and eagle owls in flight. Get close to these magnificent birds and watch them fly freely over the vast desert. You can attend various shows, including exclusive, traditional, modern, and Bedouin falconry. This is a unique experience in the desert that you will not find anywhere else.
Take the chance to admire the innate agility and endurance of these birds. When you place these magnificent falcons on your hand to try your luck at throwing bait, you will notice how your heart starts beating faster.
- Time: About an hour.
- Cost: Adults and children aged 11 and above - from AED 600. Children aged 5 to 11 - from AED 500.
- Where to go: Wildflight AlFattan Plaza, 100, Airport Road, Dubai.
7. Traditional Dance Shows and Performances
One of the most stunning desert activities Dubai is watching the performances of stilt dancers, fire eaters and exotic belly dancers. The performers, dressed in colorful clothes, create a circle to perform dances, entertaining the desert guests. All you need to do is set up your camp tent in the best location and share an unforgettable experience with your loved ones. You can spend the night outside your tent, enjoying the nightlife in the desert with barbecues, bonfires, and festive drinks. The flickering light of the fires, the backdrop of endless dunes, and the rhythm of Arabic music create an enchanting atmosphere. Arrive early to secure a good spot near the performance area for the best view of the show.
- Time: Before dawn.
- Cost: Around AED 1,000 per person.
8. BBQ Dinner Under the Stars
Experience an authentic BBQ dinner at a traditional desert camp with live music and dancing. The menu can feature a variety of local and international cuisines, from the delicious, succulent aromas of barbecue to sweet desserts. Dining among the stars in the middle of the desert in UAE will add a touch of charm to your meal.
- Time: Evening.
- Cost: From AED 150.
- About 35 kilometers northeast of Dubai's city center.
9. Stargazing
Stargazing is a great way to end your day in the Dubai desert. There are no city lights to hide the beauty of the sky, so the night sky is especially stunning with bright and clear stars. The night's silence and the desert's vastness can be both frightening and calming. The stars make the night in the desert very romantic and peaceful.
The Dubai Astronomy Group is engaged in popularizing astronomy in the region. It closely cooperates with various organizations in implementing futuristic projects and scientific and educational programs; it regularly organizes thematic events, master classes, and off-site sessions for observing large-scale astronomical phenomena.
- Time: evening.
- Cost: observation through a telescope - 20 dirhams. Entrance to the park itself is 3 dirhams per person and 10 dirhams per car.
- Where to go: Al Thuraya Astronomy Centre, Mushrif Park, Mushrif — Dubai.
10. Visit Tomorrow land in the desert
Terra Solis is a unique eco-resort that occupies an area of about 371 thousand square meters. Terra Solis offers several accommodation options for a comfortable holiday in nature. At your service are 48 tents, 20 cozy houses, and six cottages with a private pool. In this secluded oasis in the middle of the sand dunes, you will always find something to do. The organizers have provided a rich entertainment program.
The MESA restaurant serves resort guests. The menu, Tastes of the World, presents international dishes for a large company. The exoticism and magical beauty of the dunes attract many tourists.
- Time: any time.
- Cost: from 250 dirhams.
- Dubai Heritage Vision, Lehbab Rd, Jebel Ali ― Dubai.
11. Visit a spa resort in the desert
Al Maha Desert Resort Spa is located in the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve. It is ideal for tourists who value first-class comfort and a relaxing holiday. The complex offers accommodation in luxurious villas stylized as Bedouin tents. Each villa has a private infinity pool. Guests are offered a variety of leisure options, including evening rides through the desert on camels. Book a villa overlooking natural oases, and you can watch antelopes and white oryxes coming to the watering hole from the terrace.
- Time: anytime.
- Cost: from 1,500 dirhams per night.
- Al Maha Desert Resort.
12. Visit an eco-restaurant in the middle of the dunes
You will find a delicious dinner and a rich entertainment program at the Sonara Camp restaurant in the middle of the endless desert. The menu by Chef Franck Sanna features local and Western dishes. Dining at Sonara Camp will amaze even the most discerning palate. Specialties include beef tacos, chicken shawarma, fusion lamb asado, and mushroom risotto with black truffle. All dishes are prepared in an open kitchen in the open air. SonaraCamp offers vegetarian and vegan options.
- Time: 3:30 PM to 10:30 PM.
- Cost: from AED 500.
- DubaiDesertConservationReserve — Dubai.
Conclusion
The Dubai Desert is a place of unrivaled beauty and diversity. From majestic sand dunes to lush oases, it will amaze you. With its vast territories, it offers travelers the opportunity to explore some of the most unique and beautiful landscapes in the world.
From hot air balloon rides over the desert to camel safaris, many activities exist in the UAE desert. No wonder so many people flock to this part of the world every year! It’s the perfect holiday for those looking to experience adrenaline and tranquility in one magical place.
Don’t forget to rent a luxury car when planning your dream desert adventure. You can go anywhere with a Lamborghini, Rolls-Royce, Porsche, or Bentley at your disposal.
FAQ
What is a desert safari in Dubai?
A desert safari in Dubai is an exciting adventure with a 4x4 dune bashing, camel rides, sandboarding, a BBQ dinner at a desert camp, and cultural entertainment such as belly and tanoura dancing.
Is it safe to go on a desert safari in Dubai?
Yes, in general, a desert safari in Dubai is safe. The main thing is to choose a reputable company and follow the guides' instructions.
What should I wear for a desert trip?
For a desert safari in Dubai, you can wear light, practical clothes made of natural fabrics, such as cotton or linen shorts, T-shirts, or dresses.