Dubai, United Arab Emirates Operated by Emirates Desert Tours
An overnight desert safari in Dubai is a 16 to 18-hour desert camping experience that begins with an afternoon dune bash through the red sand dunes and ends with a sunrise camel ride across the Arabian Desert the next morning. In between, you get a BBQ dinner, live entertainment, campfire stargazing, and a peaceful night sleeping in a Bedouin-style tent, all in one booking.
Also known as a desert safari with overnight stay or desert safari night stay, this is the most complete way to experience Dubai’s desert. No evening safari, morning tour, or standalone activity covers the full cycle from sunset to sunrise the way an overnight desert camping trip does.
From AED 299 per child · AED 399 per adult. Pay on arrival. No advance payment. No hidden fees. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before pickup.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Duration | 16–18 hours (afternoon to next morning) |
| Pickup Time | 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM (varies by season) |
| Return Time | 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM (next day) |
| Location | Lahbab Desert (Red Dunes), Dubai |
| Adult Price | AED 549 AED 399 — Save 30% |
| Child Price | AED 299 per child |
| Best Months | October to March (cool, clear desert nights) |
| Group Size | 10–25 guests per camp session |
| Minimum Booking | 2 adults |
| Cancellation | Free cancellation up to 24 hours before pickup |
| Payment | Pay on arrival — no advance payment required |
| Confirmation | Instant via WhatsApp and email |
Available at the desert — pay on arrival
Available at camp bar — not served during Ramadan
An overnight desert safari is an extended version of the popular evening desert safari that continues through the night instead of returning you to your hotel by 9 or 10 PM. You sleep at a desert camp, stargaze by a campfire, and wake up to a camel trek at dawn — experiences that are simply impossible on a standard evening tour.
Emirates Desert Tours operates all overnight safaris at the Lahbab Desert — home to Dubai's iconic red sand dunes — roughly 45 minutes south of the city. The desert has deep roots in UAE culture. What started as informal weekend drives by expatriates in borrowed Land Rovers during the 1960s became organised cultural tours by the 1970s. Today, it is one of the most iconic tourism experiences in Dubai, and the overnight format — with its Arabian Nights atmosphere of campfires and starlit skies — is the version that comes closest to the Bedouin way of life that inspired it all.
Every item below is included in your Emirates Desert Tours overnight package. No hidden costs. No surprise add-ons at camp.
No optional activity is ever forced or pressured. All prices are shared clearly before you commit to anything.
Please inform Emirates Desert Tours of any dietary requirements at the time of booking — including allergies, gluten-free needs, or Jain restrictions. All dietary needs are accommodated with advance notice.
From golden dunes and quiet desert roads to torch-lit camp pathways and morning camel treks — real moments from our overnight safaris at the Lahbab Red Dunes.
This is the full timeline of your overnight desert safari with Emirates Desert Tours — from the moment your driver arrives to the moment you step back into your hotel. No other Dubai activity gives you this range of experiences in a single booking.
Yes — if you want the full desert experience, the overnight safari is worth every dirham. Here are five specific reasons it delivers more value than a standard evening safari.
Once the camp lights go down and the evening safari groups depart, the desert sky transforms. On clear nights, Jupiter, Saturn, and the Moon become visible through a telescope. This experience is physically impossible on evening safaris that return by 9 PM.
Across thousands of verified traveller reviews, the sunrise camel trek is described as "magical," "calm and absolutely worth waking up for," and "the highlight of our entire Dubai trip." This moment is exclusive to overnight guests.
Once the evening crowd departs, the camp transforms from busy to peaceful. Shisha under the stars, roasted corn by the fire, the silence of the desert broken only by quiet conversation — this hour simply cannot happen on a standard evening tour.
The dramatic shift from warm afternoon sun to cool evening breeze to crisp dawn air is something no other activity in Dubai delivers. The desert is a completely different place at midnight than it is at 5 PM.
This is one of the most common questions our team gets. Here is a direct, honest comparison.
| Feature | Evening Safari | Overnight Safari |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | 6–7 hours | 16–18 hours |
| Return Time | 9:00–10:00 PM (same day) | 8:00–9:00 AM (next morning) |
| Our Price (from) | AED 149 | AED 399 |
| Dune Bashing | ✅ Included | ✅ Included |
| Sunset Views | ✅ Golden hour included | ✅ Golden hour included |
| BBQ Dinner | ✅ Full buffet included | ✅ Full buffet included |
| Live Entertainment | ✅ Belly dance, Tanoura, fire show | ✅ + Horse show & Yola dance |
| Stargazing | ❌ Returns before dark sky | ✅ Included with telescope |
| Sunrise Camel Ride | ❌ Not included | ✅ Included |
| Campfire & Shisha | ❌ Not included | ✅ Full post-dinner experience |
| Breakfast | ❌ Not included | ✅ Freshly prepared Arabian breakfast |
| Sleeping in the Desert | ❌ Not included | ✅ Private tent with bedding |
| Desert Silence | Limited (camp is busy) | ✅ Experienced after evening guests leave |
| Best For | Time-limited travellers, families with toddlers | Adventure seekers, photographers, couples, first-time visitors who want everything |
The sunset, campfire, and sunrise create a naturally romantic arc. Many couples name the campfire hour with shisha and the night sky as the most memorable part of their Dubai trip. Our Premium VIP Safari upgrade is recommended for full exclusivity.
Children love sandboarding, camel riding, and the fire show — and the morning sunrise gives families unhurried quality time that evening safaris cannot offer. We also operate a dedicated Family Desert Safari designed specifically for parents with younger children.
Three distinct lighting opportunities in one booking: sunset golden hour, the dark desert sky at night for astrophotography, and sunrise. The Lahbab Red Dunes offer exceptional opportunities for landscape, portrait, and long-exposure work — with our guides knowing exactly which angles deliver the best results.
The shared camp atmosphere means solo travellers naturally meet other guests. For friend groups, dune bashing, shisha by the campfire, and late-night conversations under the desert sky create a shared experience that bonds groups in a way no city venue can match.
Emirates Desert Tours maintains professional staff, private tents with secure closures, and on-site overnight security at all times. Multiple verified reviews report feeling completely safe and well looked after throughout the night. Your safety is built into how we operate every safari.
To help you understand where Emirates Desert Tours fits in the broader market, here is a factual comparison of the most well-known overnight safari options available in Dubai.
| Camp / Operator | Location | Price From | Accommodation | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emirates Desert Tours | Lahbab Desert | AED 399 | Private tent with bedding | Best balance of value, personal service, and small groups |
| Al Khayma Camp | Lahbab Desert | AED 375–661 | AC tent or luxury dome | First-time visitors, large groups, highest review volume |
| Arabian Adventures | Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve | AED 890+ | Deluxe tent with ensuite | Eco-tourism, wildlife drives, walking night safari |
| Platinum Heritage | Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve | AED 595+ | Stone dwelling rooms | Luxury heritage, vintage 1950s Land Rovers, ecotourism |
| Sonara Camp / The Nest | Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve | AED 890+ | Eco-luxury domes with plunge pool | Romantic getaways, glamping, signature dining |
| Majestic Travel Tourism | Lahbab Desert | AED 649 | VIP tent | VIP experience, international buffet, extended entertainment |
October to March is the peak season — and the right choice for most visitors. Daytime temperatures range from 20°C to 30°C, with cool nights between 12°C and 22°C. Ideal for sleeping outdoors, campfire evenings, and stargazing. Book 6–8 weeks in advance as demand is high during these months.
| Season | Conditions | Night Temp | Crowds | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October – March | Pleasant, clear skies | 12°C – 22°C | High (book ahead) | ✅ Best months — book 6–8 weeks ahead |
| April – May | Warm afternoons | 22°C – 28°C | Medium | ✅ Good — comfortable evenings |
| June – September | Very hot afternoons | 25°C – 35°C | Low | ⚠️ AC tents help — lower prices, fewer tourists |
Leave large luggage and valuable jewellery at your hotel. The best part of this experience is disconnecting — campfire, conversation, and the open sky are what make it memorable.
| Detail | Emirates Desert Tours Policy |
|---|---|
| Advance Payment | ❌ Not required — Pay on Arrival |
| Free Cancellation | ✅ Up to 24 hours before pickup — full refund |
| Under 24 Hours | Non-refundable |
| Date Changes | Free subject to availability |
| Confirmation | Instant — via WhatsApp or email |
Complimentary door-to-door pickup and drop-off from:
We do not edit guest reviews. Every review below was written and published by a verified traveller on TripAdvisor or GetYourGuide after completing a safari with Emirates Desert Tours.
Rated 4.9/5 by 140+ guests · DTCM Licensed · Free cancellation up to 24hrs
