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Hassle-Free Dubai Desert Camping: Campr Dubai & Overnight Experiences

Updated: Sep 21

Dubai Desert Camping

What a year, eh? Honestly, this blog has been gathering dust while life—and work—kept us busy. At the start of the year, we had ambitious plans to hit nine countries. Now, if we manage even one, I’ll consider the year partially redeemed.

For those following along, the UAE—especially Dubai—began reopening in July. Life isn’t completely back to normal yet: masks and social distancing remain mandatory indoors and outdoors when around others. But that hasn’t stopped us from making a few exceptions to explore the beauty that surrounds us.

Our latest adventure? Camping in Dubai—but not just any camping. This was a star-lit, hassle-free desert experience organized by Campr Dubai, a service founded by a young South African couple who realized there was a gap in the market for convenient, well-planned desert escapes. Intrigued? So were we! I quickly reached out to the Campr team to plan our getaway.

dubai desert camping

I came across a cool article on Whatson Dubai about a young South African couple who realized there was a gap in the market for something as cool as hassle-free camping. Intrigued? Yeah, I was as well! I quickly got in touch with the good folks over at Campr.

dubai desert camping

Booking Your Campr Experience

The process is surprisingly straightforward. Here’s how it works:



Step 1: Visit the Campr Dubai website and choose your camping package. Options range from one-night stays to four-weekend experiences. We chose the Campr2 package for one night. You’ll also select the date, number of guests, and location—desert, wadi, or mountain.

We opted for the desert to maximize our chances of star-gazing and soaking in the early “winter” chill.


Step 2: Wait for a response. Christine from the team replied in less than two hours, providing all the details including what’s included and payment instructions.

Step 3: Review costs and inclusions.

dubai desert camping

Desert stay in Dubai: AED 950

  • Wadi or mountain stays: AED 950 + AED 300 for transportation outside Dubai

  • Optional add-ons like food, drinks, and mobile toilets are extra. If you’ve done other camping trips, you’ll know that toilets aren’t always necessary for a one-night desert escape.

dubai desert camping

A lot of people asked me about the toilet situation - there are two options you can add on for a cost; a mobile toilet unit and a split toilet/shower unit. Having used both these options in New Zealand, I don't find them very comfortable. There are rarely any toilets needed out in the wild. We are used to this thanks to our other camping trips, so it was no issue for us (since we just stayed the night).


Step 4: You’re all set. The Campr Dubai team sends reminders of what to pack—coffee, milk, sugar, etc.—and three days before your trip, you’ll receive an approximate location. The exact spot remains a small surprise, which we loved.


The Desert Experience

We got our precise location a few hours before departure. Forty-five minutes later, we arrived at a stunning desert landscape. The team had set everything up, including a massive tent that easily fit the two of us. Christine gave us a quick walkthrough of the inventory and tent setup.

dubai desert camping

The wind was strong initially but calmed by 6 p.m., allowing us to enjoy the crisp evening air. The tent was sturdy, spacious, and cozy. Unlike most camping trips where you wake up sore, the queen mattress was plush and surprisingly comfortable. Don’t forget your pillows, bedsheets, and quilt, though!


Special mention to the massive tent set up that comes up with the package. We could have sat there for hours just taking in the fresh brisk air and endless sand dunes.

We spent hours taking in the endless sand dunes, clicking photos, and playing frisbee before the sunset. The desert truly felt like a secluded oasis, with not another soul in sight—a perfect escape for anyone craving peace and solitud.

You can almost think of it as a desert oasis where time stand stills.

dubai desert camping

Sunset and Dinner

Before sunset, I cozied up inside the tent while my partner wandered the dunes. The view was phenomenal, and it reminded me why Dubai overnight camping is such a unique experience.

dubai desert camping

The queen mattress was plush and extremely comfortable; I'll be honest, we usually end up with a sore back after a night out camping but not this time around. We slept like babies.

Don't forget to carry your own pillows, bedsheet and quilt.

The sunset itself was a sight to behold.. with work keeping us busy, we hardly get to appreciate all the amazing views our city of wonder offers.

dubai desert camping

For dinner, we opted for a pre-packed homemade meal rather than lighting a fire. Post-dinner, the stars appeared in full glory. Fall weather in Dubai can be rare, but the chill added to the experience. We stayed up until 11 p.m., marveling at the galaxy above us.

dubai desert camping

Post dinner, the stars were out and how. It was COLD - fall weather in Dubai is usually a rarity unless you venture this far out of the city. So glad we packed our jackets. It was around 11 p.m. before we called it a night.

Sunrise and Morning Walk

The next morning, I woke up early to catch the sunrise—a chilly but rewarding start to the day.

Took a long walk along the dunes before coffee and more down time under the tent.

Why We Love Camping in Dubai with Campr

While glamping has its appeal, we prefer rustic setups where we handle everything ourselves. That said, Campr Dubai offers the perfect blend of convenience and adventure. There’s no stress about permits or equipment, and the experience feels intimate and untouched by modern life.

The vast desert, endless stars, and hassle-free setup made us appreciate just how much Dubai weekend getaways can offer beyond the city’s glittering skyline. Many assume Dubai is all glam, but adventures like these prove that raw beauty is never far away if you’re willing to explore a little deeper.

dubai desert camping

Tips for Your Dubai Desert Camping Trip

  1. Plan according to the season: Desert days can be harsh in summer; winter offers cooler nights perfect for Dubai overnight camping.

  2. Pack essentials: Jackets, blankets, pillows, and a quilt. Add food and drinks if not included.

  3. Book early: Popular weekends fill up quickly, especially if you’re eyeing Dubai weekend getaways.

Embrace the simplicity: No Wi-Fi, no noise—just you, the sand, and the stars.

dubai desert camping

Takeaway:

I am definitely a sucker for vast lonely landscapes mostly untouched by humans. A lot of folks feel Dubai is all glam, but truth be told, so are most cities.

dubai desert camping

Dig a little deeper and you are never far away from finding stunning places like this hidden gem.

dubai desert camping

Glamping is not our style, we like to go rustic and set up things ourselves but we are not complaining. It felt like a whole other world with not another soul in sight - this is what we aim for on every trip.


Not having to fret about the set up or permits was a refreshing change!

Sleeping under gazillion stars, the chilly weather, the hassle-free set up, being one with nature.. it took us back to our time in New Zealand.

dubai desert camping

I would highly recommend this experience if you are looking to escape the boring humdrum city life for a night or two.

dubai desert camping

Get in touch with Campr to book your getaway this winter.

Final Takeaways

We are always drawn to landscapes untouched by humans. Desert camping with Campr Dubai gave us exactly that—space, solitude, and a chance to reconnect with nature.

If you’re looking to escape the city’s routine for a night or two, I can’t recommend this enough. Whether it’s a last-minute Dubai weekend getaway or a planned Dubai overnight camping experience, this is a perfect option for anyone seeking adventure without the hassle.

dubai desert camping

Book Your Adventure

Get in touch with Campr Dubai to plan your next desert adventure. Trust me, it’s worth every moment.


P.S. This is not a sponsored post—I paid in full. Feel free to DM me on Instagram if you have questions about our trip


To explore more Middle East destinations, be sure to check out other blogs for additional insights.

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