Premium and VIP desert safari Dubai

Premium & VIP Desert Safari Dubai without the crowds.

Our premium and VIP desert safaris are 6 to 7 hour evening tours from Dubai to the Lahbab Red Dunes, with dinner served at your table and no buffet queues. Book the VIP Desert Safari at AED 1,199 per vehicle for your own Land Cruiser and a private VIP table for up to 6 guests, the Premium Desert Safari at AED 399 per person, or the Evening Desert Safari + VIP at AED 199 per person for groups of 5 or more. Free pickup from Dubai and Sharjah.

  • 4.9 on Tripadvisor
  • Free pickup Dubai & Sharjah
  • Pay at pickup
  • Free cancellation
VIP desert camp at sunset with majlis seating, lanterns and a camel in DubaiPremium & VIPfrom AED 199 Live show at the VIP desert camp during a premium desert safari in Dubai Guests riding through the Lahbab Red Dunes on a premium desert safari

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At a glance

What is a VIP desert safari in Dubai?

A VIP desert safari is an evening desert safari built around comfort and privacy. The dunes, sunset, camel ride and live shows are the same as on a standard tour. What changes is how you experience them: a calmer camp, reserved or private seating close to the stage, and dinner brought to your table by a waiter instead of a buffet queue.

We offer three levels. Evening + VIP adds VIP seating, a VIP dinner menu and a quieter camp for groups of 5 or more. Premium is priced per person and adds reserved seating and table service. VIP is priced per vehicle and makes the whole evening private for your group.

Duration
6 to 7 hours
Pickup
2:00 PM winter, 3:00 PM summer
Evening + VIP
AED 199 per person, min. 5
Premium
AED 399 per person
VIP
AED 1,199 per vehicle
Location
Lahbab Red Dunes
Payment
Pay at pickup

Prices

Premium and VIP desert safari prices.

Three ways to upgrade your evening in the dunes. All include free pickup from Dubai and Sharjah, dinner and three live shows.

Evening Desert Safari + VIP

The classic evening safari with VIP comforts at camp: VIP seating, a VIP dinner menu and a less crowded camp. For groups of 5 or more.

AED 199per person

  • Free pickup and drop off from Dubai and Sharjah
  • Dune bashing in a 4x4 Land Cruiser
  • Sunset photo stop, sandboarding and camel ride
  • VIP seating at the camp
  • VIP dinner menu
  • Less crowded camp
  • Unlimited soft drinks, water, tea and coffee
  • Belly dance, Tanoura and fire show

Minimum 5 guests per booking. VIP comfort at a per person price.

Private for your group

VIP Desert Safari

A private evening for your group. Your own Land Cruiser and driver, a private VIP table at camp and dinner served to you.

AED 1,199per vehicle

  • Free private pickup and drop off from Dubai and Sharjah
  • Private 4x4 Land Cruiser and driver for your group
  • Extended dune bashing at your own pace
  • Sunset photo stop, sandboarding and camel ride
  • Private VIP table with a dedicated waiter
  • Dinner served to your table and unlimited soft drinks
  • Falcon photo, henna, Arabic dress photos and shisha
  • Belly dance, Tanoura and fire show

Up to 6 guests per vehicle. For a group of 6 that works out to AED 200 per person.

Premium Desert Safari

Premium comfort without booking a whole car. Reserved seating near the stage, table service and an unhurried evening.

AED 399per person

  • Free pickup and drop off from Dubai and Sharjah
  • Dune bashing on quieter routes in a 4x4 Land Cruiser
  • Sunset photo stop, sandboarding and camel ride
  • Priority camp access and reserved premium seating
  • Dinner served to your table, no buffet queues
  • Welcome Arabic coffee, dates and sweets
  • Falcon photo, henna, Arabic dress photos and shisha
  • Belly dance, Tanoura and fire show

Best for couples, solo travelers and small groups who want comfort at a per person price.

Free pickup

Pickup and drop off included

Dubai and Sharjah

We collect you from your hotel, apartment or home anywhere in Dubai and Sharjah at no extra cost, including Port Rashid Cruise Terminal, and drop you back at the end of the night.

Other emirates

Staying in Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah or elsewhere? We share a convenient meeting point, pick you up there and return you to the same spot after the safari.

Itinerary

Your evening, hour by hour.

Approximate winter timings. Your driver adjusts them to sunset, traffic and your group.

  1. 2:00 to 3:30 PM

    Hotel pickup

    Your driver collects you from your hotel or home in Dubai or Sharjah in an air conditioned 4x4 Land Cruiser: 2:00 to 2:30 PM in winter, 3:00 to 3:30 PM in summer. VIP guests can choose their own pickup time.

  2. 3:00 to 3:45 PM

    Drive to the Lahbab Red Dunes

    A 45 to 55 minute drive on the E66 Dubai to Hatta road, about 45 km southeast of the city.

  3. 3:45 to 4:30 PM

    Dune bashing

    30 to 45 minutes over red dunes up to 30 metres high with a licensed desert driver. Ask for a gentle drive if you prefer.

  4. 4:30 to 5:15 PM

    Sandboarding and sunset photos

    Slide down a dune on a board, then stop on a high crest for golden hour photos as the sun drops.

  5. 5:15 to 6:15 PM

    Camp welcome and activities

    Arabic coffee, dates and karak tea on arrival, then your reserved premium seat or private VIP table. Camel ride, falcon photo, henna and Arabic dress photos at your own pace.

  6. 6:15 to 7:15 PM

    Dinner served at your table

    Starters, BBQ grills, mains and desserts brought to you by a waiter. No queues, no rush.

  7. 7:15 to 8:00 PM

    Live shows

    Belly dance with live drums, Tanoura and a fire show, watched from seats close to the stage.

  8. 8:00 to 9:00 PM

    Drop off

    Relax on the drive back. We drop you at the same hotel, home or meeting point where we picked you up.

Land Cruiser dune bashing on a VIP desert safari in the Lahbab Red Dunes

Sunset times by season

November to February

Peak season

5:30 to 6:05 PM

Sunset in the desert

March, April and October

Warm days

5:50 to 6:35 PM

Sunset in the desert

May to September

Hot afternoons

6:45 to 7:10 PM

Sunset in the desert

We time pickup around sunset, so it moves later in summer. From December to February premium and VIP spots sell out, so book 5 to 7 days ahead.

Inclusions

What’s included in the price.

Everything below comes with every package unless it is marked VIP or Premium.

Transport and dunes

  • Free pickup and drop off from Dubai and Sharjah
  • Air conditioned 4x4 Land Cruiser (private on VIP)
  • DTCM-licensed desert driver
  • 30 to 45 minutes of red dune bashing
  • Sandboarding and sunset photo stop
  • Camel ride

Dinner and drinks

  • Welcome Arabic coffee, dates and karak tea
  • Starters: hummus, mutabal, fattoush and tabbouleh
  • BBQ: lamb kofta, chicken tikka, kebabs and grilled vegetables
  • Mains: lamb ouzi, chicken biryani and vegetable rice
  • Desserts: luqaimat, kunafa, baklava, Umm Ali and fruit
  • Unlimited soft drinks, water, juice, tea and coffee
  • Halal meat, vegetarian dishes, vegan and gluten-free on request

Shows and culture

  • Belly dance with live drums
  • Tanoura dance
  • Fire show
  • Falcon photo
  • Henna painting
  • Arabic dress photos
  • Shisha lounge

Comfort and service

  • Priority camp access
  • Reserved premium seating near the stage (Premium)
  • Private VIP table and majlis seating (VIP)
  • Dinner served to your table, no queues
  • Dedicated waiter (VIP)
  • Flexible pace and pickup time (VIP)

Add-ons

  • Quad bikeRide your own ATV across the dunes at the camp.
  • Dune buggyTake the wheel of a Can-Am or Polaris buggy with a guide.
  • Professional photographyA photographer captures your sunset, dunes and camp moments.
  • Special occasionsBirthday, couple, proposal or wedding anniversary setups in the desert.

Add any of these when you book. Ask for add-on prices on WhatsApp.

Gallery

Moments from our VIP evenings.

Premium camp seating at the Lahbab Red Dunes on a VIP desert safari in Dubai
Premium camp
Golden hour sunset photo on a premium desert safari in Dubai
Golden hour
Camel ride at sunset during a VIP desert safari in the Lahbab dunes
Camel ride at sunset
Guests in Arabic dress on the red dunes during a premium desert safari
Arabic dress photos
Guest holding a falcon at the VIP desert camp in Dubai
Falcon photo

Compare

Standard vs premium vs VIP desert safari.

The question we get most. Here is exactly what changes at each level, followed by our other desert tours.

Swipe to compare all packages

Standard vs premium vs VIP desert safari in Dubai
Package
Standard SafariAED 180per personView
Premium SafariAED 399per personBook
Most privateVIP SafariAED 1,199per vehicleBook
Free pickup from Dubai and Sharjah
4x4 Land CruiserSharedSharedPrivate for up to 6
Dune bashingStandard routeQuieter routesExtended, at your pace
Sandboarding, camel ride and sunset stop
Seating at campShared camp seatingReserved near the stagePrivate VIP table
DinnerBBQ buffetServed to your tableServed by your own waiter
Falcon photo
Henna, Arabic dress photos and shisha
Belly dance, Tanoura and fire show
Choose your pickup time
Best forFirst time visitors on a budgetCouples and small groupsFamilies, friends, celebrations and privacy

Premium and VIP vs evening vs overnight desert safari

Afternoon to night

Premium and VIP safari

From AED 199

Pickup
2:00 to 3:30 PM
Duration
6 to 7 hours
Sunset
Yes
Dinner and shows
Served at your table, 3 shows
Quad bike
Add-on

Best for Comfort, privacy and special occasions

You are viewing this tour

Afternoon to night

Evening safari

From AED 159

Pickup
2:00 to 3:30 PM
Duration
6 to 7 hours
Sunset
Yes
Dinner and shows
BBQ buffet and 3 live shows
Quad bike
Add-on

Best for First time visitors

View evening safari

Afternoon to next morning

Overnight safari

From AED 399

Pickup
2:00 to 3:30 PM
Duration
16 to 18 hours
Sunset
Yes, plus sunrise
Dinner and shows
BBQ buffet and 5 shows
Quad bike
Add-on

Best for Couples and stargazers

View overnight safari

Who it’s for

Premium or VIP: which suits you?

Couples and honeymooners

Sunset on the dunes, a private table and a calm camp. A romantic evening without sharing your car or your table.

Best pick: VIP, or Premium for two

Families

Dinner comes to the table, so nobody queues with tired kids. Children 3 and above can join the dune drive.

Best pick: VIP for your own car

Friends and small groups

Book one Land Cruiser for up to 6 and the VIP works out to about AED 200 each. Add quad bikes for extra thrill.

Best pick: VIP for 4 to 6 guests

Celebrations and corporate

Birthdays, proposals, anniversaries and client evenings with a private table and a setup arranged in advance.

Best pick: VIP plus a special occasion add-on

Skip dune bashing if you are

  • Pregnant: we drive you straight to camp by road so you still enjoy dinner and the shows.
  • Traveling with a baby under 3: infants skip the dune drive but are welcome at camp.
  • Living with back, neck or heart problems: skip the dunes or ask for a gentle drive.
  • Prone to motion sickness: take medication 30 minutes before pickup and sit in the front seat.

Good to know

Before you go.

Best time to go

November to February has the coolest evenings and the best light. Book 5 to 7 days ahead in these months. Weekday evenings, Sunday to Wednesday, are the quietest at camp.

What to wear

Light cotton or linen, closed shoes or sturdy sandals, sunglasses and sunscreen. Bring a jacket or shawl, as the desert cools quickly after sunset.

Kids and safety

Dune bashing is for ages 3 and above. Pregnant guests and anyone with back, neck or heart problems should skip it. We drive you straight to camp by road at no extra cost.

How to book

Send your package, date, number of guests and pickup location on WhatsApp (+971 54 144 7273). No advance payment. You pay the driver at pickup.

Reviews

What guests say about our safaris.

Real reviews from travelers who booked their Dubai desert safari with Emirates Desert Tours.

4.9140+ reviews on Tripadvisor
“Our driver was very professional, friendly, punctual, and helpful throughout the trip.”
TUFAIL LFriends · Sep 2026
“We had a great time with Ajmal, he is a very friendly tour guide who made sure we were very comfortable.”
Mollier07Dubai, UAE · Family · Oct 2026
“The organization was smooth from hotel pickup to the end of the tour.”
Марина ТFriends · Feb 2026

FAQs

Premium and VIP desert safari FAQs.

Quick answers to the questions guests ask most before booking a premium or VIP desert safari in Dubai.

What is a VIP desert safari in Dubai?

A VIP desert safari is an upgraded evening desert safari. You get the same dune bashing, sunset, camel ride and live shows as a standard tour, but with more comfort and privacy: your own Land Cruiser, a private table at camp and dinner served to you instead of a buffet queue. Ours runs in the Lahbab Red Dunes, about 45 km from Dubai.

How much is a VIP desert safari in Dubai?

With Emirates Desert Tours the VIP Desert Safari costs AED 1,199 per vehicle for up to 6 guests, about AED 200 per person for a full car. The Premium Desert Safari costs AED 399 per person, and the Evening Desert Safari + VIP costs AED 199 per person for groups of 5 or more. All include free pickup from Dubai and Sharjah, dinner served at your table and three live shows.

What is the difference between a VIP and a premium desert safari?

The VIP safari is private. Your group gets its own Land Cruiser and driver, a private VIP table and a dedicated waiter, and you choose your pickup time. The Premium safari is priced per person. You share the 4x4 but get priority camp access, reserved seating near the stage and table service.

Is a premium or VIP desert safari worth it compared to a standard one?

Yes, if comfort matters to you. A standard safari means a shared car, a busy camp and a buffet queue. Premium and VIP add reserved or private seating, dinner served at your table and a calmer pace. For a group of 4 to 6, the VIP costs about AED 200 to 300 per person for a fully private evening.

What is included in the premium and VIP desert safari?

Free pickup and drop off from Dubai and Sharjah, dune bashing, sandboarding, a camel ride, a sunset photo stop, Arabic coffee and dates, a falcon photo, henna, Arabic dress photos, shisha, a table-served dinner with unlimited soft drinks, and belly dance, Tanoura and fire shows. VIP adds a private Land Cruiser, a private table and a dedicated waiter.

How long is the safari and what time is pickup?

Plan for 6 to 7 hours. Pickup is 2:00 to 2:30 PM in winter and 3:00 to 3:30 PM in summer and you are back around 8:30 to 9:30 PM. We time pickup around sunset, so it moves later in summer. VIP guests can choose their own pickup time.

How many guests fit in the VIP vehicle?

Up to 6 guests per Land Cruiser. The price is AED 1,199 per vehicle whether you are 2 or 6. Larger groups can book more than one vehicle.

Where does the VIP desert safari take place?

In the Lahbab Red Dunes (Al Lahbab desert), about 45 to 55 minutes southeast of Dubai on the E66. It has the tallest red dunes near the city, up to 30 metres high.

What food is served at dinner?

Starters such as hummus, mutabal and fattoush, BBQ grills like lamb kofta and chicken tikka, mains such as lamb ouzi and chicken biryani, and desserts including luqaimat, kunafa and Umm Ali. All meat is halal. Vegetarian dishes are always available, and vegan or gluten-free meals on request with 24 hours notice.

Is alcohol served?

Alcohol is not included in the package. Drinks are available at the camp bar at extra cost and are not served during Ramadan.

Can children join the VIP desert safari?

Yes. Children aged 3 and above can join the dune drive. Under 3s skip dune bashing but can enjoy the camp. Self-drive quad bike riders must be 16 or older.

Who should skip dune bashing?

Pregnant guests, infants under 3 and anyone with back, neck or heart problems. Tell us when you book and we drive you straight to camp by road at no extra cost, so you still enjoy dinner and the shows.

Can you arrange a birthday, proposal or anniversary?

Yes. Add a special occasion setup for a birthday, couple evening, proposal or wedding anniversary when you book. It pairs best with the VIP safari and its private table.

Is pickup free, and do you pick up outside Dubai?

Yes. Pickup and drop off are free from any hotel or home in Dubai and Sharjah, including Port Rashid Cruise Terminal. If you are staying in Abu Dhabi, Ajman or another emirate, we share a convenient meeting point, collect you there and bring you back to the same spot.

Do I pay in advance, and can I cancel?

No advance payment. You pay the driver at pickup. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before pickup, and we offer a full refund or a new date if weather cancels the trip.

Does the safari run during Ramadan?

Yes. Pickup moves later, usually after Iftar, belly dance is replaced with traditional music and the camp bar is closed. Dinner, the dunes and the camp activities run as normal.

How do I book a premium or VIP desert safari?

Use the form on this page or message us on WhatsApp at +971 54 144 7273 with your package, date, number of guests and pickup location. We usually reply within 10 minutes and confirm instantly.

Still have a question?

Message our team on WhatsApp. We usually reply within 10 minutes.

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Book your VIP desert safari today.

Sunset on the red dunes, dinner served at your table and front seats for the shows. No advance payment. Just send your date on WhatsApp.