Ask ten Dubai visitors for their favourite memory and at least half will say the same thing: the desert at sunset. A sunset desert safari packs the whole postcard into six hours – roaring over dunes in a Land Cruiser, sandboarding down the slip faces, a camel ride as the sky turns orange, and a barbecue under the stars at a Bedouin-style camp. In winter the desert evenings are cool and clear, which is exactly how you want them.

How the evening unfolds

Pickup from your hotel is usually between 14:00 and 15:00. After about 45 minutes you reach the red dunes of the Lahbab desert, where the driver deflates the tyres – the signal for half an hour of dune bashing. Then the pace drops: sandboarding, photo stops on the ridge, and the sunset itself. At the camp you get henna, falcon photos, shisha if you want it, and a live show (usually fire and Tanoura dance) with a BBQ buffet. Around 21:00 you are back in the city.

Why winter is the season for it

Between November and March the desert cools to a pleasant 18–24°C by evening – you will actually want a light jacket after dark, and the campfire earns its keep. Skies are clearer for stargazing too. In summer the same trip runs, but you will spend the pre-sunset hour sweating; in winter that hour is the best part.

Prices and what’s included

Group tours with hotel pickup, all activities and the BBQ dinner start around AED 100–150 per person via online bookings (checked July 2026) – remarkably little for a six-hour evening. Private cars, quad bike add-ons and premium camps cost more. Children ride along fine from about age 5; dune bashing is not suitable for pregnant travellers or bad backs.

Tickets

Check dates below or compare safari options on Tiqets. Every booking includes hotel pickup and drop-off.

Good to know