You’ve seen the photos: golden sand dunes, roaring 4x4s, and a sunset dinner under the stars. It’s the quintessential Dubai experience. But when you start Googling “evening safari Dubai price in 2026,” things get confusing fast.
Why does one company charge 50 AED while another charges 400 AED for what looks like the same trip? Is the cheaper option a scam? Is the expensive one a tourist trap?
Let’s be honest nobody wants to book a “dream safari” only to end up on a hot, crowded bus with no air conditioning, or arrive at a camp where everything costs extra.
At Maverick Safari UAE, we believe in total transparency. We don’t hide costs, and we don’t cut corners on safety. In this guide, we’ll strip away the marketing fluff and explain exactly what you pay for in 2025, how to spot a bad deal, and which package actually gives you the best value for your money.
Quick Answer: Summary of 2026 Prices
If you are looking for a quick breakdown for your budget planning, here is the realistic price range you can expect for a high-quality experience in Dubai this year:
- Self-Drive / Meet at Desert: 40 AED – 80 AED per person (You drive your car to the meeting point).
- Basic Package (Bus Pickup): 60 AED – 100 AED per person (Pickup by bus from central locations).
- Advance Package (4×4 Home Pickup): 130 AED – 250 AED per person (Door-to-door in a Land Cruiser).
- VIP / Premium Package: 250 AED – 400 AED per person (Table service, premium seating).
- Private Car: 700 AED – 1,200 AED per vehicle (Total privacy, up to 6 or 7 guests).
Who is this best for?
- Budget Travelers: Self-drive or Basic Bus options.
- Families/Couples: Advance 4×4 or Private Car (Safety & Comfort).
- Luxury Seekers: VIP or Private Car options.
What Exactly Is the Evening Safari in Dubai?
Before we dive deeper into the evening safari Dubai price, it helps to know what you are buying. This isn’t just a drive; it’s a 6-hour cultural and adrenaline experience.
Most tours take place in the Lahbab Desert (known as the Red Dunes), which offers higher, more dramatic dunes than the flatter Al Aweer area.
A Typical Timeline:
- 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM: Pickup from your location.
- 4:00 PM: Arrival at the desert deflation point (tires are softened for traction).
- 4:30 PM: Dune Bashing (30-45 mins of thrill driving).
- 5:15 PM: Sunset photography stop on a high dune.
- 6:00 PM: Arrival at the Bedouin-style camp.
- 6:15 PM – 8:30 PM: Activities (Camel ride, henna, sandboarding) and BBQ Dinner with Live Shows.
- 9:00 PM: Drop-off back at your hotel.
Current Packages & Price Range in 2026
At Maverick Safari UAE, we categorize our trips clearly so you know the difference between a budget ride and a premium experience.
1. Self-Drive Package (Budget Choice)
- Price Range: 40 AED – 80 AED.
- The Deal: You use your own car (rental or personal) to drive to our desert meeting point. From there, we take you into the dunes in our 4x4s for the bashing and camp activities.
- Best For: Residents or tourists with a rental car who want to save on transfer costs.
2. Basic / Bus Pickup Package
- Price Range: 60 AED – 100 AED.
- The Deal: Pickup is via a shared coaster bus from specific locations (like Deira City Center or Spinneys).
- The Catch: This package often includes a shorter dune bashing session (10-15 mins) or sometimes no bashing at all, just a direct drive to the camp.
- Best For: Solo travelers on a strict budget.
3. Advance Package (The “Real” Safari)
- Price Range: 130 AED – 200 AED.
- The Deal: This is the standard “full experience.” A 4×4 Land Cruiser picks you up from your hotel lobby. You get the full 30-45 minute Red Dune bashing session.
- Best For: Most tourists, families, and friends.
4. VIP / Premium Package
- Price Range: 250 AED – 400 AED.
- The Deal: Includes everything in the Advance package, but at the camp, you are treated like royalty. You get VIP seating (sofas/cushions near the stage) and table service. No standing in buffet lines; dinner is brought to you.
- Best For: Couples, elderly guests, or anyone who hates queuing for food.
5. Private Car Package
- Price Range: 700 AED – 1,200 AED (Per Car).
- The Deal: You rent the vehicle and driver exclusively. No sharing with strangers. You control the AC, the music, and the speed of the drive.
- Best For: Families with kids (privacy & safety), honeymooners, and groups of 5-7 people.
What’s Included (And What Most Companies Don’t Tell You)
When comparing the evening safari Dubai price, you must look at the inclusions. A “cheap” 50 AED ticket might end up costing you 300 AED once you pay for all the “extras.”
Transport & Pickup Details
- Maverick Policy: For Advance/VIP/Private packages, we pick up from anywhere in Dubai and Sharjah (Hotels, Residences, Cruise Terminal).
- Competitor Trap: Cheap tours often force you to meet at awkward spots or make you wait 45 minutes while the bus circles Deira.
Dune Bashing & Safety
- Included: Professional licensed driver, fuel, 4×4 Land Cruiser/Nissan Patrol with roll cage.
- Competitor Trap: Some budget operators use old, unsafe vehicles or skip the “Big Red” dunes to save fuel.
Activities & Entertainment
- Included: Sandboarding, short camel ride, henna painting (small design), shisha (in common area), Tanoura dance, Belly dance, Fire show.
Food & BBQ
- Included: International BBQ Buffet with Veg & Non-Veg options (Salad, Hummus, Biryani, Noodles, BBQ Chicken/Lamb, Water, Soft Drinks).
Hidden Costs to Watch Out For
These are never included in the standard ticket price, regardless of the operator:
- Quad Biking / Dune Buggy: Always an extra paid at the desert (approx. 100-150 AED for 20 mins).
- Long Camel Trek: The free ride is a quick circle for a photo. A 30-minute trek costs extra.
- Falcon Photos: Taking a picture with the falcon on your arm usually costs money.
- VIP Shisha: If you want the shisha pipe brought to your private table, it’s chargeable (approx. 50 AED).
- Alcohol: Available at the bar but strictly paid separately.
How to Choose the Best Package for You
Don’t just look at the lowest number. Choose the package that fits your group’s needs.
| Traveler Type | Recommended Package | Why? |
| Family with Kids (Under 4) | Private Car | Crucial: Small kids cannot do rough dune bashing. A private car allows the driver to take a flat route directly to the camp. |
| Couples | VIP or Private | Privacy is key. You don’t want to be squeezed into the back seat of a shared car with 5 other people. |
| Group of Friends (6 People) | Private Car | Mathematically, booking one private car is often cheaper than buying 6 individual tickets, plus it’s more fun! |
| Backpackers | Self-Drive / Bus | Save cash on the transfer and spend it on a quad bike ride instead. |
| Elderly / Back Problems | Dinner Only (Private) | Skip the bashing entirely. We drive you smoothly to the camp to enjoy the food and shows. |
Why Maverick Safari UAE? We own our fleet. This means we don’t pay commission to middlemen, allowing us to offer competitive rates while maintaining high safety standards.
Real Experience: What a Typical Guest Day Looks Like
It’s 3:00 PM. Your Maverick Safari guide, Ali, texts you that he’s in the hotel lobby. You walk out to find a clean, cool white Land Cruiser waiting.
The drive out of the city takes about 50 minutes. The skyscrapers fade away, replaced by endless golden sands. You arrive at the deflation point. While Ali lets air out of the tires, you hop out to stretch your legs. The air is warmer here, cleaner. You hear the buzz of quad bikes nearby.
Then, the real fun begins. You strap in. The car surges forward, leaving the tarmac. For the next 30 minutes, you are laughing and gripping the handle as the car climbs up sheer walls of sand and slides down the other side. It’s thrilling, but Ali is a pro you feel safe.
Just before sunset, you stop on a high peak. The sand is cool, soft powder. You take your shoes off. The sun dips below the horizon, turning the sky purple. It’s the perfect photo moment.
Arriving at the camp feels like entering an old fortress. You smell charcoal-grilled chicken. You try sandboarding down a small slope (and maybe fall gracefully!). You get a small henna tattoo on your hand.
Dinner is a feast you load up on hummus, fresh bread, and BBQ. As you eat, a man in a glowing LED skirt spins dizzily on stage. By the time the fire breather finishes his act, you are full, tired, and happy.
Practical Tips & Mistakes to Avoid
To get the most value out of your evening safari Dubai price, follow these tips:
1. Best Time to Book
- Weekdays (Mon-Thu): Camps are slightly less crowded, meaning shorter lines for the buffet and camel rides.
- Winter (Oct-Apr): The weather is perfect.
- Summer (May-Sept): It is hot! Ensure you book a package with an A/C cooled VIP lounge if you are sensitive to heat.
2. What to Wear
- Men: Shorts and T-shirts are fine.
- Women: Casual, loose clothing. Bring a light jacket in winter—the desert gets cold at night!
- Footwear: Sandals or flip-flops. Sneakers will just fill up with sand.
3. Health & Safety
- Motion Sickness: If you get carsick, do not eat a heavy lunch. Take a motion sickness pill 1 hour before pickup. Ask for the front seat (if available).
- Pregnancy: Strictly no dune bashing for pregnant ladies. Please book a “Dinner Only” or Private package with no bashing.
4. Common Scams to Avoid
- “35 Dirham” Offers: You will see these flyers on the street. Avoid them. These often involve uninsured cars, rude staff, and hidden “entry fees” once you reach the desert.
- The “Free” Gift: If a vendor at the camp puts a scarf on your head “for a photo,” clarify the price first. It is rarely free.
Why Choose Maverick Safari UAE?
- No Hidden Fees: The price we quote is the price you pay.
- Safety First: All our vehicles are fitted with roll cages, first-aid kits, and GPS tracking.
- Family Friendly: We specialize in family tours. Our drivers are patient and drive according to your comfort level.
- Flexible Cancellation: Plans change. We offer fair cancellation policies compared to big aggregators.
Ready to Book Your Desert Adventure?
Don’t let confusing prices ruin your holiday planning. Whether you want a budget-friendly fun ride or a luxurious private escape, we have a seat waiting for you.
Seats fill up fast during the winter season!
- Check Today’s Best Prices & Book Now
- WhatsApp Us for Instant Quotes: [+971552525075]
- Call Us: [+971552525075]
Secure your spot in the sand today!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is the evening safari price per person or per car? A: For Shared, Basic, and VIP packages, the price is per person. For Private packages, the price is per car (usually accommodating up to 6 or 7 people).
Q: Are kids free? A: Children under 3 years old are usually free. Children aged 3 to 10 often have a discounted rate (approx 20-30 AED less than adults).
Q: Does the price include quad biking? A: No. Quad biking is an optional extra. You can add it to your package when booking or pay for it directly at the desert meeting point.
Q: Is food included in the ticket price? A: Yes! A full BBQ buffet dinner with unlimited soft drinks, water, tea, and coffee is included in all our evening safari packages.
Q: Do you pick up from Sharjah? A: Yes, Maverick Safari UAE provides pickup from both Dubai and Sharjah for our Advance and Private packages.
Q: Can I pay by cash? A: Yes, we often accept cash payment to the driver upon pickup, or you can pay securely online. Please check with our reservation team.
About the Author
This guide was written by the desert experts at Maverick Safari UAE. With years of experience navigating the dunes of Dubai, we are dedicated to providing safe, honest, and unforgettable experiences for travelers from around the world.