Self Drive 2 Seater Dune Buggy - Dubai Desert Tour

What It's Really Like to Drive a Dune Buggy in Dubai

I've watched hundreds of first-time drivers grip the steering wheel of our 2-seater buggies at our Al Awir location. The nervous excitement is always the same – until they hit their first dune and that nervous look turns into a massive grin. That's the moment I live for as someone who's been running these tours since 2019.

Why We Use 2-Seater Automatic Buggies

Here's something most tour companies won't tell you: automatic buggies are actually better for desert driving. You don't need to worry about stalling on a 40-degree incline when you're focused on not tipping over (don't worry – the roll cages make that nearly impossible). Our Polaris RZR 570s have been our workhorses for three years now – they're tough enough to handle the red dunes and comfortable enough for first-timers.

30 Minutes vs 60 Minutes: Which Should You Pick?

The 30-minute ride covers about 8-10km of dunes. You'll learn the basics, hit some medium-sized dunes (15-20 meters high), and get plenty of photos. Most people come back saying "that was awesome but I wish I'd booked longer."

The 60-minute ride is where it gets interesting. We take you deeper into the dunes – past the tourist areas to where the sand is softer and the dunes are taller (some up to 50 meters). You'll also have time to actually get comfortable with the buggy and start having real fun instead of just learning.

Pro tip: The 60-minute option is only AED 100 more than the 30-minute. Almost everyone who's done both says the longer ride is worth it.

What We Provide (And What You Should Bring)

We provide:

• Full-face helmet, goggles, and gloves (cleaned and sanitized between each use)
• Automatic 2-seater Polaris RZR 570
• 15-minute safety briefing – we cover hand signals, how to handle inclines, and what to do if you get stuck
• An experienced guide who's done this route 500+ times
• Cold water and soft drinks after your ride

You should bring:

• Closed-toe shoes (sandals will fill with sand in seconds)
• Light long sleeves if you burn easily – even at 4pm the sun is strong
• A bandana or buff for your neck – the sand gets everywhere
• Your phone for photos (we stop at a scenic point halfway through)

About the Safety Briefing

I know what you're thinking: "Do I really need 15 minutes of instructions?" Yes, you do. We've had zero serious incidents in four years, and that's because everyone who drives our buggies knows what they're doing before they hit the dunes. We cover:

• Hand signals (stop, slow down, follow me, help)
• How to approach dunes at the right angle
• What to do if your wheels spin in soft sand
• The one thing that actually causes rollovers (sharp turns at speed – so don't do that)

Getting Here

We're located in Al Awir, about 45 minutes from Dubai Marina or 30 minutes from Downtown. You can drive yourself (we have free parking) or add our pickup service for AED 100-150 depending on your location. The pickup includes an air-conditioned SUV and takes the stress out of finding us in the desert.

Ready to Book?

We run tours every day starting at 8am (morning), 2pm (afternoon), and 4pm (sunset – the best time for photos). Sunset slots book out 2-3 days ahead, especially on weekends. If you want that golden hour lighting, don't wait until the last minute.