Desert
4x4 dune drives, camel rides, sandboarding and falconry in the desert inland from Dubai, about an hour from the port.
At a glance
The Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, 225 km², protects about 4.7% of the emirate's land and was the UAE's first national park.
Inland from the coast, beyond the last suburbs, Dubai turns into a sea of red and golden dunes. A desert safari is the classic way to see it: a guided trip in a four-wheel drive across the dunes, usually with a camel ride, sandboarding, a falconry display and a stop at a Bedouin-style camp. The best-protected area is the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve (DDCR), 225 km² of desert where Arabian oryx and gazelles roam free and only approved operators are allowed in.
Safaris run in the morning, in the afternoon until sunset, or in the evening with dinner and entertainment at a camp. Operators pick passengers up and drive them out to the dunes, so there is no need to organise transport, and the 4x4 drive over the dunes is as much part of the experience as the landscape.
For cruise passengers it is a booked excursion rather than something to do independently. A morning safari of four to five hours fits most calls; the evening safaris with dinner only work when the ship stays late or overnight in Dubai, which is common on itineraries that start or end there.
Official websiteGetting there from the port
2 optionsYour day in port
Example: call from 08:00 to 18:00, all aboard at 17:30, with a morning safari.
- 08:30Pick-upThe operator collects you at the cruise terminal in a 4x4.
- 09:30Into the desertArrival at the dunes or the DDCR and the first dune drive.
- 10:15Camels and falconsCamel ride, falconry display and time for photos.
- 11:15Sandboarding and wildlifeSandboarding on the dunes or a wildlife drive to look for oryx and gazelles.
- 12:15Back to DubaiDrive back to the port, arriving around 13:30.
- 13:30Afternoon freeBack on board, or time for Dubai Mall or the old town if your call allows.
What to see
- 1Dune driveA 4x4 drive across the dunes on predefined routes, with stops for photos.
- 2Arabian oryx and gazellesWildlife drives in the DDCR to find free-roaming herds of Arabian oryx and gazelles.
- 3Camel rideA short ride on the traditional ship of the desert.
- 4SandboardingBoarding down the dunes, offered by most operators.
- 5Falconry displayA demonstration of the speed and instincts of falcons, with a chance to see them up close.
- 6Bedouin-style campTents, Arabic food and, on evening safaris, dinner and entertainment under the stars.
Tips for cruise passengers
- Choose an approved operatorIn the DDCR only approved operators can run tours; look for the DDCR approved tour seal when booking.
- Check the timingMorning safaris fit a normal call; afternoon and evening safaris return after dark, so book them only if the ship stays late or overnight.
- Dune driving is bumpyThe 4x4 drive over the dunes is rough; it is usually not advised for pregnant women or people with back or heart problems. Ask for a gentler wildlife drive instead.
- Sun and sandWear a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and closed shoes, and carry water; from May to October midday temperatures are very high.
- Pick-up from the terminalConfirm that the operator collects from your cruise terminal and agree the return time with a margin before all aboard.
Accessibility & families
The 4x4 dune drive and the soft sand make it difficult for people with reduced mobility; some operators offer gentler wildlife drives and camp visits, so ask when booking. Children can join most safaris, often with a minimum age set by the operator, and need child seats and sun protection.
In pictures
