What should you pack for a Dubai desert safari?
Less than you think. You are out for a few hours, not camping, and you will be carrying whatever you bring across soft sand. Sunglasses, sunscreen, a charged phone and a jacket in winter covers most trips.
The short version. Small bag only. Sunglasses, sunscreen, phone, light scarf, jacket between December and February. Water is provided. Leave valuables at your hotel. Overnight guests need considerably more, listed further down.
The short list for a standard safari
For the evening safari or the morning safari:
- Sunglasses. As much about blowing sand at the dune stop as about sun.
- Sunscreen. Apply before pickup rather than at the dunes, where sand sticks to it.
- Charged phone or camera. The sunset photography stop is what most people came for.
- A light scarf. Useful over the face if the wind gets up.
- A jacket, December to February. The desert cools sharply after dark.
- Cash for extras. Optional activities like quad biking are charged at the camp.
That is genuinely it for a standard tour.
What you do not need to pack
Water. Provided on every tour. Unlimited water, soft drinks, tea and coffee at the camp, and complimentary bottled water on the morning safari.
Food. The evening, VIP, premium, private and overnight safaris include a BBQ buffet with vegetarian and non vegetarian options. The morning safari does not include a meal, which is worth knowing, though it finishes before midday.
Insect repellent. Open desert is not a mosquito environment.
Towels or swimwear. There is nothing to swim in.
A large bag. Vehicle space is limited and you will carry it across sand. A small day bag is plenty.
Overnight safari: the longer list
The overnight safari runs from around 2:00 PM to around 8:00 AM the next morning, and sleeping arrangements at the camp are basic desert camping rather than a hotel. Pack accordingly.
- Warm layers. Between December and February desert nights get genuinely cold. This is the item people most regret leaving behind.
- A change of clothes for the morning.
- Toothbrush and basic toiletries. Facilities are shared and basic.
- A power bank. Charging points are limited.
- Any medication you take at night or in the morning.
- A head torch or small light if you want one for moving around after dark.
Do not bring a suitcase. A small overnight bag is right.
Packing with children
Two additions worth making. A spare set of clothes, because sandboarding puts sand everywhere, and a snack if your children eat earlier than the camp serves.
Leave prams and strollers behind. They do not work on sand and you will end up carrying both the child and the pram.
More in our family safari guide.
What to leave at the hotel
Jewellery, watches you care about, and anything loose in an open pocket. Dune bashing is a genuinely bouncy ride and things come out of pockets.
Bring one card or some cash rather than your whole wallet. There is nothing at the camp that requires much.
If you must bring something valuable, a bag that zips closed matters more than the bag itself.
Phone and camera
Fine sand and camera equipment do not mix, particularly at the dune stop when there is wind. A cheap zip bag protects a phone or a lens between shots and costs nothing.
Charge fully before pickup. Between the dune session, the sunset stop, the camel ride and the camp shows, most people shoot far more than they expected, and there is no reliable charging on a standard tour.
Common questions
Is there anywhere to leave a bag? Bags stay in the vehicle during the dune session and come with you at the camp.
Can I bring alcohol? No. It is not included in the standard packages and you should not bring your own.
Is there phone signal? Generally yes across the Al Awir area, though it varies between dune positions.
Should I bring my passport? A copy or a photo of it is sensible in Dubai generally. Nothing about the safari requires it.
What if I forget something? There is no shop at the camp. Anything you need, bring with you.
Book your safari
Tell us your date, group size and where you are staying and we will confirm your pickup time and the total.
Book on WhatsApp or call +971 55 719 9652. See what each tour includes on the Dubai desert safari page, or read what to wear.
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