What private means on a desert safari
On most listings, private means an exclusive vehicle for your party. It does not mean your own car, and it does not mean you have the camp to yourselves. A private transfer alone does not prove that the camp is exclusive.
The word VIP has no single meaning either. One operator may use it for a better camp seating area, another for a different vehicle. Ask for the exact list of what is included, in writing, before you pay.
Four things that get called private
Ask which one a listing means.
| Term | What it can mean | Ask before you book |
|---|---|---|
| Private transfer | You are collected as your own party instead of at a shared meeting point | Does the program at the camp stay the same as the shared tour? |
| Exclusive vehicle | One vehicle for your group, driven by the operator's driver | Vehicle type, number of seats, child seats |
| Nature drive | A drive in the dunes without dune bashing, offered as its own service | Duration, route, whether wildlife viewing is part of it |
| Exclusive camp | A camp used only by your group | Whether it is offered at all, and what VIP covers |
Choose private if you travel with a toddler, want pickup at your own address or want to skip dune bashing. If you only want a quieter evening, ask first whether the camp itself is shared. The desert safari comparison shows how shared tours differ by time and area.
Our picks: private desert tours
A private reserve tour with falconry and a morning safari that offers a private SUV as an option. The reserve evening is the calm nature-drive option, with a four-course dinner.
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.
Private falconry and reserve drive with breakfast
A private air-conditioned Land Rover Defender transfer, a falcon, hawk and owl show, a nature drive in the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve and breakfast at Al Maha. The price is per person, even though the tour is private; dune bashing is not listed.
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Reserve nature drive with falconry and four-course dinner
- Nature drive in the reserve
- Falconry and camel ride
- Four-course dinner in a cabana
A drive through the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve without dune bashing, a good fit if you want the desert without the bumps. A show, shisha and henna come with the evening.
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Lahbab Red Dunes morning safari
Air-conditioned 4x4 transfer, 35 minutes of dune bashing in Lahbab, a sandboard, water and a photo stop. A private SUV, quad, buggy or camel ride only come with the matching option.
Check availability →Desert safaris from Dubai
Evening, morning and overnight desert tours, with live prices and availability.
Pickup, children, prices and booking
What the published examples say.
Pickup at your address
Platinum Heritage collects guests at a private home address when a private car is booked. Shared transfers use central meeting points. This is one operator's rule, so do not assume every tariff includes pickup at any address.
Children
The rules belong to the product. The evening safari example by Arabian Adventures lists adults from 12, children 5 to 11 and toddlers under 5. Toddlers need a private vehicle and special seats. Children from 5 who are below 135 cm need a child seat and may ride in the shared vehicle. The morning product asks for a private vehicle for toddlers and for guests under 135 cm. Request child seats in advance.
Prices
There is no standard price list for private safaris. For orientation: the Heritage Safari starts at AED 795 per adult and AED 695 per child, depending on package and group size. The evening safari starts at $177 and the morning safari at $130 per person in a shared vehicle. A private vehicle depends on group size and vehicle, so ask for a written quote. Prices are for 2026 and may differ for your date.
Booking and cancellation
Platinum Heritage recommends booking ahead because it has a limited number of vehicles and guides. The evening safari example needs notice at least 24 hours before, with no refund after that. For the morning product, full payment is due at least 2 days before, and cancellation under 24 hours earns no refund. Choose flexible terms and read your government's current travel advice before booking.
Licenses
Dubai's tourism authority issues ePermits for safari drivers, vehicles, camps and tour operators. Ask the seller for these separately. Safari drivers must pass a 5-day RTA training.
Private and the dune drive
Skipping the roller coaster is possible.
A dune drive is about 30 minutes in the example evening safari, in a four-wheel-drive vehicle. Operators warn guests with heart, neck or back problems, and other conditions affected by off-road driving. They ask pregnant guests to arrange an alternative in advance. A private nature drive is that alternative: Platinum Heritage describes drives without dune bashing as a service of their own.
Read the dune bashing page for the health notes. You wear a seat belt on the drive.
Private desert safari: frequently asked questions
Does private mean I bring my own car?
No. Private means an exclusive vehicle that the operator provides, with its own driver. Your own car is not part of a private safari.
Is the camp exclusive on a private safari?
Not automatically. A private transfer does not prove exclusive use of a camp. If you want a camp for your group only, ask whether it is offered and what the price covers.
Can I do a private safari without dune bashing?
Yes, some operators offer nature drives without dune bashing as a separate service. Ask for the length and route, and see the dune bashing page for the differences.
How much does a private desert safari cost?
There is no standard price. Examples for orientation in 2026: the Heritage Safari from AED 795 per adult, the evening safari from $177 and the morning safari from $130 per person in a shared vehicle. A private vehicle depends on group size, so ask for a written quote.
Can children join a private safari?
Yes, and some products require a private vehicle for toddlers. The evening example needs a private vehicle and special seats for children under 5. The morning example asks for a private vehicle below 135 cm. Request child seats when you book.