What an overnight safari is
An overnight desert safari is a night at a camp, not a longer version of the evening trip. You are collected in the afternoon, driven into the dunes, eat dinner at the camp and sleep there. The next morning you are driven back to the city.
The package described on this page comes from one operator, Platinum Heritage, and it is a single example. Other camps run different programs, sleep guests in different kinds of rooms and charge different prices. Overnight stays are also not allowed in every camp, so a booking page should say clearly where you sleep.
Evening, morning and overnight side by side
Examples from two operators, 2026. Each row is one product.
| Safari | Pickup | Length or return | Price from |
|---|---|---|---|
| Evening safari (Arabian Adventures) | About 16:00 | 6 hours | $177 |
| Morning safari (Arabian Adventures) | About 08:30 | 4 hours, back about 12:00 | $130 per person, shared vehicle |
| Overnight safari (Platinum Heritage) | 14:00 to 16:30, depending on the season | Back in the city 09:00 to 10:00 the next day | AED 1,195 adult, AED 995 child, VAT included |
The prices come from different operators, in different currencies, for different products. They show what one product costs, not a market range. The final price depends on your date, vehicle and group, so check it at checkout. Compare the day trips on the evening safari and morning safari pages.
Our picks: overnight desert safaris
Three ways to stay out in the desert, in a tent, a dome or a stone shelter.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Reserve overnight with Land Rover drive, no dune bashing
A nature drive in a classic Land Rover in the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, explicitly without dune bashing. Falconry, an Arabian stone shelter with mattress, dinner, a gourmet breakfast and stargazing are included; photos are not.
Check availability →
Overnight safari with BBQ dinner and tent
Dune bashing, sandboarding, henna, a BBQ on day 1, a light breakfast on day 2 and a tent with sleeping bag for one night. Shows are included except during Ramadan; other meals are not.
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Overnight safari with dinner and sunrise camel trek
Three dinner buffets, shows, a telescope, breakfast and a sunrise camel trek are included, plus a private tent or, in another option, a luxury dome.
Check availability →Desert safaris and overnight stays
Evening, morning and overnight desert tours from Dubai, with live prices and availability.
How the night works
The program of the example package, step by step.
Pickup and drive
Pickup is in the afternoon, between 14:00 and 16:30 depending on the season. The drive into the desert is by historic Land Rover or, as an alternative, with a camel caravan. This operator describes nature drives, not dune bashing. If you want the roller-coaster style, read the dune bashing page first.
Evening at the camp
The program includes a falcon show, dinner and a cultural program. Do not expect every camp to offer the same. Barbecue, belly dance, quad bikes or alcohol are not part of every camp program.
Where you sleep
In this package you sleep in a stone room in Arabic style, with bedding, and breakfast is included. It is not a tent. Other camps use other kinds of rooms, so ask what the booking includes.
The night
Camp power is switched off late in the evening, so charge your phone and torch before. It gets cold, so bring warm clothing. Whether you see a clear night sky depends on the weather and cannot be promised.
Morning and return
After breakfast you are driven back, with arrival in the city between 09:00 and 10:00. A balloon flight is an add-on and not included automatically. The balloon season runs from 1 October to 31 May and is booked separately, see the hot air balloon page.
Camp types, permits and camping on your own
Not every camp may host guests overnight.
Camp categories
Dubai's camp classification, published in 2024, distinguishes the categories Tourist, Premium and Luxury. Sleeping rooms or areas are not allowed in the Tourist category, and overnight guests have to be registered in the categories that may host them. Rules can change, so ask the operator which category the camp falls into and where you will sleep.
Permits
Dubai's tourism authority runs a permit system called ePermits for safari drivers, vehicles, camps and tour operators. Safari drivers must pass a 5-day RTA training and renew their permit every year. An older mention of a license in a listing is not proof of a current permit, so ask the seller for the camp, driver and vehicle permits separately.
Camping on your own
A night in the desert without a package is a different thing. Dubai's tourism portal suggests November to April for camping and advises enough water, first aid, sun protection, a light and GPS, and telling a contact where you are. Mobile reception can be limited. A general recommendation is not a permit for a specific spot, so follow signs and local rules.
Packing list for a night in the dunes
Based on the operator's guidance and the cold at night.
Warm layers
A sweater or jacket for the evening and the night. In winter the evenings are cool, and a stone room is not heated like a hotel room.
Sun protection
A hat, sunscreen and sunglasses for the afternoon drive.
Light and power
A torch or headlamp and a charged phone. Mobile reception can be limited.
Plan the rest of your trip
Other ways to stay in or near the desert.
Overnight desert safari: frequently asked questions
When is an overnight desert safari offered?
The example package runs from 1 October to 30 April. Other operators set their own months. The tourism portal suggests November to April for camping and advises against the hot months, so the cooler season is the practical choice.
How much does an overnight safari cost?
The example package starts at AED 1,195 per adult and AED 995 per child in 2026, VAT included. Ask the operator which ages count as a child. Older price lists online show lower figures from earlier seasons, so rely on the current booking page for your date.
Where do I sleep?
In the example package, in a stone room in Arabic style with bedding, and breakfast is included. Other camps differ, and sleeping areas are not allowed in every camp category, so check this before you book.
Is a balloon flight included?
No. A balloon flight is an add-on and booked separately. See the balloon page for seasons and conditions.
Should I book an overnight safari now, given the travel advice?
Official advice for the United Arab Emirates has changed this year. Since 30 September 2026 (status 21 October 2026), the German Foreign Office advises against non-essential travel to the UAE, citing a volatile regional situation and the risk of airspace closures. The UK FCDO updated its advice on 24 July 2026 and notes the risk of further escalation, flight cancellations and temporary airspace closures. The US State Department has listed Level 3, Reconsider travel, since 29 August 2026. Read your own government's current advice before you book, and choose flexible cancellation terms.