Anyone who has visited Dubai or who is planning a holiday to this Emirate city would have heard about the desert safari tour. A desert safari is one of the most popular tours in Dubai, where you get the chance to visit the city’s desert and engage in adventurous and entertainment activities. Different types of desert safaris are available in Dubai, including morning, evening, and overnight desert safaris. However, the most popular amongst these is the evening desert safari. During this desert safari, you not only get to indulge in some interesting activities but also admire the beautiful sunset in the desert. Here are some of the most important things you should know about the evening desert safari tour in Dubai.
What to Expect at the Evening Desert Safari in Dubai?
The evening desert safari begins during late afternoon, i.e. 3:30 or 4 PM. All desert safari tour operators arrange pick up and drop off for visitors, so you do not have to struggle to reach the desert safari venue. Once you reach the outskirts of the desert safari, you can get down from the vehicle to stretch yourself and take some pictures of the incredible desert. Your desert safari tour begins right here. Let us take a look at some of the interesting activities you can enjoy during your evening desert safari.
Dune Bashing
When you reach the desert, your tour guide would take off the pressure the tires of your vehicle a bit to begin the dune bashing session. Ensure to fasten your seat belts before the professional driver starts the vehicle. The dune bashing session happens in a luxury 4×4 vehicle which has all the safety measures to keep you from harm. As the vehicle moves along the high and steep slopes of the desert dunes, you would experience the feeling of riding in a rollercoaster. This experience lasts from around 15-20 minutes and gives you the right adrenaline rush to start your desert safari tour.
Adventurous Activities
While dune bashing is the most adventurous thing to do on a desert safari, it is not the only one. When you reach the desert camp, you would get to indulge in quad biking, where you would be able to drive an ATV on the desert dunes on your own. You would also get the chance to ride a camel and try sandboarding. Your guides would give you instructions before you try any of these activities. It is important to follow the instructions carefully to be safe.
Sunset
One of the main attractions of the evening desert safari is that you get the opportunity to witness a beautiful sunset. The sight of the sun setting and glazing the dunes with a golden hue is something to behold. Moreover, you get to take some gorgeous photographs of the desert at this time of the hour.
Fun Activities
Those not interested in the desert adventurous activities would not be bored as there are plenty of interesting activities available inside the desert camp. The desert camp is decorated in the Bedouin-style to give you a feel of how the Arabs lived in the desert in the past. You would find stalls where you can get your hands or feet painted with henna. Moreover, you can also get yourself dressed in Arabic clothes and click some pictures. You can also take this chance to try and smoke a hookah or a shisha. You may also get to see a real falcon, the national bird of the UAE, and also the chance to click a photo while holding one.
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Entertaining Activities
Once the sun sets, the atmosphere at the desert camp becomes festive. As you enjoy a drink or shisha, you would be entertained by professional dancers. The programs usually begin with a mesmerizing performance by a Tanoura dancer followed by a graceful dance performance by a belly dancer. Some desert safaris also have live music and fire dances.
BBQ Dinner
Before you retire for the day, you are treated with a delicious dinner. The dinner at the desert safari is a 3-course menu, where you would be served with barbecue starters, main course, and desert. The menu consists of both traditional Emirati dishes as well as some international ones.
After the dinner, your tour guide would drive you back to the city, i.e. to your hotel or residence.
Important Things to Know
Before you go on a desert safari in Dubai, here are some important things that you ought to know:
- Wear comfortable cotton clothes for your desert safari tour. Avoid accessories like huge earrings, necklace, belts, etc.
- Always carry a jacket or a stole as the temperature of the desert dips a bit after sunset.
- It is better to wear open shoes, as they are easier to clean if sand goes in.
- Do carry some cash with you to pay for extra activities that you might be interested in or to buy some souvenirs.
- Do not have a heavy lunch before going on a desert safari, as the dune bashing ride may make you queasy.
- If you have a heart disease or are pregnant, you must avoid dune bashing at all costs.
The desert safari in Dubai is one of the best ways of spending a fun evening in the city. So, do book a desert safari to make your Dubai holiday a memorable one.