Platinum Heritage runs slow wildlife drives in vintage Land Rovers inside the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, with a falconry show and an Emirati dinner, and it does no dune bashing and serves no alcohol. It is priced far above a dune-bashing safari because it is a different trip, not a better version of the same one.
What they publish
Checked against the operator’s own site and public listings, November 2026. This is not a rating.
?Trade licence / DET permitunclearNo licence number shown; drives inside the DDCR, where the reserve chooses its operators
✓Prices on its own sitepublishedAdult and child prices with VAT on every product
✓Own camp namedpublishedOwn camp in the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve
✓Pickup areas statedpublishedPickup windows by season; exact time sent on the day
✓Cancellation termspublishedFull refund if cancelled more than 18 hours before pickup
?Reviews you can checkunclearOnly 6 Trustpilot reviews; most reviews are on GetYourGuide and Tripadvisor
✓Bookable via Headout / GYGpublishedHeritage, overnight and Al Maha products on GetYourGuide
Company card
Website (not linked)
uae.platinum-heritage.com
Company / licence
Platinum Heritage (its site carries a Hero Experiences Group brochure)
Partner links: we may earn a commission; your price is the same.
A different kind of safari
Platinum Heritage runs its own camp, cars and Conservation Guides inside the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve (DDCR). It says it uses only in-house vehicles and guides, which is why trips sell out in high season. Its site presents it within Hero Experiences Group, alongside Hero Balloon Flights Dubai. The comparison below is with the shared evening safari most visitors book.
Platinum Heritage Heritage Safari
Typical Lahbab or Al Awir evening safari
Vehicle
Vintage Land Rover, 60-minute nature drive
Land Cruiser, ≈ 15–30 minutes of dune bashing
Where
Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve
Open desert in Lahbab or Al Awir
Main show
Falconry and cultural performances
Belly dance, Tanoura, fire show
Alcohol
None served
Varies by camp
Length
≈ 7 hours with transfers
≈ 6 hours
Children under 5
Private car required
Rules vary; infants usually cannot join the dune bashing
Published price
AED 795 per adult
From well under AED 150 at budget sellers
On arrival every guest gets a headscarf and a steel water bottle to keep, and part of the fee goes to conservation in Dubai.
Published by the operator with VAT, checked November 2026. Its private night safari with astronomy is also sold through the Arabian Adventures shop at AED 2,990. The morning trip and the Al Maha drive need a minimum number of guests; if that is not reached, you are offered another trip or a full refund. See how these compare with other VIP and luxury safaris.
Rules worth knowing
Evening pickups run between 14:00 and 16:30 depending on the season, and the exact time is sent around noon on the day. Return is between 21:30 and 23:30.
The morning safari collects you between 05:30 and 06:30 and returns by noon.
Book at least three hours ahead online for evening trips, and 13 hours ahead for morning trips.
On a shared overnight trip, bring one backpack or carry-on per person, no taller than 50 cm.
Cancel more than 18 hours before pickup for a full refund.
The conservation reserves guide explains what the DDCR protects and why dune bashing is not part of these trips.
Where to book, and the name "heritage safari"
You can book on the company's own site or on GetYourGuide, where its heritage, overnight and Al Maha trips are listed; the card on this page shows the live price and terms. When we checked, its Headout listing showed as unavailable.
"Heritage safari" is not a Platinum Heritage trademark. OceanAir sells an evening heritage safari in vintage Mercedes G-Class cars at Al Marmoom, which is a different operator in a different reserve; see the Al Marmoom Bedouin Experience file. Check the vehicle and the reserve before you pay.
Questions people ask
How much is the Platinum Heritage desert safari?
The Heritage Desert Safari was AED 795 per adult and AED 695 per child aged 5 to 11, VAT included. The morning safari was AED 595 and the Platinum Desert Safari AED 1,950 (published, November 2026).
Does Platinum Heritage do dune bashing?
No. Its safaris use gentle wildlife drives on set tracks in the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve instead of dune bashing.
Is alcohol served on Platinum Heritage safaris?
No. The company says it does not serve alcohol on its tours, out of respect for local tradition.
Can children join a Platinum Heritage safari?
Yes, but if you travel with a child under five you must book a private car. Children aged 5 to 11 pay the child rate.
What is the difference between the Heritage and Platinum safaris?
The Heritage Safari uses vintage Land Rovers and serves an Emirati dinner at the camp. The Platinum Desert Safari uses modern Land Rover Defenders and serves a five-course menu curated by a Michelin-starred chef in a private cabana.
Do I need to tip the guide?
No. The company says there is no obligation to tip, and any amount is up to you.
Most booked
Lowest price
