A city synonymous with opulence and luxury, Dubai is studded with gleaming skyscrapers, retail powerhouses and sensational entertainment.
But just beyond the glitz and glam lies the fabled Arabian sands and you can explore the desert life and landscape entwined with the ancient Bedouin culture and heritage – in superior style, customising your own Arabian adventure with any of the following options.
The BusinessClass.com guide to the nine best safari experiences in Dubai:
Platinum Heritage Overnight
An impeccably-curated experience for all kinds of travellers - whether you are looking for an adventure or a luxurious journey through the dunes - Platinum Heritage is a leading operator of ultraluxe desert safaris in Dubai offering glimpses of local Emirati culture. With its ethos firmly entrenched in sustainability, Platinum Heritage leads you into an immersive cultural adventure and take a step back in time to experience Bedouin life and traditions. Among all the safaris on offer, one of the most popular is exploring the desert after dark on a private night safari in a 1950s Land Rover, followed by a nocturnal eco-walk.
Unwind in a tranquil oasis with leisurely shisha puffs followed by a delectable three-course traditional dinner. A post-dinner stargazing session with a professional astronomer takes you on a journey through the night sky and teaches you about the ancient Bedouin ways of navigation with the help of the galaxies. Stay overnight in authentic stone-dwelling rooms, and sign off with a sumptuous breakfast the following morning after spectacular sunrise views. You can also top up the experience with a sunrise hot air balloon ride.
Address: Platinum Heritage Camp, RJJF+6M Murqquab, Dubai
Bab Al Shams Resort
Set amid the undulating Arabian sands, Bab Al Shams is much more than an uberluxe resort: it is an oasis designed for the bold and intrepid with curated, redefining experiential travel. The award-winning desert resort resembles a fortified rural Arab village ringed with gently rolling dunes and bewitchingly beautiful sandscape. Resplendent in an authentic Bedouin ambience and environment, the luxury retreat offers guests a one of its kind traditional desert experience in lockstep with the culture and heritage of the UAE; just a 40-minute drive from the city of Dubai.
An afternoon session of thrill-packed dune bashing is followed by an aesthetic photo session against the stunning backdrop of sand dunes, and then you can test your sandboarding skills in a fun-filled session with an expert guide. Another intense session of dune bashing is followed a by a leisurely camel ride. The highlight of the safari is the sumptuous alfresco dinner featuring the best of desert delicacies such as Lamb Ouzi (which is cooked underground) and an elaborate seafood platter.
Address: Al Qudra Road, opposite Endurance City, Dubai
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Al Maha Resort
Blend a super luxurious stay with safari at Al Maha, a luxury collection desert resort and spa, 65 km from Dubai. Tucked discreetly amid palm groves, verdant canopies and sweeping sand dunes of the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, the 5-star enclave is steeped in secluded tranquillity and breathtaking vistas of the sandscape that rolls out beyond to the magnificent Hajar Mountain massif. Immerse yourself in the medieval ambience with a camel trek, horse safari or a guided nature walk.
The expertly-designed, signature Al Maha safari is an innovative uptake on a conventional desert safari that focuses on wildlife spotting in the rich biosphere of Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve. Embark on the Range Rover ride and be on the lookout for gazelle, oryx, and other endemic flora and fauna; learn about the dunes and the rare species it tucks within its folds and their part in Bedouin tradition. The experience can be coupled with trying your hands at the ancient Emirati art of archery and falconry.
Address: Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve Dubai, Al Ain Road, Dubai
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Platinum Heritage Falconry Safari
Falcons, the majestic birds of prey, are inseparable parts of the Arabian desert life and heritage. Platinum Heritage curates an amazing cultural journey where you can learn about ancient falconry techniques and its contemporary adaptations. An interactive session allows you to be up close with these beautiful creatures where the falcons would sit on your glove and demonstrate the aerial tricks they have been taught by their Bedouin masters for hundreds of years.
A short camel ride amid the beautiful landscape enhances the safari experience and a delectable breakfast rustled by onsite chefs completes the spectacle where you are royally treated with crispy thin Arabic bread served with eggs, Arabic-style pancakes served with date syrup, assorted fresh fruit platter and the sharp and sweet Arabic coffee.
Address: Platinum Heritage Camp, RJJF+6M Murqquab, Dubai
Platinum Heritage Bedouin Culture Safari
If you are a culture vulture, hell bent on diving deep into the nuanced heritage of every destination you cover - Platinum Heritage Bedouin Culture Safari is custom-made for you. A hands-on experience designed to showcase how the Bedouin lived and survived the desert. An early morning pick-up from your hotel will be followed by a short drive to a nomadic-inspired camp, where you will be greeted by a friendly Saluki dog and falcon. As you listen to the fascinating anecdotes from a Bedouin storyteller, you will be introduced to the ways the Bedouin used to herd, hunt, and thrive by optimising the available resources in a harsh desert environment.
A sumptuous desert breakfast will be followed by authentic Bedouin performances, falconry and hands-on experience of goat milking. A short camel ride through the surrounding dunes and a fantastic drive through the desert in a vintage 1950s Landrover to spot the endangered and vulnerable local wildlife such as Arabian Oryx and the sand gazelle ends the day on a high, thrill-packed note.
Address: Platinum Heritage Camp, RJJF+6M Murqquab, Dubai
Starlight Desert Camp
Situated in the Arabian desert around 1.15 hours from Dubai, Starlight offers private luxury overnight desert camping experience. And by ‘private’ they mean it – the team will setup the non-permanent camp at a remote area exclusively for you and to protect the privacy of the guests, the exact location is only shared with confirmed guests shortly before their arrival. You can even drive directly to the camp site, in which case they will shuttle the last sandy stretch in a 4x4 drive.
The pop-up camp is luxuriously furnished and comes with a lounge, dining area and an ensuite bathroom well-stocked with carefully chosen amenities. And the highlight of the all-weather camp is the crystal roof that allows you to gaze into the starry desert night. A BBQ facility and dinnerware is also provided to prepare your own meals in the middle of the desert!
Address: Starlight Camp Dubai
Melia Resort
Located just 20 minutes’ drive away from Downtown Dubai, the Melia Desert Palm Resort is an emerald oasis perched in the middle of a 160-acre polo estate. Replete with Arabian and equestrian-inspired décor, the suites and private villas of this elegant enclave have luxuriant furnishings and features high-tech entertainment facilities for its guests. It is a sheer delight to stroll around the sprawling property with its meandering lanes, olive gardens, polo patches and private equestrian stables.
Enjoy the delectable meal of meat and seafood rustled up on an wood-fired grill at the in-house dining space with views of the polo field or treat yourself with culinary delights at the onsite brasserie Epicure, which has the mesmerising Dubai skyline as a backdrop. And the expert mixologists at the elegant Red Bar, spruced up with equestrian trophies and championship polo mallets, whips up contemporary craft cocktails. In between sipping them and soaking into the uberluxe ambience, take a desert safari custom-designed by the Melia team for its jetsetter patrons.
Address: Al Awir Road, Warisan, Dubai
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Nara Resort
Tucked deep into the folds of Dubai Conservation Reserve, Nara Desert Escape is a gorgeous getaway, 52 km from the buzzing Dubai. Designed by architect Gianni Ranaulo, renowned the world over for creative design solutions, this innovatively-imagined desert camp is a cool cluster of 14 bubble domes, each replete with a bedroom area, private en-suite bathroom, a mini bar and an outdoor lounge that looks out to the expanse of the desert. With an extensive list of international artists, the luxury camp offers a range of activities and entertainments such as LED and fire belly dance, customised ring fire show, Arabic Aayallah dance, along with kid-friendly options like magic shows.
The delightful gastronomic fare is a global spread – from Japanese fusion cuisine to curated vegan delicacies, and from Oriental dinner to wood-fired grills. The Nara Collection also offers The Oasis, a luxury lounge dripping with bespoke grandeur. Nestled amid a beautiful palm tree grove right in the middle of the desert, this is a magical place to host a private party with about 150 guests, with a range of exclusive entertainment options curated by the Nara team.
Address: Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, Al Ain, Dubai Road, Dubai
Royal Vision Bedouin
Tailor-made for the A-listers, Royal Vision offers luxurious safari experience with supremely-driven dune bashing with multiple stops for photo-ops in traditional Arabic attire. A camel ride is followed by exquisite henna and sheesha sessions and a sumptuous 5 star open buffet at Royal Vision camp completes the spectacle. Top up the experience with an overnight stay and gaze into the star-studded night after a breathtaking fire show and stunning tanoura and belly dance.
You can opt for a 4x4 Wrangler Safari Jeep to experience a thrilling ride through the landscaped dunes. And for adrenaline junkies, Quad Biking in the red dunes of Al Lahbab can be a lifetime experience, with a fun buggy ride to enhance the fun element. Take a little caution though, if have back pain! If you are looking at a more sedate time in the beautiful desert, go for a 4x4 Land Cruiser ride through the desert.
Address: Royal Vision Bedouin
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