2025 Morning Desert Safari Review: Camels & Sand Boarding

Waking up before the sun is, frankly, not my usual style. But the promise of seeing the desert in the soft morning light was just too good to pass up. Most people, you know, talk about the sunset safaris, with the big dinners and shows. This morning option, on the other hand, felt a bit more about the desert itself. I was really looking for an experience that was, in a way, quieter and more connected to the scenery. So, with a little bit of excitement and a whole lot of coffee, I waited for my ride. The air was actually cool, a really pleasant surprise before the day’s heat would eventually settle in. I was, I mean, more or less ready for whatever the golden sands had in store for me and the handful of others joining the tour. We were all sort of standing there, full of sleepy anticipation.

The Early Morning Pickup: Starting the Adventure

Right on time, you know, a very clean and powerful-looking 4×4 pulled up to my hotel. The driver, a gentleman with a seriously friendly smile, greeted us warmly, which honestly made the early hour much easier to handle. Once we were all settled in the comfy, air-conditioned cabin, we basically started making our way out of the city. It’s pretty amazing to watch the towering buildings of Dubai shrink in the rearview mirror, like, giving way to flatter, more open spaces. The whole vibe changes almost instantly. You see the urban world sort of fade, and the landscape becomes simpler, tinted with the pale colors of dawn. The guide, as a matter of fact, shared some interesting little facts about the area as we drove. It wasn’t a formal lecture or anything, just some casual conversation that really added to the experience and made the 45-minute drive fly by. Clearly, he was a person who enjoyed his work.

Dune Bashing: A Rollercoaster on Sand

Once we reached the proper desert reserve, our driver paused for a moment. He just let some air out of the tires, a simple action that, you know, signals the real fun is about to begin. And then we were off. Okay, calling it a ‘bumpy ride’ would be an incredible understatement; it’s basically a full-on rollercoaster across mountains of sand. The vehicle, at the end of the day, slides sideways down the face of a massive dune, and you feel your stomach do a little flip-flop. It’s absolutely thrilling stuff. Then, you’re climbing up another steep slope, the engine roaring, and for a second you see nothing but blue sky before dipping back down. The driver’s skill was, honestly, just incredible; he made the 4×4 dance over the sand. It’s a very energetic start to the day, and you can’t help but laugh and gasp with the other people in the car. It is, more or less, a pure adrenaline rush.

The Camel Ride: A Gentle Walk Through the Dunes

After the high-speed excitement of dune bashing, the next part of the morning was, frankly, a welcome change of pace. We arrived at a small, traditional-looking setup where a few camels were resting patiently. Getting on a camel is, well, an experience in itself. It’s a slightly awkward, jerky movement as the creature stands up, first on its back legs and then its front, but it’s kind of funny. Once you’re up there, you know, everything becomes very quiet and peaceful. The gentle, swaying walk of the camel is incredibly calming. You just have this amazing, elevated view of the endless waves of sand, which are literally glowing in the rising sun. It gives you a real moment to just soak it all in. I mean, this is the picture-perfect desert scene you imagine. It’s not a long ride, just a little circuit, but it’s pretty much perfect for getting some great photos and feeling, in a way, a bit like a real desert explorer.

Sandboarding: Surfing the Golden Slopes

Now, I have to be honest, I’m not a snowboarder or a skater, so I was a little nervous about sandboarding. Our guide, you know, pulled out what looked like snowboards without bindings and gave us some quick instructions. Basically, you find a good-looking dune, walk up it—which is actually the hardest part—sit or stand on the board, and just let gravity do its thing. I started by sitting down, and it was seriously fun, like sledding down a very warm, sandy hill. A few of the more adventurous people in our group, for instance, tried standing up and actually did pretty well. There were, of course, a few tumbles, but falling on soft sand is pretty much painless. It’s a very low-pressure, high-fun activity. You just slide down, laugh, and then trudge back up to do it again. It definitely gets your heart rate up a little bit, and it’s a great way to, sort of, play in the massive sandbox that is the desert.

Refreshments and Relaxing at the Bedouin-Style Camp

Finally, after all the morning’s activities, we were taken to a lovely, shaded Bedouin-style camp area. This was, basically, our spot to chill out before heading back to the city. There were, like, carpets and cushions on the ground, creating a very relaxed and authentic atmosphere. We were offered some traditional refreshments which were, frankly, just what we needed. I tried some sweet dates and a small cup of aromatic Arabic coffee, which was absolutely delicious. Cold water was obviously available too, and it was extremely welcome after being out in the sun. It was just a really nice time to sit, chat with the guide and the other guests, and reflect on the morning. You’re still surrounded by the beautiful desert scenery, but you are comfortably out of the sun. At the end of the day, it’s a perfectly peaceful way to wrap up the adventure before the drive back to modern civilization. This small cultural touch, you know, made the whole tour feel much more complete.

A Few Quick Thoughts Before You Go

To be honest, a morning safari offers a completely different feeling than an evening one. It’s all about the light, the quiet, and the raw beauty of the desert waking up. It’s an active, but not exhausting, few hours that, frankly, leaves your afternoon completely free for other plans.

Here are some quick points to keep in mind, you know:

Wear Comfortable Clothes: Light layers are pretty much your best friend. It can be cool at first but warms up quickly.
Bring Sunglasses & Sunscreen: The sun, even in the morning, is actually very strong out there on the sand.
Don’t Eat a Huge Breakfast: Dune bashing is, you know, very bouncy. A light snack is probably a good idea instead.
Have Your Camera Ready: Honestly, every single moment is a photo opportunity, from the dunes to the camels.
Just Try Everything: Don’t be shy about sandboarding. It’s really just for fun, and falling is sort of part of the experience.

Read our full review: 2025 Morning Desert Safari Review Full Review and Details

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