A private desert safari in Dubai costs AED 799 per car for the morning Land Cruiser trip or AED 1,400 per car for the evening trip with BBQ dinner, up to 6 guests. The shared safaris are priced per person: AED 240 per adult and AED 225 per child in the evening, AED 225 and AED 210 in the morning.
Key takeaways
- Shared safaris are priced per person. Evening Desert Safari With BBQ Dinner: adult (12+) AED 240, child (5 to 11) AED 225. Morning Desert Safari With Land Cruiser 4X4: adult AED 225, child AED 210.
- Private safaris are priced per car for up to 6 guests: Private Morning Desert Safari With Land Cruiser 4X4 at AED 799 per car, Private Evening Desert Safari With BBQ Dinner Land Cruiser 4x4 at AED 1,400 per car.
- Every safari includes pickup, shared or private.
- The morning safari lasts about four hours; the site gives about 5 to 6 hours for the evening safari.
- The evening programme includes dune bashing in a 4x4, a short camel ride and a BBQ dinner with belly dance, tanoura and fire shows.
- The shared + 30 Min ATV combos add a quad bike session to the shared safari, priced per person.
- A private car takes up to 6 guests. Groups larger than 6 book more than one car or choose shared seats.
- Cancellation terms depend on group size: up to 3 guests, or 4 or more guests.
- Payment is by Visa or Mastercard in AED, in full online when booking, with no card fee.
What is the difference between a private and a shared desert safari?
The difference is who sits in the Land Cruiser with you and how the price is counted. On a shared safari you book seats, and each seat has its own price: one price per adult aged 12 and over, another per child aged 5 to 11. Other guests who booked the same safari ride in the same vehicle.
On a private safari you book the whole car. The price is per car, it covers up to 6 guests, and nobody outside your group joins you. The price stays the same whether two people or six people travel in that car.
Safari Desert Dubai runs both formats in a Land Cruiser 4x4, both in the morning and in the evening, and both include pickup. The desert itself is the same: every safari runs in the desert outside Dubai. What changes is the company in the car, the pricing unit and how much say your group has in the pace of the day.
You can see every safari side by side on the desert safari tours page.
How much does a private desert safari in Dubai cost compared with a shared one?
Here is every safari price with its unit, taken directly from the Safari Desert Dubai price list. Each figure stands on its own: a per person price applies to one guest, and a per car price applies to the whole car.
| Safari | Format | Adult (12+) | Child (5 to 11) | Per car (up to 6 guests) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Evening Desert Safari With BBQ Dinner | Shared | AED 240 per adult | AED 225 per child | Not applicable | About 5 to 6 hours |
| Morning Desert Safari With Land Cruiser 4X4 | Shared | AED 225 per adult | AED 210 per child | Not applicable | About four hours |
| Evening Desert Safari + 30 Min ATV Quad Bike | Shared | AED 375 per adult | AED 340 per child | Not applicable | Evening safari with a 30 minute quad session |
| Morning Desert Safari + 30 Min ATV Quad Bike | Shared | AED 290 per adult | AED 285 per child | Not applicable | Morning safari with a 30 minute quad session |
| Private Morning Desert Safari With Land Cruiser 4X4 | Private | Not applicable | Not applicable | AED 799 per car | About four hours |
| Private Evening Desert Safari With BBQ Dinner Land Cruiser 4x4 | Private | Not applicable | Not applicable | AED 1,400 per car | About 5 to 6 hours |
All six include pickup. Extras are booked separately on the activities form: the Camel Ride in Desert (20 to 25 min) at AED 150 per person and SandBoarding at AED 50 per person.
How should you read the per car price?
The private price is a price for the car, not a price for each passenger. AED 799 per car books the private morning safari, and AED 1,400 per car books the private evening safari with the BBQ dinner. That figure does not change with the number of guests, as long as the group is 6 or fewer.
The shared price works the other way. Each adult pays the adult price and each child pays the child price. If you want to compare the two for your own group, enter your guest numbers on the booking form and look at the total it shows for each option. That keeps the comparison exact and avoids guesswork.
What does each safari include?
The shared evening safari
The Evening Desert Safari With BBQ Dinner includes:
- pickup;
- dune bashing in a 4x4;
- a short camel ride;
- a BBQ dinner with belly dance, tanoura and fire shows.
The site gives about 5 to 6 hours for the evening safari. Adults are 12 and over, children 5 to 11. If you want a closer look at the dinner side of the evening, the guide to desert safari with BBQ dinner options compares the dinner choices in detail.
The shared morning safari
The Morning Desert Safari With Land Cruiser 4X4 runs in a Land Cruiser 4x4 and lasts about four hours, with water and soft drinks. It includes pickup. There is no dinner or evening show on the morning programme, which keeps it shorter and lighter.
If a camel ride or sandboarding matters to you on a morning trip, add them from the activities form: the Camel Ride in Desert (20 to 25 min) is AED 150 per person and SandBoarding is AED 50 per person. Confirm the full morning programme with the team when you book. The morning desert safari guide covers the morning trip on its own.
The private morning safari
The Private Morning Desert Safari With Land Cruiser 4X4 is the morning programme in a Land Cruiser reserved for your group. It costs AED 799 per car for up to 6 guests, includes pickup and lasts about four hours. The car and the guide stay with your group for the trip.
The private evening safari
The Private Evening Desert Safari With BBQ Dinner Land Cruiser 4x4 is the evening programme with the BBQ dinner, in a car for your group only. It costs AED 1,400 per car for up to 6 guests and includes pickup. Plan for about 5 to 6 hours, the same as the shared evening safari.
The shared + 30 Min ATV combos
The combos pair a shared safari with a 30 minute ATV quad bike session:
- Evening Desert Safari + 30 Min ATV Quad Bike: adult (12+) AED 375, child (5 to 11) AED 340, per person, pickup included.
- Morning Desert Safari + 30 Min ATV Quad Bike: adult AED 290, child AED 285, per person, pickup included.
Every quad rider wears a helmet, and the guide gives a safety briefing before the ride on how to drive the quad, the safety gear and what to do in an emergency. Riders keep a safe gap and follow the guide's path. Confirm the riding age for each child when you book. The post on quad bike safari combos versus standalone rides explains when a combo makes more sense than a separate quad booking.
Is a private desert safari worth it?
A private safari is worth it when the people in your car matter more to you than the price unit. It suits groups that want to travel together, set their own pace for photos and conversation, and not wait for other passengers at pickup.
A shared safari is worth it when you are one or two people, you are happy to meet other travellers, and you want a per person price for each seat. The programme is the same family of trips, so you do not lose the dune bashing, the camel ride or the dinner on a shared evening safari.
Ask these questions to decide:
- How many of you are travelling? The private car covers up to 6 guests at one price per car. A shared booking is priced for each adult and each child.
- Do you want the car to yourselves? Only the private format gives you that.
- Are there small children or older relatives? A private car lets the group move at its own speed and keeps everyone together.
- Is anyone in the group nervous about dune bashing? In a private car, you can talk openly with your guide about how the group feels. Anyone with a medical concern should check with a doctor and tell the team before booking.
- Do you want a quad bike session? The 30 Min ATV combos are shared formats with a per person price.
Who does each safari suit?
Couples
Couples often pick the shared evening safari. It includes the full evening programme with the BBQ dinner and shows, at AED 240 per adult. Couples who would rather have the car to themselves can book the private evening safari at AED 1,400 per car, or the private morning safari at AED 799 per car.
Families
Families with children aged 5 to 11 can use the child prices on the shared safaris: AED 225 per child in the evening and AED 210 per child in the morning. A family that wants its own car books a private safari, priced per car for up to 6 guests, which keeps the family together and lets the guide work around the children's pace.
For younger children, ask the team about ages before you book, since the facts give child prices for ages 5 to 11.
Groups of up to 6
A group of up to 6 fits in one private car. Book the Private Morning Desert Safari With Land Cruiser 4X4 at AED 799 per car or the Private Evening Desert Safari With BBQ Dinner Land Cruiser 4x4 at AED 1,400 per car. Friends travelling together, a family with grandparents, or two couples sharing a trip all fit this format.
Groups larger than 6
A private car takes up to 6 guests, so a larger group has two clear routes:
- Book more than one private car. Each car is priced on its own, per car, for up to 6 guests.
- Book shared seats for everyone. Each adult and child pays the per person price.
Tell the team your exact group size and ages when you book, so the cars and seats are set up correctly. Larger groups should also read the cancellation terms for bookings of 4 or more guests below.
Guests who want a quad bike as well
If the group wants a quad session, the shared combos are the way to go: AED 375 per adult and AED 340 per child for the evening combo, AED 290 per adult and AED 285 per child for the morning combo.
Morning or evening: which time of day fits better?
Choose the morning if
- you want a shorter trip of about four hours;
- you have plans later in the day;
- you prefer a lighter programme with water and soft drinks and no dinner.
The shared morning safari is AED 225 per adult and AED 210 per child. The private morning safari is AED 799 per car.
Choose the evening if
- you want the full programme with dune bashing, a short camel ride and the BBQ dinner;
- you want the belly dance, tanoura and fire shows;
- you have about 5 to 6 hours free.
The shared evening safari is AED 240 per adult and AED 225 per child. The private evening safari with the BBQ dinner is AED 1,400 per car.
The site names October to March as the best season for the desert, so book early if you are visiting in those months.
What are the cancellation terms for private and shared safaris?
The cancellation terms depend on how many guests are on the booking, not on whether the safari is shared or private. Full details are on the refund policy page.
Bookings of up to 3 guests
- No cancellation fee 96 hours or more before the tour.
- A 50% fee from 24 to 96 hours before the tour.
- 100% under 24 hours, or for a no-show.
- Refunds are less a 5% processing fee.
Bookings of 4 or more guests
- A 50% fee 7 days or more before the tour.
- 100% at 5 days or less.
- Refunds are less a 5% processing fee.
This matters for private safaris, because a private car often carries 4, 5 or 6 guests. If your group is that size, decide on your date early and treat the booking as firm.
Rescheduling and changes
Rescheduling is free, subject to availability. Cancel or change by email only, at [email protected]. If Safari Desert Dubai cancels a tour, for example for weather, guests choose a refund less the 5% fee or a new date at no charge. Once a tour has started, it is not refunded.
How do you pay for a desert safari?
Payment is by Visa or Mastercard in AED. You pay in full online when you book, and there is no card fee. The booking confirmation arrives by email within 48 hours of payment.
The same method applies to shared and private safaris, the ATV combos and the extras. Keep the confirmation email for the day.
Which extras can you add?
Two extras sit on the activities form and are priced per person:
| Extra | Price | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Camel Ride in Desert | AED 150 per person | 20 to 25 min |
| SandBoarding | AED 50 per person | Not stated |
The evening safari already includes a short camel ride. The separate Camel Ride in Desert is a longer ride of 20 to 25 minutes, booked on top. SandBoarding is a separate extra on every safari.
Practical planning advice
Before you book
- Count your guests and note each age. Adults are 12 and over, children 5 to 11. This decides the price on a shared safari and the number of cars on a private one.
- Pick the time of day. About four hours in the morning, about 5 to 6 hours in the evening.
- Decide if you need the car to yourselves. If yes, book private, per car, for up to 6 guests.
- Check the cancellation band. Up to 3 guests or 4 or more guests.
- Tell the team about any medical concern. Check with a doctor before dune bashing or a quad ride, and mention it when you book.
On the day
- Have your hotel or home address ready for pickup.
- Wear comfortable clothes and closed-toe shoes, especially if a quad session is part of the booking.
- Bring a passport or a national ID.
- For a quad combo, wear the helmet the whole time you ride and follow the guide.
The team answers on +971 52 447 2719 or at [email protected], or through the contact page on the site.
Private vs shared desert safari at a glance
| Question | Shared safari | Private safari |
|---|---|---|
| How is it priced? | Per person: per adult and per child | Per car for up to 6 guests |
| Morning price | AED 225 per adult, AED 210 per child | AED 799 per car |
| Evening price | AED 240 per adult, AED 225 per child | AED 1,400 per car |
| Who is in the car? | Other guests on the same safari | Only your group |
| Pickup | Included | Included |
| Quad bike combo | Yes, 30 Min ATV combos | Not listed |
| Best for | Couples, solo travellers, small parties | Families, friends, groups of up to 6 |
In short
Book a shared safari if you are one or two people and happy to share the Land Cruiser: AED 240 per adult in the evening or AED 225 per adult in the morning, with child prices for ages 5 to 11. Book a private desert safari in Dubai if your group wants its own car: AED 799 per car in the morning or AED 1,400 per car in the evening with BBQ dinner, for up to 6 guests.
Choose your safari and date on the Safari Desert Dubai booking page, or call +971 52 447 2719 if you want help deciding.
