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FIELD GUIDE / DESERT

Dubai Desert Safari: Which One to Book

QUICK ANSWER

The Civitatis safari with dinner takes 7 hours and has an English-speaking guide. The combo takes 13 hours, with an English-speaking guide in Dubai and an English-speaking driver in the desert.

Barjano · Travel guide

Editorial review

Illustration of a 4x4 among orange dunes
Travel illustration

CHOOSE YOUR TRIP

How much time do you have?

The combo suits you if you want to see the city and the dunes in a single day. If you already know Dubai, save time with the 4–5 hour 4x4 or set aside 7 hours for dinner at the camp.

CITY + DESERT · 13 hours

Dubai Tour + Desert Safari

For a first visit with a full day. It brings together the city tour, the dunes and dinner at the camp.

CityEnglish-speaking guide

DesertEnglish-speaking driver

Illustration of the Dubai skyline with the Burj Khalifa

Order of the trip

Illustrated sequence · not to a time scale

  1. City in the morning

    Guided city tour.

    English-speaking guide

  2. Switch to the 4x4

    See what to confirm

  3. Dunes in the afternoon

    Driving through the dunes.

    English-speaking driver

  4. Dinner and return

    A meal at the camp before heading back.

Illustration of a traveller between a minibus and a 4x4
Illustration of the vehicle change

Before you board the 4x4

Confirm these three details in your booking instructions.

Place
What address does the 4x4 pick you up from, and what landmark identifies the meeting point?
Local time
What time do you need to be there after the city visit?
Operator and contact
Which operator picks you up for the desert, and what number do you call if something changes?
See the combo listing

Reference price

From€81.28

Civitatis listing ·

9.5/10· 2,768 reviews

Civitatis ratings ·

See price for your date

DUNES ONLY · 4–5 hours

Desert Safari in a 4x4, no Dinner

It is for you if you have already seen the city or want to keep the other part of the day. There is a 4x4 and sandboarding. You return the same day and there is no dinner.

Illustration of a 4x4 among orange dunes

Order of the trip

Illustrated sequence · not to a time scale

  1. Pickup

    Confirm the point and the area covered.

  2. Dunes and sandboarding

    The 4x4 is the centre of the trip.

    English-speaking guide

  3. Return

    No dinner or night at the camp.

Reference price

From€27.66

Civitatis listing ·

9.4/10· 425 reviews

Civitatis ratings ·

See price for your date Civitatis listing

DINNER AND SHOW · 7 hours

Desert Safari with Dinner and Show

It is for you if you want to do the 4x4 and finish at the camp. Choose the option that says dinner. It does not include the city tour or the night.

Illustration of a lit camp among the dunes

Order of the trip

Illustrated sequence · not to a time scale

  1. Pickup

    Check whether your address is covered.

  2. 4x4 stretch

    Driving through the dunes.

    English-speaking guide

  3. Meal and show

    Check that your option says dinner.

  4. Return

    You head back without staying overnight.

Reference price

From€59.26

Civitatis listing ·

9.3/10· 4,548 reviews

Civitatis ratings ·

See price for your date Civitatis listing

NIGHT IN THE DESERT · 1 day

Luxury Safari with a Night in the Desert

It is for you if the night at the camp is part of the trip. Leave room until the return the next day; check the equipment before booking.

Illustration of a tent among the dunes under the moon

Order of the trip

Illustrated sequence · not to a time scale

  1. Dunes

    Departure by 4x4 into the desert.

    English-speaking guide

  2. Dinner at the camp

    The trip continues at the camp.

  3. Night in a tent

    Check the beds, shower and what you need to bring.

  4. The next day

    Breakfast and return.

Reference price

From€135.60

Civitatis listing ·

9.5/10· 323 reviews

Civitatis ratings

See price for your date Civitatis listing

Check the price and availability on Civitatis for your travel date.

COMPARE THE LEGS

What changes between safaris.

The time shown is the total published duration. The city visit only appears in the combo, and both of its legs run in English.

City + dunes Dunes only Dunes + dinner Night in the dunes
Total duration 13 hours 4–5 hours 7 hours 1 day
City and desert City tour + 4x4 and camp 4x4 and sandboarding; no city tour 4x4 and camp; no city tour 4x4 and camp; no city tour
Dinner or lunch Dinner included No dinner Meal and show; check the time slot Dinner and breakfast
Night at the camp No overnight stay No overnight stay No overnight stay One night in a tent
Language in the city English-speaking guide No city tour No city tour No city tour
Language in the desert English-speaking driver English-speaking guide English-speaking guide English-speaking guide

Before booking

Which option to choose

01

If you only want the dunes

The 4–5 hour trip centres on the 4x4 ride and sandboarding. It is the shortest of these options and does not include dinner. Confirm the pickup point and the total time before fitting in another plan.

02

If you want dinner under the stars

The 7-hour safari adds dinner and a show at the camp. It is a better choice than the combo if you have already seen the city stops. In both, the desert part is in English.

03

If you want to stay overnight

The night in a tent changes the logistics: dinner at the camp, breakfast and the return the next day. Check what equipment the tent has before booking. The quad bike is a different kind of trip; do not assume it is included in a 4x4 safari.

Safari options

FIELD NOTEBOOK

What to confirm before booking.

Open the listing for your option and check these points for your date, your accommodation and your group.

02

Dinner and show

In the listing. The dinner trip goes through a camp and advertises a show. The 4–5 hour trip does not include dinner.

Confirm. Check that your option says dinner and what the drinks service includes. If you need a specific menu, ask when you book.

Civitatis · Desert Safari with Dinner and Show
03

Tent, beds and shower

In the listing. The overnight safari describes single beds with a blanket and pillow. There are showers at the camp; the listing asks you to bring a towel.

Confirm. Ask how your group is split between tents, whether the bathroom is private or shared and what climate control the sleeping tent has.

Civitatis · Luxury Safari with a Night in the Desert
04

4x4, sandboarding and quad bike

In the listing. The 4x4 is driven by a driver. The short safari lists a 4x4 and sandboarding in the programme.

Confirm. If you want to drive a quad bike, look for that activity written into your option. Confirm the surcharge and what is included before paying.

Civitatis · Desert Safari in a 4x4, no Dinner

BEFORE BOOKING

Travel questions

What language is the safari with dinner in?

English. The guide speaks English.

What language is the combo in?

Both parts run in English: an English-speaking guide in the city and an English-speaking driver in the desert.

Which safari is the shortest?

The 4x4 trip without dinner takes 4 to 5 hours, compared with 7 hours for the safari with dinner.

Which one lets me sleep in the desert?

The luxury safari with an overnight stay includes a camp tent, dinner and breakfast.

Is the quad bike included?

Do not assume it is. Check the option you book: some listings offer extra activities for an additional fee.

Sources for your visit

BARJANO / ATLAS

Dubai Desert Safari: With or Without DinnerLuxury Overnight Desert Safari in DubaiFull Dubai City Tour in English