01THE DESERT
Dunes and safaris
A 4x4 at sunset, dinner at the camp or a night among the dunes.
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Dubai, between city and dunes.
What to see in Dubai, which safari to book and what language you will be guided in. Plan your trip at your own pace.
01 / THE ATLAS
Three ways to travel.
From the souks to the desert, with a stop in Abu Dhabi. Choose where to start.
ROUTE ATLAS
Dubai, area by area.
Start with two districts in a day. Add the dunes, the Marina and Abu Dhabi if you have more time. Tap a stop to see the order, how to link it and what to confirm.
Dubai and surroundings
Diagram, not to scale
Stops per dayChange of areaSequence between daysOff the route
The lines join areas; they do not represent roads or travel times.
Order of visits
Route for 4 days
- DAY01
-
DAY02
Dubai Dunes
Keep this day flexible until you have the pickup and return times.
-
DAY03
Dubai Marina and JBR
Do the stretch along the canal and JBR in a single block.
-
DAY04
Abu Dhabi
Set aside a day to leave Dubai and come back.
How to read the map
Each day starts where you are staying or at the confirmed meeting point. The lines between days show the order of the trip, not a direct transfer.
HISTORIC DISTRICT
Dubai Creek
In Al Fahidi, follow the lanes towards the water. Across the Creek, the Deira souks complete the visit without changing area again.
This area is outside the route you chose.
Order within the area
- Al Fahidi lanes
- Creek waterfront
- Deira souks
Getting around
On foot through Al Fahidi and Deira; cross by abra if it is running and the landing suits you.
What to confirm
Check the abra service and which souks or spaces you want to visit before heading out.
CENTRE AND OBSERVATION DECK
Downtown
Plan Downtown around whatever you have already booked. Access to At the Top goes through the Dubai Mall; if you are not going up, keep the outdoor walk.
This area is outside the route you chose.
Order within the area
- Dubai Mall
- Burj Khalifa if you have a ticket
- Walk around Downtown
Getting around
It is a different district from the Creek. Choose transport from your actual starting point and leave time to reach the entrance.
What to confirm
Verify the time slot, the floors included and where to redeem. If you already have a tour, check whether it includes a ticket.
OUTSIDE THE CITY
Dubai Dunes
Let the trip you choose set the day: dunes and back, a meal at the camp or a night out. The point on the map stands for the area, not a specific camp.
This area is outside the route you chose.
Order within the area
- Confirmed pickup point
- 4x4 stretch
- Return or camp, depending on the option
Getting around
Departure by vehicle from the agreed point. Plan your return before booking anything else that day.
What to confirm
Confirm the pickup area, the language in the dunes, the dinner option and any extras, such as the quad bike.
CANAL AND WATERFRONT WALK
Dubai Marina and JBR
The canal and the coast fit into the same visit. Start by the Dubai Marina Mall or on Marina Walk and add the JBR stretch if you feel like walking on.
This area is outside the route you chose.
Order within the area
- Dubai Marina Mall or Marina Walk
- Canal and bridge to JBR
- JBR and The Beach
Getting around
To get here from Downtown or your accommodation, look for the connection that drops you closest to the starting point. Then continue on foot beside the water.
What to confirm
Locate where the walk begins and where you will come back. If you add a cruise, confirm the pier in the listing.
ANOTHER EMIRATE
Abu Dhabi
Start with the Grand Mosque and pick a second area: Saadiyat for the Louvre, or the Corniche area for a visit by the water.
This area is outside the route you chose.
Order within the area
- Departure from Dubai
- Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
- Saadiyat or Corniche
Getting around
Count on a round trip between emirates and a separate transfer if you combine the mosque and the museum.
What to confirm
Verify the official access to the mosque and whether the programme includes a Louvre ticket or only an outside stop.
03 / THE COMPASS
The safari that fits you.
The safari with dinner lasts 7 hours and has an English-speaking guide. The combo lasts 13 hours, with an English-speaking guide in Dubai and an English-speaking driver in the desert.
4 safaris
CITY + DESERTDubai Tour + Desert Safari
Civitatis ratings ·
City · English-speaking guideDesert · English-speaking driver
13 hours
City tour, 4x4 and dinner
Reference price
From€81.28
Civitatis listing ·
DINNER AND SHOWDesert Safari with Dinner and Show
Civitatis ratings ·
English-speaking guide
7 hours
4x4, dinner at the camp and show
Reference price
From€59.26
Civitatis listing ·
DUNES ONLYDesert Safari in a 4x4, no Dinner
Civitatis ratings ·
English-speaking guide
4–5 hours
4x4 and sandboarding · no dinner
Reference price
From€27.66
Civitatis listing ·
NIGHT IN THE DESERTLuxury Safari with a Night in the Desert
Civitatis ratings
English-speaking guide
1 day
4x4, tent, dinner and breakfast
Reference price
From€135.60
Civitatis listing ·
There are no safaris for this filter.
Check the price and availability on Civitatis for your travel date.
Read the safari comparison04 / BEFORE YOU GO
Travel questions
What language is the desert safari with dinner in Dubai in?
The safari with dinner and a show lasts 7 hours and the guide speaks English.
Can I see the city and the desert on the same trip?
Yes, with the combo. It lasts 13 hours: a guided city visit in the morning and a 4x4 in the desert later. Both parts run in English.
Which safari should I choose if I do not want dinner at the camp?
The 4–5 hour trip is built for driving the dunes and sandboarding. It finishes the same day and does not include dinner.
How many days should I spend in Dubai and the desert?
With two days you can give one to Al Fahidi and Downtown and keep another for the desert. With three, add Dubai Marina; with four, leave a day for Abu Dhabi.
Can I visit Abu Dhabi from Dubai in one day?
Yes. The excursion we link to takes about 8 hours and leaves from Dubai. If you want to go inside the Louvre as well as visit the Grand Mosque, choose a trip that specifies both visits.