Should you choose a morning or an evening desert safari in Dubai? Choose the evening safari if you want the full programme: dune bashing, a sunset stop, a desert camp, a BBQ buffet dinner and live shows, in about 6 hours from a 3:00 to 3:30 PM pickup. Choose the morning safari if you want a longer dune drive in the cooler part of the day and your afternoon free: pickup is between 7:00 and 7:30 AM and you are back between 10:00 and 10:30 AM. The standard morning safari does not include sunrise, a camp, breakfast or dinner.
The sections below compare the two trips as they run on our shared tours, so you can pick the one that fits your plans.
Morning vs Evening Desert Safari at a Glance
Morning Desert Safari
- Pickup: 7:00 to 7:30 AM from your hotel or residence in Dubai
- Drop-off: 10:00 to 10:30 AM, about 4 hours in total
- Dune bashing: 30 to 40 minutes
- Also included: a photo stop on a high dune, sandboarding and a short camel ride
- Not included: sunrise, a camp, breakfast or dinner
Standard Evening Desert Safari
- Pickup: 3:00 to 3:30 PM from your hotel or residence in Dubai
- Drop-off: 9:00 to 9:30 PM, about 6 hours in total
- Dune bashing: about 20 minutes in a normal (non-red-dune) desert area
- Also included: a sunset photo stop, a desert camp with a short camel ride, sandboarding and henna painting, an international buffet dinner with BBQ, and live shows
Shared safaris pick up from Dubai only. If you would like a longer dune drive in the evening, the Red Dunes evening safari includes about 40 to 50 minutes of dune bashing in red sand.
What the Morning Desert Safari Is Like
The Morning Desert Safari is a short, focused trip for guests who mainly want the dune drive. A licensed driver collects you in a 4x4 Toyota Land Cruiser and drives you into the desert for 30 to 40 minutes of dune bashing. You then stop on a high dune for photos, try sandboarding and take a short camel ride before heading back to the city. Cold water, cold drinks and light refreshments are provided.
Because it starts at 7:00 AM, it is a relaxed start rather than a sunrise trip. Sunrise in the desert is a separate, earlier tour that leaves before dawn. You can compare all of our morning desert safari tours, including the camel trekking, quad bike and private options.
The morning safari suits you if:
- you want a longer dune drive than the standard evening safari
- you prefer the cooler part of the day
- you want your afternoon and evening free for other plans
- you do not need dinner or a camp programme
What the Evening Desert Safari Is Like
The standard evening safari is built around the change from afternoon to night. After pickup, the drive to the desert passes camel farms, followed by about 20 minutes of dune bashing on the standard tour and a stop in the dunes to photograph the sunset.
You then arrive at a desert camp for a traditional welcome with Arabic tea, coffee, Arabic sweets and fresh fruit. At the camp you can take a short camel ride, try sandboarding, have henna painted, pose for photos in Arabic dress and use the shisha area. Soft drinks and water are included.
Dinner is an international buffet with BBQ, with vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. The evening shows include two Tanoura performances, two belly dance shows and a fire show, with a light and sound display around the camp. The order of activities at the camp depends on the sunset time on the day.
The evening safari suits you if:
- you want sunset views in the desert
- you want dinner and live entertainment as part of the trip
- you are visiting with family or friends and want activities for everyone
- you prefer a lighter dune drive (or choose the red dunes option for a longer one)
Key Differences in Short
- Time of day: the morning safari runs from about 7:00 to 10:30 AM; the evening safari from about 3:00 to 9:30 PM.
- Length: about 4 hours in the morning, about 6 hours in the evening.
- Dune bashing: 30 to 40 minutes in the morning; about 20 minutes on the standard evening safari, or about 40 to 50 minutes on the Red Dunes evening safari.
- Food: light refreshments in the morning; a BBQ buffet dinner in the evening. There is no breakfast on the morning safari.
- Entertainment: none in the morning; Tanoura, belly dance and fire shows in the evening.
- Sunrise or sunset: the standard morning safari does not include sunrise; the evening safari includes a sunset stop.
What to Know Before You Book
- Dress comfortably: loose, breathable clothing and flat shoes; avoid flip-flops and high heels.
- Bring sun protection: sunglasses and sunscreen for both trips, and a hat in the morning.
- Carry a light jacket in the winter months, as the desert cools down after sunset.
- Eat lightly before dune bashing.
- Health: pregnant women are not advised to take part in dune bashing, and guests with serious back, neck or heart conditions should avoid it. Dune bashing cannot be skipped on a shared safari.
- Private vehicle: a private 4x4 carries up to 6 guests, excluding the driver.
For prices, see the cost of an evening desert safari; the current price for each tour is shown on its tour page and in the booking form. For tips on choosing a tour, read what makes a good evening desert safari, and for the booking steps see how to book an evening desert safari.
Final Verdict: Morning or Evening?
If you have one free evening and want the complete desert experience, with sunset, camp activities, dinner and shows, choose the evening safari. If you mainly want the dune drive, prefer the cooler morning hours and need the rest of the day free, choose the morning safari. Both trips include hotel pickup and drop-off in Dubai, a licensed driver and a short camel ride.
