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
The price is Rp1.212.755 per night from 21 Aug to 22 Aug
Rp1.212.755
Rp1.573.848 total
21 Aug - 22 Aug
includes taxes & fees
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! (999 reviews)
"Nice staff"

Reviewed on 10 Aug 2025

Mövenpick Grand Al Bustan Dubai
Millennium Place Marina

Millennium Place Marina

4 out of 5
Al Marsa Street, Dubai Marina, Dubai, Dubai
The price is Rp882.004 per night from 2 Sept to 3 Sept
Rp882.004
Rp1.146.604 total
2 Sept - 3 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Dubai. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,148 reviews)
"Staff was friendly perfect location area was great to to access transport Enjoyed our stay"

Reviewed on 16 Aug 2025

Millennium Place Marina
Atlantis, The Palm

Atlantis, The Palm

5 out of 5
Crescent Road, The Palm, Dubai
The price is Rp5.624.538 per night from 4 Sept to 5 Sept
Rp5.624.538
Rp6.978.260 total
4 Sept - 5 Sept
includes taxes & fees
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! (1,539 reviews)
"Fantastic service as always and really clean. Great facilities so much to do!"

Reviewed on 16 Aug 2025

Atlantis, The Palm
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.
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! (136 reviews)
"Clean and spacious apartment with good views. Friendly staff as well. Perfect stay."

Reviewed on 14 Aug 2025

Sonder by Marriott Bonvoy Downtown Towers Apartments
Pearl Executive Hotel Apartments

Pearl Executive Hotel Apartments

Riggat Al Buteen Street, Deira, Dubai
Stay at this luxury aparthotel in Dubai. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
6.2/10 (418 reviews)
"It was a very good choice to stay there. Buffet breakfast was so good. served freshly made omlet and 'parota'. A yong man in the restaurant was very caring person to take care of his guests. The bell boy provided services when needed."

Reviewed on 3 Aug 2025

Pearl Executive Hotel Apartments
Sonder by Marriott Bonvoy JBR The Walk Apartments

Sonder by Marriott Bonvoy JBR The Walk Apartments

0 The Walk, Dubai
Stay at this beach aparthotel in Dubai. Enjoy free parking, 9 restaurants and a beach locale. Popular attractions Marina Beach and Mall of the Emirates are located ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (227 reviews)
"Dubai was fantastic. The sonder was beyond incredible for the size of the apartment. Location was great and the pool was amazing."

Reviewed on 17 Aug 2025

Sonder by Marriott Bonvoy JBR The Walk Apartments
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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