Desert Safari Dubai Dubai United Arab Emirates

The desert safari is a format, not a place. It is the one excursion almost every itinerary includes. A four-wheel drive collects you from the hotel in the afternoon.

What the afternoon does

An hour inland the tarmac stops. The driver lets air out of the tyres, then crosses the dunes at speed for twenty minutes. That is dune bashing, and people either love it or regret it.

• The camp. Camel rides, sandboarding, a falcon on the glove, henna, a barbecue, belly dance and the spinning tanoura.
• Lahbab. The dunes most trips use, where iron oxide turns the sand deep red.
• Al Marmoom. A reserve where the driving is gentler and the oryx and gazelle are the point.
• The length. Evening trips run about six hours door to door and end late.

Which version to buy

The same afternoon is sold in several shapes.

• Shared evening. The standard, and it costs about what a decent lunch does.
• Without dune bashing. Straight to the camp, for anyone prone to motion sickness or with small children. Ask by name.
• Quad bike or buggy. Added to an evening it roughly doubles the price; hired alone by the hour it costs far more.
• Private. One family, one car, your own timing, at around ten times the shared seat. One version collects from the cruise terminal.

Practical

• Season. October to April. In high summer camps start later, and an afternoon in open sand is dangerous.
• The driving. Rough. Skip the meal beforehand, sit in the middle row, take the no-bashing version if unsure.
• Clothes. Closed shoes for the camp, and a layer for later: the desert drops sharply after dark.
• Alcohol. Served at some camps and not at others, so ask when you book.
• Photographs. The falcon and the camel are usually included; the prints afterwards are not.
• Pickup. Windows are wide, often ninety minutes: one vehicle collects several hotels in turn.