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Dubai desert safari: Discovery or Premium, which to choose?
The desert safari is the most requested excursion of any stay in Dubai, and it is also the one where your choice of package really changes the experience. Here is how to find your way, what happens from pickup at your hotel until the return, and the mistakes to avoid.
Discovery or Premium: the comparison
| Discovery Desert Safari | Premium Desert Safari | |
|---|---|---|
| Adult price (age 11 and over) | 190 AED | 220 AED |
| Child price (ages 4 to 10) | 150 AED | 180 AED |
| Duration | about 2pm → 10pm (pickup 2pm-3pm, return 9pm-10pm) | |
| Dune bashing + sandboarding | Yes | Yes |
| Camel + henna | Yes | Yes |
| Dinner | BBQ buffet | BBQ buffet + international buffet, premium seating |
| Shows | Traditional dance, fire breather | |
| Round-trip hotel transfer | Included, air-conditioned vehicle | |
Prices per person in AED, as of October 2026. The up-to-date price appears on each booking page.
Our advice: choose the Discovery safari if your budget matters and adventure in the dunes is what counts most for you. Choose the Premium safari if you are traveling as a couple, for a birthday, or if you want a more comfortable setting for dinner.
A safari, step by step
- 2pm-3pm: hotel pickup. Your driver waits for you in the lobby, in an air-conditioned vehicle.
- Entering the desert. After about 45 minutes on the road, the 4x4 tires are deflated for better grip on the sand. It is also the occasion for the first photo stop.
- Dune bashing and sandboarding. The 4x4s climb and descend the dunes. If the schedule allows, you slide down on a sandboard at sunset.
- Bedouin camp. Photo with a camel, henna, Arabic coffee and dates while the sun sets.
- Dinner and shows. All-you-can-eat BBQ buffet, then traditional dance and a fire breather.
- 9pm-10pm: return to the hotel.
Quad and buggy: the thrill option
A "Quad & Buggy" stop is scheduled before dinner. It is a paid option, not included in the safari. Here are our prices:
| Vehicle | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Quad 350 cc | 30 min | 200 AED |
| Quad 350 cc | 60 min | 350 AED |
| Raptor 700 cc | 60 min | 500 AED |
| Polaris 2-seater buggy | 60 min | 900 AED |
| Polaris 4-seater buggy | 60 min | 1,100 AED |
| Can-Am X3 Turbo buggy | 60 min | 1,300 AED |
Find the details on our Quad & Buggy page.
What to wear and what to bring?
- Loose, comfortable clothes. Shorts and T-shirts are fine, with a light jacket for the evening.
- Sandals or flip-flops. Sand gets into closed shoes.
- Sunglasses, hat, sunscreen.
- A little cash or a card for souvenir photos and the camp shops.
- A light lunch. The turns and climbs can cause motion sickness after a heavy meal.
With children, seniors or people with reduced mobility
The safari is very family-friendly: the child rate applies from ages 4 to 10. For a child under 4, we arrange a private 4x4 with suitable comfort. Dune bashing is not recommended for pregnant women, babies and people with back or heart problems. They can still enjoy the evening at the camp: write to us on WhatsApp and we will find the right solution.
Which season for a safari?
From November to March, temperatures are ideal and the evening is mild. In summer, the safari is still possible because it takes place late in the day, but the air is very hot at the start. See our article When to go to Dubai?.
An alternative: the Abu Dhabi safari
If you are staying in Abu Dhabi or want to discover the neighboring emirate, our Abu Dhabi safari starts from 150 AED.
Book your desert safari
Hotel transfer included, ticket sent within a few hours. Discovery from 150 AED, Premium from 180 AED.
See our safarisAsk a question on WhatsAppSafari FAQ
What is the difference between the Discovery safari and the Premium safari?
The program is the same: 4x4 dune bashing, sandboarding, a photo with a camel, henna, BBQ dinner and shows. The Premium takes place in a more upscale camp, with premium seating and an international buffet. The Discovery is the shared option, ideal for enjoying the desert at a lower cost.
How long does a desert safari in Dubai last?
About 7 to 8 hours: hotel pickup between 2pm and 3pm, return between 9pm and 10pm. The drive to the dunes takes about 45 minutes.
What is the minimum age for the safari?
Our child rate applies from ages 4 to 10, and the adult rate from age 11. For a child under 4, we arrange a private 4x4: contact us on WhatsApp.
What should you wear for a desert safari?
Loose, comfortable clothes, sandals or flip-flops (sand gets into closed shoes), sunglasses, sunscreen and a light jacket for the evening, as it is cooler at night.
Is the safari not recommended for some people?
Dune bashing is not recommended for pregnant women, babies and people with back or heart problems. They can, however, enjoy the camp: contact us to arrange a suitable solution.