How much does a desert safari cost in Dubai?
A shared Dubai desert safari costs between AED 80 and AED 500 per person depending on which format you book, and a private car costs AED 500 to AED 650 for the whole vehicle. The evening safari at AED 80 per person is the cheapest way to see the dunes, the camp and the full evening programme in one trip.
The short version. Evening AED 80. Morning AED 100. VIP evening AED 120. Overnight AED 500. Private car AED 500, or AED 650 for the VIP car. Every price includes return hotel pickup from Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman.
Dubai desert safari price list
These are our own published rates, not market estimates. All are per person unless the row says otherwise.
- Evening desert safari — AED 80 per person, or AED 500 per private car (6 to 7 guests)
- Morning desert safari — AED 100 per person, or AED 500 per private car (up to 6 guests)
- VIP evening safari — AED 120 per person, or AED 650 per private VIP car
- Overnight desert safari — AED 500 per person
- Private desert safari — AED 500 for the whole car
Why the evening safari is the cheapest and still the most complete
People often assume the cheapest option is a stripped-back tour. On a desert safari it is the opposite, because the evening format is the one every operator runs at volume, so the per-seat cost is lowest.
At AED 80 you get the afternoon pickup, the dune bashing session in the Al Awir red dunes, the sunset photography stop, the camel ride, sandboarding, the BBQ buffet with vegetarian and non vegetarian options, and the live entertainment at camp.
The AED 100 morning safari costs more and includes less. That is not a mistake. It runs at a quieter time with fewer guests per vehicle, it finishes before midday, and it does not include the camp dinner or the evening shows because the tour is over before they start. You are paying for the timing, not for extra inclusions.
Per person or per car: which is actually cheaper
The private car rate is flat. It does not change whether one person travels or six, which means there is a group size at which booking the whole car costs the same as booking seats, and past that point it costs less.
- VIP evening. Six guests in seats pay AED 720. The private VIP car is AED 650. At six or more, always take the car.
- Morning safari. Five guests in seats pay AED 500, which is exactly the car rate. At five or more you get the vehicle to yourselves for nothing extra.
- Evening safari. Six guests in seats pay AED 480 against AED 500 for the car. Twenty dirhams buys you your own driver and adjustable dune intensity.
This is why families and groups of five or more are almost always better off on the private desert safari. You are rarely paying a real premium and you are often paying less.
What makes desert safari prices vary in Dubai
If you compare quotes across operators you will see the same tour advertised anywhere from under AED 100 to several hundred. The differences usually come down to four things.
Which desert you are taken to. Lahbab and Al Faqa sit further out than Al Awir. Longer transfers cost more in fuel and driver time, and they eat into your evening.
Whether transfers are included. Some low headline prices exclude pickup, then add a transfer fee by area. Ours includes return pickup across Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman with no surcharge.
Shared or private vehicle. A shared 4×4 splits the cost across passengers. A private car is priced for the vehicle.
Camp access level. Standard camp seating and VIP reserved seating are different products. Our VIP evening safari runs the same route and the same activities as the standard tour, and the AED 40 difference buys reserved seating and shorter waits, not a different desert.
Costs people forget to budget for
Being straight about this matters more than winning a booking on a headline price.
- Optional activities. Quad biking and similar add-ons are charged at the camp and are not part of the safari price.
- Alcohol. Not included in the standard packages. Soft drinks, water, tea and coffee are.
- Tips. Entirely optional and never expected.
- Child rates. Children under 3 generally travel free. Ask when you book so we can confirm for your group rather than you guessing.
There is no booking fee, no card surcharge and no transfer fee on our tours. The price you are quoted is the price you pay.
Is a cheap desert safari worth booking?
A low price is not automatically a warning sign, but a few things are worth checking before you book with anyone.
Ask which desert the camp is in, because that determines your transfer time. Ask whether pickup is included and from which areas. Ask what is actually served at dinner and whether vegetarian options exist. Ask whether the operator runs the tour or resells it, because a reseller cannot change your dune intensity, adjust your pickup time or fix a problem on the day.
We run our own vehicles to our own camp in Al Awir, and our office is at Office 103, Al Murar, Deira. You are dealing with the operator directly.
Common questions about desert safari prices
Is hotel pickup included in the price? Yes, from Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman, at no extra cost.
Do prices change by season? Rates are subject to availability and can vary with booking requirements, particularly around public holidays and peak weeks. We confirm your total before you pay.
Can I pay on the day? Message us with your date and group size and we will confirm the payment options available for your booking.
Which safari gives the most for the money? The evening safari at AED 80. It is the cheapest per person and includes the widest set of activities, including the camp dinner and the live shows.
Get an exact price for your group
Send us your date, how many people are travelling and where you are staying, and we will confirm the total and your pickup time before you pay anything.
Ask on WhatsApp or call +971 55 719 9652. Full details of every option are on our Dubai desert safari page. See also the private safari price by group size and our morning vs evening comparison.
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