Five ways into the desert, without the dune bash.
A balloon at sunrise, 1950s Land Rovers, a lakeside picnic and two dinners in the dunes. Prices per adult, from nothing to AED 1,950.
Five placesChecked 25 October 2026Prices in AED
The desert season runs from October to April, and most desert evenings on sale start with dune bashing in a convoy. These five skip it. Four sit inside the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve. The fifth needs only a car and a cool box.
They are in order of the hour you leave home, from a 3am balloon pick-up to an afternoon drive out for dinner.
Hours and prices change. Check with the venue before you go.
Sunrise, from a balloon
Hero Balloon Flights
The only balloon operator allowed to fly over the reserve. After landing, a vintage Land Rover takes you to breakfast, then a short camel ride.
The facts
- Where
- Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, with pick-up from Dubai
- When
- Daily from 1 Oct to 31 May. Pick-up 3am to 5am
- Price
- AED 1,695 adult, AED 1,395 child (7 to 11)
- How to book
- Book on heroballoonflights.com. Under-sevens can't fly
- Who it's for
- A milestone birthday, or parents in town who have seen the Burj
heroballoonflights.com (opens in a new tab)Open in Maps @heroballoonsdubai
A picnic, for nothing
Al Qudra Lakes
Man-made lakes about 55km from the centre, inside the Al Marmoom reserve, with gazelles and Arabian oryx about. Camping, picnics and barbecues are allowed.
The facts
- Where
- Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve, off Al Qudra Road (D63)
- When
- All year. Best October to April
- Price
- No entry fee
- How to book
- Drive in. No 4x4 needed
- Who it's for
- A slow Saturday with a cool box and people you like
1950s Land Rovers, then dinner
Heritage Desert Safari
An hour's nature drive in restored Series 1 and 2 Land Rovers, a falcon show at sunset, then four courses at a camp capped at 100 guests.
The facts
- Where
- Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, with pick-up
- When
- Daily. Pick-up 2pm to 4:30pm by season, about 7 hours
- Price
- AED 795 adult, AED 695 child (5 to 11), with VAT
- How to book
- Book on platinum-heritage.com at least 3 hours ahead. Under-fives need a private car
- Who it's for
- First-timers and families who want the desert without the bumps
platinum-heritage.com (opens in a new tab)Open in Maps @platinumheritage
Sunset and dinner
Sonara Camp
Sunset drinks and canapés on a dune, sandboarding, a camel ride and a falcon show. Then three courses, a fire show and a film under the stars for the children.
The facts
- Where
- Sonara Camp by Nara. Drive to the gate, then a 5-minute 4x4 shuttle
- When
- 4:30pm to 9pm
- Price
- From AED 890 adult, AED 790 Monday and Tuesday, children 6 to 12 from AED 390
- How to book
- Book on nara.ae
- Who it's for
- Families, and a group that wants dinner to be the main event
Five courses in a private cabana
Platinum Desert Safari
The reserve by Land Rover Defender, with falconry and canapés as the sun goes down. Dinner is five courses from a menu by a Michelin-starred chef, served in your own cabana.
The facts
- Where
- Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, with pick-up
- When
- Daily. Pick-up 2pm to 4:30pm, about 7 hours
- Price
- AED 1,950 adult, AED 1,500 child, with VAT
- How to book
- Book on platinum-heritage.com at least 3 hours ahead
- Who it's for
- An anniversary, or a dinner where nobody else is at your table
platinum-heritage.com (opens in a new tab)Open in Maps @platinumheritage
With children
The balloon takes ages seven and up. Platinum Heritage asks for a private car for children under five. Sonara is the easiest of the five with young ones: a gentle drive from the gate, a film under the stars, and a child rate from AED 390.
What to bring
A warm layer. Winter evenings in the dunes turn properly cold once the sun goes, and the balloon launches before dawn. For Al Qudra, bring your own food, water and a bag for your rubbish.
How we checked
Every fact here comes from the venue's own website, menu, booking page or Instagram, or from the Michelin Guide and official listings. Nobody paid to be in this guide, and nobody knew we were writing it. If something has changed, write to [email protected] and we'll correct it. How we pick a place →
Photos
- Lead photo: @platinumheritage
- Hero Balloon Flights: @heroballoonsdubai
- Al Qudra Lakes: Alexandermcnabb / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped
- Heritage Desert Safari: @platinumheritage
- Sonara Camp: @sonara_camp
- Platinum Desert Safari: @platinumheritage
