What Every Dubai Desert Safari Includes: Standard Features Explained

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Everything you read in this article is based on real experiences from safaris I personally tested. Out of more than 100 safari companies in Dubai, some can unfortunately disappoint. However, the safaris on my list I can confidently recommend.

I am completely independent. I don’t work with any operator, I don’t receive special treatment, and I am not affiliated with any company. My only goal is to make sure that you can choose the best possible safari for your trip.

I take responsibility for every detail I describe here because I experienced it myself. This is why the list is limited: I only write about the companies I tested, and only about those I would personally book again.

List of Features

These are the elements that remain fairly consistent across most desert safaris and even the baseline quality of the top operators is impressively high. Because they don’t vary much from tour to tour, I won’t go into detail every time. Only when something stands out as significantly better or worse than the norm in my main article.

• Hospitality in Dubai 🌟: Dubai’s hospitality is world-renowned, and the level of service you receive is unmatched. The government even has a dedicated tourist police force, whose slogan is "Always on your side," and they live by it based on what I’ve heard. This sense of care, kindness, and attention to detail permeates the entire city from hotels to the desert safaris.

• ‍Vehicles 🚗:
  All vehicles meet the 6-year age limit and are driven by guides with desert driving licenses. There are no significant differences between vehicles, as all do their job well. However, you may notice some variation in suspension, cleanliness, and engine strength, which will be detailed in individual reviews. Standard features are:
  

• 🔌 USB outlets are available with cable
• ❄️ Ice-cold air conditioning throughout the ride
• 📶 Wi-Fi access via the guide’s shared mobile hotspot
• 🧼 Spotlessly clean car (in Dubai by the law)
• 💺 Comfortable seating throughout the journey (only 2person in the back)

• Itinerary from the city to the desert 🏙️➡️🏜️:
  The itinerary from the city to the desert follows the same route for all operators, so I collected everything you can expect to see along the way.

• Hotel Pickup 🏨🚖:
  All tested safaris included hotel pickup, but the timeliness and quality of the service varied. I’ll provide more detailed feedback in the reviews.
• Traditional Clothing & Ghutra 👕👒:
  
  • ‍Ghutra (traditional headwear) costs around 50 AED per piece. Bargaining is common, especially for items like these. Some company like प्लैटिनम हेरिटेज includes them in the tour price.
  • Full Traditional Outfit: For men, the traditional garment is the kandura, a long white robe. For women, it is the abaya, a long black over-garment. These items are usually available for sale in the small mini-markets located inside the quad and buggy areas. Most operators also offer these outfits as a complimentary feature in the desert camp, so you can try them on and take some fun photos.

💡Tip: The starting price of 300 AED + is usually quite steep for the quality, but with a bit of negotiation you can usually bring it down to 100 AED or even less.

• Personalized Name Jewelry 💍:
  Personalized name jewelry is a popular souvenir. If someone approaches you with a pen/pencil, it’s likely they’ll ask for your name (or your loved one’s). This service is free so far, but if you choose to buy a piece, it’s usually priced around 40 AED (about 10 EUR). I even bought one as a surprise for my fiancée! Spoiler alert!
  The Quality is questionable and negotiation starts usually at much higher price.
• Perfumes 🧴:
  Dubai perfumes are a major attraction. You'll find perfume vendors at desert meeting points (where the quad biking happens) and at camps. They’ll demonstrate the alcohol-free oils and may even try to light the perfume to show its safety (this will always fail, as these oils are non-flammable).
• Falcon Photos 🦅📸:
  Falcon photos are a popular extra on many safaris. While some companies (like Funtours) include them in their package, others charge around 10-20 AED (approximately 2.5-5 EUR). The main benefit of having the photo in the open desert is that you get a ready-to-go desert background, without needing to Photoshop it yourself 😀 .

Money-Saving Tips 💸

• Cash vs. Cards 💵:
  In Dubai, cash is preferred, and card payments may incur a 10-20% surcharge. This seems more like a negotiation tactic than a real fee, so it’s best to either negotiate the surcharge or carry cash to avoid it.
• Book in Advance 📅:
  Extras like quad biking, buggy rides, and dinner add-ons are often 100-400% more expensive if booked on-site. For the best value, always book the full package in advance.

Additional Safari Highlights 🌟

• Camel Riding 🐪:
  Camel rides are complimentary and can be repeated on all safaris, typically lasting 50-70 meters. The experience largely depends on the guides' helpfulness and organization. If you would like a longer ride (1 hour or more) you should consider a Camel Safari.
• Sandboarding 🏄‍♂️:
  Sandboarding is a free activity on all safaris. The boards are all similar, and guides ensure they’re waxed for smoother rides. The most important factor is the guide’s attention, making the experience enjoyable.
• Queueing ⏳:
  I didn’t experience long queues on any of the safaris I tested, as I traveled during the off-season (May). During peak season, this could change. Any exceptions will be mentioned in the detailed breakdown, such as Nobel Life or अम्मार टूर्स.
• What to bring:
  
  • 👟 Comfortable shoes
  • 🕶️ Sunglasses
  • 👒 Sun hat
  • 📸 Camera
  • ☀️ Sunscreen
• Not allowed:
  
  • ‍🐾 Pets
  • 🧳 Luggage or large bags
  • 👡 Open-toed shoes
  • 👶 Unaccompanied minors
• Why safaris inflate and deflate tyres?
  
  • Completely deflated tires (typically reduced to 12–15 PSI) improve performance and safety during desert safaris by:
    • Increasing surface area: Creates more tire contact with the sand, improving grip and reducing the risk of sinking.
    • Enhancing traction: Helps the vehicle climb dunes and navigate soft terrain more smoothly.
    • Smoothing the ride: Softer tires absorb shocks better, making dune bashing more comfortable.
    They’re re-inflated after the desert to prevent damage on paved roads.

If you want to explore what makes each safari unique, check out my detailed guide:

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