What shoes are best for a desert safari?

Closed shoes such as trainers or closed sandals are best because they protect your feet during sandboarding, the camel ride and walking on the dunes. Many travellers also bring flip-flops to switch into for the relaxed dinner portion at the camp.

Is there a dress code for the desert camp?

There is no strict dress code, but modest clothing that covers shoulders and knees is the considerate norm at the camp where you share the space with other guests, staff and performers. A light shawl works for both warmth and modesty in the cooler months.

How do I protect my camera and phone from the sand?

Carry a zip bag or pouch to seal your device during dune bashing and buggy rides, avoid changing lenses in the open, and bring a microfibre cloth for the lens and screen. Fine desert sand is the main risk to cameras and phones.

Desert Safaris

What to Wear and Bring on a Dubai Desert Safari

Q: What should I wear on a Dubai desert safari?

Wear light, breathable clothing you do not mind getting sandy, with closed shoes for sandboarding and the camel ride. For an evening safari always pack a warm layer such as a light jacket or shawl, because the desert cools quickly after sunset, especially from November to March.

Q: Do I need to bring my own water on a desert safari?

No. Desert Thrill safaris include unlimited bottled water, and evening safaris add unlimited soft drinks, tea and coffee at the camp. A small personal bottle for the drive out is plenty if you want one.

A practical packing and clothing guide for a Dubai desert safari by season and time of day: footwear, sun protection, what the tour already provides, camera tips, cultural notes and what to leave behind.

Desert Thrill Editorial · Published Jun 26, 2026 · 7 min read

What to Wear and Bring on a Dubai Desert Safari

What should I wear on a Dubai desert safari?

Wear light, breathable, comfortable clothing you do not mind getting sandy, closed shoes, and pack a warm layer for the evening, that is the short answer. Loose cotton or linen works best, a t-shirt or light long sleeves with comfortable trousers or modest shorts, and clothes that move easily for the camel ride and sandboarding. Sand gets everywhere on a safari, so leave anything delicate or new at the hotel.

Light, breathable clothing suited to Dubai's heat, the right approach for dressing on a desert safari. — Loose, breathable clothing you do not mind getting sandy is the right call for the dunes.

The key planning point is the temperature swing. The desert can be hot when you set off in the afternoon and surprisingly cool after the sun goes down, so an evening safari calls for an extra layer for the camp. A light jacket, hoodie or shawl that packs small is the single most useful thing first-timers forget to bring.

How should I dress differently for morning versus evening safaris?

What footwear works best in the dunes?

Closed shoes are the practical choice for the activities. Trainers or closed sandals protect your feet during sandboarding, the camel ride and any walking on the dunes, and they keep the worst of the sand out. The catch is that sand still finds its way in, so expect to empty your shoes afterwards regardless.

A camel ride on the dunes, one reason closed shoes are recommended for desert safari activities. — Closed shoes protect your feet during the camel ride, sandboarding and walking on the dunes.

Many travellers bring a second option for the camp. Flip-flops or slip-on sandals are easy to shake clean and comfortable once you are seated for dinner and the shows. A simple approach is closed shoes for the dune bashing, buggies and sandboarding, then sandals for the relaxed part of the evening at the camp.

What sun protection do I need?

Bring more sun protection than you think you need. The desert offers almost no natural shade and the sand reflects light, so high-SPF sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat or cap are essential, particularly on morning safaris and during the sunset photo stops on evening trips. Reapply sunscreen after sandboarding, since sand and sweat rub it off quickly.

Open, shadeless dunes under bright sun on a morning safari, showing why strong sun protection is essential. — With almost no natural shade and reflective sand, high-SPF sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses are essential.

Sunglasses double as eye protection from blown sand, which is constant during dune bashing and especially during self-drive buggy rides, though buggy bookings also provide goggles. A lightweight scarf or shemagh is genuinely useful: it shields your neck from the sun and can be pulled across your face when the sand is moving.

What does the tour already provide, so I do not need to pack it?

Hydration is covered, so you do not need to carry large bottles. Desert Thrill safaris include unlimited bottled water, and the evening safaris add unlimited soft drinks, tea and coffee at the camp, so a small personal bottle is plenty if you want one on the drive out.

On the evening safaris a great deal is included that you might otherwise plan around: a BBQ and buffet dinner with vegetarian options, henna tattoos, shisha and live entertainment, all part of the package. Self-drive buggy trips provide the safety gear, helmet and goggles, plus the briefing, so there is no need to bring protective equipment. Knowing what is included means you can pack light and focus on clothing, sun protection and your camera.

How do I protect my camera and get good photos?

Protect your gear from sand and plan around the light. Fine desert sand is the real enemy of cameras and phones, so a zip bag or a simple pouch to seal your device during dune bashing and buggy rides is worth carrying, and avoid changing lenses out in the open. A microfibre cloth handles dust on the lens and screen.

For the best images, work the golden hour. Evening safaris are built around a sunset photography stop, and the low, warm light across the dune ridges is when the desert looks its best, so have your camera ready before you reach the stop rather than digging for it. On morning safaris the soft early light and clean, untouched sand ripples reward getting low and shooting wide.

Are there cultural or modesty notes I should follow?

Dress modestly out of respect for local custom, especially at the desert camp. The UAE is relaxed with tourists, but covering shoulders and knees is the considerate norm, and very revealing clothing is best avoided at the camp where you are sharing the space with other guests and staff. Comfortable and modest are easy to combine in the desert heat.

The camp activities lean into local culture, henna, shisha and traditional tanoura, fire and belly-dance performances, and a little awareness goes a long way. Ask before photographing performers or staff up close, and during the cooler months a light shawl serves the double purpose of warmth after dark and easy modesty for the evening.

What should I leave behind?

Leave anything you would hate to scratch, lose or coat in sand. Delicate jewellery, brand-new white trainers, fragile electronics and bulky bags all suffer in the desert and add nothing to the experience. Hard contact lenses can be uncomfortable in blown sand, so glasses or daily disposables are easier for some people on a windy day.

Keep what you carry to essentials: phone or camera, sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, a packable warm layer for the evening, and a little cash for tips or extras. With water, dinner and the camp activities already included on Desert Thrill's safaris, a light pack is all you need. If you are weighing which trip to book, the Evening Desert Safari With BBQ Dinner and Premium Evening Desert Safari cover the full evening with food and shows, while the Morning Desert Safari is the cooler, lighter half-day option.

What to Wear and Bring on a Dubai Desert Safari

What should I wear on a Dubai desert safari?

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What footwear works best in the dunes?

What sun protection do I need?

What does the tour already provide, so I do not need to pack it?

How do I protect my camera and get good photos?

Are there cultural or modesty notes I should follow?

What should I leave behind?

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