Is a Dubai desert safari safe, and who should not do the dune bashing?
The safari itself is safe. The one part that carries genuine restrictions is the dune bashing session, and it is not recommended if you are pregnant, or if you have back, neck or heart conditions. Everything else on the tour is fine for almost everyone.
The short version. Dune bashing recommended from age 7 upward. Skip it if pregnant, or with back, neck or heart concerns. Tell the driver, not us on the day. The camp, camel ride, dinner and shows are unaffected.
Who should skip the dune session
- Pregnant guests. See our fuller pregnancy guide.
- Anyone with back or neck problems. The movement is repeated and sideways as well as vertical.
- Anyone with a heart condition. Ask your doctor before booking.
- Recent surgery. Particularly abdominal, spinal or joint.
- Children under 7. They can join the safari and wait at the dune stop.
None of this stops you doing the tour. It stops you doing one twenty minute section of it.
How to arrange sitting it out
Tell us when you book rather than at the dune stop. That lets us brief the driver in advance instead of rearranging with everyone already in the vehicle.
On a shared tour you wait at the dune stop while the vehicle runs its session, then rejoin for the drive to camp. It works, though a companion usually waits with you.
On a private safari at AED 500 per car the driver simply takes a gentler route straight to the camp. Nobody waits anywhere. This is the format we recommend to anyone with a medical reason to skip it.
Motion sickness
Common, manageable, and worth planning for.
- Avoid a heavy meal before pickup. Light, an hour or two before, is fine.
- Sit in the front if you can. Ask the driver.
- Look at the horizon, not at your phone.
- Tell the driver. They will soften the route or stop.
- Take medication before you leave, not when you start feeling unwell.
If you are prone to it, the morning safari is easier. Cooler, shorter, and there is no long camp evening afterwards.
Heat and hydration
In summer, the biggest risk on any desert tour is heat, not driving.
Drink water through the day before your tour rather than only during it. Unlimited water, soft drinks, tea and coffee are available at the camp, and complimentary bottled water is provided on the morning safari.
Cover up rather than strip down. Loose, long-sleeved, light-coloured clothing keeps sun off skin and works better than shorts and a vest. Apply sunscreen before pickup, since applying it at the dunes means sand sticks to it.
Between May and September, book the morning tour. Details in our summer guide.
Winter and the cold
The opposite risk, and the one people prepare for least. Between December and February the desert cools sharply after dark and the camp is open to the sky. Bring a jacket, and proper layers for the overnight safari.
At the camp
The camp has toilets and seating. The floor is sand with rugs, so flat stable shoes matter more than they sound, particularly for elderly guests.
Tell us about dietary requirements when you book. The BBQ buffet has vegetarian and non vegetarian options, and anything beyond that needs passing to the camp in advance. If you have a serious allergy, tell us clearly and we will confirm what can be accommodated rather than guess.
Do not wander away from the camp after dark. Open desert looks identical in every direction once you are past the lights.
Camel riding and sandboarding
The camel ride is slow and led by a handler. The part that unsettles people is the animal standing up, which pitches you forward. Hold the saddle and lean back.
Sandboarding is more physical than it looks, mostly because of the climb back up the dune. Falls are soft.
Both are optional. Skipping either changes nothing else.
Common questions
Are the drivers licensed? Yes, and the dune routes are controlled.
Is there first aid at the camp? Tell your driver immediately if anyone feels unwell and they will act.
Can elderly guests join? Yes, if medically fit. A private vehicle makes it considerably more comfortable.
Is there mobile signal? Generally yes across the Al Awir area.
Should I bring my medication? Yes, particularly for the overnight safari.
Tell us before you book
Send your date, group size and anything we should know about health, mobility or diet. We would far rather plan around it than find out at the dune stop.
Ask on WhatsApp or call +971 55 719 9652. See every option on the Dubai desert safari page.
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