The desert
Red dunes less than an hour from the city, usually visited on an afternoon tour.
Area: Outskirts of Dubai
Best time: Late afternoon into sunset, October to April
Most tours pick you up from your hotel in the afternoon and return after dinner. Quality varies a lot between operators, so read recent reviews on the booking platform.
Bring a light layer: after sunset the desert cools down quickly in winter.
Desert safari
Usually 6–7 hours with hotel pickup. Camps range from crowded to private — read recent reviews.
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