One is slow and traditional, the other fast and thrilling. How to choose the right Sam Sand Dunes desert safari for your group.
Two very different rides
Both safaris take you onto the dunes, but the experience is completely different. A camel safari moves at walking pace and feels calm and traditional. A jeep safari climbs and drops over dune faces at speed, and feels closer to an adventure ride.
Camel safari: slow and scenic
Camels are led by local handlers along the ridges. The pace gives you time to look around, take photographs and notice the ripples and tracks in the sand. Getting on and off is the only tricky part, as the camel rises back legs first.
Choose a camel safari if you want a peaceful ride, are travelling with children who are comfortable with animals, or want the classic desert image at sunset.
Jeep safari: fast and bumpy
An open jeep covers more ground and reaches dunes further from the road. Drivers often take steep lines up and down the dunes, which many guests love and some find uncomfortable. You can always ask the driver to take a gentler route.
Choose a jeep safari if you enjoy thrill rides, have limited time, or want to see a wider area before sunset.
Who should avoid which
Guests with back or neck problems, heart conditions or who are pregnant should avoid jeep dune bashing and think carefully about camel rides. Very young children are usually happier on a short camel ride than in a jeep. If you have any doubt, tell us when you enquire and we will suggest an alternative, such as simply walking out for sunset.
Can you do both?
Yes. Some guests take a jeep to a distant viewpoint and a short camel ride at sunset. Safaris are included only in packages that list them, and either one can be added to any stay.
See all our desert safari experiences, or check the best time to visit Sam Sand Dunes before you choose your dates.