What to Wear on a Dubai Desert Safari

Is There a Dress Code for a Dubai Desert Safari?

There is no formal dress code for a desert safari at our camp. You will not be turned away for what you wear, and most guests dress in comfortable, casual clothing. That said, the UAE is a Muslim country, and dressing modestly is both respectful and practical in the desert. Covering your shoulders and knees protects you from the strong sun and blown sand, and it is appreciated by the local culture, especially during Ramadan.

In practice this means light trousers or a long skirt rather than very short shorts, and a top with at least short sleeves rather than a bikini top or very revealing clothing. Women do not need to cover their hair, but many bring a light scarf for the sun and for the cooler evening. You can be completely comfortable and still respectful, the two are not in conflict. The rest of this guide gets specific, by season, by activity and by who is going.

What to Wear by Season

If you are visiting in September, treat it as full summer, it is still very hot, so pack the lightest clothing and strong sun protection. For exact pickup times by season, see our timings guide.

What to Wear for Each Desert Activity

Different activities call for slightly different clothing. Here is what works best for each part of the safari.

The common thread is closed shoes, secure clothing and sun protection for the active part, then comfortable layers for the relaxed evening at the camp. None of it needs to be special or expensive, just practical for sand, sun and a temperature that falls through the evening.

What Should Men Wear for a Desert Safari?

For men, the ideal is a light, breathable shirt or t-shirt, ideally cotton or linen, with loose trousers or chinos rather than tight, heavy jeans. A long-sleeved linen shirt is excellent, it keeps the sun off while staying cool, and rolls up if you want. Light colours beat black, which absorbs the heat. Add closed shoes or trainers, a cap and sunglasses, and you are set for the day.

For the evening, bring a hoodie or light jacket, the temperature drop after sunset surprises most first-timers. Avoid very short shorts out of respect for the culture, knee-length shorts are fine in summer if you prefer, but lightweight trousers are more comfortable for camel riding and quad biking. Keep it simple and practical: this is sand and sun, not a fashion event, though the Arabic costumes at the camp are great fun for photos.

What Should Women Wear for a Desert Safari?

For women, comfort, sun protection and a touch of cultural respect are the goals, and they all point to the same kind of outfit: light, loose and flowing. A maxi dress, a long skirt, or loose palazzo or linen trousers with a light top all work beautifully, they keep you cool, protect you from the sun, photograph wonderfully against the dunes, and respect local custom by covering shoulders and knees. Light, earthy or neutral colours look stunning in desert photos and feel cooler than dark shades.

A light scarf or pashmina is the most useful single item: it shades you, keeps sand off, becomes an evening wrap, and covers your hair if you wish, though you do not need to. For the active part, remember practicality: if you plan to ride a camel or a quad bike, loose trousers or a divided skirt are far easier than a tight or very short dress, and you may prefer to change into a flowing dress at the camp for photos. Skip high heels entirely, they sink into the sand, and choose flat closed shoes or sandals you can walk in.

In the evening, add a jacket, cardigan or shawl as it cools. You do not need to wear an abaya, but if you would like the experience, the camp provides Arabic costumes for photos at no charge. The bottom line for women: dress for heat by day and cool by night, keep it loose and modest enough to be comfortable and respectful, and you will be perfectly dressed.

What Shoes Should You Wear for a Desert Safari?

The best shoes for a desert safari are closed-toe trainers or sneakers. They keep sand out, give you grip on the dunes, and are comfortable for dune bashing, sandboarding and walking on soft sand. Slip-ons and canvas shoes are fine too and are easy to shake sand out of. Many guests bring socks, which help keep sand off the feet.

A simple rule: wear closed shoes you do not mind getting sandy for the active part, and if you want to relax barefoot or in sandals on the camp carpets in the evening, you easily can. Sand brushes off skin and clothing easily, so do not worry about it, just leave the white designer trainers at the hotel.

What Not to Wear on a Desert Safari

Just as useful as what to wear is what to leave behind. Avoid these on a desert safari:

All-black or dark clothing in the day, it absorbs the heat and makes you hotter. Tight, heavy denim or skinny jeans, uncomfortable in the heat and awkward for camel riding and quad biking. Heavy, non-breathable fabrics, you will overheat. Open sandals, flip-flops or heels during the activities, they fill with sand or sink into it. Loose, dangling jewellery and valuables during dune bashing, they can be lost or get in the way. And very revealing clothing, out of respect for local culture, though modest does not mean uncomfortable.

One more honest tip: avoid wearing anything you would be upset to get sandy or to stain. Henna, if you have it done, takes time to dry, and sand gets everywhere, so save the brand-new white outfit for another day. Comfortable, light, practical clothing always beats a fragile fashion choice in the desert.

What We Provide vs What You Should Bring

No other what-to-wear guide tells you this clearly, so here it is. Many things you might think to pack are already provided at our camp, which means you can travel light.

So you do not need to carry water, snacks, a towel or fancy outfits, the essentials are covered. Focus your packing on sun protection for the day, a warm layer for the evening, and a small zipped bag for your valuables. That is genuinely all most guests need.

Dubai Desert Safari What to Wear: FAQ