Dubai Desert Safari: Vintage Mercedes, Camels & Stargazing

Ride dunes in a vintage Mercedes, then watch the desert sky through a telescope.

An evening desert safari from Dubai takes you 45–50 minutes to Al Marmoom Desert Reserve, where you trade a modern air-conditioned vehicle for an open-air 1980s G Class Mercedes to traverse the dunes. At the Bedouin Village you ride camels, watch a falcon show, get henna tattoos, eat a 5-course Emirati dinner with live entertainment, and end the night learning how Bedouins navigated by stars before using a telescope to see them yourself. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, and the whole experience runs about 6 hours.

Step-by-step itinerary

Al Marmoom Desert Safari Experience

• Travel to Al Marmoom Desert Reserve
• Ride Vintage G Class Mercedes in desert
• Photo stop and observe desert plants
• Arrive at Bedouin Village and receive welcome
• Camel caravan ride
• Arabic coffee-making and tasting session
• Watch sunset and falcon show
• Participate in henna tattoos and makeovers
• Enjoy 5-course Emirati dinner with entertainment
• Attend astronomy and stargazing session
• Return to hotel in Dubai

The experience

The drive out from Dubai takes 45–50 minutes in a modern air-conditioned vehicle. Once you arrive at Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve, which covers 10% of Dubai's land, you switch into the open-air Vintage G Class Mercedes, a 1980s model that sits high enough to see across the dunes. For the next 30–40 minutes you cross the desert, stopping to photograph the Al Ghaf tree (the UAE's national tree) and spot wild animals moving across the sand. The open car means you're exposed to the landscape in a way a closed vehicle never lets you be.

At the Bedouin Village, built from natural materials like goat hair, you start with a warm welcome: gahwa (Arabic coffee) and sweets. Then you ride a camel caravan through the desert for 10–12 minutes. A ride you can repeat if you want. Back at the village, you watch a falcon show, get henna tattoos, try on traditional Arabian dress, and pose for photos with the falcon. While you sit under the tents, Bedouin men roast coffee and women prepare luqaimat (fried pastries), and they share stories about desert life over soft drinks.

Dinner is a 5-course Emirati meal served as the sun sets over the dunes, with live Bedouin entertainment playing while you eat. As darkness falls, the camp lights turn off and a guide walks you through an astronomy session: explaining how Bedouins used stars for navigation and storytelling long before GPS existed. Then you look through a telescope to see what they saw. The drive back to your Dubai hotel closes the evening.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• ride in an open-air 1980s Vintage G Class Mercedes across the dunes.
• camel caravan ride (repeatable).
• Arabian falcon show.
• henna tattoos and traditional dress.
• authentic 5-course Bedouin dinner with live entertainment.
• astronomy session and telescope stargazing.
• Bedouin welcome with gahwa and sweets.

Options for this experience

2 options

6-Hour Shared Tour with BBQGuide in English · 15:45Shared desert drive lasting 6 hours, with a classic car holding up to 6 people, a 10-12 minute camel caravan and a live BBQ dinner. Pickup is included.

6-Hour Private Tour with BBQGuide in English · 15:45This 6-hour private tour includes a private classic car for your group, a 10-12 minute camel caravan and a BBQ. Pickup is included.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 15:45

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (12 to 70 years) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Under 3: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 150

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 10 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelInfant seats availableNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by OceanAir Travels

Is this one for you?Book the private option if you want the vehicle, guide and Bedouin Village experience to yourself. The shared tour works for solo travelers or small groups comfortable with other guests. Either way, you need moderate fitness for the open-air driving and camel riding. The tour is not suitable for pregnant travelers or anyone with spinal or cardiovascular concerns.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years). Under 3: they can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the camel ride like on this desert safari from Dubai?

The camel caravan ride lasts 10–12 minutes and you can repeat it if you want. Children under 12 must ride with an adult, and children under 5 cannot ride at all but can stay with an adult at the village or walk alongside the caravan.

How long does the whole tour take, and when does it start?

The tour runs 6 hours total, including the 45–50 minute drive from your Dubai hotel each way. Pickup times may shift by an hour earlier or later depending on summer heat, and you'll get advance notice if that happens.

What animals will I see on this Al Marmoom safari?

You may spot wild animals while driving the dunes in the open Mercedes. The village hosts a falcon show, and you'll see farm animals around the Bedouin settlement, though wildlife sightings depend on the day and time.

Is this tour private or shared with other travelers?

You can book either a private tour or a shared tour. Both run 6 hours and include the same activities, meals and stargazing. Choose private if you want the vehicle and guide to yourself, or shared if you're open to other guests.

What's included in the 5-course dinner?

The dinner is an authentic Emirati meal served at the Bedouin Village with live entertainment. The menu features traditional dishes prepared on-site, and soft beverages are included. The exact courses reflect Bedouin cooking traditions.

Do I need any special fitness level or health clearance for this tour?

You should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness. The tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or pregnancy. If you have any physical disabilities, contact the operator to discuss a private customized trip.