Review: Dubai Desert Safari, Photos, Camel Ride & BBQ

Okay, so you’re maybe thinking ’bout hittin’ up Dubai, and almost definitely, you’ve seen the ads for the Desert Safari. Well, is that hyped-up experience really worth the cash, though? I went along, and I’m just a little ready to give you the lowdown on the photography, the camel situation, and that BBQ grub.

Gearing Up for the Desert

Basically, the pickup is generally right on schedule. That is, expect some kind of air-conditioned van that gets you from your hotel right into the desert kinda quick. Almost definitely, these safaris operate at basically what you might consider ‘dune bashing’ time, like late afternoon, very that way you catch the sunset. This kinda makes sense, but so too, it means you could be crammed into a van with several total strangers; yet honestly that really could be part of the whole experience.

Snapping Shots: The Photography Experience

Alright, now let’s talk photography, right? Sometimes there is a stop along the way to buy some desert-appropriate gear; that is, an overpriced scarf. Yet most the photo ops usually come later, more or less when the safari hits its peak somewhere way out amongst the dunes. With any luck, the tour guides very know their stuff when they see great photo locations. But maybe that “golden hour” ain’t messing around though: everything gets a very soft glow about it that could look great with you in it, as I was saying. If you’re actually looking for amazing photos though, like your Instagram is seriously important to you, I’d arguably suggest looking at private tours and dedicated photography guides, right? Your experience that way will typically be far more customized, at least arguably.

Hump Day: The Camel Ride

The camel ride, that? A lot of advertisements showcase the whole “romantic desert trek,” right? It’s just a little more like a very quick circle, if you know what I mean, usually near the main camp. Let’s just say these animals might be pretty chill about people being around, still if you’ve basically never sat on one of these big guys before, it’s an interesting experience to say the very least. Yet those short rides could be more like photo ops; a few more exclusive tours will give longer rides but it all still depends. If you’re considering the safari almost only for the ride, I’d just a little research alternatives like dedicated camel farms a bit outside the city; I am pretty sure they arguably could offer more very genuine experiences.

BBQ Under the Stars

Dinner is arguably the main attraction for many people, maybe? They usually serve that BBQ buffet in an open camp, you know with rugs on the ground, and some very low tables, similarly to how you would picture it. With any luck there’s different stuff: grilled meats, salads, you know; stuff that’s fairly simple and probably trying to appeal to everyone. But don’t consider Michelin-star quality grub though. The setting actually gives points that could more than makes up for a slightly average kebab – being in the desert as it cools down, is actually fairly magical.

The Entertainment: Belly Dancing & More

There are, alright, cultural performances after supper. You know: tanoura dancers (guys who spin a fair bit) along with the very famed belly dancer shows too. These bits honestly are there to offer entertainment, but aren’t necessarily that traditional. In other words, the belly dancing could feel pretty tourist-aimed, if you know what I mean, that? So the very skilled performers and their amazing abilities could add to an already pretty charming ambiance.

Other Activities to do While There

You could likely also get options to do some other things there; like those quad bike rides and dune buggy experiences. In short, I’d arguably say that there arguably are things to watch out for; quad biking looks maybe dangerous if everyone is rushing about. Plus the cost, maybe you should check how much they are before giving the OK because there may be better prices. Basically, about getting temporary henna tattoos or smoking a shisha pipe; they sometimes make this whole thing seem real, even if there’s the chance it may not even be totally authentic.

Is The Desert Safari Really Worth It?

Okay, so is all that a yes, go and pay? If that’s your first time in Dubai, in a way I’d argue to give it a try, that way at very least you can cross something off your list of stuff you’ve been meaning to do in Dubai. Nevertheless, it’s good in some respects if you get the experience you paid money for to be good with the least hassles. You might not make award-winning photos there, plus the camel bit may be quite brief, but, more or less spending dusk chilling, that way you are quite far out from the city isn’t very bad, and I definitely suggest you at the very least give it a go.