A Genuine Review of the Falcon 2—Dubai Falconry Safari

So, you know, I’ve kind of always had this thing for deserts. Actually, there’s just something about the huge open space that’s, like, really captivating and makes you feel pretty small in the grand scheme of things. And then, of course, you add the whole story of falconry into that mix, which is honestly a practice that is just so deeply part of this region’s identity and long history. To be honest, it’s a living tradition, not just a historical footnote. So anyway, when I first learned about the Falcon 2 tour, which is basically a small-group setup, I just felt it was pretty much the right way to see it all for myself. At the end of the day, I was looking for an experience that felt a bit more real and less like a tourist trap, you know? This really seemed to fit that idea perfectly.

An Early Morning Start and a Drive into the Sands

Frankly, the whole thing starts quite early, well before the sun really gets going. A classic-looking Land Rover, you know, one of those open-top ones that looks straight out of an old film, picked us up. Watching the incredible skyline of Dubai get smaller and smaller in the rearview mirror is a kind of strange and wonderful feeling, honestly. Soon, literally, all the glass and steel just melts away and you’re surrounded by these softly rolling dunes of sand. We were heading into the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, which is basically a huge protected area for the local plants and animals. Our guide, who was clearly very passionate, was pointing out Arabian oryx in the distance, which was a pretty amazing sight. As a matter of fact, the small size of our group meant we could all ask questions and really chat with him. At the end of the day, that kind of personal interaction really makes a big difference in how you feel the whole thing.

The Main Event: A Display of Speed and Skill

So, after we drove for a little while, we stopped in this totally quiet, open patch of desert. First, you really notice the silence; I mean, it’s just a completely different kind of quiet out there. The falconer, a very experienced Emirati man, then brought out the star of the show, a peregrine falcon. You could literally see the deep connection and respect between the man and the magnificent bird; it was sort of like they could read each other’s minds. He explained, you know, that these birds are just the fastest animals on the planet. And then, he showed us. The falcon shot up into the sky, almost disappearing, before diving down at an absolutely incredible speed to catch a lure. I mean, the sound of the air rushing past its wings was something you could actually hear. Seriously, it’s one thing to read about it, but seeing that raw power and precision up close is a totally different thing.

Basically, this wasn’t just a performance; it felt like a real glimpse into an ancient skill that has been passed down for many, many generations here.

A Personal Moment: Holding a Bird of Prey

Okay, so after the main demonstration, we each got the chance to have a more personal moment. They give you this very thick, protective leather glove, and honestly, just putting it on makes you feel kind of official. Then, the falconer gently placed a beautiful falcon onto your gloved hand. You might think a bird like that would be really heavy, but actually, it’s surprisingly light. It’s like holding a little packet of intense energy and feathers, all very contained and calm. But what really gets you, you know, is when you look at its face. Its eyes are incredibly sharp and seem to see right through you, like they are taking in every single detail of the world all at once. Naturally, this is the moment when everyone takes out their cameras, and it’s a photograph that you will definitely look back on for a very long time.

A Taste of Tradition: Breakfast at a Bedouin Camp

Well, with the sun starting to get a little bit warmer, the next part of our morning was breakfast. We were taken to a really lovely, private camp that’s apparently part of a royal retreat. Honestly, it was set up beautifully with cushions and rugs right there on the sand, under a shaded area. It just felt very authentic and peaceful. The breakfast itself was a real treat and a great introduction to local food. For instance, they served dishes like *balaleet*, which is a kind of sweet and savory vermicelli noodle dish with an omelet on top, and *chabaab*, which are sort of like soft, thin pancakes flavored with saffron and cardamom. Everything was delicious, and it was a pretty nice way to sit, relax, and just talk about the incredible falconry display we had just witnessed. Sharing a meal like that, you know, really added to the friendly, small-group atmosphere.

A Gentle End: The Camel Caravan

Finally, to round out the morning’s adventures, we got to experience another icon of the desert. A short camel ride was offered, and I think it was the perfect change of pace. After the lightning-fast speed of the falcon, the slow, rocking rhythm of a camel is actually very calming. You get a totally different viewpoint from up there, seeing the dunes sway by in a really gentle way. Frankly, it gives you just a few more minutes to absorb the beautiful, vast desert landscape before you have to head back to the modern world of the city. It’s not a long ride, you know, but it’s a pretty classic desert experience that sort of completes the whole picture of the morning. It felt like a very fitting and more or less traditional way to end our time in the sands.

Read our full review: Dubai Falconry Safari (Falcon 2 Tour) Full Review and Details

See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Falcon 2 Tour Reservations)