On a shared safari you travel in a 4×4 with other guests and pay per person; on a private safari the Land Cruiser is yours alone and you pay one price for up to six people. The desert activities are the same: the difference is the vehicle, the schedule and, on some packages, where you sit at camp.
The two compared
| Shared evening safari | Private evening safari | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle | Shared Land Cruiser 4×4 with other guests | Your own Land Cruiser 4×4 |
| Price | AED 120 per person | AED 699 for the car, 2 to 6 guests |
| Pickup | Any address in Dubai, shared route | Any address in Dubai, direct |
| Dune bashing | 40–45 minutes with a sunset photo stop | 40–45 minutes with a sunset photo stop |
| At camp | Camel ride, sandboarding, henna, shows, BBQ buffet | The same, plus ladies' and gents' washrooms listed |
| Drop-off | About 10:00 PM | About 10:00 PM |
When shared is the better choice
- You are travelling alone or as a couple and want the lowest price.
- You do not mind other guests in the car and a shared pickup route.
When private is the better choice
- You are a family or group of 4 to 6: one car price shared between six can come close to the per-person shared price.
- You want a direct pickup with no stops for other guests.
- You are celebrating something, or simply prefer privacy.
What about VIP?
VIP is different from private. Private means your own vehicle; VIP means the premium section at camp: sofa seating, a dedicated waiter, free Wi-Fi, an air-conditioned lounge and a live premium buffet. You can have either or both: see the VIP packages and the VIP Premium Private Desert Safari Tour at AED 950 for 2 to 6 guests.
Morning safaris are private too
All morning safaris on this site are priced per car for 2 to 6 guests, with pickup at your address in Dubai. See the morning desert safari packages.