Yes, you can do a desert safari in Dubai in summer. Self-drive buggies, quad bikes and the KTM dirt bike start on the hour from 5:00 AM to 8:00 PM daily. The shared morning safari costs AED 225 per adult and runs about four hours, and the shared evening safari costs AED 240 per adult and runs about 5 to 6 hours.
Key takeaways
- Buggy, quad and KTM sessions start on the hour from 5:00 AM to 8:00 PM, daily.
- A transfer picks you up 1 hour before your start time, so a 6:00 AM ride means a 5:00 AM pickup.
- Safari Desert Dubai names October to March as the best season, but the desert programme keeps running from April to September.
- The camp-only BBQ dinners have their own April to September times: pickup 3:45 to 4:30 PM and drop-off 9:30 to 9:45 PM.
- The morning Land Cruiser safari lasts about four hours with water and soft drinks; the evening safari lasts about 5 to 6 hours.
- Balloon pickup is 3:45 to 4:30 AM and flights last 45 to 60 minutes depending on the weather.
- Prices are quoted per buggy, per quad bike, per dirt bike, per person or per car, and the booking form shows the price for your date.
- If Safari Desert Dubai cancels for weather, you choose a refund less the 5% processing fee or a free new date.
Is a desert safari open in summer?
The short answer is yes. Safari Desert Dubai runs its desert activities through the summer months, from April to September. The self-drive programme for dune buggies, quad bikes and the KTM Dirt Bike 450 CC starts on the hour from 5:00 AM to 8:00 PM, daily. That timetable does not switch off when the season changes.
The clearest sign of a summer schedule is the camp-only BBQ dinner. It has two sets of pickup and drop-off times, one for October to March and one for April to September. The summer times run later in the afternoon, which tells you the evening programme is built around the season rather than paused for it.
What does change in summer is how you plan. The site names October to March as the best season for the desert. In the warmer months, the smart move is to pick the times of day that suit you best, keep your session length realistic and prepare properly. The rest of this guide covers how to do that across every activity.
What runs in the desert from April to September?
The whole Safari Desert Dubai range can be booked for summer dates, and you confirm your date on the booking form. The difference between them is mostly about timing: when you are picked up, how long you stay out and what is included. Here is how each one works in the summer months.
Self-drive dune buggies
The buggies are self-drive and priced per buggy, not per person. A 2 seater carries two people and a 4 seater carries four. You choose 30 minutes, 1 hour or 2 hours, and every session can start on the hour between 5:00 AM and 8:00 PM.
The range covers the Polaris RZR 1000 CC, the RZR 1000 CC Turbo, the Can-Am Maverick X3 and the Can-Am Maverick X3 RS TURBO RR, each in 2 and 4 seat versions. Every buggy has a roll cage and seatbelts. The tour includes an experienced tour guide, a helmet, goggles and gloves, and refreshments or mineral water.
For a deeper look at which buggy start time to pick, see the guide on the best time for a dune buggy ride in Dubai. The full range is on the dune buggy tours page.
Quad bikes and the KTM dirt bike
Quad bikes follow the same timetable as the buggies. They are priced per quad bike, and most models are booked for 30 minutes, 1 hour or 2 hours. The Sport Quad Bike 625 CC and the Yamaha Raptor 700 CC are booked for 1 or 2 hours only.
The Yamaha 90 CC quad is only for children aged 9 to 12, and the Yamaha 220 CC quad is recommended for ages 14 to 17. Both ride only in a fenced area. The KTM Dirt Bike 450 CC is for riders aged 18 or older and is booked for 1, 2 or 3 hours, with a helmet and riding gear.
Morning and evening Land Cruiser safaris
The morning safari runs in a Land Cruiser 4x4 and lasts about four hours, with water and soft drinks. The evening safari lasts about 5 to 6 hours and includes pickup, dune bashing in a 4x4, a short camel ride and a BBQ dinner with belly dance, tanoura and fire shows. Both safaris include pickup.
You can book either safari shared, priced per person, or private, priced per car for up to 6 guests. A shared safari can also be paired with a 30 minute ATV quad bike session. The safari options are on the desert safari tours page.
Camp-only BBQ dinners
If you want the evening camp without the safari drive, the Standard Camp and Premium Camp include a BBQ dinner with live entertainment shows. They need a private transfer, booked with the camp at AED 450 per car for 5 to 6 guests. From April to September, pickup is 3:45 to 4:30 PM and drop-off is 9:30 to 9:45 PM.
Sunrise hot air balloon flights
Balloon flights follow their own flying season, so ask the team whether your summer date is open. They are an early morning activity. Pickup is 3:45 to 4:30 AM, with the exact time sent the day before. Flights last 45 to 60 minutes depending on the weather. Sharing pickup is free, and a private car for 4 to 5 costs AED 700. Flight details are on the hot air balloon page.
Summer-friendly options and prices
The table below lists the options that sit best in the early and late parts of a summer day. Every price is shown with its unit, and the booking form confirms the price for the date you pick.
| Option | When it runs | Length | Price and unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Polaris Dune Buggy RZR 1000 CC, 2 Seater | On the hour, 5:00 AM to 8:00 PM | 30 min / 1 hour / 2 hours | AED 600 / AED 900 / AED 1,750 per buggy |
| Polaris Dune Buggy RZR 1000 CC, 4 Seater | On the hour, 5:00 AM to 8:00 PM | 30 min / 1 hour / 2 hours | AED 800 / AED 1,200 / AED 2,200 per buggy |
| Can-Am Maverick X3, 2 Seater | On the hour, 5:00 AM to 8:00 PM | 30 min / 1 hour / 2 hours | AED 999 / AED 1,499 / AED 2,800 per buggy |
| Yamaha Quad Bike 400 CC Single Seater | On the hour, 5:00 AM to 8:00 PM | 30 min / 1 hour / 2 hours | AED 250 / AED 350 / AED 600 per quad bike |
| Yamaha Quad Bike 90 CC (children aged 9 to 12, fenced area) | On the hour, 5:00 AM to 8:00 PM | 30 min / 1 hour / 2 hours | AED 150 / AED 250 / AED 400 per quad bike |
| KTM Dirt Bike 450 CC (riders 18 or older) | On the hour, 5:00 AM to 8:00 PM | 1 / 2 / 3 hours | AED 850 / AED 1,250 / AED 1,450 per dirt bike |
| Morning Desert Safari With Land Cruiser 4X4 (shared) | Morning | About four hours | AED 225 per adult, AED 210 per child |
| Evening Desert Safari With BBQ Dinner (shared) | Evening | About 5 to 6 hours | AED 240 per adult, AED 225 per child |
| Private Morning Desert Safari With Land Cruiser 4X4 | Morning | About four hours | AED 799 per car, up to 6 guests |
| Private Evening Desert Safari With BBQ Dinner Land Cruiser 4x4 | Evening | About 5 to 6 hours | AED 1,400 per car, up to 6 guests |
| Standard Camp / Premium Camp (no safari drive) | Pickup 3:45 to 4:30 PM, drop-off 9:30 to 9:45 PM | Evening | AED 125 / AED 250 per person |
| Hot Air Balloon Standard Flight (shared) | Pickup 3:45 to 4:30 AM | 45 to 60 minute flight | AED 1,049 per adult |
On the shared safaris, adults are 12 and over and children are 5 to 11. Buggy, quad and KTM prices do not include pickup. You add a sharing transfer at AED 175 per person, for two or more from one pickup point, or a private car at AED 450 for 5 to 6 guests. You can also meet on site, and the location is emailed after booking.
What is the best time for a desert safari in summer?
In summer, the best start times sit at the two ends of the day. The early slots from 5:00 AM and the late slots towards 8:00 PM give you the calmest conditions for driving and riding. The middle of the day is still bookable, but the edges of the day are the easier choice in summer.
Early slots: from 5:00 AM
An early start suits people who like a quiet desert and a free afternoon. With a transfer, pickup is 1 hour before the ride, so a 5:00 AM buggy session means a 4:00 AM pickup. That is an early alarm, but you are back in the city with most of the day ahead of you.
The early window is also when the balloon runs, with pickup from 3:45 to 4:30 AM. If you want a sunrise experience in summer, the balloon and an early buggy or quad session are the two natural choices.
Late slots: up to 8:00 PM
A late start suits people who would rather sleep in. The last session of the day starts at 8:00 PM, and a transfer picks you up 1 hour before, at 7:00 PM. A late ride works well for travellers who have a busy morning in the city.
Morning safari or evening safari?
The morning safari lasts about four hours and includes water and soft drinks. It fits a summer plan built around early starts, and it leaves the rest of your day free. Read more in the guide to the morning desert safari in a Land Cruiser.
The evening safari lasts about 5 to 6 hours. It covers dune bashing in a 4x4, a short camel ride and a BBQ dinner with belly dance, tanoura and fire shows. A summer evening desert safari in Dubai suits travellers who want the full camp experience after dark and do not mind a longer outing.
Desert safari timings in summer at a glance
Here is a quick reference for the times that matter when you plan a summer visit.
- Buggies, quads and the KTM: start on the hour from 5:00 AM to 8:00 PM, daily.
- Transfer for buggies, quads and the KTM: picks up 1 hour before your start time.
- Morning Land Cruiser safari: about four hours, with water and soft drinks.
- Evening safari with BBQ dinner: about 5 to 6 hours.
- Camp-only BBQ dinner, April to September: pickup 3:45 to 4:30 PM, drop-off 9:30 to 9:45 PM.
- Camp-only BBQ dinner, October to March, for comparison: pickup 2:45 to 3:30 PM, drop-off 9:00 to 9:30 PM.
- Hot air balloon: pickup 3:45 to 4:30 AM, exact time sent the day before, flight 45 to 60 minutes depending on the weather.
Desert safari in July in Dubai: what to expect
July sits in the middle of the April to September window, so a desert safari in July in Dubai follows the summer pattern. The buggy, quad and KTM timetable stays the same, from 5:00 AM to 8:00 PM daily. The camp-only BBQ dinners keep their summer pickup and drop-off times.
Expect July planning to lean even more on the edges of the day. Good options are an early buggy or quad slot, a morning safari, or the late afternoon and evening programme. If you are visiting in July or August, book your preferred start time early so you can lock in the slot that suits your group.
Dune buggy rides in Dubai in summer
A dune buggy in Dubai in summer is the same experience as in any other month. You get a self-drive tour with an experienced tour guide, a helmet, goggles and gloves, and refreshments or mineral water. Before every ride, the guide gives a safety briefing on how to drive the vehicle, the safety gear and what to do in an emergency.
During the ride, drivers keep a safe gap and follow the guide's path. In summer, a shorter session can be a sensible first choice. The 30 minute options start at AED 600 per buggy for the Polaris RZR 1000 CC 2 Seater, and you can step up to 1 or 2 hours if you want more time on the sand.
A 4 seater suits a group of four sharing one vehicle. Confirm the ages of every driver and passenger when you book.
Hot air balloon rides in Dubai in summer
Balloon flights depend on the flying season, so check with the team whether your summer date is available before you plan your week around it. When a flight runs, it is a pre-dawn activity. Pickup is 3:45 to 4:30 AM, and the exact time is sent the day before. The flight itself lasts 45 to 60 minutes depending on the weather, so the exact length is set by the conditions on the day.
There are three shared flights. For adults aged 12 to 80, the Standard Flight costs AED 1,049 per adult, the Deluxe Flight AED 1,149 per adult and the Premium Flight AED 1,349 per adult. Children aged 5 to 11 pay AED 999 per child for the Standard Flight and AED 1,049 per child for the Deluxe Flight. The Premium Flight is AED 1,149 per child for ages 7 to 11.
How to plan a summer desert trip
Good planning makes a summer desert trip easy. These are the practical steps that help most.
Choose your start slot first
Decide on your time of day before anything else. Early slots from 5:00 AM and late slots towards 8:00 PM are the popular summer choices. Once you have your slot, work back 1 hour for the transfer pickup, or plan your own drive to the emailed meeting point.
Keep the session length realistic
If it is your first time on a buggy or quad, a 30 minute or 1 hour session is a comfortable start. You can always book a longer session on a second visit. The KTM is booked for 1, 2 or 3 hours, so think about how long you want to ride before you choose.
Wear closed-toe shoes
Closed-toe shoes are required for buggy and quad tours. For a full packing list, see the guide on what to wear on a desert safari in Dubai.
Use the gear that is provided
Every buggy and quad tour includes a helmet, goggles and gloves. Every buggy, quad and dirt bike rider wears a helmet. The goggles keep sand out of your eyes, and the gloves help with grip on the steering wheel or handlebars.
Carry water
Buggy and quad tours include refreshments or mineral water, and the morning safari includes water and soft drinks. Bringing your own bottle as well means you always have some to hand, before and after the ride.
Bring your ID
Bring a passport or a national ID. Keep it somewhere safe while you ride, and leave anything you do not need at your hotel.
Check health questions before you book
Desert driving and dune bashing are physical. If you are pregnant or have back, neck or heart conditions, check with a doctor and tell the team before booking. Safari Desert Dubai does not give medical advice.
What happens if the weather changes?
Weather can affect any outdoor activity, and balloon flights in particular depend on conditions on the day. If Safari Desert Dubai cancels a tour, for example for weather, you choose between a refund less the 5% processing fee or a free new date. Once a tour has started, it is not refunded.
If you need to cancel yourself, the refund policy applies. For bookings of up to 3 guests, there is no cancellation fee 96 hours or more before the tour. A 50% fee applies from 24 to 96 hours, and 100% under 24 hours or for a no-show. Refunds are less a 5% processing fee. Rescheduling is free, subject to availability, and you cancel or change by email only.
Booking and payment
Payment is by Visa or Mastercard in AED, in full online when booking, with no card fee. Your booking confirmation arrives by email within 48 hours of payment. If you booked a ride without a transfer, the meeting point in the desert outside Dubai is emailed to you after booking.
When you book, add your preferred start time, your pickup location if you want a transfer, and the ages of everyone in your group.
Summer desert planning in short
A desert safari in Dubai in summer works well when you plan around the clock. Buggies, quads and the KTM start on the hour from 5:00 AM to 8:00 PM daily, safaris run in the morning and evening, and the balloon picks up from 3:45 AM. Prices stay the same as the rest of the year. Choose an early or late slot, wear closed-toe shoes, carry water and use the helmet, goggles and gloves provided.
To pick your date and start time, book your desert adventure, or call +971 52 447 2719 or email [email protected] with your questions.
