Dubai is everything that is glamorous and more. Local wildlife usually consists of bright colored luxury vehicles like Lamborghini’s and Ferrari’s. However, I was more interested in riding in a 1950’s Vintage Land Rover, leaving the busy city behind for an unforgettable desert safari.
How to Choose a Desert Safari
Choosing a desert safari company can be a daunting task, as Dubai has so many different companies offering tours to the desert. Clearly, your budget will pay a roll in what company you decide to choose. For me, luxury safari company, Platinum Heritage stood out the second I laid eyes on their Vintage Land Rovers that allow you to ride with the wind in your hair while driving through the desert sunset. I feel this experience gives you a more authentic connection to the beautiful Dubai desert and traditional Bedouin people.
Details and Pricing of the Desert Safari
Pricing all depends on the type of tour that you’re interested in. Platinum Heritage offers several tour options, which vary in price from 595 AED ($162) TO 1595 AED ($435). It is also possible to customize tours and create your own private experience with an overnight stay, hot air balloon ride or a falconry training opportunity. The particular tour I chose was the Heritage Desert Safari. This particular tour cost 595 AED/162 USD.
Cost includes:
- Adventure Pack (Head Scarf, Desert Bag and Canteen)
- Pick up from our hotel
- Wildlife drive through Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve in a vintage Land Rover.
- Sunset falcon show in the dunes.
- Arrival at the authentic Bedouin camp.
- Henna tattoos, live bread making, Arabic coffee making and aromatic shisha pipes available.
- Dinner includes soup, salad, appetizer, main course and dessert. Download Menu
- Cultural Emirati entertainment performances.
- Camel rides (As it is after dark, for the safety of the camels and our guests, these are short rides in a lit area near the camp.
- Transportation back to your Hotel
GETTING TO THE DESERT
Depending on the season, the pick up time from your hotel is anywhere from 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm. The trip from your hotel to Platinum Heritage’s conservation reserve, a private desert reserve owned by the royal family of Dubai, takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour. Once you arrive at the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve you will receive your Adventure Pack and put on your Sheila/Ghutra (traditional headscarf).
STEP BACK IN TIME
Looking the part in my traditional Sheila, we departed in a chic vintage Land Rover into the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve with our group of eight. Our vehicle toured the dunes for a 45 minute session of fun-filled exploration through the warm, yet breezy desert.
We made our way around the dunes, discovering wildlife along the way. We were able to see Oryx and Gazelle and learn so many interesting facts from our tour guide, Mohammad. He educated us on the local plants and animals, stopping along the way for any chance to get us familiar with our surroundings.
Fun Fact: These vintage vehicles were once the car of choice for the Sheiks and Royal Family in the 1950’s (they’ve since converted to riding around in Mercedes G Wagons #becausemoney).
As we arrived to the desert camp, we were greeted and guided to watch a live falcon demonstration over the sand dunes. We learned how the Bedouin people use these birds of prey to hunt for them. The falconry was breathtaking, and the crowd was so impressed with the spectacular flight performance. Don’t forget your Falcon Selfie!
THE BEDOUIN CAMP
Following the falconry experience, we made our way to the torch-lit Bedouin camp, which was located just steps away. Upon arrival, we were welcomed with an Arabic coffee, a traditional Bedouin way of greeting guests.
Mohammad showed us around the camp and the different cultural stations offered – including traditional Arabic bread making, aromatic shisha pipes, camel rides and henna tattoos. We truly had the opportunity to enjoy, learn and experience everything about the local desert culture.
UNDER THE STARS
As the sun began to set, I enjoyed a camel ride and then lounged on the lush Arabian pillows and carpet set up around the shisha pipes. Shortly thereafter, we were served dinner while sitting under a beautifully constructed tent. On the menu for our ‘under the stars’ dinner were traditional meals; recipes handed down from generation to generation. The feast included a lentil soup, hummus, salad, a variety of meats, rices and breads. No alcohol is served only an assortment of juices, water and camel milk. Click here for full menu. The food did not disappoint and was great quality, especially for being cooked in the desert.
Dinner was followed by a traditional drumming and Yola performance, and the chance to mingle with other guests. We relaxed, once again, over Shisha while eating fruit, dates and Luqaimat, Arabic style donuts. The experience lasted into the evening and ended with an Astronomy lesson recalling the early history of Astronomy and the impressive legacy of how the Bedouin relied on the stars for storytelling and navigation. What an unforgettable experience!
As our night came to an end, we hopped in our Vintage Land Rover, hair blowing in the wind, and parked back at the conservation reserve. Mohammad than transported us back to our hotel arriving around 11 pm.
A Dubai desert safari is an experience that any visitor to Dubai should not miss. We had an incredible time on our desert safari with Platinum Heritage Tours and highly recommend them to anyone looking for the perfect company to transport them throughout the desert sand dunes!
TIPS FOR TRAVELING TO THE SAHARA DESERT
- Wear casual comfortable clothing.
- If you go for the evening tour, you have to know that once the sun goes down, the temperatures will get pretty low, especially if you are in the cold season. Therefore, you should bring some extra layers of clothes.
- Desert means sand as you see, even in the tightest shoes. So yes, wearing a pair of sandals is ideal.
- Wind is definitely a factor in the desert, especially when you’re driving around in an open top vehicle, so bring protection for your eyes.
- Water is always a good idea, but don’t worry because Platinum Heritage provides you with a canteen to fill up with water before your desert safari. Feel free to bring your own bottled water if you wish.
- Bring your camera! #becausethedesertisinstaworthy
Have you ever been to the Dubai Desert? If so, share your experience below!
Shop My Dubai Desert Safari Look
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Great info! Thank you! Someday….
Thanks! I hope so!
Such a great post! I did a desert safari in Dubai few years ago and loved it so much.
Thank you! It is definitely an unforgettable experience that I would recommend to anyone visiting!