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The joy of a desert safari is witnessing breathtaking golden and mesmerising landscapes. The Arabian, Australian, or African deserts all have something different to offer, making each safari special, memorable and unique. Relaxing with a camel under the starry night skies or facing the adrenaline-fueled thrill of dune-bashing, these safaris help immerse you in nature’s beauty in a way that feels magical. These trips, in addition to witnessing nature, also offer cultural activities, such as cooked meals, dance performances, and overnight stays in lavish luxurious camps.
Desert Safari- Top 10 Spots For This Sandy Adventure
These top 10 spots in the world to experience desert safari, offering a perfect mix of adventure, culture, and nature:
1. Dubai Desert Safari
Photo: Fabien Bazanegue / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
Dubai’s safari would make the top of the list in terms of exotic and jaw-dropping experiences. It is loaded with various activities from providing adventure, and mesmerising entertainment, to offering cultural immersion. You get the chance to experience sandboarding, and camel rides while dune bashing. For that extra dash to the experience, many of these safaris add quad bike riding, hot air balloon rides, and falconry shows as the perfect addition to witnessing the awe-inspiring sunrise.
Location: Arabian Desert, Dubai, UAE
Timings: Morning, evening, and overnight safaris available
Cost: ₹3,000 – ₹10,000 per person (varies by package)
2. Sahara Desert Safari, Morocco
Photo: Wolfgang_Hasselmann / Pixabay / Image For Representation Only
The Sahara Desert is the largest hot desert in the world, offering an incredible safari experience filled with adventure and cultural richness. Travellers can embark on a camel trek across the endless dunes, watch the sunset over Erg Chebbi, and stay in traditional Berber camps. Many safaris include dune rides, Moroccan music performances, and authentic local cuisine like tagine and mint tea. The highlight of the Sahara safari is camping under the clear, star-lit sky, where visitors can experience the silence and vastness of the desert.
Location: Merzouga or Zagora, Morocco
Timings: Multi-day tours available
Cost: ₹5,000 – ₹15,000 per person
3. Thar Desert Safari
Photo: Jakub David / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
Rajasthan’s Thar Desert offers a perfect blend of adventure and traditional Indian culture. The safari takes visitors on a camel ride across the golden dunes of Jaisalmer or Bikaner, where they can witness stunning sunsets. Unlike other deserts, the Thar safari includes folk dance performances, traditional Rajasthani music, and fire shows at luxury desert camps. Travelers can also enjoy Jeep safaris, parasailing, and stargazing.
Location: Jaisalmer & Bikaner, Rajasthan, India
Cost: ₹2,000 – ₹8,000 per person
4. Kalahari Desert Safari
Photo: Elena Zhuravleva / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Unlike typical desert safaris, the Kalahari Desert safari in Botswana is famous for its rich wildlife and unique red sand landscapes. The Central Kalahari Game Reserve is home to rare desert-adapted animals, including black-maned lions, cheetahs, oryx, and meerkats. Visitors can enjoy game drives, walking safaris with the indigenous San people, and night safaris to witness nocturnal wildlife. One of the most unique aspects of the Kalahari safari is the opportunity to learn traditional survival skills from the San Bushmen, who have lived in the region for thousands of years.
Location: Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Botswana
Cost: ₹10,000 – ₹25,000 per person
5. Wadi Rum Desert Safari
Photo: Spencer Davis / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Known as the “Valley of the Moon,” Wadi Rum is a UNESCO-listed desert in Jordan with striking red sandstone cliffs, canyons, and rock formations. Visitors can explore the desert on a jeep safari, camel trek, or even a hot air balloon ride. The landscape is so otherworldly that it has been used as a filming location for movies like The Martian and Lawrence of Arabia. The safari includes visits to ancient petroglyphs, natural rock bridges, and narrow gorges like Khazali Canyon.
Location: Wadi Rum, Jordan
Timings: Full-day and overnight tours available
Cost: ₹4,000 – ₹12,000 per person
6. Namib Desert Safari
Photo: Soumith Soman / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
The Namib Desert, believed to be the world’s oldest desert, offers breathtaking landscapes with towering red dunes, endless salt pans, and unique wildlife. One of the most iconic attractions is Sossusvlei, where the dunes create a surreal landscape, especially at sunrise. Visitors can take guided tours to explore the desert’s diverse terrain, spot desert-adapted animals like oryx and springbok.
Location: Sossusvlei & Namib-Naukluft National Park, Namibia
Cost: ₹7,000 – ₹20,000 per person
7. Atacama Desert Safari
Photo: Juli Kosolapova / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
Now known as one of the driest places on Earth and famous for its sunset view, the Atacama Desert is a travellers’ delight with ever-changing rolling dunes showered in glowing trails of light from the sun rising over the vast flat plains. In addition to sand scoops and wondrous salt caves, it is home to the mesmerising Tatio geysers glowing deep in the heart. A visit to the Sulfur Springs will guarantee an unforgettable experience on the desert safari.
Location: San Pedro de Atacama, Chile
Cost: ₹6,000 – ₹15,000 per person
8. Simpson Desert Safari
Photo: Ashim D’Silva / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
The Simpson Desert offers a thrilling and remote safari experience, perfect for adventure seekers. This vast, arid landscape is home to over 1,100 dunes, including the famous Big Red, which is popular for dune driving. The desert also boasts vibrant wildflowers after rare rains and is home to unique wildlife like dingoes and perentie lizards. Travellers can explore the desert on self-drive 4WD expeditions, go sandboarding, or camp under a dazzling night sky far from city lights.
Location: Northern Territory, Australia
Cost: ₹8,000 – ₹18,000 per person
9. White Desert Safari
Photo: Myousry6666 / Wikimedia Commons
Egypt’s White Desert stands out with its surreal chalk-white rock formations sculpted by wind erosion over thousands of years. The safari includes jeep rides through the limestone landscapes, visits to the Crystal Mountain, and camping in the desert beneath the stars. The contrast between the golden sands and the white rock formations creates an otherworldly experience.
Location: Farafra, Egypt
Timings: Overnight safaris recommended
Cost: ₹4,000 – ₹10,000 per person
10. Gobi Desert Safari
Photo: Bengz S / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
The Gobi Desert is one of the most remote and rugged deserts, offering an off-the-beaten-path adventure. The safari includes camel trekking through vast dunes, visits to traditional Mongolian nomadic families, and exploring the dramatic Flaming Cliffs, where dinosaur fossils have been discovered. The Yolyn Am Gorge, an ice-filled canyon, provides an unexpected contrast to the arid landscape.
Location: Southern Mongolia
Cost: ₹8,000 – ₹20,000 per person
A desert safari is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, offering breathtaking landscapes, thrilling adventures, and cultural insights. Whether it’s the golden dunes of Dubai, the eerie beauty of Egypt’s White Desert, or the rugged expanse of Mongolia’s Gobi Desert, desert safaris at each destination offer something unique. If you’re seeking an unforgettable desert experience, now is the perfect time to plan your trip with TripXL.
Cover Photo: Oskars Sylwan / Unsplash /Image For Representation Only
