The United Arab Emirates has done a lot to increase the appreciation of the natural wonder of deserts. Beyond its great cities of Abu Dhabi and Dubai lies this incredible stretch of scenery and authentic Arabian experiences you can have in a few other countries.
One such example where you can experience the fauna, flora, and food of the Emirates in the beautiful desert setting – for significantly less than the activities in the cities – is the desert safari here in our Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah.
Perhaps you have heard of this fantastic adventure and have questions about it. If so, you have come to the right place. In this guide to Ras Al Khaimah’s desert safaris, we will introduce you to all there is to know about this incredible experience.
Ras Al Khaimah Desert Safaris
A few companies operate desert safaris in Ras Al Khaimah, such as “Desert Safari Ras Al Khaimah,” “Ras Al Khaimah Desert Safari,” and “Gulf Tours.” Though they may have different names, they all offer similar packages meant to show you the dunes of the Arabian desert and introduce you to Bedouin culture in a once-in-a-lifetime experience in one of the best Emirates in the country.
If you are wondering what a desert safari is, it includes several things all in one package. You will enter the desert in a four-wheel drive vehicle that can traverse the red dunes of the Arabian desert, and you will enjoy this experience for about the first hour of most tours. After this, tours will bring you to a Bedouin camp, where you can enjoy the following:
- Photo opportunities
- Authentic Arabian food
- Sand-sliding
- Camel trekking
- Dune buggying
- Quad biking
Almost all companies that operate desert safaris in Ras Al Khaimah have essentially three options for visitors to choose from.
If you expect to tour the desert starting in the middle of the day, you can throw this expectation away. All options begin in the morning or evening, or stay overnight.
Best Time for Desert Safari Ras Al Khaimah
Given the heat in the United Arab Emirates, many visitors wonder fairly what the best time of day for a Desert Safari in Ras Al Khaimah is. Other visitors wonder what the best tourist season to do this activity or to visit the Emirates in general is. In this section, we will answer both questions.
To answer the first question, we can tell you most tours will arrange their activities to avoid the most dangerous temperatures of the day. So, you can choose between early morning or evening — whichever suits your schedule best for a departure.
We recommend taking the overnight desert safari trip, however, for the most comfortable, profound experience. Though you will find plenty to see and admire in the morning and evening and have plenty to keep you busy activity-wise, you may miss one of the most interesting parts of visiting the desert.
Wildlife is more prone to be active at night, and light pollution is incredibly low in the desert in Ras Al Khaimah. Thus, on the overnight trip, you can more profoundly experience the stillness of the desert and perhaps even see some famous desert critters like sand cats or red foxes.
Regarding the question of the season to visit, this depends on you.
If escaping winter and the cold in your home is your only concern and budget does not matter to you, then November to about March will be the season for you to do this activity. It is wonderfully warm in Ras Al Khaimah in these months so it will present a lovely escape for you. Be warned, however, that these months are high tourist season. So, prices will be higher than in other parts of the year.
If budget is your concern, then we recommend the shoulder season, when tourists are less present. Late summer to the end of October constitutes the best of shoulder season and presents a budget-friendly opportunity to visit this Emirate and tour the desert.
Best Parts of Desert Safari Ras Al Khaimah
The absolute best part of the Desert Safari in Ras Al Khaimah is the connection to nature and culture you will feel doing this tour. Away from the cities and crowds and present in the natural landscape, you can come into more genuine, intimate contact with Emirati hospitality and culture, the same culture that has inspired Emirati poets and artists for generations.
The other experiences you will have on the desert safari will only amplify your appreciation for this part of your tour. The off-road ride through the dunes will feel like a roller coaster and get your heart pumping. As you come down from this adrenaline high and enter the tour company’s camp, you can enjoy authentic coffee and dates and gaze at the beauty of the landscape.
Most tour companies often extend the option to continue adrenaline-pumping thrill activities among the dunes on buggies or quad bikes. But many visitors also choose to simply relax at the camps and embrace the opportunities to watch traditional Arab belly dancing, fire breathers, eat delicious Emirati barbecue, and look for desert wildlife.
What Prices to Expect for Ras Al Khaimah Desert Safari
Luckily the core prices of desert safaris in Ras Al Khaimah are quite affordable, and overnight camping can even offer an alternative to hotels for families seeking to see the UAE without breaking the bank.
The morning and evening safaris are less than 100 US dollars, while some overnight camping packages for families with incredible meals included are less than 200 dollars. So, you can expect a fair, even budget-friendly price to go on a desert safari in Ras Al Khaimah.
Desert Safari in Ras Al Khaimah Conclusion
We hope this guide to desert safaris in our Emirate was helpful to you and answered your questions. You can find several guides in this beautiful part of the country to take you on this incredible journey, so do not miss your chance. And while you prepare for this adventure in Ras Al Khaimah, see what else our Emirate has to offer.
