5 best desert safari destinations in the world

Looking for exceptional, unique experiences during travel? A desert experience is one such which is definitely going to stay with you forever. Partially because the landscape is so different from any other which we get to experience during our usual travel. And next because there are so many unique things to do on this landscape. Of course, one of the top ones being a desert safari. So, here we bring you today our top 5 best desert safari destinations in the world.

Dubai! Of course, in the Arabian Desert

Luxury tents, fine golden sand, robust camels, Arabian music in the backdrop and loads of food in front of you….dreamy, is it? In fact, this is my one line description of the vast, endless yet stunning desert landscape of Dubai. And if you are wondering whether Dubai is an expensive destination, think again. We have already covered in our previous article on Dubai about how a budget trip is possible here. Along with an endless plethora of activities to do and places to see. And when you plan your trip to Dubai, don’t forget to check these fabulous Dubai Tours out. They do have an excellent one on Dubai Desert Safari as well. And there are several other tours offered by isango! that you might like to check out as well.

A safari clubbed with sand boarding, camel ride and barbecue seems to be the most sought after in Dubai. And why not? After all, this is what sets a Dubai Desert Safari apart from the others in the world. Moreover, you can make it a full day activity by camping out right in the middle of the desert. And spending a day at leisure there. In summary, the accessibility, the safety standards and the luxury offered at affordable prices makes Dubai one of the best desert safari destinations in the world! While you are in Dubai, do remember that it is also one of the best shopping destinations in the world! So, don’t forget to pick your unique souvenirs before you wind your trip here.

Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, India, in the Thar Desert

Next on the list of our best desert safari destinations in the world is none other than our own Thar Desert, in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. What stood out for us in Thar Desert was how beautifully the culture of the region blends into the golden desert. The uniqueness is evident as you start seeing camels decorated in as colourful and vibrant attires as their owners. And then starts the list of endless things that you can enjoy while in the Thar Desert of Jaisalmer Rajasthan! These start with taking a jeep safari into the Thar Desert. Stopping atop any random sand dune. Hearing someone play a local folk tune at a distance and just watching the sun set!

Don’t be at all surprised if you see a local group of folk dancers starting a performance right in the center of the desert – no stage required, all they need is an applauding audience crowd to cheer them up! You can also take up dune bashing, para selling and camel rides in the Thar Desert.

And while there, don’t forget to experience an overnight stay in a desert camp, right in the heart of the Thar Desert. There are economical to luxurious tents. No matter which one you choose, the hospitality of the locals & hosts is surely going to melt your heart. For me, what makes Jaisalmer as one of the best desert safari destinations in the world is the beautiful blend of vibrant Rajasthani culture with the monotone of golden sand dunes.

While you experience the beautiful Thar Desert and it’s safari, don’t forget to explore the Golden city of Jaisalmer. Some of the places that should be top of your list include the Bada Bagh, the haunted village of Kuldhara and the Khaba Fort near it, the living fort of Jaisalmer, the havelis & Gadisar Lake. In fact, stay within the Jaisalmer Fort if possible. Surely, that is another experience you can hardly get anywhere else in the world. Last but not the least, shop till you drop. Jaisalmer is world famous for it’s applique work, fabrics, leather goods, antique jewellery and much more!!

Deserts of Egypt

A camel ride through unending stretch of sand is something that almost all the Desert Safaris provide. But none other than the one Egypt leads you to some of the most famous pyramids in the world. Did you know that there are many terrains of deserts in Egypt? And thus they are named differently as well. There is a Black Desert, a White Desert, the Western Desert, Great Sand Sea to name a few.

The Black Desert has a dark landscape pertaining to basalt sills that cover its mounds. On the outskirts of this desert lie Volcanic Mountains, which are believed to have erupted during the Jurassic Era!! A contrast to the black monotone of Black Desert is the Blue Desert near Saint Catherine where a number of rocks are painted blue. The painting of the rocks in blue marks the signing of the peace treaty between Israel and Egypt. While the Eastern Desert is a part of Sahara Desert. And extends from Egypt to other countries as well. At the same time, the Western Desert lies towards the west of the River Nile, upto Libya border. Both these deserts provide vast and varying landscape, from rocky to fine sand.

While the Great Pyramid of Giza is located right on the outskirts of Cairo, and is one of the major attractions for tourists. It will be a sin to not extend the journey and visit some of the great locations in the deserts of Egypt including Farafra which is around 6-7 hrs drive from Cairo via Bahariya.

Nevada, USA, the Black Rock Desert

While the white rocks of Cairo are world famous, no less stunning are the Black Rocks of Nevada, USA. This one is made from the lava of volcanic eruption millions of years back. The area is not just huge. But also surrounded by countless mountain ranges. Some major ones being Antelope, Black Rock, Division, Fox, Granite, Hannan, High Rock, and several others. Of course there are no camels in this desert. As it is not the sand desert like the ones above. The safari here includes taking a road trip across the dimensions of the Black Rock Desert. And one can also do an overnight camping while here. Moreover, the place is loaded with outdoor adventure activities of all kinds.

In fact, the Black Rock Desert is so flat, made from cracked mud patches, that some of the highest records of land-speed are setup here. Now, who would not want to zoom through such a beautiful and unique desert. And that is precisely the reason we include it in our list of top desert safari destinations in the world. While you visit it, don’t forget to plan a short trip to the valley of fire, just at a little distance from Nevada. It can be easily reached from Las Vegas also.

Outback, Australia, the Great Victoria Desert

The largest desert in Australia is the Great Victoria Desert. The landscape of the Great Victoria Desert is stunning. Alternating between several sand hills and patches of grassland between them. Along with a closely packed surface of pebbles. Apart from the desert plants, there are some rare varieties of animals who have made the Great Victoria Desert their home. Including great desert skink (Egernia kintorei) – a vulnerable variety of lizard which is found only in this part of Australia and nowhere else in the world.

A safari excursion over the Great Victoria Desert is definitely once in a lifetime experience. But what makes it one of the best desert safari destinations in the world is the fact that it is a part of Outback. Outback is a vast region of Australia which consists of several arid, semi arid, distinctive landscapes with very sparse population and very delicate biosphere. These include 10 deserts, Kimberley and Pilbara regions of northern and western Australia, ephemeral water courses of western Queensland, sub-tropical savanna landscape of the Top End, the Inland Ranges, the flat Nullarbor Plain and the Great Western Woodlands of Australia.

A safari which comprehensively covers most of these regions spans over a course of 15 days or more. With several pitstops on the way one can choose to stay in economical to super luxury accommodations. Although, one thing to remember is that the life in these areas is a complete contrast to the cities like Melbourne and Sydney. So do remember to carry all your essential requirements with you when traveling here.

We are sure after a virtual tour of these great desert safaris listed here, you are already planning to take one yourself….do let us know what does your dream desert safari look like!

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