If you are in Dubai and a Desert Safari is not in your itinerary, you have no idea what you are missing. The vast spread of desert witnessing a magical sunset, authentic Mediterranean dinner under a star lit sky and an evening full of entertainment is what an authentic Bedouin camp looks like which definitely is an experience of a lifetime.
Booking the Desert Safari Tour
As soon as you start looking for Desert Safari tours you will find hundreds of them and it sure can get a little overwhelming but our experience with “OceanAir Travels” was unparalleled(They are ranked #1 on Tripadviser for the same reason) We booked the Evening Red Dunes Desert Safari with BBQ at Al Khayma Camp which is about $69/person and they have their own Al Khyama campsite which is not shared by any other tour company and hence provides a great experience with undivided service. The major highlights of the tour are as follows
Dune Bashing – A unique and adventurous ride over the red sand dunes with expert drivers for 30 – 40 mins. (I would suggest you to let your driver know in case you are motion sick)
Authentic Bedouin Camp Experience – A surreal experience at the Al Khyama Campsite.
The trip included pick up and drop off to our hotel. Our driver Ravi was punctual and such a great sport. We were the first one to hop on our Land Cruiser and we had 4 more guests to pick up. Once we were acquainted with each other, we had a blast and millions of questions for Ravi. He was extremely friendly and not only did he answer all our queries but also spilled the beans about some of the hidden gems of Dubai. Our first stop was at a rest area which had souvenir shops and super fun Quads/ ATV rentals to drive in the deserts. Then we had a pit stop in the middle of the desert to click some pictures post which we began our sand dune adventure.
ACTIVITIES AT AL KHAYMA CAMP
- Welcome snacks on arrival at Al Khayma Camp (Arabian coffee, tea, dates & snacks)
- Try on traditional Arabic clothing (Abaya & Kandora)
- Camel Caravan ride
- BBQ dinner buffet with local cuisine which includes both veg & non-veg options
- Henna tattoos, shisha, and posing with the majestic falcon
- Tanoura & fire shows (Usually includes Belly Dance but since we visited during the Ramadan it was not available)
We visited Dubai during the peak summer season and honestly I would not recommend it at all. The heat literally killed us. And if for any reason you must, I definitely recommend you to be equipped to deal with the heat. Don’t forget your water bottle, sunglasses, hat/cap and sunscreen. Also do not eat anything 2-3 hours prior to the dune bashing especially if you get motion sickness.
The desert safari with “OceanAir Travels” was such a magical experience and I highly recommend adding it to your bucket list if you planning to visit Dubai anytime soon. You can check their website here – OceanAir travels
*This post was written in collaboration with OceanAir Travels but all honest opinions are my own.*
Wow, what an amazing trip! I’ve never been anywhere like this. But we’ve recently become great friends with a family from Kenya who often go back. We’ve said we would love to go with them one time and she said the layover is typically in Dubai. Maybe we will have to spend a few days there if we go and do a desert safari. I didn’t even know that was a thing, but now I want to do it all!
This looks like a fabulous trip. It looks like Ocean Air travels put together a great travel package.
Those pictures are absolutely beautiful. Dubai is added to my bucket list. Thanks for sharing.
Hi
Ali is hear … So nice to see you hear guys with oceanair travels i personally welcome to all I wanted to tell everyone it’s a journey that everyone should do … The deserted wavelength and the quiet desert that will bring you into a new world … And most importantly, if you are with me photography of my falcon and desert i give you guarantee, you will never be able to forget….
What fun! This would be a must see for me if I were visiting. I love to be outside and experience different cultures via nature.
What an exciting trip and one I would love to take. I have noted this in my to do book and your photos and descriptions convinced me.
oh i’ve been to at lease 6 desert safaris in Dubai, such an amazing experience and as you described, it has it all, the fun, the adventure, the entertainment, just amazing.
Last summer, I was in Dubai just for a few hours, so missed Desert Safari. This is on my bucket list btw! I will check out this site for sure ☺
My husband is dying to go to Dubai someday! Its one of the top places on his bucket list