10 Best Desert Safaris in Dubai in 2025 (Personally Tested)

Detailed Breakdown — Before the Safari

Hotel Pickup

Right after booking, I received a confirmation via GetYourGuide with:

• a clear pickup time and location,
• a summary of what’s included,
• a WhatsApp contact, and
• a short list ofwhat to bring‍

They even handled special requests (like upgrading from quad to buggy which wasn’t available in the booking app) quickly and professionally.

Our pickup was scheduled for 2:45 PM, and the driver arrived at 2:44. Perfect timing, and a great first impression!

Car

Features includedUSB outlets, ice-coldA/C, Wi-Fivia the guide's hotspot, andclean interiors.

‍(Spoiler alert: Back row is not the best spot for someone who’s 190 cm and 90 kg.) Luckilyat the back row there are always only 2 personso I could spread into the middle to have a comfortable position.

💡Tip:If you’re tall, try to grab a middle or front row seat for full comfort and a better view.

Driver Behavior

Our driver stepped out of the car to greet me with a huge smile. Then informed us in advance even about the upcoming briefing, demonstrating a high level of professionalism and attention to detail.

He was thefirst GUIDEon any of my tours who truly deservedthe titleand was not just a chauffer. From start to finish, he stood out.

• Shared engaging facts about:Population,️ Architecture,️ Social structure,️ Nature & wildlife,️ History(e.g. how Dubai’s population exploded in 30 years)‍
• Explained Dubai’sthree desert colors(white, brown, red) and how they formed
• Used his Arabic knowledge and logical thinking to clarify cultural details
• Answered every question confidently and accurately
• Kept the mood light withhumor and a friendly tonefrom the star
• 💯 I even fact-checked him and of course henailed it!

Number of stops/ duration

I was the last pick-up. Besides me, there were two other groups: two French women and a Portuguese family of three. Since I was the last, we headed straight to the first meeting point.

During the briefing, Ismail told me I’d be the first to be dropped off at the end of the tour - great news!

Delays or waiting time

‍‍There wereabsolutely no delays or waiting timesthroughout the 7-hour tour, which is almost miraculous!

Distance and travel time (1 hour )

The 90 km drive took about 60 minutes. Thanks to the interesting commentary, the ride flew by. It only started to get a bit uncomfortable in the back row after about 55 minutes right before we arrived to our first stop at the meeting point.

First Desert Stop: Quad / Buggy meeting point (1 hour)

The meeting point for Excursion Point is one of the highest quality I've seen:

• spotlessly clean restrooms,
• ‍lush green grass,
• anair-conditioned indoor areawith traditional scarves and clothing for sale,
• and afleet of brand-new quads and well-maintained buggies.

Buggy Experience - Worth the Upgrade?

Thebuggy rideis the highlight of the desert experience, offering far more power and safety than quad bikes and delivered amassive shot of adrenaline:

• 1000cc engines vs. 250cc on quads (~4x more power)
• Huge suspension travel, effortlessly flying over dunes
• ~45 minutes total (30 min ride, 10 min photo stop, 5 min briefing) vs. 30 min.

This is also reflected in the price as a negative.

The ride depends a lot on your guide and the group(speed, route, etc.).Safety comes firstand when I pushed too far, I got a firm warning that nearly ended my ride. (I was a bad, bad boy)

‍Unexpected bonus: Since I’m an experienced buggy rider, and showed patience with the slower group pace, they rewarded mean extra 5-minute solo ridewith another guide.

It turned into a15-minute thrill sessionwith higher speed, making the whole experience even truly unforgettable. Best detour of the day!

Pricing?

• On-site price:800 AED (€200) for 30 minutes
• Online deals:As low as 320 AED (~€80) on GetYourGuide(Book in advance to save big!)

💡Tip:Book online in advance. For €80 it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience. At on-site prices, it’s a harder decision.

We spent about an hour here with the rides + refreshments before heading deeper into the desert at 17:00.

Detailed Breakdown — During The Safari

Dune Bashing (20 minutes intense + 10 minutes light ride)

Ismail delivered abrutally fun ride. Before we started he checked if everyone has the seatbelt on then he really floored it. The suspension handled most of the bumps, but with the two heaviest guests in the back, we got a few hits.

• Vehicle handling: Tires were fully deflated(almost flat), which increases surface area →better traction → smoother, safer turns.  A trick I’d also seen at Ammar Tours, one of their main competitors. Most other operators deflate only partway.

📸 Falcon Photo in the Open Desert

These birds are legends: calm, beautifully trained, and surprisingly photogenic. But here’s the thing no one tells you:falcons eat… and falcons poop. 😅

That's being said my favorite Shirt didn’t survive the encounter. I walked away with a unique souvenir in a lovelywhite-greenishshade, right across my shoulder. (No worries, I’ve mostly forgiven the bird.) At least I got a great photoanda story to tell.

The photo op usually costs around20 AED (~5 EUR), and yes, you can pay by credit card. 💳 Just maybe don’t wear your Sunday best. 😄🦅

Sandboarding (10 min)

Right after myunforgettablefalcon encounter, I headed straight to the sandboarding spot. For safety reasons, they initially didn’t want me to go standing, but Ismail (my honorary stepdad by this point) made it happen anyway. 💪

Murphy’s Law hit: after nailing every standing ride on previous safaris,thiswas the time I fell. My shirt didn't get cleaner from this... :D

The guides were incredibly patient and actually took time to explain how to ridesitting down, what no one else had done before. So i gave the sitting style a try and surprise! I had the fastest longest and smoothest ride without fall!

There is always a small competition for the longest ride amongst the group members and until the very end i held the top spot! 🏅 So if you live in a desert arrive prepared! :P

📝 Sandboarding Tips:

• 📱 Always hand over your phone before sliding.
• 👖 Don’t keep anything in your pockets that could be damaged by sand.
• 🏃 Even if you're a pro, the walk back up the dune will guarantee sand in your shoes!

Photo Stop (≈5 min)

We paused for photos, and our guide proactively offered to take fun group shots. I was too busy dealing with falcon drama, so most of mine are bird-themed.

Inflating area (≈10 min)

After a gentler round of dune bashing, we returned to inflate the tires. There’s a small shop for snacks or drinks. I combined the two and went with a fresh coconut.

As a thoughtful extra, the team cleaned the sand from our shoes. They did a solid job, but of course, Ismail went above and beyond—making sure even my shirt was in the best shape possible after the falcon “incident.” These are the little extras you don’t get on every tour.

Detailed Breakdown — After The Safari (3 hours)

The Desert Camp

Once inside, the standard only went up. During high season, the“skip the line” separate entrancecould be a real time-saver.

This is theArabian Adventures camp, a company that may not lead the market in safari execution, but unsurprisingly for anEmirates Groupbrand, they truly excel when it comes to thecamp experience: Everything felt top quality: cleanliness, facilities and unique extras.

Scattered around the clean and tidy landscape were more chillout areas with sun loungers, tables, and campfires.

The enormous fortress-style camp included selfie mirrors for instagram shots, various vendor stations, and of course, a camel ride area.

🐫 Camel riding

I’m no expert in camel riding, but here I didn’t hit my back at all when the camel stood up or sat down, and the padding was really comfortable throughout.

🌇 Sunset

The dunes beside the camp were impressively tall, even though this was already thewhite-sand desert.

Desert BBQ Dinner

However,alcohol, juices, or extra soft drinksrequired payment.

The Show Experience (≈1.5 hours)

Tanoura

Beautifully staged with professional lighting andhigh-quality sound equipment, which made the music much more immersive.

The dessert was served right after the tanoura show. It complemented the dinner well on that evening, though I could imagine missing fresh fruit on another night.

At8:20 PM, thebelly dance performancebegan.

Although not an authentic traditional dance, it fit the vibe perfectly.

This show lasted about10 minutes.

Then came thegrand finale: Four professional performers wowed the crowd for a full20 minutes, first inside the camp, then moving outside for the climax aspectacular finishthat left usgoose bumped and speechless.

We left the camp on an emotional high, full of amazing memories and recharged energy.

Return Journey

Even on the way back, our guide didn’t treat it like the job was done. He kept spirits high with funny stories and more interesting facts.
The return drive to the city was slightly faster, taking about50 minutes, so by10 PM, you could already beshowered and readyto dive into bed or continue your evening adventure.

The small tip I gave was received with genuine gratitude. I left with a full heart, amazing memories, and the feeling that I’d made new friends.

Detailed Breakdown — Before the Safari

Hotel Pickup

• Immediately after the booking (FunTours)they get in touch with me viaWhatsApp,sent thepickup time & location, and the most important things to know about thesafety.
• Since my flight from Abu Dhabi was scheduled 4 hours after my return, the logistics would have been difficult to manage if we returned later than planned. Nothing demonstrates better that they’re not looking out for their own interests than the fact that they immediately suggested I go for the shorter program, even though it meant less revenue for them. They’re not just focused on making a sale but aregenuinely committed to ensuring you have a great experience, even after you’ve paid and participated in their safari.
• Originally scheduled for 7:45-8:15 am, thepickup was adjustedto 8:15-8:45 am, with the driver arriving at 8:49,slightly later than planned.

Car

• The Toyota Land Cruiser is renowned for its robust 4x4 capabilities, spacious interior, and reliability, making it ideal for desert terrain.

Driver Behavior

The driver was really humble and friendly and interested already from the first moment.

He was thefirst guideon any of my tours who truly deservedthe title and was not just a chauffer. From start to finish, he stood out.

He shared engaging stories and facts, creating a lively atmosphere.While not as detailed as the Excursion Point guide, he was still outstanding and compensated with reallycareful and patient photo sessions. Perhaps thanks to our small group as well (we were 4 people this time), he made us feel thetour was truly personalized.

Number of stops/ duration

Delays or waiting time

‍There was a small stop at the petrol station to fill the car, but besides this the tour was intelligently planned. E.g.: The guide utilized our activities to take care of tyre deflation.

Distance and travel time (60 min)

• Both the passengers from Sweden and our guide were really open and interested, making the roughly 90 km drive pass quickly.

First Desert Stop: Al badayer motorcycle rental

• The quad rental area features a small market for traditional clothing, a buffet for cold drinks and snacks, and a separate ticket sales building.
• Theair-conditioned room offered a comfortable place to rest, with cushions and foam for relaxation.The men's restroom was clean, though it only had a squat toilet. ( I didn't see the women's restroom)

📸 Falcon Photo

The falcon interaction was also complimentaryhere unlike other tours.

🐫 Camel riding

The guide placed a strong emphasis on photographyas well. He took more than 40 pictures in various poses.

Detailed Breakdown — During The Safari

By the time we finished the camel ride, Yaseen, our guide, had already deflated the tires for better grip and was waiting for us in our 4x4 Toyota to start the dune bashing.

Dune Bashing Experience (15 minutes moderate + 10 minutes light ride)

The mother in our group was hesitant about dune bashing due to a past experience, butthe driver expertly balanced safety and fun, ensuring she felt comfortable while the rest of us enjoyed the ride. Of course, the experience could have been wilder if we had requested it, but this was one of the moments where we really felt thetour was personalized to us.

Desert Photo shooting (10 min)

We spent about 10 minutes on the photo shoot.

Sandboarding (10 min)

Our guide waxed the boards, helped everyone start, and ensured photos and videos were taken of each participant.

On the positive side, the exit from the desertalso included dune bashing, not just a quick departure. On the other sideI missed the high-pressure air cleaningat the inflation spot. (I guess you can always ask for it). Nevertheless, FunTours shares the same area with Ammar Tours and Dream Journey, for dune bashing.

Quad Biking Ride (30 min + extra)

When we returned to the starting point, the highlight of our tour began: the quad experience.

• To my delight, we got the most powerful quads of all the tours 450cc Suzukis.

• Safety was emphasized, and after the briefing, we were given full-face masks. As they protect not just the top of the head, but also the face, jaw, and chin in case of a fall or collision  they are the safest option.

They also explained how to handle the quads. My first quad had a loose grip, but as soon as I pointed it out, I was given a replacement, and we headed out into the open desert.

The pace was slow at first (due to two inexperienced riders), so I drifted a bit, but the guide saw that it wasn’t my first quad experience, and I was happy to help when the others got stuck. We agreed that if I behaved, I’d get an extra lap at the end.

We had a short stop in the middle, when we took some photos and also with a falcon

📸 Falcon Photo in the Open Desert

Dubai is always hot, and the desert is no exception. While driving through the dunes, we spotted a man in white, in the middle of the desert with a falcon. He approached us and clearly explained that the photo would incur an extra charge, which our guide also emphasized, stating that it wasn’t mandatory. At first, I didn’t plan to take the photo, but seeing how much attention he gave to positioning the falcon in various poses and locations while photographing the family, I was convinced and eventually decided to go for it. The photo costed around24 AED (~6 EUR), and I paid by credit card. 💳

FOTÓ

Once we continued our journey, our guide took pictures and videos of us while riding. This was an extra service we didn't receive anywhere else, and he captured some really great shots, all for free.

At the end, due to the slow pace, I received a bonus round just with the guide, during which we covered more distance in a much shorter time than during the entire previous ride.

Vendor interaction:

The guide, Yaseen, continuously made sure that the ghutra (scarf) on my head was properly adjusted. So other than bringing us the menu, there were not a lot interaction with the vendors of the .

Detailed Breakdown — After The Safari

Return Journey

On return from the desert, we had some refreshments in the air-conditioned rooms and left for our hotel at 12:42 pm. Since we had to drop passengers off at the Dubai Mall, I arrived back at 14:00. Fortunately, it wasn’t too late, but it was significantly later than I initially planned. Theactual duration was closer to 5 hours than 4, thanks to them ensuring we had the full experience andtaking the time for every activity and photo stopplus, maybe my bonus time contributed too! :D I reallyenjoyed the smaller group experience.The complimentary photoshoots were the best among all the tours I experienced!! I can 100% recommend FunTours for their exceptional guide and attention to every small detail. FunTour's flexibility with the quads was particularly impressive. Riding 400cc quads through the desert was an unforgettable experience.

Detailed Breakdown — Before the Safari

Hotel Pickup

• Clear communication via WhatsApp from the guest relations team: Tour details were sent in advance, sincei chose horse riding optionas well , including specific clothing guidelines for it (e.g. long pants like jeans or breeches, no shorts, and closed shoes).A live location was also shared 5 minutes before pickup,making coordination easy and stress-free.

Car

• The car was a Nissan Patrol, nice and new ad aphone charger and portable Wi-Fi, but these were not guaranteed, more of anice gesture from the driver.

Driver Behavior

• Ourdriver Adi, was polite, attentive and professional, though not very talkative.

Number of stops/ duration

• Pickup started at 14:36, took24 minutes total to pick up everyone.I was picked upfirst, sat in thefront seat, which I later gave up for a passenger with motion sickness.
• The car wasfull, and I unexpectedly joined acompany team-building group(6 passengers total in our car and an other car).

Delays or waiting time (10 min)

‍We had a slight delay due to the group pickup but nothing extraordinary.

Distance and travel time (1 hour)

• We started at 15:00 and arrived at 16:00 to OceainAir travel's own meeting point. If you're curious about the sights along the way, I’ve written more details about themhere.‍
• Thanks to the engaging company, we used this hour to get to know each other a bit with the group.

First Desert Stop: Quad / Buggy meeting point (1,5 hour)

OceanAir’s private quad area isundeniably one of the best in terms of setup and convenience. It features excellent facilities like :

• Guests are welcomed withcoffee, tea, dates, and there’s alwayscold water and soft drinks available.

• Extras likeArabic calligraphyandfalcon photo opportunities.

• While it’s not the most modern setup,they’ve clearly thought of everything.

Quad Ride Experience ( 30 min )

After the safety briefing, my guide brought me a helmet from their massive collection, includingfull-face helmets, which are the safest option.

The quad ride takes place in alarge but fenced area. On the plus side, you can ride at your own pace and adjust your route to match your skills!

While it’s technically in the desert, itdoesn’t quite deliver the “true desert” feelinghowever on photos it looks real. The zone is monitored bystaff enforcing safety, asking guests to slow down or stop drifting if needed. This helps prevent accidents. Given thehigh number of participants, the area can feelcrowded, especially in the afternoon and I wentoff-season (late May).

After just 5–10 minutes, I was told my time was up, but when I mentioned it to my guide,Adi quickly stepped in and sorted it out. I was able to continue riding, and in the end gotaround 30 minutes of real ride time, very close to thepromised 35 minutes. Big plus for him!

17:00–17:30 – Break time (30 min)

‍

‍During the break, the shop vendors approached us. They weren't overly aggressive but certainly gave us the opportunity to make a purchase. I ended up buying a professional photo of myself during the quad biking, which cost40 AED.

Detailed Breakdown — During The Safari (1,5 hours)

Dune Bashing Experience (15 + 15 minutes intense ride)

Driving Style and Safety

Thedune bashing was fun and felt safe, withseatbelts requiredfor all passengers.

Thedriver struck a great balancebetween thrill and caution. The girls were screaming with excitement, butno one felt sick.

Tire pressure wasactively adjusted during the rideto match the terrain, which added to both safety and comfort.

Sandboarding (17:45-18:00 15 min)

Theguide actively helped everyone get startedby giving a push on the sandboard.

In my case, Itipped over while sitting, ending up covered in sand.

⚠️ Learn from my mistake!Important tip: Phones and cameras can easilyfall, get lost, or fill with sandduring the ride. It’snot recommended to sandboard with devicesdon't forget to hand them to someone before sliding.

📸 Photo Stop (18:00 - 18:30, 30 min)

This break includedgroup photos, jumping shots, and time to relax.

Something I haven’t seen offered by any other company during similar tours.

Detailed Breakdown — The Camp after The Safari (3 hours)

• At 18:45. Upon arrival, guests were welcomed.

• Theoasis style camp's ambience was authentic, withArabic music, traditional tents, and soft lightingcreating a warm, inviting setting.
• AQuality Managerwas present throughout — helping guests, monitoring the experience, and keeping everyone informed.

• Aloudspeaker announcement systemmade it easy to follow the schedule and know what’s coming up next.

Horse Riding

After a short briefing, I went horseback riding, which turned out to be anincredible experience, one of the best I’ve ever had. The horse, Rose, wasperfectly trained. I’ve tried several horseback rides before, but she was by farthe most well-behaved and responsive horseI’ve ridden.

She followed the route almost entirely on her own. A private guide accompanied us, but the ride felt smooth and effortless.

💡Tip:To get the best price for horse riding, it's advisable to book in advance along with other activities like quad rides that you plan to do during your Dubai Desert safari.

The ride lasted about30 minutes,so Imissed the first show.Based on what others said, I didn’t miss much, while in return I got alifelong memory for 30 EUR (120 AED). The ride was advertised as 20 minutes, but fortunately itlasted a bit longer.

Cena

By the time i finished the riding the buffet was already open.

The food wastasty and flavorful. not fine dining, but thevariety was impressive. Everything wasfresh and well-cooked.

While eating you are entertained by the shows. If I hadn’t seen so many other shows before, this would havefully satisfied me. But since I now havea broad basis for comparison, i give a honest review:

The shows felt more like anice add-on to the dining experience, rather than standalone highlights. It’s hard to truly rate them on their own, and there are a few reasons for that:

1. We wereseated quite far from the stage, so we didn’t feel fully immersed.
2. While the loudspeakers were useful for organizing the crowd, theaudio quality wasn’t greatfor enjoying music or live performances.

Overall, it felt like they made sure toinclude everything, the fire show, for example, was fun and the performer did a great job, but it didn’t aim to be thebest show in town.

It felt more like a box-ticking element rather than a deeply emphasized entertainment piece, unlike in some premium camps.

Traditional Clothing

🐫 Camel riding

🐫 Camel feeding

Shisha

Desert

Of course, like everything with OceanAir, the variety was extensive.

Star Gazing

The telescope was pointed at a single star, which I could see larger through the lens, but honestly, it wasn’t exactly a wow moment.

Return Journey

On the way back, everyone was already pretty tired. Our guide asked for feedback from the group but was not too pushy. The vibes were still good all the way until we arrived. I was the first to get dropped off at my hotel and said goodbye to my new Dubai friends. After all the hype, adrenaline, and a big meal, the whole group was in chill mode so it was a calm and relaxed ride back.

Hotel Pickup

• The booking process was straightforward. I booked the safari for 15:15, and they informed me that the pick-up would be between 14:45 and 15:15.

Car

• The car was a Toyota Land Cruiser, with a spotless interior, although the windshield had a minor crack.

Driver Behavior

• The driver Muhammad, didn't provide the car color, plate number, or share the location like other drivers, only notifying me of his arrival time (14:50). But he arrived 5 minutes early. 👏 But his communication style totally changed when we met. He was talkative, warm, and made the pickup feel like the start of a fun road trip with a friend.

Number of stops/ duration

• There was one additional pickup, a friendly family of five, with just a short 10-minute detour. Since I was the first, I got the front seat again.

Delays or waiting time (10 min)

The family was German, so obviously no delays 🇩🇪⏱️.

Distance and travel time (1 hour)

• We started at 15:05 and arrived at 16:08 to Ammar Tours' own meeting point.
• Our guide remained friendly, kind, and approachable. However, as a professional driver, his occasionally sporty maneuvers on the road could feel reckless. Additionally, typing on the phone did not enhance the feeling of safety.

First Desert Stop: Quad / Buggy meeting point (1 hour)

Ammar Tours’ quad rental meeting point is no exception to the company’s minimalist, no-frills approach.

Don’t expect fancy air-conditioned facilities or brand-new, high-end gears.

Plus a shop to buy tickets but other then these the area is quite empty.

Quad Ride Experience ( 30 min )

Instead, what you get is exactly what matters a practical setup with quick access to the open desert, where the guides won’t micromanage your every move. It’s all about giving you the freedom to ride.

The German family hadn’t booked the quad option in advance, sothey had to pay a higher price, but it was still absolutely worth it.The mother, who was really nervous at first, got patient guidance from the staff and ended up enjoying the ride as much as her son, who used only two wheels at times.

After the safety briefing, we headed straight into the open desert. Our guide made sure we followed his lead and stayed safe from other bikers and buggies. He didn’t try to control us, which made the experience trulyadrenaline-packed.

After 12 minutes driving we stopped for 10 minutes to take photos. Our Quad Guide made many photos in such a short time and then we drove an other 15 minutes before arrived back.

What I really admired was how well hebalanced the needs of total beginners and experienced riders, making sure everyone had a great time.

‍

Dune Bashing Experience (20 + 15 minutes crazy ride)

Driving Style and Safety

Thisdune bashing was the craziest of all, with of courseseatbelts requiredfor all passengers.

The ride was so thrilling that, if you didn’t know our guide was a trained expert chauffeur, you might easily worry about what’s coming at the next turn or dune peak. But he had total control. Thanks to the fully deflated tires and the added safety of traveling in a convoy, we managed incredibly short braking distances, steep climbs, and sharp drops that felt like they defied the laws of physics.

It was clear that our guideloved what he was doingand this kind of passionsets apart the bestfrom the rest. His enjoyment sticked with his passangers as well! He was definitely afirst-class driver, but riding on the edge always comes withwell-calculated risks. I personally felt totally safe, but based on my many dune bashing experiences and some reactions from fellow passengers, I’m sure some people might find this ride a bittoo intenseor evenreckless, especially those who has motion sickness. This first part included 20 minutes pure ride.

Sandboarding (17:10-17:30 20 min)

and made sure the boards are waxed ( to slide even better) .

I think having fun is in the genes of Ammar Tours, so naturally, we stopped at the highest dune, allowing me to experience myfastest Sandboarding rideamong all safaris.

📸 Photo Stop

This sandboarding break includedphoto shoots as well.

Thanks to my lovely travel companion, theunrealistically beautifulshot was captured right here which is featured at the top of the article:Dubai 2025.

The Camp

No frills no fancy facilities, but it brings what it needs.

with proper restrooms and even a shower available.

There was no stargazing or birthday celebration, but the shisha was excellent.

🐫 Camel riding

The ride itself was really basic, thecamel guide did not make any photos and the ride was really short, in exchange there were no further lines building up.

The Show

Although the shows may have been similar in quality, we felt much more involved simply because we were seated right next to the stage.

Tanura: The speakers felt slightly lower in quality at the beginning, but this was only noticeable during speech. The music sounded similar in quality and, luckily, came from a more distant source.

The food selection was a bit more limited, but still totally sufficient. I tend to eat a lot, so I felt slightly rushed during dinner. I wanted to bring more times food. You can but its not self service what contribute to waste less food.

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Notable return details:The ride back took about an hour, and after such an adrenaline-filled day, I dozed off in the car — full and happily tired. The driving was also more relaxed this time. What I really appreciated about this tour was the lack of pushy upselling. The focus stayed on us the whole time: thrilling activities, amazing photos, and a vibe that felt more like a trip with friends than a commercial tour. No pressure for reviews, no nagging — just freedom and fun. Great value for money, and an especially perfect choice for adrenaline lovers.

The fact that this experience completely energized me despite how tired I was says a lot about how exciting it truly was.

‍

Hotel Pickup

• Upon booking we received a well- crafted message via WhatsApp. It included the estimated pickup time and a detailed schedule, highlighting important details such as the availability of sandboarding upon request what i didnt realize back then.

Car

• The car was a Nissan Patrol, in excellent condition, although some seats were covered in nylon, which could detract from comfort. The phone chargers were occupied, but I'm sure I could have used one if necessary.

Number of stops/ duration

• Pickup was accurate at 15:00and I was the last to be picked up. The two other passengers — a mother and daughter from Ghana, were truly lovely and their presence brightened the entire trip — were already in the car.

Driver Behavior

• The first interaction with our guide was excellent. He greeted me warmly at the hotel entrance,speaking fluent English without any noticeable accent. Unfortunately the first impression turned very quickly into the opposite.
• Maybe we were just unlucky, but our guide seemed more focused on other things than on us.

• He was loudly talking on the phone making it impossible to even talk with the other passengers. This would be unacceptable even from a taxi driver , let alone a tour guide. He was coughing, sniffing, and clearing his throat audibly, with none of the refinement you’d expect from such a premium tour.

• He seemed knowledgeable but very little to no information was shared, no introduction, no briefing. After around 30 minutes, he finally stopped - by then, I had started guiding the others myself based on what i learned from other guides on previous tours.

First Desert Stop: Quad / Buggy meeting point (1,5 hour)

We travelled 55 minutes before we arrived at the Vienna Buggy Adventure point at 15:55. Since I work in Vienna, I had hoped for the same level of refinement this city has made me accustomed to but this couldn’t have been further from that.

As the only tourists there, we received full attention from the merchants, who were aggressively pushy in all the wrong ways:

• Offers were made at 3–4 times more than what they were actually willing to sell for.
• They didn’t care whether I actually needed the items or not: E.g.: they tried to sell me clothing that was clearly too small, simply because they had no larger sizes in stock.
• We declined the perfume, yet were approached another 4–5 times.

• a necklace with her name in Arabic letters, which already started losing its paint before I could even give it to her a week later. It cost me 10 EUR (40 AED), but they originally asked for 40 EUR (160 AED).
• The same applied to the quad and buggy offers. Even after we clearly said we weren’t interested and it was only the three of us, we were still made to wait under shaded roofs (air-conditioned rooms were not available). We were told we were waiting for a convoy, which never showed up. In the end, we left the area alone and began dune bashing with just our car.
• Thanks to my fellow passengers, we still had a great time despite everything listed above. We made so much fun and laughter throughout. Our tour guide, aside from occasionally asking if we had changed our minds about the quad ride, showed little interest in engaging with us.

There was:

• a mini market for traditional clothes, Ghutra, and drinks
• a separate building with clean restrooms
• a shadowed rest area with benches and cushions
• a bar offering ice-cold drinks, snacks, and coffee
• a small section for perfume and souvenir sellers

What truly reflected the premium side of the company was that they were the only ones who asked for feedback and offered assistance this early in the tour. I gave honest input, saying I had expected more. Not so much for myself, as I’ve experienced many high-quality tours before, but for my new Ghanaian friends, whomight only have this one desert adventure in their lives!I genuinely appreciated howquickly they responded and how much the experience improvedafterward.

Delays or waiting time

We spent here one hour and besides the first 10 minutes, we can actually call this as waiting time, without other passangers, this could have been really boring.

Quad Ride Experience ( 30 min )

I didn’t participate in the quad ride on this tour, but the bike park was excellent, as usual. Both the quads and buggies were in great condition.

We were offered the following prices:

• 200 AED (50 EUR)for quads in the fenced area
• 250 AED (62.5 EUR)for quads in the open desert
• 800 AED (200 EUR)for buggies in the open desert only

Dune Bashing Experience (12 + 15 minutes thrilling ride)

Driving Style and Safety

Our driver was really skilled and it was clear he could have delivered a more adrenaline-filled ride. But this time, we preferred something milder, and it was great to see how well headapted to our needs.

On the negative side we had all together around 30 minutes of dune bashing with a 20 minutes photo break.Instead of the promised 45 minutes ride. A small inconvenience was that the tissue box kept falling from the dashboard into my lap multiple times.

Sandboarding

The initial message indicated that sandboarding is available upon request but unlikely to other tours the option was not even offered ( i guess we should have asked proactively for this option) so we skipped it this time.

📸 Photo Stop (17:01 - 17:22, 20 min)

We took photos of each other, as our guide wasn’t particularly proactive about it at this point.

Detailed Breakdown — The Camp after The Safari (3 hours)

• Our guide now paid attention to us, shared interesting information with us, and was keen to entertain us, so the way to the camp really flew by.

• We arriverd to the camp at 18:12 and already from the Gate it was visible that this is really a premium camp.

• Already at the entrance next to the registration desk. we were warmly welcomed with some sweet arabic dumplings in traditional clay dishes.

• Traditional seating woven lanterns and soft carpets created an authentic desert atmoshpeere.

• Along the path charming traditional stalls offered local herbs spices and souvenirs.

After my short walk around the camp i finally went to take my seat and i was positively surprised:

Not the separated area but rather the attention from the staff and their kindness made a significant impact on me.

We started the dinner with some starter and salad.

Even though I had a premium ticket, the buffet was self-service. Only the VIP section (one level above premium) had table service and a dedicated menu. The food offered in the premium and basic areas was basically the same, but the buffets were clearly separated, and the presentation was noticeably more refined in the premium section.

Coca-Cola was the only soft drink available, offered alongside unlimited mineral water.

While eating our dinner we were entertained by spectacular shows.

• The singer's performance was outstanding, featuring many dancers and uniquesince this is the only camp which offers this kind of entertainment. To ensure an enjoyable experience, Noble Camp had muchbetter quality speakers than some other camps.

• The desserts were truly delightful, featuring chocolate mousse, candied pumpkin, and baked rice with pistachio, along with a refreshing fruit bowl.

• The Shisha costed 200AED 50 EUR,and was not better than the ones for free in other camps, which left me slightly disappointed. But luckily, the fire show, which started not long after we ordered, compensated us.

The quality show experience and nice food in this superb area and energetic vibes made us forget the small inconveniences. We made our group photo with our guide together with a big smile on our face.

Return Journey

On the way back, our guide was much better — genuinely interested in us and even asked about my upcoming flight. I’m not sure if the repeated offer of a private transfer was an upsell attempt or a kind gesture, but let’s assume it was the latter. He answered all our questions and shared interesting facts during the ride. The overall vibe in the car was much improved. While there were still some phone calls, they were quieter and more polite this time.

All in all, a huge improvement. If we focus solely on the camp experience, which was truly first class,Noble Life does deserve the premium label.But to secure a long-term spot in the top half of Dubai’s desert safari rankings,they’ll need to refine the entire experience, not just the camp.

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Detailed Breakdown — Before the Safari

Hotel Pickup (3:30 am 5 min)

• I booked the tour just a few hours before the start, and the team showed exceptional flexibility in making it happen without any issues.
• They messaged me that pickup would be at 3:30. When I got to the lobby at 3:31, the driver was already there, chatting with the hotel staff.

Car

• Although the car had many kilometers on it, it was in spotless condition.
• The only minor annoyance was that, despite cleaning my camera, the city lights looked blurred.

• it took me a while to realize it was due to the slightly dusty windshield.

Driver Behavior

Sony,Our driver made a great impression from the very beginning. With over 30 years of experience in hospitality, he carried himself withcalm professionalism and a genuine passion for what he does.He was friendly, polite, and always open to questions

what I really appreciated was that if he didn’t immediately understand something, he would ask for clarification rather than pretending to know. Hisexplanations were detailed and informative, showing deep local knowledge without ever being pushy or overly talkative. He also respected personal space. Unlike some drivers who hover or try to force conversations, he struck theperfect balance between being present and giving us roomto enjoy the journey.

Number of stops/ duration (4:40 am 10 min)

• The place was full of birds and I'm not sure if it was by chance or something typical of the area.

• There were no vendor here, and we had to take off our shoes even to use the restroom.

Delays or waiting time (10 min)

We had to wait about 10 minutes for the other cars in our convoy to arrive.

Detailed Breakdown — During The Safari

Dune Bashing Experience

• As soon as the tyres were deflated we continoud our journey.

• The tour advertised 10 minutes of dune bashing, but in reality, it was even shorter.It’s clear that dune bashing isn’t the main focus here — and a more intense ride wouldn’t be appropriate in a conservation area anyway.

First Desert Stop: Mugathra Area ( from 5-6:30 am 1,5 hours )

• We quickly arrived to a conservation area where we had already the first wildlife encounters.

• Following a quick dune bashing session, we arrived at the peak of the highest dune, where a stunning panoramic view awaited us.

Sandboarding (20 min)

• The sandboarding was well-paced. Gave enough time for everyone to enjoy a ride without dragging on. The dune was smaller, than in the red desert but still fun.

Sunrise ( 20 min)

Right after sandboarding, around 5:40 a.m., the sunrise began. We had time to find the perfect spot to capture, while others simply soaked it in quietly with their loved ones.

• It wasn’t crowded during sunrise, but once the photos were done, people started gathering to return to the car.

• As we left the desert, we had another short off-road ride and saw large groups of gazelles along the way. It would have been nice to get closer to them or at least stop for a moment, but unfortunately, that wasn’t possible.

• The ride took about 30 minutes until we arrived to our picnic place.

Detailed Breakdown — After The Safari

Breakfast , Al Qudra Lake (30 min)

• The location was ideal, offering aclose-to-nature experience with several water bodies and a variety of birds.
• On the downside,no cutlery was provided with breakfast, and the very thin blanket laid directly on the sand attracted quite a few ants, felt a bit too minimal.

• The breakfast was nothing fancy, but perfect for a quick bite during a safari.

• I really liked the smoothie and juice selection, and of course, bottled water, Arabic coffee, and tea were also available.

Love Lake (10 min)

• We were just 5 minutes away from the famous Love Lake what got its name from its design: two interconnected heart-shaped lakes.
• Even though the lakes are artificial, the place felt refreshingly natural.

• The area is rich in wildlife, and this time our driver slowed down so we could take a closer look and snap a few photos. Still, we weren’t allowed to step out of the car, and we definitelywould’ve appreciated more timeat this peaceful spot.

• That said, this was still one ofthe most nature-connected safari I’ve experienced.‍

‍Return Journey

On the way back, something stood out to me as a cycling enthusiast: we drove alongside a dedicated bike road that stretched for kilometers through the desert. Seemed a great and unique opportunity for cyclists. Ifelt genuinely refreshed after spending time in such a nature-rich area, though I would’ve loved to stay longer.

Due to the tight schedule, we had to leave on time, but Oriental Tours ensured everyone got back to their hotels punctually. We arrived by 8:00 a.m., which meant in theory, I could still catch my hotel breakfast — but I was already full.It was nice to have the whole day ahead of me, feeling both energized and grounded from the early desert experience.

Detailed Breakdown

Hotel Pickup

• After booking, they immediately reached out and shared some useful information  for example:
• ‍the exact pickup location and time window(7:45–8:15 AM), that I shouldwait inside the hotel lobby, and that thedriver can only wait a maximum of 15 minutes.
• They also suggestedproviding my WhatsApp number and room detailsso the guide can easily contact me. Plus they offered optional add-ons such as a 30-minute quad bike ride or a private vehicle since these i didnt book for this tour.

• Sajid, my safari guide for this tour, contacted me just before pickup and sent a photo of the car with the plate number, which made the process even smoother.

Car

• The Sequoia is more spacious and comfortable, which is a big advantage in tourism, while theLand Cruiser is more agileand a more traditional off-roader.

• The car was clean but older than those on other tours.

Driver Behavior

The guide proactively offered the car's facilities to me when he saw i have some cables with me. So i could use USB-C cables to charge my phone + he shared hotspot so i could connect during the whole day. This made a good first impression. He has excellent english but more than this he makes sure the guest understand everything and the communication is clear from both sides.
Driving stlyewas extremely responsible and calm throughout the entire journey. He never acted aggressively, and maintained a steady pace that made us feelsecure and relaxed.

Number of stops/ duration (1 hour)

The other passengers were picked up in the downtown area, so I just leaned back and enjoyed the view of Dubai’s stunning architecture.

we didnt need to wait since the other passengers were already waiting for us in the lobby. Its always feel good when easy to cooperate with your fellow passengers.

The driver asked if we wanted music, but the group wasn’t very interested and I was tired, so we skipped it. He still pointed out landmarks like the horse racing stadium and later switched from Arabic to international music. He patiently explained the typical dune bashing cars, and overall he tried to make sure we were all having fun. On the improvement side, I would have expected more commentary and a slightly more proactive attitude from a professional guide. This rather passive communication style made his role feel more like a driver than a guide.

First Desert Stop: Desert Xtrem Motorcycle rentals

Nice are, with a neat and tidy shop.

One of the best infrastructure for those who are not riding the Quads or driving buggy. 4 containers with full glass walls with LCD TV and AC inside.

🐫 Camel riding

Overall nice ride, guide took photos, it was not outstanding either positively or negatively.

📸 Falcon Photo

A really nice Falcon, but skipped the Photo this time. The price was rather on the lower side compered to other places.

Vendor interaction:

Vendors were really nice and not pushy. They offered right from the beginning cheaper prices, and were polite and respectful all the time.

Detailed Breakdown — During The Safari

Dune Bashing Experience (10 minutes moderate + 5 minutes light ride)

After the tyre deflation, the ride started with a 10 minutes dune bashing. It was a fun ride but not extreme.

Photo about Sajid, collecting Rubbish. A very good point for the Dream Journey and for Sajid himself, he collected rubbish in our area. If everyone would just leave the desert with a little bit more rubbish than what they brought there, it could be cleaned up real quick.

He shared the fact, that the desert safari companied are paying for keeping it clean, but it is simply not possible to keep up with the high number tourinsts and with those who are misbehaving. Please if you read these lines consider  your environment once you arrive there.

Desert Photo shooting (10 min)

Our guide was helpful with the photos, but looked somehow unorganized. Más túráknál azt tapasztaltuk, hogy a fotós pontosan tudja milyen póózok, milyen szögből és melyik helyen fog a legjobban kinézni. Itt picit spontánnak érződött a dolog és sokszor a fellow passengert kellett megkérnem, hogy fotókat csináljon.

Sandboarding (10 min)

The longest sandboarding from all safaris! This is also a big extra we parked really on the top of the biggest dune in the area and at the end of my slide, i could barely see the people on the top.

Coming back by walk was not that fun under the sun when it was on the top and the tempreture well exceeded the 40C degree.

After the sandboarding we headed back to the inflation deflation area.

I eat my usual coconut here and started our wayback home.

Detailed Breakdown — After The Safari

Return Journey (1 hour)

While the return journey was quite uneventful, overall, I had a great time. Dream Journey was high on my list of companies to test, but it didn't quite meet my extremely high expectations. I believe their strong marketing has led to many reviews on their site, but the safari experience itself doesn't make them the top choice. However, they are still a great company, and you won't be disappointed if you travel with them. During peak season, if there are no other providers from the top three available, or when they offer a significant discount, they can still be a great choice.