Dubai Desert Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Dubai Desert showing desert views, vehicle touring and land animals
Dubai Desert showing desert views as well as a small group of people
Dubai Desert showing land animals and desert views as well as a small group of people
Dubai Desert which includes land animals and desert views
Dubai Desert featuring land animals and desert views
Trek through the desert on camel or horseback, observe native wildlife and camp under the stars at the United Arab Emirates’ first national park.

Dubai may be more famous now for its skyscrapers and huge shopping malls but the emirate’s biggest project is the preservation of the region’s natural ecosystem. The Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve is an 87-square-mile (225-square-kilometre) protected area of Arabian desert that’s nearly 5 percent of Dubai’s total land area.

To maintain a balance between Dubai’s rapid growth and the need to preserve its natural heritage, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE’s Prime Minister, purchased the land. It was previously a camel farm. Today it’s a shelter for hundreds of plant and animal species.

The only way to explore the park is with one of the reserve’s approved tour operators. They offer a range of different experiences including resort stay, camel treks, archery, falconry displays and SUV journeys over dunes and through the desert terrain. 

Take a slow drive out into the desert to observe the free-roaming herds of Arabian gazelles and a wide variety of bird species. During your trip the tour guide will explain the desert ecology. Watch for some of the park’s other animals including nocturnal sand cats, Ethiopian hedgehogs and side-winding vipers.   

Over the years, endangered Arabian oryx, Macqueen’s bustards and a number of other wildlife species have been successfully reintroduced to the desert here.

Take part in desert sporting activities. Strap on a sand board and slide down dunes toward the valley floor. Try your hand at archery with a traditional bow.

As the sun starts to dip over the horizon, enjoy a dune dinner of grilled meats and Arabic sweets and drinks in Bedouin tents. Then, stay for the night and camp in this exotic environment. In the morning you can enjoy breakfast while watching the sun rise.

The Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve is located approximately an hour’s drive inland from Dubai.

Where to stay in Dubai Desert

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Damac Hills 2

The Camel Farm is one noteworthy place to stop while you're exploring Damac Hills 2 and the surrounding area.

Damac Hills 2
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Endurance City

Visitors to Endurance City enjoy its restaurants, and if you want to do some exploring, Dubai International Endurance City is worth a stop.

Endurance City
Mövenpick Grand Al Bustan Dubai
Mövenpick Grand Al Bustan Dubai
5 out of 5
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The price is ₹4,288 per night from 17 Jun to 18 Jun
₹4,288
₹5,717 total
includes taxes & fees
17 Jun - 18 Jun
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8.2/10 Very Good! (1,000 reviews)
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Mövenpick Grand Al Bustan Dubai
Atlantis, The Palm
Atlantis, The Palm
5 out of 5
Crescent Road, The Palm, Dubai
The price is ₹28,247 per night from 16 Jun to 17 Jun
₹28,247
₹35,067 total
includes taxes & fees
16 Jun - 17 Jun
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Dubai. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,424 reviews)
"Nice and beautiful place to stay"

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Atlantis, The Palm
Shangri-La Dubai
Shangri-La Dubai
5 out of 5
Sheikh Zayed Road, P.o. Box 75880, Dubai
The price is ₹9,761 per night from 1 Jun to 2 Jun
₹9,761
₹12,422 total
includes taxes & fees
1 Jun - 2 Jun
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Dubai. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (1,298 reviews)
"Excellent hotel, location was great, rooms were amazing with views, staff was friendly especially the front desk supervisor, this was my third time staying here and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Best breakfast ever!"

Reviewed on 28 May 2025

Shangri-La Dubai
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Emirates Grand Hotel
Emirates Grand Hotel
4 out of 5
Sheikh Zayed Road, Trade Centr, Dubai
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly aparthotel in Dubai. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Dubai Mall and Dubai ...
6/10 (517 reviews)
"Perfect location, friendly staff. Hotel could do with more attention to detail on finer details. For example on my balcony the wall had been painted but the masking tape was still there. The shower drain was so slow to drain the water it would often flood the bathroom floor. Housekeeping only change ..."

Reviewed on 7 May 2025

Emirates Grand Hotel
Blue Beach Tower
Blue Beach Tower
5 out of 5
The Walk, Jumeirah Beach Residence, Dubai Marina, Dubai
Stay at this 5-star luxury aparthotel in Dubai. Enjoy free parking, 2 outdoor pools and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,406 reviews)
"Very spacious with perfect balcony view. However, there were roaches in the kitchen. Also it did not have washer/dryer in the apartment"

Reviewed on 27 May 2025

Blue Beach Tower
Sonder at JBR The Walk
Sonder at JBR The Walk
0 The Walk, Dubai
Stay at this beach aparthotel in Dubai. Enjoy free parking, a beach locale and a fitness centre. Popular attractions Marina Beach and Mall of the Emirates are ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (206 reviews)
"2nd visit in 9 months, and want to book another"

Reviewed on 24 May 2025

Sonder at JBR The Walk
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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