Language
Currency
Most visitors to Dubai book an evening desert safari β the one with dinner, belly dancing, and fire shows. It's the classic. But if you've already got evening plans, or you'd rather spend less and still get the adrenaline rush of dune bashing across real sand dunes, a morning desert safari in Dubai is the smarter move.
Morning safaris run from roughly 6am to 10am. You get the same dune bashing, camel rides, and sandboarding β just without the BBQ dinner and entertainment shows. That's why they're cheaper. The morning light on the dunes is also better for photos than anything you'll get at dusk. We've run both time slots for years, and the sunrise crowd tends to be smaller, more relaxed, and more focused on the actual desert experience.
A morning desert safari is a half-day tour that starts early β hotel pickup between 5:30am and 6:00am β and wraps up by 10:00am. It's built around the same activities as the evening safari, minus the dinner and shows.
Here's what you actually get: about 30 to 45 minutes of dune bashing in a Toyota Land Cruiser, a short camel ride at the Bedouin-style camp, sandboarding on the dunes, and time for photography during golden hour. At the camp, you'll have tea, Arabic coffee, and dates β but there's no full meal. No belly dance, no tanoura show, no henna station.
The trade-off is straightforward. You lose the dinner and entertainment. You gain cooler temperatures (especially October through May), fewer crowds, and a lower price tag. The desert at 7am is genuinely quiet β you can hear the sand shift when the wind picks up. Evening safaris can have 200+ people at the camp, so it's a different vibe entirely.
For photographers, the morning is the better slot. The low sun casts long shadows across the dune ridges, and the sand takes on a warm orange tone that you don't get in harsh afternoon light. If you're carrying a decent camera, get out there before 8am.
We get asked about the schedule constantly, so here's the actual breakdown of how a morning safari works, start to finish:
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 5:30β6:00 AM | Hotel pickup from Dubai |
| ~7:00 AM | Arrive at desert, safety briefing |
| 7:00β7:45 AM | Dune bashing in 4x4 |
| 7:45β9:00 AM | Free activities: sandboarding, camel ride, photography |
| 9:00β9:30 AM | Light refreshments at Bedouin camp |
| 9:30β10:30 AM | Return to hotel |
The pickup window depends on your hotel location. JBR or Dubai Marina guests get picked up closer to 5:30am. Hotels in Deira or along Sheikh Zayed Road tend to be 5:45β6:00am. The drive to the Al Lahbab desert area (also called Red Dunes) takes about 45 minutes β at 6am, the roads are basically empty.
The "free activities" window is flexible. Some guests spend the whole time sandboarding; others take a quick camel ride and walk around the dunes with their camera. The camp doesn't get busy the way it does during evening safaris, so you won't be queuing for anything.
This is the most common question we hear. The honest answer: it depends on what you want. They're different products at different price points. Here's the full comparison:
| Feature | Morning Safari | Evening Safari |
|---|---|---|
| Start time | 5:30β6:00 AM pickup | 3:00β3:30 PM pickup |
| Duration | ~4β5 hours | ~6β7 hours |
| Dune bashing | Yes | Yes |
| Camel ride | Yes | Yes |
| Sandboarding | Yes | Yes |
| BBQ dinner | No | Yes |
| Belly dance / shows | No | Yes |
| Sunrise photos | Golden hour | No |
| Temperature | Cooler | Starts warm, cools down |
| Crowd level | Lower | Higher |
| Price | Lower (AED 120β180) | Higher (AED 150β250) |
| Best for | Active travelers, photographers, budget | Full experience, families, groups |
If you've got the budget, we'd suggest doing both β morning for the dune bashing and photography, evening desert safari for the dinner, entertainment, and sunset. They're different enough that it doesn't feel repetitive.
But if you're picking one? Go evening if it's your first time in Dubai and you want the full cultural package. Go morning if you're on a tighter budget, you've done an evening safari before, or you have dinner reservations that night.
Let's be specific about what you're getting, because some operators are vague about this and it leads to disappointed customers.
Dune bashing (30β45 minutes): This is the main event. Our drivers take a Toyota Land Cruiser and push it sideways across the dunes at speed. It's thrilling β not a gentle drive. The vehicle has roll bars and safety harnesses. If you get motion sick easily, sit in the front seat and look straight ahead.
Camel ride (5β10 minutes): A short ride around the camp area. It's not a trek across the desert β more of a photo opportunity and a chance to see what riding a camel feels like. The camels are well-cared-for and used to visitors.
Sandboarding: You get a board, walk up a dune, slide down. It's harder than it looks β the sand isn't as slippery as snow β but it's fun. Works best on steeper dunes, and our guides will point you to the best slopes.
Quad biking (optional add-on): Not included in the standard price, but we offer a morning desert safari with quad bike combo package that bundles a 30-minute quad bike ride with the standard activities. If you want more action, it's worth the upgrade.
Photography: Not a structured activity β there's no photography tour guide. But the light between 6:30am and 8:00am is excellent, the dunes have sharp shadows, and there aren't 50 other tourists in your shot.
Refreshments: At the camp, you'll get Arabic coffee (qahwa), tea, dates, and light snacks. It's not a meal. If you're hungry after, you'll be back at the hotel by 10:30am β well in time for most hotel breakfast services.
Let's talk numbers. Morning desert safari prices in Dubai typically fall in this range:
All our prices include hotel pickup and drop-off from anywhere in Dubai. No hidden charges β the price you see when booking is what you pay. Some operators charge extra for sandboarding or camel rides; we don't.
Compared to evening safaris (AED 150β250 per person), you're saving roughly 25β40%. The difference covers the BBQ dinner, shisha, henna, and entertainment shows. If those don't matter to you, the morning safari is clearly the better value.
Children under 4 ride free but can't participate in dune bashing for safety reasons. Kids aged 4β11 usually get a discounted rate β check with us when you book.
Dubai is hot β you know this. But mornings are pleasant for a bigger chunk of the year than most visitors expect:
October to April (ideal): Morning temperatures sit between 20Β°C and 28Β°C. It's comfortable, the light is great, and you won't be drenched in sweat by 9am. If you're visiting during these months, book a morning safari without hesitation.
May to September (doable, but warm): By 8am, you're looking at 30β38Β°C. Our safaris operate year-round, but you will feel the heat. Bring at least a liter of water per person, wear a hat, and apply SPF 50 before leaving the hotel. The earlier pickup (5:30am) helps because you're doing the active stuff before the sun gets intense.
December and January (coolest): Mornings can drop to 15β20Β°C, which is chilly by Dubai standards. We've had guests in December surprised they needed a light jacket. Don't pack a winter coat, but a hoodie or light layer is worth bringing.
Sunrise times shift through the year: around 5:45am in June, closer to 7:00am in December. In winter, you'll drive out in the dark and arrive at the dunes just as the sun comes up. For a deeper look at seasonal conditions, check our guide on the best time to visit for a desert safari in Dubai.
We've run these trips long enough to know what catches people off guard. Here's what we tell guests the night before:
Skip the heavy breakfast. Dune bashing involves sudden turns and drops. If you've just eaten a full English breakfast, you're going to regret it. Have a banana or a few biscuits if you need something β you'll get refreshments at the camp after the bashing.
Wear the right clothes. Light, breathable fabrics. Avoid heavy jeans. Shorts and a t-shirt work fine from March through October. From November to February, bring a light jacket β it can feel cold in an open-top Land Cruiser at 6am. For a full rundown on clothing, we've written a separate guide on what to wear on a desert safari in Dubai.
Sunscreen is non-negotiable. Even on cloudy days, even in winter. The UV index in the UAE is high year-round. Apply SPF 50 before you leave the hotel. Reapply after sandboarding if you're sweating.
Bring a camera with a strap. Phones can fly out of your hands during dune bashing. Use a wrist strap or keep it zipped in a pocket during the drive. For the free time at camp, a phone or DSLR both work β the light does most of the work.
Closed-toe shoes are better. Sandals work, but sand gets everywhere. Sneakers give you better grip for sandboarding and walking up dunes. You will get sand in your shoes regardless β that's just the desert.
Confirm your pickup the night before. Double-check the address you gave us. If your hotel has multiple entrances or towers, tell us which lobby. Our drivers call 15β20 minutes before arrival, but clear directions save everyone time at 5:30 in the morning.
Let's be straight about who this trip is for β and who it isn't for.
Book a morning safari if:
An evening safari is probably better if:
We run both, so we've got no reason to push you either way. Plenty of guests do a morning safari on day one and an evening safari later in the trip.
You can reserve your morning desert safari directly through our website β no middlemen, no inflated agency prices.
Want more action? Our desert safari with quad bike package adds a 30-minute quad bike session to the morning itinerary. It's our most popular morning combo and sells out during peak season, so book early.
Prefer the full evening experience with dinner and entertainment? Check out our evening desert safari package instead.
Hotel pickup is between 5:30am and 6:00am, depending on your hotel location. The drive to the desert takes about 45 minutes. Dune bashing begins around 7:00am, and the safari wraps up by 10:00β10:30am with drop-off at your hotel.
Not a full breakfast, no. Morning safaris include light refreshments at the Bedouin camp β Arabic coffee (qahwa), tea, dates, and light snacks. You'll be back at your hotel by 10:30am, well within breakfast service hours.
Yes, typically 25β40% cheaper. Morning safaris cost AED 120β180 per person versus AED 150β250 for evening. The price difference is because mornings don't include BBQ dinner, shisha, entertainment shows, or henna art.
Yes β morning safaris operate year-round, including summer. During June through September, pickups start at 5:30am to beat the heat. By 9:30am, temperatures are typically 30β35Β°C. Bring plenty of water, wear sunscreen, and you'll be fine. The early start makes mornings the most comfortable time slot in summer.
Children aged 4 and above can participate in all activities, including dune bashing. Kids under 4 can come along free but can't join the dune bashing for safety reasons. There's no maximum age limit β we've taken guests in their 70s and 80s.
