Desert Safari in the UAE: Dubai and Abu Dhabi Guide

A UAE desert safari is a guided trip into the dunes, usually in a four-wheel drive, that can include dune driving, sandboarding, camel rides, falconry and a meal at a desert camp. In Dubai, the official reserves only let approved operators run dune drives in set areas. In Abu Dhabi, the main desert areas are around Liwa Oasis, the Al Khaznah dunes and the edge of the Empty Quarter. Formats range from half-day trips to overnight camping, so the operator and the package matter more than the emirate.

Key facts

• Typical activities: 4×4 dune driving, sandboarding, camel treks, falconry displays, horse riding, archery, wildlife drives, a desert dinner, camping and hot air balloon flights. What you get depends on the operator.
• Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve (DDCR): 225 sq km, or 4.7% of Dubai’s land area, set up in 2003. The reserve describes itself as the UAE’s first national park.
• Who can drive in the DDCR: only approved Dubai-based safari operators with qualified, registered guides may run 4×4 dune-driving trips and small dune dinner camps in the reserve’s recreation areas.
• Al Marmoom: Visit Dubai calls the Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve the largest unfenced nature reserve in the UAE.
• Abu Dhabi: Visit Abu Dhabi points to the desert outside Liwa Oasis in Al Dhafra and the Al Khaznah dunes between Abu Dhabi and Al Ain for dune bashing.
• Children (Abu Dhabi guidance): Visit Abu Dhabi says dune bashing is generally not recommended for under-threes, and passengers must wear a seatbelt for the whole drive.

What a desert safari usually includes

Operators package the same few building blocks in different ways. The Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve lists these as the main activities run by its approved operators:

Activity	What it involves
Dune driving	A 4×4 drive across the dunes. Inside the DDCR, drives follow set routes to a desert camp.
Sandboarding	Riding a board down a dune face.
Camel trek	A ride through the dunes on a camel.
Falconry	A display where a falconer flies the birds and talks about them.
Wildlife drive	A slower drive looking for free-roaming animals. The DDCR names oryx and gazelles among them.
Dune dinner	A meal at a camp, typically grilled meats, salads and Arabic sweets, with entertainment.
Camping / night safari	An evening or overnight stay in the desert.
Hot air balloon	A flight over the dunes, offered in the DDCR by an approved operator.

Visit Abu Dhabi also lists henna painting, traditional clothing, falcon and Saluki shows and dance performances as part of desert packages there.

Dubai: conservation reserves and licensed operators

The Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve on the Dubai–Al Ain Road is divided into zones. One zone is closed to everyone except researchers, while safari groups and dune camps are kept to a designated recreation zone. The reserve runs an “approved tours” scheme. Approved tours focus on nature or culture, use DDCR-certified guides and must meet the reserve’s sustainability requirements. The reserve’s website lists the approved operators.

Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve is the other protected desert area that Visit Dubai promotes for wildlife and desert experiences.

Dubai regulates the industry directly. Under Executive Council Resolution No. 24 of 2020, no one may set up or operate a tourist camp in Dubai without a permit from the emirate’s tourism department. The resolution also requires camp operators to give visitors accurate and complete information about the services they provide. A separate regulation covers desert tours. When you book, ask the operator for its licence details and get the inclusions in writing.

For more ideas for your time in the city, see things to do in Dubai.

Abu Dhabi: Liwa, Al Khaznah and the Empty Quarter

Visit Abu Dhabi names two main dune-bashing areas: the desert around Liwa Oasis in the Al Dhafra region, and the Al Khaznah dunes between Abu Dhabi city and Al Ain. Packages run as half-day, full-day or overnight trips, and you can book them online or through your hotel.

Liwa sits on the edge of the Rub’ al Khali (Empty Quarter). Visit Abu Dhabi describes it as the world’s largest uninterrupted sand mass, lying mainly in Saudi Arabia with smaller parts in Yemen, Oman and the UAE. Its best-known landmark is Tel Moreeb, a dune over 300 metres high. Tel Moreeb hosts the Moreeb Hill Climb during the Liwa International Festival, which takes place in winter.

Staying in the capital? Our Abu Dhabi guide covers the rest of the emirate. If you are still deciding where to base yourself, see Dubai vs Abu Dhabi.

Choosing a safari: questions to ask

1. Is the operator licensed or approved? In Dubai, ask for the operator’s tourism licence. For the DDCR, check that the operator is on the reserve’s approved list.
2. What exactly is included? Ask about pickup area, activities, meal, drinks and any paid extras.
3. Which format suits your group? Options include a morning trip, an evening trip with dinner, an overnight camp or a private vehicle.
4. Are there age or health restrictions? Each operator sets its own rules for dune driving. Ask before you pay, especially if you are travelling with young children, are pregnant or have back or neck problems.
5. Is a gentler option available? The DDCR lists slower wildlife drives, camel treks and horse riding alongside dune driving, so ask whether your package can swap the dune bashing for one of these.

To compare agencies that sell desert trips, start with Top Travel Agencies in Dubai or Top Travel Agencies in Abu Dhabi. For wider trip planning, see the UAE travel guide.

FAQ

Can I visit the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve on my own?

The reserve says only approved Dubai-based safari operators with registered guides may run 4×4 dune-driving trips and dune camps in its recreation areas. You will need to visit with one of the approved operators listed on its website.

Is dune bashing suitable for young children?

Visit Abu Dhabi says children from around age three can join with seatbelts on, but it does not generally recommend dune bashing for under-threes. Check the age policy of your chosen operator, because each sets its own rules.

Do I have to wear a seatbelt during dune bashing?

Yes. Visit Abu Dhabi says wearing a seatbelt for the whole session is a requirement.

Where do Abu Dhabi desert safaris go?

Visit Abu Dhabi highlights the desert outside Liwa Oasis in Al Dhafra and the Al Khaznah dunes between Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. Liwa sits on the edge of the Empty Quarter.

Can I stay overnight in the desert?

Yes. Both the DDCR and Visit Abu Dhabi list overnight camping among desert options, and in Abu Dhabi packages are offered as half-day, full-day or overnight trips.

Are desert camps in Dubai regulated?

Yes. Dubai’s Executive Council Resolution No. 24 of 2020 says no one may operate a tourist camp in the emirate without a permit from the tourism department.