There’s something about Dubai that feels like walking into a movie set, shiny, sleek, a little surreal. But on this particular day, we ditched the city glitz for sand, sunsets and quad bikes in the middle of the desert. And let me tell you.. it was epic.
In my husband’s eyes, it was hands down the most fun we’ve ever had together.
For me? I’m more of a hot-air-balloon-and-sunrise kinda girl (we’ll get to that in another post), but this desert safari? This was different. It was bold. Exhilarating. Unexpected. The kind of full-body, full-heart adventure that makes you laugh from your gut and then fall quiet under a sky full of stars.
Booking Made Easy – No Fuss, All Flex
I booked our desert safari through Viator before we flew out. Super easy.. selected the date, popped in my card details, and the payment didn’t come out until a day or two before the trip. No stress, no fuss.
I use Viator a lot when we travel because it gives you flexibility and peace of mind.. no financial commitment upfront, but the confidence it’s sorted.
The company we booked with was so professional, and to be honest, most things in Dubai just run like clockwork. We got reminder texts the day before, another when they were on the way, and were picked up straight from the lobby of our hotel. It was already giving five-star service before we’d even touched the sand.
Driving Into the Dunes.
Our guide was brilliant. Super friendly, chatty, and full of stories, giving us historical facts and little gems about the landscape as we drove into the desert.
By the time we reached the dunes, we were buzzing with excitement. They handed out traditional keffiyeh scarves (you know those classic desert head wraps?) and offered cold drinks while giving us the day’s rundown.
✨ Desert Mode Activated ✨
Let me tell you something real quick.
The moment I wrapped that keffiyeh around my head, I wasn’t the same woman. Something shifted. I felt ready to conquer dunes, ride camels, lead a revolution.. all of it.
That scarf didn’t just protect me from the sun… it unlocked a whole new level of energy.
Call it the “main character moment” .. because baby, I was her.
Quad Biking Madness.
So listen 😂.. they offered me my own quad bike. No extra cost. Did I take it? Absolutely not. I was shook.
I jumped on the back of my husband’s instead, and to be honest, that was the best decision. He was in his absolute element. I’ve never seen him so hype, like a kid in the best sandpit of his life.
Me? I went from holding on for dear life to crying with laughter. The adrenaline was mad. We zoomed through the sand dunes.. up, down, sideways. I’m still not sure if we were actually going fast or if it just felt that way. Either way, I loved it.
Sandboarding & Slowing It Down
After the quad biking madness, we tried sandboarding. And by “tried,” I mean tumbled dramatically and laughed like children. Pure fun. No expectations, just vibes.
Then it was time to head deeper into the desert .. and this is where the real magic started.
The sun began to set, slowly coating everything in gold. And I mean ridiculous levels of gold.
It was glowing. Dreamlike.
💫 From Dress-Up to Dream Come True
As a little girl, I was obsessed with Jasmine from Aladdin. My mum bought me the full costume from the Disney Store.. the turquoise dress, the wig, everything. I wore it until the dress became a crop top and the wig looked like dry hay.
Fast forward to this moment:
Sitting in a tent in the middle of the desert. Henna freshly painted on my hand. Soft Arabic music in the air. A belly full of barbecue. The fire flickering gently across the sand.
And my husband..my day one, the love of my life, right next to me.
The little girl in me was screaming, “We made it.”
I’ll never forget it. It was magic. Pure magic.
Under the Stars — The Night Comes Alive.
As night fell, the desert transformed again. Fire shows. Belly dancers. Shisha in low tents.
We were offered Arabic coffee (I’ll have to ask my husband what it was called!), had more soft drinks and snacks than we knew what to do with, and honestly.. it felt like something out of a film.
We sat on low cushions on the floor, under the stars, eating the most delicious barbecue. Fresh, hot food.. all included. The hospitality was next level.
And All That For…?
The wildest part? The entire day — from pickup around 3pm to drop-off around 10pm — was only about £175 for the two of us.
That included:
- Quad biking 🏜️
- Sandboarding 🏂🏖️🌵
- Camel riding 🐪🌅🏜️
- Henna 🤲🌸🎨
- Coffee, snacks, soft drinks ☕🥤🍪🍉
- Full Arabic BBQ dinner 🍢🥗🍖🍴
- Traditional entertainment 🥁💃🎶✨
- Transport and guided service 🚐🗺️👨✈️
Honestly? Ridiculous value.
Final Thoughts
This wasn’t just a tourist excursion. It was an experience that hit all the senses.
Fun, romantic, unforgettable.
It pushed me outside of my comfort zone and then wrapped me in magic just when I needed to exhale.
If you’re planning a trip to Dubai, do this.
No hesitation.
Whether you’re the thrill-seeker, the dreamer, or somewhere in between.. you’ll find something waiting for you in those dunes.
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