57 Camel Voyage

Desert nights are better when they slow down. The 57 Camel Voyage swaps the usual crowded dune circuit for the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, where you can ride a camel, search for Arabian oryx, watch falconry, and finish with a four-course Arabic dinner. It is less about collecting thrills and more about seeing the desert as a place with nature, customs, and a long memory.

I like the longer camel trek, which gives the ride more purpose than a quick photo stop. I also like the open-top vintage Land Rover drive, a charming way to look for wildlife rather than simply race over dunes. The main drawback is the price, $189.23 per person, and the five-hour outing can feel long if you mainly want dune bashing or motorized desert sports.

Key points to know before booking

• A conservation reserve setting: The safari takes place in the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, away from the busiest standard safari routes.
• More than a camel photo stop: The camel ride is a central part of the program, not just a brief mounting-and-dismounting activity.
• Vintage wildlife drive: An open-top Land Rover, including a 1954 model mentioned during the experience, adds character to the reserve drive.
• Strong cultural program: Falconry, fire dancing, and other live shows lead into dinner at the 57 Safari camp.
• A proper table-served meal: The included four-course Arabic dinner comes with soft drinks and shisha.
• Simple transport: Air-conditioned hotel pickup and return are included, though the drive to the desert can take about an hour or more.

Why this safari feels different from the usual Dubai package

Dubai sells many desert outings, and plenty follow the same recipe: a fast 4WD ride, a short camel circuit, a camp buffet, and a few stage shows. The 57 Camel Voyage takes a more heritage-focused approach. Its setting inside the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve matters because the reserve is intended to protect native desert wildlife and habitat, not just provide open sand for recreational driving.

That changes the rhythm. You are not being pushed from one loud activity to the next. The program gives time to ride camels, look for animals, hear about local culture, and sit down for dinner. If you want a polished evening with several connected parts, this is the appeal.

The reviews of the experience repeatedly praise the staff, especially the drivers and guides. Sulfi was singled out for making the long drive informative and comfortable. Stanly was praised for arriving early and handling the day professionally. Other guests gave special thanks to Abid, Boraik, Beshir, Zulfikar, and Hamdy.

Guide quality can make or break a desert outing. Here, the personal attention seems to be one of the strongest features. Still, guides change from day to day, so do not book expecting one particular person unless the operator confirms it.

The hotel pickup and the ride to the reserve

The experience begins with door-to-door pickup in an air-conditioned vehicle. That is useful in Dubai, where the conservation reserve is well outside the central hotel districts. You avoid arranging a taxi, finding a meeting point, or guessing how to reach the desert on your own.

The transfer can take roughly an hour, and some accounts describe a journey of up to 1.5 hours depending on the hotel and route. That is not a flaw, but you should allow for it. The ride gives your guide time to explain parts of Dubai and point out landmarks, as Sulfi and other guides have done.

I would treat the transfer as part of the tour rather than dead time. You are moving from the city’s towers and roads into a very different environment. The vehicles are air-conditioned, but the desert portion itself means heat, dust, and sun. Wear light clothing, bring water, and protect your face and neck from the sun.

The published capacity is as many as 99 people. That is a substantial maximum, even if your particular group is smaller. The conservation reserve and the camp may feel more refined than a mass-market safari, but you should not assume a private or small-group experience unless you pay for private transport or receive confirmation.

Camel trekking across the Dubai desert

The camel trek is the heart of the outing. Instead of using the camel only for a short photograph, you spend longer moving through the desert on the animal. That makes the ride feel closer to traditional desert travel, though it is still a carefully managed tourist experience.

Camel riding is not physically difficult in the way a long hike can be, but it can be tiring. The height, rocking movement, and getting on and off can be uncomfortable for some people. The activity information asks participants to have a strong level of physical fitness, so this is not the right pick if you need a very gentle outing.

The best approach is to enjoy the pace. Camels do not hurry, and that is exactly the point. You have time to notice the silence, the changing color of the sand, and the open space around you. I would choose this tour over a standard safari if your idea of a good desert visit involves atmosphere and tradition more than speed.

Some accounts also describe seeing camel races during the desert outing. That detail may not be part of every departure, so consider it a possible extra rather than a guaranteed stop.

The vintage Land Rover wildlife drive

After or around the camel portion, the program includes a wildlife drive in an open-top vintage Land Rover. This is one of the experience’s most distinctive elements. Instead of viewing the desert from a modern SUV with the windows up, you ride in a vehicle designed to give you a closer view of the reserve.

The vehicle has a strong heritage feel. One Land Rover described during the experience dates from 1954, a fun detail for anyone interested in old cars or the story of desert travel. It also gives the safari a sense of place. You are not simply riding through dunes in a generic vehicle.

The aim is to spot wildlife such as Arabian oryx and gazelles. Sightings are never something any wildlife drive can promise, but the reserve setting gives this part more meaning than a quick photo stop. Keep your eyes open and your camera ready, but do not expect a zoo-like encounter. Animals may be distant or absent during your particular drive.

The open-top design is good for views and photographs. It also means you are more exposed to sun, wind, and dust. A scarf or head covering is useful, and the camp has been described as providing headscarves for the evening. If you are sensitive to motion or heat, this is worth considering before you book.

Falconry and the evening cultural program

Falconry is one of the most meaningful cultural parts of the trip. The Arabian falcon has long been tied to desert life, hunting, status, and family tradition across the region. A demonstration gives you a better sense of that connection than a generic dance show alone.

The falcon show receives especially strong praise, often alongside the dinner. It is a highlight for people who want more than dune driving. Listen closely to the guide’s explanation, because the bird itself is only part of the story. The value comes from learning why falconry still matters in the United Arab Emirates.

The evening also includes live cultural entertainment. Fire dancing and dance performances are mentioned as memorable parts of the program, with shows staged around sunset and after dark. The performances are designed for an audience, so they are entertainment rather than a quiet village gathering. Even so, they add color to the evening and help mark the transition from daylight desert to camp dinner.

This is also where expectations matter. If you want a silent night under the stars, the shows and camp atmosphere may feel too organized. If you like a meal paired with music and performance, the program works well.

The four-course Arabic dinner at 57 Safari

Dinner is served at your table as a four-course Arabic meal. That is a meaningful step up from the basic buffet often attached to cheaper desert trips. It gives the evening a proper finish and lets you sit down rather than eat quickly between activities.

Food is one of the most praised parts of the experience. The comments are enthusiastic about both the quality and the presentation, though the supplied details do not list the exact dishes or explain how dietary requests are handled. If you have allergies or strict dietary needs, ask the operator before booking.

Soft drinks are included. Shisha is also included, according to the tour details. Alcohol is strictly prohibited at the 57 Safari camp, so do not expect wine, beer, or cocktails with dinner. For some people, that is a minor point. For others, it is an important part of choosing an evening activity in Dubai.

The camp itself is described as attractive and carefully maintained, with a boho-chic style. That design gives the dinner a more polished feel than a temporary roadside setup. Still, the camp is part of a packaged excursion, so the setting will not feel completely private or untouched.

Is $189.23 a fair price?

At $189.23 per person, this is not a bargain desert ride. The value depends on how many of its parts you would otherwise book separately. You are paying for hotel transport, a reserve-based safari, a longer camel ride, a vintage Land Rover wildlife drive, falconry, live entertainment, and a four-course dinner with soft drinks and shisha.

I think the price is reasonable for someone who wants a full evening and prefers comfort over a stripped-down excursion. The included return transfer saves time and hassle. The dinner is more substantial than the food attached to many entry-level safaris, and the vintage vehicle and conservation reserve add character.

The price is harder to justify if your main goal is dune bashing, quad biking, or dune buggy riding. Those activities appear in some descriptions of related outings, but they are not listed as core inclusions for this Camel Voyage. Check the exact package before paying, since the name and experience options may differ.

You should also compare the group arrangement. The maximum listed capacity is 99 people, so the basic price does not automatically mean a private safari. Private transport may be available as an upgrade, and one account specifically recommends paying extra for it, but that option should be confirmed before booking.

Who will enjoy this experience most?

I would recommend the 57 Camel Voyage to couples, families, and first-time visitors who want to connect several desert experiences into one well-organized outing. It suits people who like cultural demonstrations, a sit-down meal, and a guide who can explain what you are seeing.

Families may appreciate the variety. There is movement, wildlife watching, animals, food, and shows, so the evening is not built around one activity. One account also praised a guide for being particularly good with children during a related outing. Even so, the physical fitness requirement means parents should consider how comfortable their children are with camel riding and a long day away from the city.

It is also a good choice for anyone who has already done a standard Dubai safari and wants something less repetitive. The reserve, vintage Land Rover, and heritage focus give it a different angle.

I would skip it if you want a short, cheap excursion or a high-adrenaline sports day. The camel ride moves slowly, the transfer takes time, and the evening follows a set program. That structure is a strength for some people and a limitation for others.

Practical details that affect your decision

The tour lasts about five hours, including the desert visit and camp program. Pickup is offered, and the vehicle is air-conditioned. A mobile ticket is provided, making the arrival process simple.

Confirmation is received at booking. The experience requires good weather, so poor conditions can lead to a rescheduled date or full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes inside that 24-hour window are not refunded or accepted.

Plan for desert conditions even though the transfer is comfortable. Bring sun protection, wear clothes you can move in, and expect some dust during the open-top drive. A scarf is handy, especially if the wind picks up.

The tour is not presented as an accessible activity, and the strong fitness requirement is important. Camel mounting, riding, walking on sand, and getting in and out of a vintage vehicle may be demanding. Ask the operator about your needs before booking rather than assuming the standard arrangement will work.

Should you book the 57 Camel Voyage?

Book it if you want a heritage-led desert evening with a meaningful camel trek, wildlife viewing, falconry, live shows, and a proper Arabic dinner. The consistently praised staff, including guides such as Abid, Stanly, Sulfi, Beshir, and Zulfikar, add confidence that the human side of the experience is strong.

Think twice if you want the lowest price, maximum speed, or a small private group by default. At $189.23, you are paying for a fuller and more polished program, not simply a ride into the dunes. For the right visitor, that is money well spent. For a thrill seeker, a simpler or more activity-focused safari may be a better match.

FAQ

How long does the 57 Camel Voyage last?

The experience lasts approximately five hours.

Where does the safari take place?

It takes place in the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, with the evening program at the 57 Safari camp.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Door-to-door round-trip transfers from your Dubai hotel are included.

What type of vehicle is used?

The transfer uses an air-conditioned vehicle, while the wildlife portion uses an open-top vintage Land Rover 4WD.

Can I see Arabian oryx and gazelles?

The safari includes wildlife spotting for animals such as Arabian oryx and gazelles. Sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Is camel riding included?

Yes. A camel trek is a central part of the experience and is described as longer than the brief rides offered on many standard safaris.

Is dinner included?

Yes. A four-course Arabic dinner served at the table is included.

Are drinks included with dinner?

Soft drinks are included. Alcohol is strictly prohibited at the 57 Safari camp.

Is shisha included?

Yes. Shisha is listed as part of the dinner service.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You will be offered another date or a full refund if poor weather causes the experience to be canceled.