20 Exploring the World’s Best Desert Safaris

One of the most iconic desert safaris, the Dubai Desert Safari takes you into the heart of the Arabian Desert. Known for its towering sand dunes, this safari offers a blend of traditional and modern experiences. Visitors can enjoy dune bashing, camel rides, and traditional Bedouin-style camps where you can sample Middle Eastern cuisine, watch belly dancing, and even ride in a 4x4 across the sands.

Known as the Valley of the Moon, Wadi Rum is a protected desert wilderness famous for its red sand, towering sandstone cliffs, and ancient petroglyphs. This safari offers a chance to explore the desert by jeep or camel, with overnight stays in Bedouin-style tents. Wadi Rum's otherworldly beauty has made it a popular filming location, notably for the movie The Martian.

The Sahara Desert is the largest hot desert in the world, spanning multiple countries, but Morocco offers some of the best access for a desert safari. From Marrakech, travelers can venture into the golden sand dunes of Merzouga, where camel treks take visitors deep into the heart of the Sahara for a night under the stars. Don’t miss the chance to explore the oases and ancient kasbahs along the way.

One of the oldest deserts in the world, the Namib Desert in Namibia is famous for its towering red dunes, some of the tallest in the world. A safari here will take you to iconic spots like Sossusvlei, where the dunes rise up to 1,000 feet high. You can also visit the eerie ghost town of Kolmanskop and see the desert-adapted wildlife in the Namib-Naukluft National Park.

The driest desert on earth, the Atacama Desert offers a truly unique experience. Visitors can explore salt flats, volcanoes, and colorful lagoons, all set against the backdrop of the Andes Mountains. The Valle de la Luna, or Valley of the Moon, is a must-see with its surreal lunar landscape. Night safaris offer stargazing opportunities, as the desert skies are some of the clearest in the world.

Famous for being the hottest and driest place in North America, Death Valley in California offers a harsh yet beautiful desert landscape. The safari tours take you to landmarks like Badwater Basin (the lowest point in North America), the mesmerizing Zabriskie Point, and the vibrant Artist’s Palette, which is a series of rainbow-colored hills.

Spanning across India and Pakistan, the Thar Desert offers a unique mix of cultural and natural beauty. Camel safaris are the most popular way to explore the region, allowing visitors to journey across rolling dunes to visit remote villages. The safari can be combined with visits to historic forts, palaces, and temples, as well as an exploration of the fascinating wildlife of the desert.

The Karakum Desert is one of the least explored deserts in Central Asia. The adventure here is unlike any other, with endless dunes and remote oases. Visitors can take camel rides, camp under the stars, and explore the mysterious "Door to Hell," a burning natural gas field that has been alight for decades. This is a place for those looking to experience the raw power and isolation of the desert.

The Kalahari Desert in Southern Africa is home to a surprising amount of wildlife, including lions, cheetahs, elephants, and the iconic meerkats. A safari here often includes visits to the Okavango Delta or the Makgadikgadi Pans, where you can track wildlife and witness the dramatic seasonal shifts of the desert.

Located on the Navajo Nation Reservation in Arizona and Utah, Monument Valley is known for its towering sandstone formations, wide valleys, and dramatic vistas. This desert safari is unique in its cultural aspect, as Navajo guides lead visitors through the valley, offering insights into Native American history and traditions.

The Chihuahuan Desert stretches across northern Mexico and parts of the US Southwest. A desert safari here will take you to the fascinating landscapes of Big Bend National Park, where you can explore desert canyons, hot springs, and a rich variety of wildlife. You might even spot the endangered Mexican gray wolf or a rare desert bighorn sheep.

White Sands in New Mexico is one of the most visually striking deserts in the world, with its expansive dunes of white gypsum sand. Visitors can explore the park on foot, by bike, or on horseback, with opportunities for sandboarding and stargazing in one of the darkest regions in the US

The Sonoran Desert spans parts of Arizona, California, and Mexico and is known for its saguaro cacti, unique rock formations, and diverse wildlife. A safari here might include a jeep tour through the Arizona desert or a boat ride on the Sea of Cortez, where you can spot desert creatures that have adapted to the harsh environment.

The Negev Desert covers more than half of Israel’s landmass and offers a combination of rugged mountains, salt flats, and deep craters. A desert safari in the Negev typically includes visits to the ancient Nabatean city of Avdat, the Ramon Crater, and the chance to experience Bedouin culture with overnight stays in desert camps.

The Rub' al Khali, also known as the Empty Quarter, is the largest continuous sand desert in the world, stretching across much of Saudi Arabia. Safaris here are for those who truly want to experience the vastness of the desert. Visitors can take guided tours by 4x4 or camel and witness the immense dunes, starry skies, and remote Bedouin settlements.

The Badian Desert in the Philippines offers a unique twist on the traditional desert safari. The area is known for its white sand beaches, dramatic limestone cliffs, and secluded coves. While not a traditional desert, the safari experience here involves exploring rugged terrain, waterfalls, and hidden caves, all while surrounded by tropical landscapes.

The Mojave Desert spans across southern California and Nevada and is home to famous sites like Joshua Tree National Park and Death Valley. This safari is all about exploring otherworldly rock formations, ancient trees, and unique desert flora. With an emphasis on geology and plant life, it's a great option for those who love nature.

The Lut Desert, or Dasht-e Lut, in Iran is one of the hottest and most inhospitable places on Earth, with some areas recording the highest surface temperatures. The safari here takes you to some of the most dramatic landscapes, including the Gandom Beryan Plateau, and allows visitors to see ancient caravanserais and the ruins of desert civilizations.

Australia's Great Victoria Desert is the perfect location for those seeking a rugged, untouched wilderness. This safari takes you through remote Aboriginal lands, where you can learn about the culture and history of the indigenous people. Highlights include the vast sand plains, red dunes, and the opportunity to see desert-adapted wildlife like kangaroos and emus.

The Tadrart Acacus in Libya is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its surreal landscapes of rock formations, dunes, and ancient cave paintings. A safari here is an off-the-beaten-path adventure, offering insights into prehistoric human life and the chance to explore one of the world’s most pristine desert environments.