You’ve heard of the famous evening BBQ dinners in the desert. But have you ever imagined sipping fresh Arabic coffee and eating warm bread while the sun rises over the golden dunes, with absolute silence around you?
A morning safari with breakfast Dubai is the city’s best-kept secret.
While most tourists are sleeping in or fighting the breakfast buffet crowds at their hotel, you could be deep in the Lahbab Desert, carving tracks in the sand and enjoying a private picnic before the heat kicks in. It is the perfect blend of adrenaline and peace.
But not all morning safaris include food. Most standard tours only offer water and drop you back by 12:00 PM. So, how do you find the ones that actually serve a meal? Is it a full buffet or just a snack box?
At Maverick Safari UAE, we specialize in bespoke experiences. We know that a real adventure works up an appetite. In this guide, we’ll explain how to book a morning safari that includes a delicious breakfast, the difference between “picnic” and “camp” dining, and why this is the ultimate VIP start to your Dubai holiday.
Quick Answer: What Options Are Available?
If you are looking for a “morning safari with breakfast Dubai“, you generally have two choices in 2026:
- Option 1: The Private “Picnic” Safari
- What is it? A private car picks you up. After dune bashing, your driver sets up a traditional carpet and cushion arrangement on top of a dune. You enjoy a light picnic breakfast (croissants, juice, fruit, coffee) with a million-dollar view.
- Price: 900 AED – 1,200 AED per car (up to 6 people).
- Option 2: The “Heritage” Camp Breakfast
- What is it? After the drive, you are taken to a desert camp (if open in the morning) for a traditional Emirati breakfast tray (Balaleet, eggs, bread). Note: Availability depends on the season.
- Price: Custom Quote (requires advance booking).
What Happens on a Morning Safari with Breakfast?
This tour is for early risers who want to maximize their day. You get the thrill of the dunes and the culture of a Bedouin meal, all before noon.
A Typical Timeline
- 07:00 AM: Pickup from your hotel in a private 4×4 Land Cruiser.
- 08:00 AM: Arrival at the Lahbab Red Dunes. Tires deflated.
- 08:15 AM: Dune Bashing (45 minutes of high-intensity driving).
- 09:00 AM: Sandboarding & Camel Ride photos.
- 09:30 AM: Breakfast Time. We drive to a secluded spot. Your guide sets up the picnic or drives you to the designated dining area.
- 10:30 AM: Relax, take photos, or ride a Quad Bike (optional add-on).
- 11:30 AM: Drive back to the city.
- 12:30 PM: Drop-off at your hotel (perfect timing for a nap by the pool).
Current Packages & Price Range in 2026
To help you plan, here is the honest pricing for high-quality morning experiences with Maverick Safari UAE.
1. Private Sunrise Safari with Picnic Breakfast
- Price Range: 900 AED – 1,200 AED per vehicle.
- The Experience: This is our signature morning offer. You get the Land Cruiser exclusively.
- The Menu: Typically includes fresh juice, croissants/muffins, boiled eggs, cheese, fruit platter, tea, and Arabic coffee (Gahwa).
- Why book this? It is intimate and flexible. You eat on top of a dune, not in a crowded room.
2. Standard Morning Safari
- Price Range: 600 AED – 800 AED per vehicle (Private).
- The Experience: If you are on a budget, book the standard private car. You can bring your own breakfast box from your hotel (most hotels provide this for free if asked!), and we will happily stop in the desert for you to eat it.
- Savings: You save approx. 200-300 AED by bringing your own food.
What’s Included
Transport & Pickup Details
- Door-to-Door: We pick up from any hotel or residence in Dubai and Sharjah.
- The Car: A clean, safe Toyota Land Cruiser or Nissan Patrol with a full roll cage.
Dune Bashing & Safety
- The Drive: We don’t cut corners. You get the full 45-minute experience in the Red Dunes (Lahbab), not the small flat dunes near the road.
- Safety: Child seats are available on request for private cars.
The Breakfast Experience
- Picnic Style: Most “morning breakfast” safaris are picnic style. This means sitting on traditional carpets on the sand. It is authentic and beautiful.
- Camp Dining: Full buffet breakfasts (like the evening dinner) are rare in the morning because camps are usually closed for cleaning. Be wary of operators promising a “full hot buffet” at 9 AM unless it is a specialized luxury heritage tour.
Hidden Costs to Watch Out For
- Quad Bikes: Riding an ATV is extra (approx. 150 AED). You can do this before or after breakfast.
- Falcon Photos: Taking a photo with a falcon usually costs extra unless specified.
How to Choose the Best Package
| Traveler Type | Recommended Option | Why? |
| Couples | Private Picnic Breakfast | It is incredibly romantic to sip coffee on a dune with no one else around. |
| Families with Kids | Private Car (Bring Own Food) | Kids are picky eaters. It is often better (and cheaper) to bring their favorite snacks and just pay for the private car. |
| Corporate Groups | Custom Camp Breakfast | If you have a large group (20+), we can open a camp specially for you and cater a full hot breakfast buffet. |
| Photography Lovers | Sunrise + Breakfast | Start at 5:00 AM to catch the light, then eat breakfast once the sun is up. |
Real Experience: Breakfast in the Dunes
07:00 AM: Your driver, Omar, picks you up. The air is crisp. You leave the skyscrapers behind.
08:00 AM: You hit the dunes. The drive is thrilling Omar navigates the steep ridges with skill. You laugh as the sand sprays the windows. After 45 minutes, your adrenaline is pumping, and you are hungry.
09:00 AM: Omar drives to a high, secluded peak away from the other cars. He lays out a red Bedouin carpet and sets up a low table. He pours you a cup of steaming Karak tea.
09:15 AM: You sit cross-legged on the sand, eating a fresh croissant and watching a herd of camels walk by in the distance. It is silent, peaceful, and worlds away from the busy hotel restaurant you usually eat at.
10:00 AM: You finish your coffee, take a few jumping photos on the dunes, and strap in for the ride home.
Practical Tips & Mistakes to Avoid
1. Eat a Light Snack First
Even though breakfast is included, don’t go on an empty stomach. Eat a banana or a biscuit before the pickup. Dune bashing on a totally empty (or totally full) stomach can cause nausea.
2. The Weather Factor
- Winter (Nov-Mar): It can be chilly (15°C) in the early morning. Bring a light jacket.
- Summer (May-Sept): It gets hot by 10:00 AM. A morning safari is the only way to see the desert in summer without melting.
3. Ask for “Karak”
When booking, ask if Karak Chai (sweet milk tea) is available. It is the signature drink of the UAE and tastes best in the desert.
4. Booking the Right “Breakfast”
Clarify with the operator: “Is this a picnic box or a seated meal?” At Maverick, we are transparent about our picnic-style setup so you know exactly what to expect.
Why Choose Maverick Safari UAE?
- Customization: We don’t stick to a rigid script. If you want to eat first and drive later, we do it.
- Hygiene: Our food is sourced from high-quality catering partners, and our vehicles are spotless.
- Private Fleet: We own our cars, meaning we guarantee the quality of your ride.
Ready for the Ultimate Morning?
Skip the hotel toast. Eat your breakfast with a view of endless gold.
Private picnic slots are limited book early.
- Check Availability & Menu Options
- WhatsApp Us to Customize Your Meal: [+971552525075]
- Call Us: [+971552525075]
Start your day the Maverick way.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I choose the breakfast menu?
A: For Private Picnic tours, yes! We can arrange specific items (like vegetarian options, extra fruit, or specific juices) if you let us know 24 hours in advance.
Q: Is the breakfast hot or cold?
A: The standard picnic breakfast is a continental style (cold items like bread, cheese, fruit, muffins) accompanied by hot beverages (Tea/Coffee). We do not typically cook hot eggs/meat in the dunes for safety and hygiene reasons unless it is a large corporate catering setup.
Q: Is this suitable for children?
A: Yes, kids love the picnic! For toddlers, we recommend the private car so we can drive gently.
Q: Can we add Quad Biking to the breakfast tour?
A: Absolutely. The most popular itinerary is: Dune Bashing -> Quad Biking -> Relaxing Breakfast. It makes for a perfect morning.
Q: Do you pick up from the Cruise Terminal?
A: Yes, we pick up from Port Rashid and Dubai Harbour. It’s a great shore excursion for cruise passengers as it fits within a half-day schedule.
About the Author
This guide is written by the desert experience team at Maverick Safari UAE. We believe the best meals are the ones served with a view, and nothing beats the Dubai desert at sunrise.