One of the most exciting experiences to do in Dubai is a nice desert safari or a nice camel trek. But what are the best places to go to ride a camel in Dubai?
What you will find in this guide:
- Dubai Desert Safari with Camel Rides
- Camel Trekking in the Dubai Desert
- Camel ride on the beach in Dubai Marina
- Ride a Camel in Dubai: is it better on the beach or in the desert?
- Other Interesting Adventures to Do
Dubai Desert Safari with Camel Rides
This is undoubtedly the most popular experience among tourists: the exciting desert safaris depart from Dubai (usually transportation and pickup from your hotel is included) and take you to the middle of the desert, where you can live exciting experiences, such as dune bashing with powerful off-road vehicles, spot wildlife, and ride a camel.
In Dubai there is a huge offer of desert safaris (here you will find a dedicated article with everything you need to know) but most allow you to ride a camel for just 5 minutes or so.
If you want to take a real camel ride (not just 5 minutes around the camp!) and enjoy the desert safari experience to the fullest, then you should check out this offer: you will be able to enjoy many exciting activities in the desert (including the dune bashing), then you will visit a Bedouin-style camp where you will meet camels and falcons, see the sunset over the desert and enjoy an exquisite BBQ dinner, enlivened by traditional dance performances.
You will stay overnight in a Bedouin-style tent at the camp, and in the morning you will take a camel trek of approximately 20 minutes to watch the sun rise over the dunes. Upon returning to the camp you will enjoy a hearty breakfast and then your guide will take you back to your hotel in Dubai.
Camel Trekking in the Dubai Desert
If activities like dune bashing aren’t your thing and you prefer something more authentic, then you might choose to go on a long camel trek.
This is definitely a more ethical and eco-friendly experience, it is also suitable for children (they will love it!), And it is a unique and unforgettable way to enjoy the desert in complete calm.
You can choose to do your camel trek at sunrise, to see the sun rise over the red dunes, and then have a good traditional breakfast in the middle of the desert.
Or you can choose to do your camel trek at sunset, to see the sunset over the desert, and then reach a Bedouin-style camp where you can watch traditional dance performances, take a photo with the falcons, and enjoy a hearty BBQ dinner.
The camel treks last approximately 45 minutes and always include a professional English-speaking guide and round-trip transportation by 4WD car from your Dubai hotel.
If you are looking for a truly unique and unforgettable experience, then you should check out this Camel Desert Safari organized by Platinum Heritage, a local operator well known for its high quality.
With this Camel Desert Safari it will be like going back to the 50s, and you will feel like one of the first desert explorers: you will reach the desert in an authentic vintage 1950’s Land Rover, then you can enjoy a magnificent camel ride until you reach an ancient camp in the desert, where you can enjoy an authentic and delicious Arabian dinner under the starry sky.
You will sleep in a stone mansion that belonged to an ancient ruling family, and in the morning you can enjoy a hearty breakfast before returning to Dubai.
Camel ride on the beach in Dubai Marina
You’ve probably seen some photos (maybe on Instagram) of people riding a camel on one of Dubai’s beautiful white beaches. Well yeah, just something like the photo you see above.
If you are wondering where you can have this experience too, here is the answer: go to Dubai Marina, which by the way is a place full of exciting activities to do (here is a guide to things to do in Dubai Marina).
Just go to Dubai Marina beach, called JBR Marina Beach, and you will likely see some camels with their owner right on the beach. Just ask the owner for a ride, typically you will be asked to pay AED 50-75 per person to take a short ride and some photos.
Ride a Camel in Dubai: is it better on the beach or in the desert?
I’ll be brutally honest: I prefer authentic and ethical experiences, and the camel’s natural habitat is the desert. So I’ve never tried the camel ride on the beach, which is more designed for tourists, who may be short on time and just want a nice selfie to put on social media.
But I have tried the camel ride in the desert dozens of times and I can assure you that it is definitely worth it!
Do not miss the chance to stay overnight in the desert and enjoy a dinner under the starry sky, these are some of the most beautiful and authentic things that make a trip to Dubai complete and unforgettable.
Other Interesting Adventures to Do
If you want to learn more about Dubai Desert Safaris, here you can find a more in-depth article.
Remember that when you travel to Dubai it’s very important to have a good travel insurance that covers any accidents, here you will find all the information that may be useful.
To fully experience the culture and breathtaking landscapes of the desert you could take a trip to Al Ain, a city that stands in the middle of a desert oasis, along the border with Oman. Here you can visit several ancient fortresses, stroll through an oasis in the shade of thousands of palm trees, and visit the only remaining camel market in the UAE.
If you want to discover all the best things to do and see in Dubai check out this guide with all the best tips from the locals.