Few experiences capture Dubai’s energy quite like a desert safari. These tours pull you out of the city and into endless dunes with adventure rides worth splurging on. At Headout, we’ve served over 40 million guests so far, and Dubai remains one of our busiest destinations. Desert safaris are among our most booked experiences, which also means we’ve gathered thousands of reviews over the years. We’ve analyzed that feedback using a reviews rating system to help you see which tours have consistently delighted our guests and why they stand out.
How the Headout reviews rating system works
With thousands of reviews coming in for our Dubai Desert Safari experiences, we wanted to make it easier for travelers to see which tours consistently deliver the best experiences. To do that, we built a data-driven rating system based entirely on guest feedback.
Here’s how it works:
1. Collecting reviews:
We analyzed over 1,000 guest reviews for Dubai Desert Safaris, considering only those rated 2 stars and above.
2. Identifying key themes:
Each review was examined for recurring themes, such as:
- Was the pickup smooth and on time?
- How friendly and professional were the guides?
- Was the food good?
- Will the guest recommend this experience?
- Did guests feel it was worth the money?
- Were the activities fun and well-organized?
3. Scoring sentiment:
Every review was given a sentiment score based on how positive, neutral, or negative it was for these aspects.
4. Ranking experiences:
The sentiment scores were added up, resulting in a ranking that shows which experiences guests enjoyed the most.
Top 3 ranked experiences by total score
🏆 1. Budget-Friendly Evening Desert Safari & BBQ Dinner with Optional Quad Bike
Highest rated with a positive sentiment score from 271 reviews
⭐️224 people gave it a 5-star rating
Looking for a complete Dubai desert safari without breaking the bank? This 6-hour evening tour is packed with adventure and entertainment, and it consistently ranks high on value for money. Guests experience dune bashing (at either Awir or Lahbab), camel rides, sandboarding, sunset photo ops, and a hearty BBQ dinner. You’ll also get the option to upgrade to quad biking or VIP seating, perfect if you want to dial up the adrenaline.
The night ends with a full lineup of performances: four belly dance shows, two fire shows, and a classic Tanoura performance. Plus, the food caters to various dietary preferences, including vegetarian, non-vegetarian, and even Jain meals.
Here's what guests had to say:
We had an incredible time on our recent desert safari, an absolute thrill from start to finish. The quad biking and sandboarding got the adrenaline pumping, and the dune bashing was hands-down one of the most exciting parts. The evening camp show was lively and full of energy, and it really brought the whole experience together. Huge shoutout to Ranjit, our guide and driver. He was a true professional, super friendly, and clearly knew his way around the dunes like a master. He made sure everything ran smoothly and kept the vibe fun throughout. While the VIP experience had its quirks, it definitely added a layer of comfort. Unlimited food and drinks were nice, and despite a few distractions here and there, the main performances were spot-on and beautifully done. Overall, the safari was packed with fun, adventure, and memorable moments. We left with big smiles and even bigger stories to tell!
- Jordon, Headout guest, July 2025
Everything was perfect, we went with a child, the driver connected us via WhatsApp , picked us up from the hotel , we had two girles more with us, but the car was comfortable and space was enough. We got exciting ride on dunes, even more than expected, but nevertheless it was very careful and safe, thanks for that! Great servis. The evening was spent outside with the supper , dancing events and fireshow, we liked it a lot, it was really good experience for the first time visit!
- Ekaterina, Headout guest, July 2025
Excellent experience with our guide "Yasir " he clicked some of the best photos and created a very good memories
- Jatin, Headout guest, June 2025
2. Red Dune Safari with Entertainment & BBQ Dinner
Second best rated with a positive sentiment score from 221 reviews
⭐️ 195 guests gave it a 5-star rating
It’s clear why this one stands out. The Red Dune Safari with Entertainment & BBQ Dinner is a complete experience and it offers round-trip hotel transfers, 40–45 minutes of thrilling dune bashing, and a desert camp evening featuring live tanoura and fire shows. It’s the kind of all-in-one adventure that leaves very little unchecked on your Arabian desert wishlist.
Here's what guests had to say:
The company was in touch with us regarding the pick-up, which was on time and in a fancy Cadillac! Rasool, our driver, was very courteous and guided us throughout. I’ve done desert safaris with three different companies, and this was the best. Great food options, tidy setup, excellent entertainment with VIP seating, and a spacious quad bike location. Plenty of photo ops too. All in all, a very good experience.
- Headout guest
One of the most remarkable activities we did in Dubai! We self-drove bikes under supervision, rode camels, and enjoyed a wide range of food under a clear sky. The evening ended with incredible performances. A special mention to our guide, Najam Ul Hasan, his dune driving skills were thrilling and he made everything seamless. The whole experience was joyful, well-organized, and unforgettable.
- Headout guest
Najam was our driver, and he took care of us exceptionally well. He explained everything, answered all our questions, and made our time in the desert truly enjoyable.
- Headout guest
3. Premium Evening Desert Safari
⭐️ Top-tier experience with 45 five-star ratings from 69 reviews
If you’re looking to elevate your desert safari with a touch of comfort and class, this premium option is for you. With a strong five-star track record, it’s ideal for travellers who want all the essentials and more bundled into a seamless 6-hour experience.
Unlike the basic tours where BBQ dinner is an optional add-on, this one includes it in both veg and non-veg options served in a premium dining section. Every highlight of a classic desert safari is covered: dune bashing, camel rides, shisha, henna painting, Arabic coffee, sunset photo ops, and even dressing up in traditional Arabic attire for photos.
Here's what guests had to say:
Easy pickup and great food in the premium section. The driver, Muntazir, was very friendly, his dune bashing skills were unmatched and he even helped us take pictures. I booked last minute and customer support was super responsive.
- Headout guest
A good experience with both Headout and Rayna Tours. Very reliable and professional services, while interactions with drivers and staff were friendly and helpful. Highly recommended if you’re interested in desert safari and dune bashing.
- Headout guest
Fewer reviews but perfect scores
While these experiences don’t have as many reviews as the big evening tours, the feedback we have received is worth featuring. A perfect sentiment score of 1.0 means that everyone who took part had an overwhelmingly positive experience.
1. Private Group (up to 6 people) Red Dunes Desert Safari
Perfect score from 6 reviews – All five stars
Designed for families or small groups looking for privacy, this tour offers a personalized way to experience the desert.
Here's what guests had to say:
We had an amazing experient with Ranjith. He communicated ahead of time on the schedule. Took us to the buggy rides and make the whole process easy. The dune bashing was the best, amazing ride - he took photos and we also did some sand sleding down a dune. He was also very accommodative on our needs and knew when to slow down. Our kids loved it and thank you for the great experience
- Ravi, Headout guest, July 2025
2. Sunrise Desert Safari with Picnic Breakfast
Perfect score from 7 reviews – 6 five-star ratings
This early-morning desert safari offers something completely different: the stillness of the desert at dawn, followed by a picnic breakfast. Guests loved the contrast of leaving the city lights behind for a serene sunrise experience.
Here's what guests had to say:
Headout the best beat application... i loved every ride , every experience that i booked from you🥰 thank you so much❤️🔥 highly recommended 😍❤️
- Mahwish, Headout guest, June 2025
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