For a Dubai desert safari, buggy ride or quad bike ride, wear light, loose clothes that cover your shoulders and knees, closed-toe shoes and sunglasses, and bring a passport or national ID. On self-drive buggy and quad tours with Safari Desert Dubai, the helmet, goggles and gloves are provided, and every rider wears the helmet.
Key takeaways
- Closed-toe shoes are required for buggy and quad rides. Trainers or light boots work well; sandals and flip-flops do not.
- Buggy and quad tours include a helmet, goggles and gloves, plus refreshments or mineral water. The KTM 450 CC dirt bike comes with a helmet and riding gear.
- Every buggy, quad and dirt bike rider wears a helmet, from the safety briefing to the end of the ride.
- Bring a passport or a national ID for every ride.
- The time of day changes the outfit most: sun protection for mornings, warm layers for the balloon pickup, modest layers for the camp dinner.
What should you wear on a desert safari in Dubai?
Dress for sand, sun and a seat that moves. Fine sand gets into pockets, shoes and hair, the light off the dunes is strong, and the vehicle rocks on the slopes. A practical base outfit:
- Top: a light, breathable shirt or T-shirt in cotton or linen. A long-sleeved shirt protects your arms from the sun and from sand thrown up by other vehicles.
- Bottoms: loose trousers, cargo pants or a long skirt with room to move. Trousers are easier than a skirt on a buggy, quad or camel.
- Shoes: closed-toe trainers or light boots with socks.
- Head and eyes: sunglasses, plus a cap or hat for the safari stops. On a buggy or quad, the helmet and goggles replace them.
- A scarf or buff: a light scarf that can cover your nose and mouth helps when the wind picks up sand.
- A light layer: a thin jacket or sweater for early starts and after sunset.
Light colours show less dust, and smooth fabrics shake out more easily than fleece at the end of the day.
Is there a desert safari dress code?
There is no formal uniform for a desert safari, but there is a sensible standard. The UAE is a conservative country, and the desert camp is a shared space where families eat dinner together. Clothes that cover the shoulders and knees are a respectful choice for everyone, and they are also more practical in the sun and sand.
Most guests keep the same outfit from the dune drive into dinner, and there is no need for formal clothes. Avoid anything long and loose that could catch on a vehicle, such as a scarf hanging free or a wide flowing hem.
What to wear for a dune buggy ride in Dubai
A self-drive buggy ride is the most sand-heavy activity on the list. Safari Desert Dubai runs 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 seater and 4 seater versions. Every buggy has a roll cage and seatbelts, and the tour includes a guide, a helmet, goggles, gloves and refreshments or mineral water.
What to wear in the buggy:
- Closed-toe shoes. The driver needs firm footwear on the pedals, and passengers need protection when climbing in and out over the frame and into soft sand.
- Long trousers. They protect your legs from the frame and from sand blowing in through the open sides.
- A fitted top. Loose hoods, long necklaces and dangling straps are uncomfortable under a seatbelt and a helmet.
- Hair tied back low. A low ponytail or plait fits under the helmet more easily than a high bun.
The guide gives a safety briefing before the ride on how to drive the buggy, how the safety gear works and what to do in an emergency. Riders keep a safe gap and follow the guide's path. Passengers get as much sand as the driver, so dress the same way. Compare the models and seat counts on the Dubai buggy tours page before you book.
What shoes should you wear for a dune buggy ride?
The best shoes for a dune buggy ride are closed-toe trainers or light hiking shoes with a firm sole, worn with socks. They protect your feet, grip the pedals and keep most of the sand out.
Leave sandals, flip-flops, slides and thin, slippery soles at the hotel. Old trainers you do not mind getting dusty are the best choice, since fine red sand marks light fabric and mesh. A plastic bag in your day bag keeps sandy shoes apart on the way home.
What to wear for quad biking in Dubai
Quad biking puts you closer to the sand than a buggy does, because there is no roll cage or roof. Safari Desert Dubai runs eight quad bikes, from the Yamaha 90 CC for children aged 9 to 12 in a fenced area to the Yamaha Raptor 700 CC. Every quad tour includes a guide, a helmet, goggles and gloves, and refreshments or mineral water.
For a quad bike ride, wear:
- Closed-toe shoes with ankle coverage if you have them. Your feet sit on the footrests close to the ground.
- Long trousers. Shorts leave your legs exposed to sand.
- A long-sleeved top. It shields your arms from the sun and from sand thrown up by the quad in front.
Riders on the Yamaha 400 CC Double Seater should both dress for the ride, since the passenger sits just as close to the sand. The same advice applies to children on the Yamaha 90 CC and Yamaha 220 CC quads, which ride only in a fenced area. Confirm the ages for each quad when booking. All models and ride lengths are on the quad bike tours page.
Do you have to wear a helmet on a quad?
Yes. On every quad bike ride with Safari Desert Dubai, each rider wears the helmet provided by the tour. The same applies to buggy drivers and passengers and to KTM dirt bike riders. Nobody rides without a helmet at any point of the tour.
The helmet comes with goggles and gloves. If the helmet feels loose or too tight, tell the guide during the safety briefing so they can find a better fit before you set off. A cap or hat will not fit under the helmet, so leave it in your bag or in the vehicle.
What does the tour provide and what should you bring?
The table below sets out what each activity includes, based on Safari Desert Dubai's tour information, and what to bring yourself.
| Activity | Included by the tour | Bring yourself |
|---|---|---|
| Self-drive dune buggy | Guide, helmet, goggles, gloves, refreshments or mineral water; roll cage and seatbelts | Closed-toe shoes, passport or national ID, sunglasses for the breaks |
| Quad bike | Guide, helmet, goggles, gloves, refreshments or mineral water | Closed-toe shoes, long trousers, passport or national ID |
| KTM 450 CC dirt bike | Helmet and riding gear | Closed-toe shoes, passport or national ID |
| Morning safari (Land Cruiser 4x4) | Pickup, water and soft drinks | Sunglasses, hat, scarf, light layer |
| Evening safari | Pickup, dune bashing in a 4x4, a short camel ride, BBQ dinner with belly dance, tanoura and fire shows | Modest clothes for the camp, a light layer for after sunset |
| Hot air balloon (shared) | Shared pickup | Warm layer, closed-toe shoes, passport or national ID |
A short desert packing list
For any of these trips, a small backpack or crossbody bag with a zip is enough. Pack:
- Passport or national ID
- Phone, fully charged, in a zipped pocket or case
- Sunglasses and a cap or hat for the stops
- Sunscreen and lip balm
- A light scarf or buff
- A thin jacket or sweater
- Wet wipes for sandy hands
- Any personal medication you normally carry
Leave jewellery and valuables at the hotel. Sand gets into zips and lenses, and small items dropped in the dunes are hard to find.
How do clothes differ between a morning safari, an evening safari and a balloon flight?
The time of day changes what you need more than the activity itself. Here is how the main options compare, with the prices published by Safari Desert Dubai.
| Experience | Price | Timing | What to wear |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morning Desert Safari With Land Cruiser 4X4 (shared) | AED 225 per adult, AED 210 per child, pickup included | About four hours | Sun protection, hat, sunglasses, closed-toe shoes |
| Evening Desert Safari With BBQ Dinner (shared) | AED 240 per adult, AED 225 per child, pickup included | About 5 to 6 hours | Layers, modest clothes for the camp dinner |
| Evening Desert Safari + 30 Min ATV Quad Bike (shared) | AED 375 per adult, AED 340 per child, pickup included | About 5 to 6 hours | Closed-toe shoes, long trousers, a layer for later |
| Morning Desert Safari + 30 Min ATV Quad Bike (shared) | AED 290 per adult, AED 285 per child, pickup included | Morning | Closed-toe shoes, long trousers, sun protection |
| Hot Air Balloon Standard Flight (shared) | AED 1,049 per adult | Pickup 3:45 to 4:30 AM, flight 45 to 60 minutes | Warm layers, closed-toe shoes |
| Polaris Dune Buggy RZR 1000 CC, 2 Seater | AED 600 per buggy for 30 min | Starts on the hour, 5:00 AM to 8:00 PM | Closed-toe shoes, long trousers, scarf |
| Yamaha Quad Bike 400 CC Single Seater | AED 250 per quad bike for 30 min | Starts on the hour, 5:00 AM to 8:00 PM | Closed-toe shoes, long trousers, long sleeves |
| KTM Dirt Bike 450 CC | AED 850 per dirt bike for 1 hour | Starts on the hour, 5:00 AM to 8:00 PM | Closed-toe shoes plus the riding gear provided |
Adults on the shared safaris are 12 and over and children are 5 to 11. Every price stands on its own with its unit, and transfers for buggies, quads and the KTM are booked separately.
Morning desert safari
The Morning Desert Safari With Land Cruiser 4X4 runs for about four hours, with water and soft drinks on board. It is mostly about the dunes in daylight, so sun protection is the priority: sunglasses, a hat for the stops, sunscreen and a long-sleeved top. Closed-toe shoes make walking on soft sand much easier, and a scarf helps if the wind is up.
If you add the 30 Min ATV Quad Bike, wear long trousers and closed-toe shoes for the quad section. The helmet, goggles and gloves for the quad are handed out at the ride.
Evening desert safari
The evening safari covers pickup, dune bashing in a 4x4, a short camel ride and a BBQ dinner with belly dance, tanoura and fire shows. The site gives about 5 to 6 hours for the whole trip, so you start in daylight and finish after dark.
That makes layers the key. Wear something comfortable and modest for the drive and the camel ride, and bring a thin jacket or sweater for the camp after sunset. Trousers are easier than a skirt for the camel.
Private safaris
The Private Morning Desert Safari With Land Cruiser 4X4 is AED 799 per car, and the Private Evening Desert Safari With BBQ Dinner Land Cruiser 4x4 is AED 1,400 per car, each for up to 6 guests with pickup included. The clothing advice is the same as for the shared versions.
All safari options, shared and private, are listed on the desert safari tours page.
What to wear for a hot air balloon flight in Dubai
A sunrise balloon flight starts long before the sun comes up. Pickup is between 3:45 and 4:30 AM, and the exact time is sent the day before. The flight lasts 45 to 60 minutes, depending on the weather.
For a balloon flight:
- Layers. A warm sweater or light jacket for the pickup and the wait before take-off, which you can remove later in the morning.
- Closed-toe shoes. The launch and landing sites are on sand, and you climb in and out of the basket.
- Trousers. Easier for climbing into the basket than a dress or skirt.
- A hat and sunglasses. For the moment the sun comes up and for the time on the ground after landing.
- Passport or national ID. Bring it as you would for any desert activity.
Leave large bags at the hotel, since space in the basket is shared.
The shared flights are the Standard Flight at AED 1,049 per adult, the Deluxe Flight at AED 1,149 per adult and the Premium Flight at AED 1,349 per adult, for adults aged 12 to 80. Children's prices are AED 999 and AED 1,049 for ages 5 to 11 on the Standard and Deluxe flights, and AED 1,149 for ages 7 to 11 on the Premium Flight. Shared pickup is free. A private car for 4 to 5 guests costs AED 700. Details are on the hot air balloon page.
Self-drive buggy and quad rides: timing changes the outfit
Buggies, quads and the KTM start on the hour from 5:00 AM to 8:00 PM, every day. A transfer picks you up 1 hour before the start. The time you choose affects what you wear more than the vehicle does.
- Early starts: add a light layer you can take off later.
- Middle of the day: long sleeves, a scarf and sunscreen matter most.
- Later starts: keep a layer in your bag for the drive back.
No buggy, quad or KTM price includes pickup. You can add a sharing transfer at AED 175 per person, for two or more guests from one pickup point, or a private car at AED 450 for 5 to 6 guests, or you can meet on site at the location emailed after booking.
The site names October to March as the best season, but the same basics apply in every month.
What about the KTM dirt bike?
The KTM Dirt Bike 450 CC is for one rider aged 18 or older, booked for 1, 2 or 3 hours, with a helmet and riding gear. Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes and long trousers under the gear.
What does the camp evening involve?
The camp evening is the relaxed end of the evening safari. After the dune drive and a short camel ride, guests sit down to a BBQ dinner with belly dance, tanoura and fire shows. The same dinner and shows are available without the safari drive as the Standard Camp at AED 125 per person or the Premium Camp at AED 250 per person. A private transfer, at AED 450 per car for 5 to 6 guests, must be booked with a camp-only dinner.
Camp-only pickup times depend on the season. From October to March, pickup is 2:45 to 3:30 PM and drop-off is 9:00 to 9:30 PM. From April to September, pickup is 3:45 to 4:30 PM and drop-off is 9:30 to 9:45 PM.
What to wear for the camp:
- Modest clothes that cover the shoulders and knees, since the camp is a shared family space.
- Comfortable shoes you can walk on sand in. Closed-toe shoes are still the best choice, even if you are not riding.
- A light layer for the hours after sunset.
- Nothing long and loose near the fire show area. Keep scarves and long sleeves tucked in when you walk past the fire.
If you add a camel ride (AED 150 per person, 20 to 25 minutes) or sandboarding (AED 50 per person) as extras, trousers are the easiest choice for both.
Health, comfort and who should check first
Desert rides and dune bashing are bumpy. Safari Desert Dubai gives no medical advice and does not describe rides or dune bashing as suitable for pregnancy or for back, neck or heart conditions. If any of these apply to you, check with a doctor and tell the team before you book.
On the day, eat a light meal before an early start, drink the water provided during the breaks, and tell the guide at once if a helmet, goggles or gloves do not fit.
Booking, changes and the refund policy
Payment is by Visa or Mastercard in AED, in full online when booking, with no card fee. The booking confirmation arrives by email within 48 hours of payment.
For bookings of up to 3 guests, there is no cancellation fee 96 hours or more before the tour. Refunds are less a 5% processing fee. Changes and cancellations are made by email only, and rescheduling is subject to availability. Read the full terms on the refund policy page before you pay, especially if you are booking for a larger group.
In short
For any desert trip outside Dubai, the outfit is simple: light, modest clothes with long trousers, closed-toe shoes, sunglasses, a scarf and a thin layer, plus a passport or national ID. On buggy and quad tours, the helmet, goggles and gloves are provided and the helmet stays on for the whole ride. Add warm layers for a balloon flight and something comfortable for the camp dinner after an evening safari.
When you know your date and who is riding, choose your buggy, quad, safari or balloon flight on the Safari Desert Dubai booking page, or call +971 52 447 2719 or email [email protected] with your questions.
