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Motorbike Desert Safari Dubaiwith theMX-Academy
A motorbike desert safari Dubai trip lets you ride the dunes yourself instead of watching from a 4x4. Learn how the guided tours work, how to fit the training days into your holiday and what to arrange before you fly.
A few hours to nearly a full day in the dunesDate of your choiceGroups matched to skill and fitnessAround 6 hours by air from Switzerland
Already in the UAE? Motorbike desert safari Dubai on mx-academy.ae
Ride the dunes instead of being driven
On a classic desert safari in Dubai, a four-wheel drive collects you from your hotel and an expert desert driver steers it across the sand, often followed by a barbecue at a desert camp in the evening. Switch to two wheels and the roles change: you ride a motocross or enduro bike yourself and follow a guide who knows the dunes.
The MX-Academy calls its guided version the desert ride. It suits travellers who want to be active on holiday and are happy to learn first, because sand needs technique. If you have never ridden off-road, your trip starts with a few training days on the track before you head out into the dunes.
How a guided tour in the dunes works
A tour with the MX-Academy follows a clear order, so that every rider reaches the dunes well prepared and nobody is left behind. Here is what to expect, step by step, from your first day on the track to the ride itself:
- Training on the track in Jebel Ali until you can ride standing up in sand
- Bike and full protective gear from the rental, unless you bring your own
- A meeting with your guide, who sorts the group by skill and fitness
- The ride: reading the sand, finding a line and crossing the crests
- Out for a few hours, almost a whole day or, on longer tours, overnight
How many days to plan for your trip
The number of days depends on your experience. Without any off-road background, allow around three days of training before the tour. With experience, a minimum of one sand training day comes first, followed by the day in the desert. Tell the team about your riding when you get in touch, so they can suggest the right plan for your stay.
Dubai lies around six hours' flight from Switzerland. On arrival, put your watch forward by two hours during the Swiss summer months and by three hours in winter. Choose the MX package, or organise your own flight and hotel and reserve the tour separately. The price list is in AED, per rider, and is valid locally; the 30-minute introduction course for adults in a group costs AED 500.
Motorbike or 4x4 safari: what is different
In a 4x4 you sit strapped in while the driver, with the tyre pressure lowered for better grip, tackles the dunes for you. The programme often includes a camel ride and sometimes sandboarding. On a motorbike you control speed and line yourself, you need sand training first and you wear complete protective gear. Pregnant women, babies and anyone with back or heart trouble are advised to skip the dune drive in a car.
The riders who lead the tours
The guides know this desert well; Mohammed Jaffar is one of them, Mohammed Al Balooshi another. Mohammed Al Balooshi was born in Dubai, has won the UAE motocross championship and is a multiple Arab champion. He runs the school in Dubai together with Chris Möckli, its founder and owner.
Out in the sand, the guides read the dunes ahead of you, find the way through and show you how to ride a slope or take a first jump. They see quickly what each rider can manage, encourage you to try a bit more and keep you out of danger, so the tour stays fun for the whole group.
Before you fly: a short checklist
A little planning at home makes your days in Dubai easier. Before you book your flight, go through these points, so that the training days, the tour itself and the rest of your holiday fit together without stress:
- Tell the team about your riding experience, so they can plan the training days
- Pick your dates; the tour is arranged around them
- Decide between the MX package and booking flight and hotel yourself
- Pack your own helmet or boots only if you want to; everything can be hired
- Leave time for the city: our tips on what to do in Dubai help with the rest
FAQ: Motorbike Desert Safari Dubai
How is a motorbike desert safari different from a classic desert safari?
On a classic safari you sit in a 4x4 as a passenger. On a bike you are the rider, with a guide in front, once your sand training on the track is done.
Can complete beginners book a motorbike desert safari in Dubai?
Yes, if they train first. Plan around three days on the track without off-road experience, or at least one sand training day if you have ridden off-road.
How do I book a desert motorbike tour from abroad?
Email your preferred dates and your riding experience. You can take the MX package or organise flight and hotel yourself.
How long does a tour in the dunes last?
Between a few hours and almost a whole day, depending on the group. Overnight tours in the desert are also offered.
Who guides the tours in the desert?
Riders with long desert experience; Mohammed Al Balooshi and Mohammed Jaffar are two of them.
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