Dubai Desert Safari: Land Rover, Falconry & Michelin Dining

Summary

Luxury Dubai desert safari with falconry, camel ride and fine dining

You’ll ride deep into Dubai’s desert in a Land Rover Defender with a local guide, watch falcons soar at sunset with snacks in hand, then cross golden dunes by camel to a private oasis cabana for Michelin-starred dining under lanterns. Expect laughter, new flavors, and that rare feeling when silence means something good.

What’s the experience like?

Someone’s wrapping a soft scarf around my head — turns out it’s our guide, Khalid, who grins and says it’ll keep the sand out. I’m not sure if I look more like an explorer or someone who got lost in the gift shop, but it feels right as we step into the Land Rover Defender. The city drops away fast. There’s this hush in the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve that makes you lower your voice without thinking about it. Even the tires sound different here — sort of muffled by the sand.

Khalid points out tracks — gazelle maybe? — and hands me a cold steel water bottle (they let you keep it). We bump along for what must be an hour, stopping at a lake where birds flicker over the water like quick shadows. The air smells faintly of something herbal and dry. At some point I realize my phone’s full of photos of old Land Rovers lined up like they’re posing for a family portrait. I didn’t expect to care about vintage cars but there’s something about them out here that just fits.

The falconry show is quieter than I thought it’d be — everyone’s watching this bird slice through the sky while we nibble tiny canapés and sip something sparkling (non-alcoholic, still felt fancy). Someone tries to say “shukran” and gets a laugh from one of the handlers. Then we’re on camels — mine keeps turning its head back at me like it’s checking if I’m still there. The sun drops fast; suddenly everything is gold and purple and you can hear your own breath.

I still think about that dinner under lanterns at the oasis cabana. Four courses, each one explained by someone who clearly loves food — local ingredients, flavors I couldn’t name but wanted to remember anyway. There was fire dancing too, which sounds over-the-top but honestly just felt kind of magical after dark out there. We lounged with shisha afterward; smoke drifting up while everyone traded stories in low voices. The drive back was quiet — tired in a good way, sand still clinging to my shoes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Luxury desert safari and fine dining

• Get picked up in Land Rover Defender
• Arrive at Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve
• Receive headscarf and water bottle gifts
• Take photos with vintage Land Rovers
• Enjoy 60-minute Land Rover safari
• Visit remote lake and bird sanctuary
• Watch falconry show with sunset canapés
• Ride camel into desert oasis
• Dine on four-course Michelin-star menu
• Watch acrobatic and fire performance
• Relax with premium shishas in lounge
• Return to city late evening

Top questions

What time does the Dubai luxury desert safari start?

Pickup is between 2:00 PM and 4:30 PM depending on season; exact time is confirmed around noon on your tour day.

Is hotel pickup included for this Dubai desert safari?

Yes, round-trip transfers from Dubai hotels are included in a Land Rover Defender.

Can children join the luxury desert safari?

Children under 5 need a private car booking; otherwise not permitted on shared vehicles.

What kind of dinner is served during the tour?

A four-course menu curated by a Michelin-star chef using locally sourced ingredients is served at an exclusive cabana oasis.

Is there entertainment during dinner?

Yes, performances include acrobatics and fire dancing after dinner at the oasis cabana.

Are guides available in languages other than English?

Guides can be requested in German, Portuguese, Russian or Italian based on availability.

How long does the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve drive last?

The nature drive inside the reserve lasts approximately 75 minutes.

Is shisha included during this Dubai desert experience?

Premium shishas are available for guests to enjoy while relaxing after dinner.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off in a luxurious Land Rover Defender with a local guide, entry to Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve with gifts like a headscarf and stainless steel bottle, vintage Land Rover photo stops, falconry demonstration with snacks at sunset, camel ride to an exclusive oasis cabana, four-course Michelin-curated dinner with live entertainment (acrobatic and fire show), unlimited premium shisha in the lounge area before returning late evening to your hotel.