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-kilometer) 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 £72 per night from 1 Jul to 2 Jul
£72
1 Jul - 2 Jul
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! (997 reviews)
"Exceeded expectations,Staff are so welcoming , friendly and kind especially and Rubie and Abbas"

Reviewed on 11 Jun 2025

Mövenpick Grand Al Bustan Dubai
Atlantis, The Palm
Atlantis, The Palm
5 out of 5
Crescent Road, The Palm, Dubai
The price is £315 per night from 1 Jul to 2 Jul
£315
1 Jul - 2 Jul
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! (1,435 reviews)
"It's big, yet clean and very well managed."

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Atlantis, The Palm
Millennium Place Marina
Millennium Place Marina
4 out of 5
Al Marsa Street, Dubai Marina, Dubai, Dubai
The price is £56 per night from 27 Jun to 28 Jun
£56
27 Jun - 28 Jun
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! (1,066 reviews)
"The hotel stuff was very helpful and kind. The hotel location was really good, and easy to get to everything. Will definitely come again."

Reviewed on 13 Jun 2025

Millennium Place Marina
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 business-friendly aparthotel in Dubai. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Dubai Mall and Dubai Cruise ...
6/10 (519 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 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! (209 reviews)
"Great for a family. Appreciate everyone had their own bathrooms. 4.5 baths!"

Reviewed on 8 Jun 2025

Sonder by Marriott Bonvoy JBR The Walk Apartments
Blue Beach Tower
Blue Beach Tower
5 out of 5
The Walk, Jumeirah Beach Residence, Dubai Marina, Dubai
Stay at this 5-star luxury aparthotel in Dubai. Enjoy free parking, 2 outdoor pools and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,420 reviews)
"Great location. Apartment was spacious but a bit tired. Pool was shut for one of the days which was disappointing. Fabulous location with loads of places to eat in walking distance. Would stay again."

Reviewed on 12 Jun 2025

Blue Beach Tower
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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