Practical · Before you go
What to wear on a desert safari
Two things people get wrong: they dress for the afternoon and freeze after dark, and they wear sandals. Nobody publishes actual temperatures and nobody explains why sandals fail. Both are below, along with the outfit that works if you are doing the Grand Mosque the same day.
- Closed shoes, always
- Layer for after dark
- Not white
- Long sleeves for quads
- Mosque needs more
The camp itself is the most relaxed place you will be in this country. The constraints are sun, sand and machinery, not modesty rules.
The mistake everyone makes
Dress for the drive home, not the pickup
You get collected at 30 degrees in a T-shirt and it feels ridiculous to carry a jumper. Four hours later the sun has gone, the sand has dumped its heat straight into the sky, and there is wind. This is the single most common regret on an evening safari.
| Month | Afternoon | After dark | What to bring |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec – Feb | 23–25° | 14–18° | Proper jacket or fleece. Genuinely cold on the sand at 9 PM |
| Mar & Nov | 28–30° | 18–21° | Hoodie or a decent wrap |
| Apr & Oct | 32–35° | 23–26° | Light long sleeves, mostly for the air conditioning |
| May – Sep | 36–40° | 28–32° | Still bring a light layer — the vehicles are cold and the wind is real |
On an overnight, dress for five in the morning rather than nine at night. That is a different number again, and socks to sleep in are not a joke.
Footwear
Why sandals fail, specifically
“Wear closed shoes” is on every page. Nobody says why, so people ignore it.
- The sand is hotIn summer the surface passes anything bare feet can stand. It is hotter than the air by a wide margin.
- No grip on a slopeWalking up a dune to sandboard, a sandal slides off your heel with every step. Trainers with a back stay on.
- They fill instantlyAnd then you are walking on grit for four hours.
- Quad footpegsWe will not put you on a quad or a buggy in open shoes. That is a rule, not a preference.
- Not your new onesFine sand gets into the fabric and the stitching and does not come out. Bring shoes you already like rather than shoes you have just bought.
- Bring a bagA plastic bag for the sandy shoes on the way home saves your car and your hotel room.
The rest of it
What to wear, and what to leave at the hotel
Loose, light, long
Long cotton or linen trousers and long sleeves are cooler in direct sun than bare skin, not warmer. This surprises people every time. Add a scarf or buff for the sun in the day and the wind at night.
White
Sand stains it and henna transfers to it. Light colours are right; white is a bad idea.
Heels or anything loose near machines
Heels sink instantly and are genuinely dangerous on a dune. Long loose scarves, dangly earrings and untied long hair go nowhere near a quad or a buggy.
Anything you would wear to a beach club
The camp is the most relaxed setting you will be in here. Sleeveless and shorts are normal. Bring the layer for after dark and closed shoes and you are fine.
Goggles are not sunglasses
Goggles are provided for quads and buggies. Bring cheap sunglasses for the camp and leave the good ones behind — fine sand scratches lenses. If it is windy, glasses beat contact lenses by a distance.
The abaya and kandura photos
Available at the camp, and welcomed rather than frowned on. It is offered as hospitality, and guests enjoy it.
Same day, two places
The outfit that works for the Grand Mosque and the desert
A genuine Abu Dhabi problem that no Dubai-written page addresses. People do a city tour in the morning and a safari in the afternoon, and the two have opposite requirements.
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
- Ankle length and wrist length, loose and opaque
- Women: hair covered
- Men: full trousers, sleeves — men get turned away for shorts more often than they expect
- No abaya loan since 2023, so bring your own covering
The one outfit that does both
- Long, loose linen trousers
- A long-sleeved cotton shirt, not fitted
- Closed trainers — fine at both
- A large scarf: hair at the mosque, sun in the desert, warmth after dark
- Sunglasses in a pocket rather than on your head
Full mosque rules, opening times and Friday closures are on the city tour page.
FAQs
What to wear — your questions
Can I wear shorts on a desert safari?
At the camp, yes — it is the most relaxed setting you will be in here. Not for quad biking or the buggy, where long trousers are the rule, and not if you are visiting the Grand Mosque the same day.
Are sandals or flip-flops OK?
No. The sand is hot enough to hurt in summer, sandals slide off your heel on a dune slope, they fill with grit within a minute, and we will not put you on a quad in them. Closed trainers with a back.
Do women need to cover their hair?
Not at the camp. At the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, yes — along with ankles and wrists, and there has been no abaya loan there since 2023.
Is it cold at the desert camp at night?
In December and January, genuinely — 14 to 18 degrees on open sand with wind, after a 24-degree afternoon. Bring a real jacket. Even in summer the vehicles are cold and a light layer is worth having.
What should I wear for quad biking?
Long trousers, long sleeves, closed shoes, hair tied back and tucked in. No loose scarves. Helmet and goggles are provided.
Will sand ruin my shoes?
It gets into fabric and stitching and does not fully come out. Wear shoes you already own rather than new ones, and bring a plastic bag for the drive home.
What should I not wear?
White, heels, brand-new shoes, long loose scarves near machinery, dangly earrings, and your good sunglasses.
Can I wear leggings or a dress?
At the camp, yes. For the mosque you would need something looser and ankle-length over them.
Should I wear contact lenses?
Glasses are safer if it is windy — sand behind a lens ends your evening. Goggles go over glasses fine.
Is there anywhere to change at the camp?
Facilities are basic. Come dressed for the trip rather than planning to change, and bring your layer with you rather than leaving it in a bag.
What do I wear for an overnight safari?
Dress for five in the morning, not nine at night. A hoodie or fleece, long trousers, and socks to sleep in. The desert gets properly cold before dawn.
Dressed and ready?
Send us your date and we will tell you what the weather is doing and what to bring for that specific evening.
First-timer’s guide · Timings & season · Quad biking · Evening Safari