Dubai Desert

Travel Guide

Dubai Desert featuring desert views, touring and land animals
Dubai Desert showing desert views as well as a small group of people
Dubai Desert which includes land animals and desert views as well as a small group of people
Dubai Desert which includes desert views and land animals
Dubai Desert featuring desert views and land animals
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
Atlantis, The Palm
Atlantis, The Palm
5 out of 5
Crescent Road, The Palm, Dubai
The price is €478 per night from 15 Mar to 16 Mar
€478
includes taxes & fees
15 Mar - 16 Mar
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Dubai. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,331 reviews)
"Absolutely, loved everything about the Atlantis"

Reviewed on 12 Mar 2025

Atlantis, The Palm
FIVE Palm Jumeirah Dubai
FIVE Palm Jumeirah Dubai
5 out of 5
No. 1 The Palm, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai
The price is €247 per night from 16 Mar to 17 Mar
€247
includes taxes & fees
16 Mar - 17 Mar
Stay at this 5-star luxury resort in Dubai. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 6 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,004 reviews)
"The five-palm is the epitome of luxury! I enjoyed the quick check-in process and also the attention to detail in the room. My only feedback is the breakfast service. I understand the staff is trying to accommodate a lot of ppl at once but I would prefer my beverage be brought to me vs the self-serve ..."

Reviewed on 11 Mar 2025

FIVE Palm Jumeirah Dubai
Radisson Blu Hotel Dubai Waterfront
Radisson Blu Hotel Dubai Waterfront
5 out of 5
Al Abraaj Street, Business Bay, Dubai
The price is €135 per night from 20 Mar to 21 Mar
€135
includes taxes & fees
20 Mar - 21 Mar
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Dubai. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,005 reviews)
"Very close to Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall"

Reviewed on 13 Mar 2025

Radisson Blu Hotel Dubai Waterfront
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
4 out of 5
Sheikh Zayed Road, Trade Centr, Dubai
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly aparthotel in Dubai. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Dubai Mall and Dubai ...
6/10 (487 reviews)
Very good clean hotel
"It was amaIng stay rooms was cleaned everyday Water provided unlimted Teas and coffes also milk was provided unlimted with kettel in the room overall gpod experience"

Reviewed on 11 Feb 2025

Emirates Grand Hotel
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 our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,330 reviews)
"Amazing hotel, food was brilliant and would definitely go back to stay there again."

Reviewed on 6 Mar 2025

Blue Beach Tower
Avani + Palm View Dubai Hotel & Suites
Avani + Palm View Dubai Hotel & Suites
5 out of 5
P.O. Box 502624, Dubai Media City, TECOM, Dubai
Stay at this 5-star luxury aparthotel in Dubai. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (414 reviews)
5 star stay
"The best holiday we have had! Gorgeous hotel with everything you would need. Staff will go above and beyond. Thank you"

Reviewed on 12 Mar 2025

Avani + Palm View Dubai Hotel & Suites
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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