Overnight Desert Safari vs Evening Desert Safari
- iamnishita11
- Apr 15
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 16
When choosing a desert safari, you might face a dilemma. But this is a good dilemma, which involves having to choose between the two most popular types of desert safaris - evening desert safari and overnight desert safari Dubai. Both are amazing safaris full of fantastic activities. Each has something amazing to offer that will add to your vacation’s fun quotient.
To help you, in the following blog, there’s a direct comparison between the safaris, so you can choose which one fits you the best:
Timings

The evening desert safari starts at 3:00 pm. The car arrives at your hotel, picks you up, and takes you to the desert and by the time all the activities are done, including dinner, it is 9:00 pm, and the same car brings you back to the hotel.
The overnight desert safari also starts at 3:00 pm. However, since this is an overnight activity, you will spend the night in the desert and be brought back to your hotel in Dubai after tea/coffee and breakfast at around 8:00 am.
Price
The evening safari is much more affordable as it does not include an overnight stay. Therefore, it is the more popular one of the two. However, since evening safari Dubai is so popular, you have to make bookings in advance.
The overnight safari is expensive because it includes the cost of overnight stays, bonfires, snacks, sleeping bags, blankets, morning breakfast, and staff services. You can even pay extra and book private majlises (tents) and make the experience more luxurious.
Ideal For
The evening desert safari is perfect for those looking for desert adventures. Many families with kids and young friends groups book the safari and include as many desert activities as possible, like quad biking and sandboarding. It is also for those looking for a good half-day adventure and return to the city.
The overnight safari is ideal for those looking for an immersive experience that is also relaxing. The main feature of this safari is the overnight stay, and the desert at night is extremely beautiful and peaceful. You can enjoy the desert, its starlit skies, bonfires, and return back in the morning. Activities in overnight desert safari are perfect for couples looking for a romantic getaway.
Activities
Evening Desert Safari

There are many things to do on an evening desert safari that are centered around desert adventures:
Dune bashing
Sandboarding
Quad Biking (at extra cost)
Camel riding
Sunset photography
After these, you are taken to the desert camp where you can indulge in henna painting and traditional dress photography and drink delicious Arabian coffee. The night ends with a scrumptious BBQ dinner while you are entertained by belly, fire, and tanoura dancers.
Overnight Desert Safari

Though many activities are exactly the same as evening desert safari, right up till the BBQ dinner and live performance, the overnight activities are what sets it apart. Here are the additional features and activities in the overnight desert safari:
Bonfire
Stargazing
Bedouin-style tents
Luxurious Majlises (at extra cost)
Unlimited team and coffee
Sunrise views
Morning Breakfast
The overnight safari is a great way to enjoy and experience a night in the desert.
Pros & Cons
The pros and cons are a great way to compare between the evening desert safari and the overnight desert safari.
Evening Desert Safari
Pros
Affordability - The evening desert safari is quite affordable. Even when you add activities like quad biking to your list of things to do at evening desert safari, you will still get a good deal.
Time Bound - You can pack in a lot of fun in just one evening and then you are back to your hotel room at night. It’s a good activity to have if you don’t have too many days in Dubai.
Sunset - The sunset views and the photo-ops during this time are one of the best features of the evening safari.
Cons
Booking Time - The evening safari Dubai is the most popular desert safari, so there is a rush for booking slots. Make sure you do it well in advance.
Rushed - Since there are so many things packed into the safari, you might feel a bit rushed.
Overnight Desert Safari
Pros
Peaceful - Of the two, the overnight safari Dubai is the most peaceful one. Things are not as rushed, and you get ample relaxing time after dinner.
Desert Night Sky - The desert night sky is quite a sight with millions of stars twinkling and lighting up the atmosphere. It's quite a romantic sight.
Sunrise - You can get up early and catch the sun rise over the desert. This is also a very beautiful sight.
Cons
Expensive - This safari is a lot more expensive than the evening safari.
Next Day Rush - If you have an eventful day planned for the next, you might have to rush.
Hopefully, the comparison given above will help you decide which one is the right one for you. But whatever you choose - evening desert safari or overnight desert safari in Dubai- you are going to have a blast as both safaris are oodles of fun.
Comments