Morning vs Evening Desert Safari: Which to Book?
The two safaris side by side, so you can pick the one that fits your day, your group and the weather.
Side by side
Dubai private safaris. Prices are per Land Cruiser for up to 6 guests.
| Morning safari | Evening safari | |
|---|---|---|
| Pickup | 7:30 to 8:00 AM | 3:00 to 3:30 PM |
| Length | About 3 hours | About 6 hours |
| Highlights | Dune bashing, sandboarding, camel ride | Red dune bashing, sunset, camel ride, belly dance show |
| Food and drink | Breakfast not included | Arabic coffee and dates, unlimited soft drinks |
| 1 to 2 guests | AED 500 | AED 700 to AED 750 |
| 6 guests | AED 560 | AED 950 |
How each trip runs
Evening
- Hotel pickupIn your own Land Cruiser.
- Dune bashingA roller-coaster drive over the red dunes.
- Sunset photo stopThen a camel ride and sandboarding.
- Dinner and showsShows depend on the safari you pick.
- Drop-offAround six hours after pickup.
Morning
- Early pickupBeat the heat.
- Dune bashingQuieter and cooler in the morning.
- Sandboarding and camel ridePlus photo stops.
- Back by late morningThe rest of the day is yours.
Pick the evening safari if…
- You want the sunset photo stop and the shows. Shows depend on the safari you pick.
- You want a full evening out: the trip runs about six hours, with drop-off around six hours after pickup.
- You are travelling with small children: the kids-friendly safari (pickup 2:30 to 3:00 PM) is an evening trip planned around them.
- You are a couple: the Candlelight Dinner for Two adds a private table in the dunes.
Pick the morning safari if…
- It is a hot day. The morning safari is out early while the dunes are cool.
- You want the afternoon and evening free: you are back at your hotel by late morning.
- You want the lower price, from AED 500 per Land Cruiser.
- You want a quad bike too: the Morning Safari with Quad Bike takes about four hours, from AED 700.
More detail in our morning desert safari guide.
Best time of day for dune bashing
Both trips include dune bashing in your own Land Cruiser with a licensed safari driver. In the morning it is quieter and cooler; in the evening it is a roller-coaster drive over the red dunes before sunset. Either way, tell us your children's ages so the driver keeps it gentle, and tell us if anyone is pregnant or has back, neck or heart problems.
And in Abu Dhabi?
Abu Dhabi has the same choice. The Private Evening Safari runs about six hours with an Arabian BBQ dinner and live dance and fire shows, from AED 700. The morning safaris take about four hours, from AED 500. See the Abu Dhabi desert safari page.
Questions people ask
Which desert safari should I book?
Pick the private evening safari to have the Land Cruiser to yourselves, the kids-friendly safari if you're bringing babies or young children, the candlelight dinner for a couple's evening, or the morning safari to avoid the afternoon heat.
How long is a desert safari?
3 to 6 hours. Mornings are shorter, evenings run through dinner.
What time is pickup?
Between 7:30 and 8:00 AM for the morning safari, and between 3:00 and 3:30 PM for the private evening safari in Dubai.
Is the morning safari cheaper?
Yes. The morning safari starts from AED 500 per Land Cruiser and the evening safari from AED 700.
Is food included on the morning safari?
No. Breakfast is not included. The evening safari includes Arabic coffee and dates and unlimited soft drinks.
Next steps
Every tour is private: your own vehicle and driver or guide, for your group only.
