If you are driving a luxury car rental, it is not at all hard to navigate Dubai, allowing you to explore the city’s bustling roads and famous landmarks on your own. But to experience something incredible, you must venture into the vast Arabian Desert. Desert safari is an experience of a lifetime with a mix of thrilling adventures such as dune bashing, sandboarding, and desert camping in the night sky.

Why a Desert Safari?

Desert safari is not a tour but an adventure with a rich cultural exposure. Here are some reasons why you should choose to have it:

• Adventure: Feel your adrenaline pumps during dune bashing in a 4×4, sandboarding on sand dunes, and camel riding across the desert landscape.
• Cultural Immersion: Indulge in genuine Arabic food, decorate yourself with beautiful henna tattoos, and view mesmerizing live performances such as belly dancing and tanoura.
• Natural Beauty: Be awestruck by the stunning desert sunset and observe native wildlife roaming free in their habitat.
• Comfort and Luxury: Most safaris come with lavish desert camps equipped with comfortable facilities to make for a delightful night’s sleep.

Types of Desert Safaris

Desert safaris come in a few different forms to cater to varied tastes and schedules:

• Morning Safari: Ideal for avoiding evening crowds. Features dune bashing, camel ride, and sandboarding, with optimum lighting for desert photography at sunrise.
• Evening Safari: Provides breathtaking sunset views, a sumptuous Arabic dinner, and live entertainment under the stars, which create an enchanting atmosphere.
• Deluxe Overnight Safari: Spend an extra day in a decadent desert camp, stargaze at night, and wake up with a classic breakfast. Ideal for those who want a more immersive desert experience.

Activities and Experiences

A typical desert safari offers many engaging activities:

• Dune Bashing: Take the adventure of a lifetime along the sand dunes on a 4×4 vehicle specially designed for the purpose.
• Camel Riding: Experience rides like the locals of yore on a camel journey through the desert.
• Sandboarding: Glide down the sand dunes on a board, similar to snowboarding.
• Cultural Activities: Get henna tattoos, dress up in the traditional clothing for photos, and try smoking Shisha (hookah).
• Entertainment: Observe belly dancing, tanoura spinning, and fire dancing shows.
• Dining: Enjoy buffet lunch or dinner with multi-vegetarian and multi-non-vegetarian cuisine.

Safety Tips and Precautions

• Desert safaris are extremely safe, but don’t forget the following
• Pregnant women and those with neck or back injuries should not engage in dune bashing and other strenuous activities.
• Wear casual, loose-fitting clothes and closed shoes suitable for sand.
• Sun protection should be applied using sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat.
• Carry valid identification for security purposes.

Booking Your Desert Safari

It is recommended to pre-book your desert safari for a safe and enjoyable experience. Easy pick-up and drop facilities are provided by most of the tours in hotels. Book an operator that has environmentally friendly operations and participates in local conservation activities.