A desert safari in Saudi Arabia takes you into some of the largest sand seas on earth, from the orange-red dunes an hour outside Riyadh to the sandstone canyons of AlUla and the edge of the Empty Quarter, the Rub' al Khali. The classic half-day trip covers dune bashing in a 4x4, sandboarding, a short camel ride, Arabic coffee with dates and a dinner at a Bedouin-style camp under a sky with almost no light pollution. The season that works runs from October to March.
Saudi Arabia opened to leisure tourists in 2019, and its desert trips are still far quieter than the crowded dune runs of Dubai. That has two sides. You get emptier dunes and camps that feel personal, but you also have fewer operators to choose from and need to plan transfers, visas and timing with more care. This guide covers the main safari regions one by one, what a typical trip includes, how a Riyadh evening safari compares with a night in AlUla, what to wear, how to stay safe on the dunes, and how visitors from any country can sort the eVisa and flights.
A few basics before the detail. An evening safari takes 5 to 7 hours, while camp trips run 1 to 3 nights; in summer, trips only go out at dusk. The main regions are the Riyadh dunes, the Edge of the World, AlUla, the Empty Quarter, Hail and Al Ahsa, reached through the airports at Riyadh (RUH), Jeddah (JED) and AlUla (ULH). Entry rules depend on your passport, though many nationalities can use the tourist eVisa. You pay in Saudi riyals (SAR); cards are widely accepted, but cash is useful at camps. Expect warm winter days, cold desert nights and summer heat above 45°C. Arabic is the language, and English is common with tour operators.
Where to go for a desert safari in Saudi Arabia
The best areas for a desert safari in Saudi Arabia are the Red Sand dunes and the Edge of the World near Riyadh, the rock desert of AlUla, the Empty Quarter in the south, the Nafud around Hail and the oasis desert of Al Ahsa. Each gives a very different day out.
Saudi Arabia is roughly 95 percent desert, so the question is less where you can find sand and more which kind of desert you want. Riyadh trips are short and easy. AlUla mixes desert with archaeology. The Empty Quarter is an expedition. The list below runs from the easiest to the most demanding.
Red Sand dunes near Riyadh
West of Riyadh, along the road towards Mecca and around an hour's drive from the city centre depending on traffic, lies the Red Sand area. The dunes here are a deep orange that turns almost crimson in the last half hour before sunset, which is when every safari tries to be on the highest ridge.
Most operators collect guests from Riyadh hotels in the early afternoon. At the edge of the sand the driver lets air out of the tyres so they grip, and then the 4x4 climbs, slides and swings across the dunes for twenty to forty minutes. You stop for sandboarding, take photos at sunset and finish at a camp for coffee, dates and a barbecue or kabsa dinner. Quad bikes are usually available at the camp for an extra charge.
Red Sand is also popular with Riyadh residents at weekends, so Thursday and Friday evenings are busier and some quad-bike rental stands set up along the road. Weekday trips feel calmer. Allow 5 to 7 hours with transfers for this evening safari with dinner camp; it suits first-timers, families and anyone on a short stay.
Edge of the World (Jebel Fihrayn)
North-west of Riyadh, the limestone plateau of the Tuwaiq escarpment ends in sheer cliffs that fall to a flat, ancient seabed far below. On a clear day the view runs to the horizon with nothing in the way, which is how the Edge of the World got its name. It sits about 100 km from the city, but the last stretch is an off-road track that needs a proper 4x4 and a driver who knows it, so count on about 2 hours each way.
Trips usually leave Riyadh in the early afternoon, drive the track, then give you an hour or two to walk along the rim and down to the viewpoints before sunset. Some tours add a short hike down to the old caravan route below the cliffs. Dinner is often at a desert camp on the way back, and the night sky here is far darker than anywhere near the capital. Plan on half a day to a full afternoon and evening; the walking on uneven rock is easy to moderate, and photographers, hikers and sunset chasers get the most from it.
The cliff edges have no railings. Keep well back from the drop, especially in wind, and take photos with your feet on solid rock. Access rules to the area have changed in the past, so book through an operator who confirms the current entry arrangements.
AlUla: desert canyons, rock art and Hegra
Up in the north-west of the kingdom, AlUla is a desert of a different shape. Sand fills the valleys, but the landscape is dominated by sandstone outcrops worn into towers, arches and mushroom shapes. Elephant Rock (Jabal AlFil), a formation about 52 metres tall that looks like an elephant with its trunk to the ground, is the most photographed of them, and there is a lounge at its base that fills up around sunset.
The archaeology is the reason many people come. Hegra, the first site in Saudi Arabia added to the UNESCO World Heritage list, holds more than 100 monumental tombs carved by the Nabataeans, the same civilisation that built Petra in Jordan. Dadan and the rock-art walls of Jabal Ikmah add older inscriptions, and AlUla Old Town is a maze of mud-brick houses that has been partly restored.
Desert experiences in AlUla include 4x4 drives through the canyons, guided hikes, horse and camel rides, hot-air balloon flights in the cooler months and night-sky sessions with telescopes. Access to the heritage sites works through official tours booked in advance, so plan your days before you arrive. Give it 2 to 4 days, fly into AlUla (ULH) or make the long drive from Medina, and sleep at a desert resort, a glamping camp or in AlUla town. History lovers, landscape photographers and stargazers do best here.
The Empty Quarter (Rub' al Khali)
Much of southern Saudi Arabia belongs to the Rub' al Khali, which spills into Oman, the UAE and Yemen. It is the largest continuous sand desert in the world, with dunes that run for hundreds of kilometres and climb to great heights. There are no casual day trips here. Visits are multi-day expeditions with experienced operators, convoys of at least two vehicles, satellite communication and enough fuel and water for the whole route.
Expeditions usually start from towns on the edges of the desert, such as Sharurah in the south or from the Al Ahsa side in the east. Days are spent crossing dunes, nights in camps far from any light. The silence is total. Expect basic conditions, long hours in the vehicle and the most dramatic sand scenery in Arabia. Trips last 3 days or more and run from November to February, and they are best left to experienced travellers and serious photographers.
Hail and the Nafud desert
Red dunes surround the northern city of Hail, part of the sea of sand called the Great Nafud. Near the town of Jubbah, rock faces are covered in carvings of people, camels and ibex thousands of years old. The rock art of the Hail region, at Jubbah and Shuwaymis, is on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Safaris here combine dune driving with visits to the rock-art sites and a night in a camp.
Hail sees far fewer foreign visitors than Riyadh or AlUla, so you will often have a dune or a carving to yourself. The city has a regional airport with domestic flights, and 2 to 3 days is enough. The Jubbah rock art is the highlight for travellers who want quiet dunes and history.
Al Ahsa: oasis, caves and dunes in the east
Millions of date palms, watered by natural springs, make Al Ahsa in the Eastern Province one of the largest oases in the world. The Al Ahsa Oasis is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Within a short drive of the palm groves the sand begins, and local operators run dune trips, sandboarding and camel rides in the evening.
Combine a safari with Al Qarah mountain, where narrow limestone caves stay cool even in hot weather, and with the old souqs of Hofuf. Al Ahsa is a short drive or train ride from Dammam and connects by rail to Riyadh, so it works as a side trip from the east coast. One or two days covers the oasis and the Al Qarah caves, and it suits anyone who wants to mix culture with dunes.
What is included in a Saudi desert safari
A standard desert safari in Saudi Arabia includes hotel pickup, a 4x4 dune drive, sandboarding, a short camel ride, Arabic coffee with dates, a sunset stop and dinner at a desert camp. Overnight trips add a tent or glamping dome, breakfast and sometimes stargazing.
Packages vary between operators, so read the inclusions line by line before you book. The points that change most between trips are private versus shared vehicles, whether quad bikes are included or charged per ride, what the dinner involves and whether drinks are covered. Alcohol is not served anywhere in the kingdom, so evenings run on tea, coffee, juices and soft drinks.
What a typical Saudi desert safari includes
| Part of the trip | Usually included | Often extra |
|---|---|---|
| Transfers | Hotel pickup and drop-off in Riyadh or AlUla | Private car, airport pickup |
| Dune drive | 4x4 dune bashing with a trained driver | Longer or private drive |
| Activities | Sandboarding, short camel ride, sunset stop | Quad bikes, buggy, horse riding |
| Food | Arabic coffee, dates, dinner at camp | Special menus, private dining |
| Overnight | Not on evening trips | Tent, dome or resort stay |
| Extras | Photos at sunset | Telescope session, drone photos |
Dinner at the camp usually means grilled chicken and lamb, rice dishes such as kabsa or mandi, salads, hummus, flatbread and Arabic sweets. Vegetarian meals are easy to arrange if you ask when you book. Some camps light a fire after dinner and keep the coffee coming until the drive back.
Riyadh evening safari or AlUla desert stay: which suits you
Choose Riyadh if you have one free evening and want dunes with minimal planning. Choose AlUla if you want two or three days of desert landscapes, archaeology and dark skies.
Riyadh vs AlUla for a desert trip, head to head
| Riyadh dunes | AlUla | |
|---|---|---|
| Landscape | Rolling orange-red sand dunes | Sandstone towers, canyons, sandy valleys |
| Time needed | One afternoon and evening | 2 to 4 days |
| Main activities | Dune bashing, sandboarding, camel ride, camp dinner | 4x4 canyon drives, hikes, heritage tours, balloon flights |
| History | Little on the dunes; Diriyah and museums in the city | Hegra, Dadan, Jabal Ikmah, Old Town |
| Stargazing | Good away from the city glow | Excellent |
| Getting there | From any Riyadh hotel | Flight to AlUla or long drive from Medina |
| Best for | Business travellers, short stopovers, families | Couples, photographers, culture lovers |
Many visitors do both. A common plan is two nights in Riyadh with a Red Sand or Edge of the World trip, then a short domestic flight to AlUla for three nights. Our guide to the best places to visit in Saudi Arabia helps you fit the desert into a wider route.
Suggested Saudi Arabia desert itineraries
A Riyadh desert safari fits into one afternoon and evening, from a 13:30 hotel pickup through dune bashing, sandboarding, a camel ride and sunset to a camp dinner at 18:00; four days lets you combine Riyadh with a desert stay in AlUla. These two plans show how a desert safari fits into a short trip. Adjust them to your flight times and the season.
One-day Riyadh desert safari
- 13:30, Hotel pickup: The driver collects you in a 4x4. Bring a warm layer even if the afternoon is hot.
- 14:30, Arrive at the dunes: Tyres are deflated at the edge of the sand. Seatbelts on before the first climb.
- 15:00, Dune bashing: Twenty to forty minutes of climbs and slides. Tell the driver if you want it gentler.
- 16:00, Sandboarding and camel ride: Short runs down a steep dune face, then a slow camel walk near the camp.
- 17:00, Sunset on the ridge: Find a high dune about 30 minutes before sunset for the best light.
- 18:00, Camp dinner: Coffee, dates, grilled meat and rice. Look up once the fire burns low.
- 21:00, Back in Riyadh: Most trips return between 9pm and 10pm.
Four days of desert in Riyadh and AlUla
- Day 1, Riyadh and Diriyah: Arrive, rest, then visit the mud-brick district of At-Turaif in Diriyah in the evening.
- Day 2, Edge of the World: Afternoon trip to the escarpment with sunset on the rim and dinner at a camp.
- Day 3, Fly to AlUla: Short domestic flight. Sunset at Elephant Rock and a night-sky session.
- Day 4, Hegra and the canyons: Morning heritage tour of Hegra, afternoon 4x4 drive through the canyons, then fly out or stay another night.
Best time for a desert safari in Saudi Arabia
Plan a Saudi desert safari between October and March, when days are warm and evenings comfortable. From June to August temperatures in Riyadh regularly pass 45°C, and trips run only around sunset.
Winter brings its own challenge. Desert nights from December to February can be cold, and in AlUla and the north temperatures can fall close to freezing after dark. Pack a fleece and a jacket for any overnight trip. Spring brings occasional sandstorms, and operators cancel or shorten trips on those days. Rain is rare but can cause flash floods in wadis, which is another reason to trust local drivers.
The cool months are also festival season. Riyadh Season runs large entertainment events through the winter, and AlUla hosts concerts, art shows and desert events in the same period. That adds atmosphere but also pushes up demand for camps and hotels, so book early if your dates fall on a weekend or a festival.
Saudi desert season by season
| Months | Weather | Safari conditions |
|---|---|---|
| October to November | Warm days, mild nights | Very good; season starts |
| December to February | Mild days, cold nights | Best for long trips; pack warm layers |
| March to April | Warming, some sandstorms | Good, with occasional cancellations |
| May to September | Very hot | Evening trips only; avoid long expeditions |
Before you head onto the dunes: Dune bashing is not suitable for pregnant women, babies, or anyone with back, neck or heart problems. Always wear your seatbelt, never stand up in a moving vehicle and never drive into the desert alone without recovery equipment and a second car. Carry at least two litres of water per person, even on a short trip, and keep your phone charged.
How to stay safe on a Saudi desert safari
A desert safari is safe when you book a licensed operator with a trained driver, wear your seatbelt and follow the guide's instructions. The main risks are motion sickness, heat and accidents on steep dunes.
Choose operators with recent reviews and well-kept 4x4 vehicles fitted with roll cages or roll bars. Ask whether the driver carries recovery gear and a radio or satellite phone for longer trips. Eat lightly before the dune drive, because the motion makes many people queasy, and sit in the front if you are prone to car sickness. On quad bikes, wear the helmet you are given and stay within the marked area. For sandboarding, keep your weight slightly back and your knees bent, and walk back up the side of the dune, never the slope where others are riding.
Respect the desert itself. Take all rubbish back with you, keep away from fenced heritage areas unless you are with an official guide, and never touch or climb on rock carvings.
What to wear and bring on a desert safari in Saudi Arabia
Wear loose, light clothing that covers your shoulders and knees, closed shoes or sturdy sandals, sunglasses and a scarf for sand and sun. Bring a warm layer for the evening, sunscreen and water.
Saudi Arabia relaxed its dress rules for visitors when it opened to tourism. Women do not need to wear an abaya, though modest dress is expected in public places, and both men and women should avoid shorts above the knee and sleeveless tops in towns. In the desert, long sleeves and trousers make sense anyway, because they protect you from the sun and from flying sand during the dune drive.
- Scarf or shemagh. Wrap it over your nose and mouth when the wind picks up sand. Many camps sell them, or buy one in a Riyadh souq.
- Warm layer. Desert evenings in winter drop fast. A fleece or light down jacket is enough near Riyadh; AlUla nights need more.
- Sun protection. Sunglasses, a hat and high-factor sunscreen. The light reflecting off the sand is strong even in winter.
- Phone protection. Fine sand gets into everything. Use a zip bag for phones and spare lenses, and change lenses inside the car.
- Some cash. Cards are common in cities, but small camps and tips work better with Saudi riyals in cash.
- Water and snacks. Operators provide water, but carry your own bottle and something salty for the drive.
Camel rides, coffee and Bedouin hospitality in the Saudi desert
Camels and coffee are at the centre of Saudi desert culture, and almost every safari includes a short camel ride and a round of qahwa with dates at the camp.
Saudi coffee, qahwa, is light in colour, flavoured with cardamom and sometimes saffron, and served in small cups without handles. The host pours a small amount at a time. Take the cup with your right hand, and when you have had enough, shake it gently from side to side before handing it back. Dates come alongside, and it is polite to accept at least one cup.
Camels remain a serious business in the kingdom. The King Abdulaziz Camel Festival, held each winter north-east of Riyadh, includes camel beauty contests with very large prizes, races and a market of food and crafts. Camel races also run at tracks around Riyadh and Taif in the cooler months. If your dates line up, an afternoon at the festival shows a side of Saudi life most visitors never see. The camel market on the outskirts of Riyadh is worth a visit early in the morning, when trading is busiest.
- Riyadh camel market. Rows of pens, traders and trucks on the city's outskirts. Go early in the morning and ask before photographing people; it rewards travellers curious about everyday Saudi life.
- Diriyah and At-Turaif. The mud-brick district where the first Saudi state began, now a UNESCO site with evening restaurants. It pairs well with a desert trip, either the evening before or after your safari.
- Stargazing in the canyons. Guided sessions with telescopes in one of the darkest areas of the country. Wrap up warmly in winter. Couples and photographers love it.
- Al Qarah mountain. Narrow limestone passages that stay cool even on hot days, close to the palm groves of the oasis. Good for families and for a break from the sun.
Where to stay for a Saudi desert safari
Most visitors stay in Riyadh and join an evening safari. For AlUla and multi-day trips, desert resorts and glamping camps let you wake up among the rocks and dunes.
Budget
Simple hotels and camps
- Business hotels in Riyadh with safari pickup
- Basic desert camps near Red Sand
- Guesthouses in AlUla town
Mid-range
Comfortable and well located
- International chain hotels in Riyadh
- Glamping tents with private bathrooms
- Mid-range resorts around AlUla
Luxury
Desert resorts
- Luxury tented resorts in AlUla canyons
- Five-star hotels in central Riyadh
- Private desert camps with butler service
Compare prices and locations on our hotels page before you settle on a base. If your trip also takes in the Red Sea coast, Jeddah makes a good second base, with desert trips available on the routes towards Taif and Medina.
If you stay in a desert camp, confirm whether transfers, dinner and a private bathroom are included, and pack a warm layer, as winter nights in the desert can get cold enough for a jacket.
Visa and flights for a desert safari in Saudi Arabia
Saudi entry rules depend on your passport. Citizens of many countries can apply for the tourist eVisa online, and some can get a visa on arrival. Everyone else applies through a Saudi embassy or an accredited agency.
The eligible list covers most of Europe, North America, East Asia and Australia and New Zealand, among others. Holders of certain valid visas or residence permits from the US, the UK, the Schengen area or the Gulf states may also qualify for the eVisa even when their own passport is not on the list. Rules change, so check the official Visit Saudi eVisa portal for your nationality before you book anything, and confirm that your passport has enough validity left. Our visa team can help you check the current requirements.
Riyadh (RUH) and Jeddah (JED) have direct flights from major hubs such as Dubai, Doha, Istanbul, Cairo, London and several Asian cities, and AlUla has a smaller airport served from Riyadh, Jeddah and a few international routes. Many travellers on Umrah add a few days of desert travel near Medina, Jeddah or AlUla before flying home.
Compare tours, camps and flights to Riyadh and AlUla before the winter season fills up. Browse tours
Planning a trip to Saudi Arabia? Read our Saudi Arabia travel guide, compare hotels in Saudi Arabia, browse tours or search flights.
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