A desert safari is a complex experience. To compare them fairly, I built a structured evaluation framework based on what truly matters to guests and what companies can actively control. Find them in order below:
Morning vs. Evening Safaris 🌅🌙
- Morning safaris typically last around 4 hours, and include activities like camel riding, quad biking, and dune bashing.
💡Tip: Options like dance shows, fire shows, singers, henna, shisha, and dinner are only available on the evening safaris, which usually last about 7 hours
- Evening safaris last about 7 hours, and in addition to everything included in the morning safari, you’ll also get the desert camp experience, a BBQ dinner, and a full experience with activities like henna, shisha, and live shows.
- Sunrise safaris start well before dawn, offering a truly magical experience as you watch the sunrise over the desert. These safaris usually include a light breakfast as well and you can experience wildlife from closer.
Private vs. Shared Safaris 🚗💨
- Private safaris are ideal for families, groups of friends, or romantic getaways (honeymoons), offering a customizable and intimate experience.
- Shared safaris are more budget-friendly and perfect for solo travelers or those who enjoy the company of others.
💡Tip: Book through GetYourGuide for a smooth experience, as many guides handle these bookings separately.
Quad Safari vs. Quad Biking During a Safari 🏍️🌵
- Quad safari refers to the full off-road adventure, where you drive the quad through the desert during the whole safari typically 1-2 hours.
- Quad biking during a safari typically happens during a break as part of a larger desert experience typically 0,5-1 hours.
Quad Biking in the Open Desert vs. Meeting Point Area 🏍️🌵
- Open Desert Quad Biking: This experience takes you across the vast, open desert with real dunes to conquer. It offers a true adventure where you can feel the thrill of riding on wild terrain with no fences or restrictions—perfect for those looking for an authentic desert experience.
- Quad Biking at Meeting Point Area: While this is also a sand-filled experience, it takes place within a fenced-off area. Although it’s large and offers a fun ride, you won’t encounter real dunes or the same expansive desert feel as in the open desert. However, it still provides an exciting quad biking experience and is a great option if you're looking for a more controlled environment.
Camel Safari vs. Riding a Camel During the Safari 🐪
- A camel safari is a more in-depth experience where you travel across the desert on a camel typically a few hours long.
- Riding a camel is usually just a short, scenic ride as part of your desert excursion. typiclly 1-5 minutes.
White Sand vs. Red Sand Deserts 🏜️
- White sand desert offers brighter dunes and a more open landscape. This desert is closer to Dubai and feature smaller dunes.
- Red sand desert the big player with taller, more rolling dunes. Most tour companies organize their safaris in the red sand deserts due to their iconic landscape and overall experience.
VIP or Premium Experiences 💎✨
- In most cases,VIPis essentially an upgrade fromPremium, with companies referring to them as such.
Pickup vs Safari car 🚗
All the tours I tested use the same comfy car for pickup & desert ride — perfectly suited for both city roads and desert terrain.💎 Top-tier companies sometimes offer separate city & dune vehicles for extra comfort.
Go back to 10 Best Desert Safaris in Dubai in 2025 (Personally Tested)
Last updated: Nov 28, 2025