Is the VIP desert safari worth the extra money?
It depends on one thing: how much you mind queueing. The VIP evening safari at AED 120 runs the identical route, the identical dune session and the identical activities as the standard evening safari at AED 80. The AED 40 buys reserved seating and shorter waits at the camp, not a different desert.
The short version. Same tour, same camp, same food, same shows. VIP adds a reserved table in a dedicated section and a smoother service flow. Worth it on busy winter weekends. Less worth it midweek in summer.
What is genuinely identical
People assume a higher price means a better tour. Here it does not, and it is worth being clear about.
- Same camp in the Al Awir desert
- Same dune area and the same dune bashing session
- Same sunset photography stop
- Same camel ride and sandboarding
- Same BBQ buffet, with vegetarian and non vegetarian options
- Same live entertainment, including Tanoura and fire shows
- Same pickup window, around 2:00 PM, and the same return around 9:30 PM
- Same free hotel pickup from Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman
What the AED 40 actually changes
Reserved seating. You have a table in a dedicated section rather than finding space in general seating when you arrive.
Service flow. Less waiting for the buffet and a better position for the entertainment. On a busy night this is the whole difference.
That is it. It is a comfort upgrade at the camp, not an upgrade to the tour.
When VIP is worth it
Winter weekends. Christmas week, New Year, February half term and Saturdays generally. The camp is at its busiest and the queue difference is real.
If you are staying far from the desert. Guests coming from Dubai Marina, JBR or Palm Jumeirah have a longer transfer in both directions. Arriving to a reserved table rather than hunting for seats matters more after a long drive.
If you are on a tight evening. Shorter waits mean the camp portion runs more predictably.
If you are marking an occasion. Birthdays, anniversaries, a first night in Dubai.
When to save the money
Midweek, outside peak season. A Tuesday in October or May is quiet enough that reserved seating solves a problem you would not have had. Take the standard evening safari at AED 80.
If you are a group of five or more. Compare the private car instead. The private VIP car is AED 650, and six guests booking VIP seats would pay AED 720. At six or more the car is simply cheaper and gives you far more than reserved seating. Full working in the group size guide.
If your priority is the dune driving. VIP changes nothing about the dune session. If that is what you came for, look at the premium format instead.
VIP versus private, which people confuse
These solve different problems and it is worth separating them.
VIP improves your experience at the camp. You still share a vehicle and the tour still runs to a fixed schedule.
Private improves your experience getting there. Your own 4×4, your own driver, adjustable dune intensity, no collection round, your own pace at every stop. The camp is still shared.
If you want both, book the private VIP car at AED 650. See our full shared versus private comparison.
Common questions
Is the food different on VIP? Same buffet.
Is the vehicle different? Both use 4x4s with licensed desert drivers. VIP is still a shared vehicle unless you book the private VIP car.
Is the camp private? No. You have reserved seating within the shared camp.
Do I get more time in the desert? No, the schedule is the same.
Is it worth it for a family? Often the private car is better value for a family, and it solves the dune intensity question at the same time.
Can I upgrade on the day? Ask when you book rather than at the camp, since seating is allocated in advance.
Not sure which?
Tell us your date, your group size and whether you are travelling on a weekend, and we will tell you honestly whether the upgrade is worth it for your booking.
Ask on WhatsApp or call +971 55 719 9652. Compare everything on the Dubai desert safari page.
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