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
Casablanca Road, Al Garhoud, Dubai
Fully refundable
The price is Rp891.042 per night from 31 Jul to 1 Aug
Rp891.042
per night
31 Jul - 1 Aug
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 in their reviews. Popular ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,014 reviews)
"Clean and good restaurants to eat"

Reviewed on 28 Jul 2025

Mövenpick Grand Al Bustan Dubai
Atlantis, The Palm

Atlantis, The Palm

5 out of 5
Crescent Road, The Palm, Dubai
The price is Rp7.152.400 per night from 29 Aug to 30 Aug
Rp7.152.400
per night
29 Aug - 30 Aug
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! (1,503 reviews)
"excellent service"

Reviewed on 29 Jul 2025

Atlantis, The Palm
Gevora Hotel

Gevora Hotel

4 out of 5
Sheikh Zayed Road, Next to Al Attar, Trade Centre Area, Dubai
The price is Rp1.104.269 per night from 10 Aug to 11 Aug
Rp1.104.269
per night
10 Aug - 11 Aug
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Dubai. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,009 reviews)
"The aesthetic is golden! Literally! The hotel feels like sheer luxury. The bell men and front desk team were warm and welcoming. The staff in the common areas were also friendly and polite."

Reviewed on 27 Jul 2025

Gevora Hotel
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

Sheikh Zayed Road, Trade Centr, Dubai
Stay at this spa aparthotel in Dubai. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a full-service spa. Popular attractions Dubai Mall and Dubai Cruise Terminal are located ...
6/10 (526 reviews)
"I enjoyed my stay at the hotel despite a few room for improvements. I can see that the management has really tried to make the service better. Lift was okay, not that long wait. Reception are quick and made me feel welcomed. Naif and Bejay? has also helped me regarding my room request. Till next ..."

Reviewed on 11 Jun 2025

Emirates Grand Hotel
Sonder by Marriott Bonvoy Downtown Towers Apartments

Sonder by Marriott Bonvoy Downtown Towers Apartments

Tower 3, 43 34c Street, Dubai
Stay at this aparthotel in Dubai. Enjoy free parking, a 24-hour fitness centre and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Dubai Mall and Dubai Cruise Terminal ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (130 reviews)
"Good views, good location and large apartment."

Reviewed on 24 Jul 2025

Sonder by Marriott Bonvoy Downtown Towers Apartments
Millennium Atria Business Bay

Millennium Atria Business Bay

4 out of 5
Al Abraj Street, Business Bay, Dubai, Dubai
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly aparthotel in Dubai. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the property condition in their ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (133 reviews)
"My stay at millennium was excellent"

Reviewed on 22 Jul 2025

Millennium Atria Business Bay
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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