Desert Safari is a unique and amazing experience!The evening desert Safari is mesmerizing especially the sunset view!This is our first time to a desert and we loved everything about it..It’s really worth every penny spent.
The evening desert Safari includes:
- Dune Bashing
- Camel Riding
- Quad Biking(Extra Cost)
- Sand Boarding
- Pictures in Traditional costumes
- BBQ dinner with vegetarian and non-vegetarian options
- Pictures With Arabian Eagles (10 AED extra)
- Henna Designing (For Ladies & Kids)
- Shisha, Hublee Bublee Smoking (For Adults)
- Unlimited soft drinks, water, tea and coffee
- Belly Dance show
- Arabian Tanoura Dance
- Fire Show
The pick up is from 3 – 3:30 pm and there are 2 types of pick ups..One is by tour bus from specific places( like Deira city center, Spinneys Bur Dubai, Lulu hypermarket near Mall of Emirates etc)and other is pick up by 4×4 car from the hotel( costlier). It is almost an hour drive to the desert. There will be a 10 minutes stop just before reaching where you can buy Arabic turbans, snacks or use toilets.
Sand dune bashing:
After reaching the meet up point, we will be transferred to 4×4 land cruiser.Now comes the most exciting part! Sand dune bashing- The thrilling and bumpy unforgettable ride.It’s phenomenal and 20 minutes of fun filled terror ride on the high red dunes.The driver is very skilled and made the ride more enjoyable with sudden turns.
First we thought that our girl would be scared but she is the one who enjoyed it the most..Through out the ride, she was saying “Up & down, Up & down”.😆
After reaching the campsite, we were busy taking pics as the sunset is captivating in the desert. Best place for sunset photography.Extra tip is to wear red, it really matches the sand.
Sand boarding & Quad biking:
You can also try the sand boarding which is free. But for quad bike riding, you need to pay extra.
Camel Riding:
There will be Camel riding for 1-2 min but it’s pretty enough (You need to pay extra for more rides). Frankly, I was a bit scared when the Camel was sitting down!
There will be a person with Arabian eagle and you can take picture with it for 10 AED.
Campsite:
The campsite has a center stage with tables surrounding it. The seating is convenient with pillows on the tables. You will be alloted a table number by the driver.
There are a lot of stalls selling souvenirs, sand art, dresses, carpets, food and many more.
Henna Designing:
The henna designer is good and fast. Simple designs are for free and can choose for hand or leg. If you want a more complicated design, you need to pay accordingly.
Note: Ask their permission before taking the pic.
There is a traditional costumes stall where you can wear them and take pictures.
Shisha:
Free Shisha is available in the common area and if you want one at your table, should pay 50 AED.
Food & Snacks:
There is a free flow of snacks and sweets with coffee and tea. Unlimited supply of water and soft drinks.
Later, BBQ Dinner with non vegetarian and vegetarian options is arranged.You can stand in queue or order to your table for extra payment. The food is delicious.
Live shows:
While eating dinner , you can enjoy the live performances! They are extremely skilled performers. First the Tanoura dance. Tanoura is the weighted skirt with lights. The dance is accompanied by Sufi Music and is performed by Sufi men. It is amazing that the dancer is spinning continuously for long time and stops without exhibiting any signs of dizziness!
The belly dance show is awesome and the girl is very pretty!Wearing the colorful outfit and glittering jewellery, she has excellent dancing skills and performed to Arabic tunes. The way she handled the sword in the dance is amazing!
The fire show is a mind blowing performance. He is a very skilled performer and plays with fire to a who new level!
Around 8 pm, the camp comes to an end and will be taken back in land cruisers to the meet up point. From there, it’s almost an hour to the city. We enjoyed desert Safari a lot and will definitely come again.
Timings:
3 pm to 10 pm
Pick up is between 3-4 pm.
Package Price:
100 AED* for 2 pax
Child below 3 years is free
* Price differs with different tour Operators but the package is the same.
Tips:
- Don’t miss the sunset photography.
- It’s really very cold at night, so better bring beanie for kids or elders.
- Bring a bug repellent spray.
- Toilets facility is available.
- If you didn’t buy the tickets in advance, you can try at the pick up points directly at 3pm. They will offer less price around 90 AED for 2 pax!