Tours and Tickets to Experience Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve (DDCR)

The Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve is the first national park in the United Arab Emirates and is a popular spot to experience life in the desert. Here you can partake in wildlife spotting, dune drives, hot-air balloon rides, and outdoor dining experiences.

The Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve is around a 45-minute drive from Dubai, and you'll need a vehicle to get there. If you don't have a rental car, then the easiest way to reach the reserve is by joining an organized tour that includes round-trip transportation from your Dubai hotel.

The best time of year to visit the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve is during the cool season, which runs from November through March, although there is occasional rainfall in January and February. Visiting in the summertime isn't advisable, as temperatures can soar beyond 100°F (38­°C).

There are all sorts of activities to do in the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, including camel treks over the dunes, horseback riding adventures, wildlife safaris, dune drives, and romantic dinners under the stars. You can also try your hand at falconry or book a hot-air balloon ride over the desert landscape.

Yes, you can camp overnight in the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, however, you can't just pitch a tent anywhere—you'll need to arrange a camping package with a tour operator to do so. Most packages include tented accommodations with bedding, meals, and round-trip transportation from Dubai.

Yes, there are endangered species in the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, including lappet-faced vultures, oleander hawk-moths, and plain tiger butterflies. Other creatures found in the conservation area include Arabian oryx and the Arabian jird, a type of rodent.