The 15 Best Historical Tours

1.Dubai Evening Heritage Safari by Vintage G Class Al Marmoom Oasis

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,500 reviews · from $189Our pick

Spend six hours exploring Al Marmoom in a 1980s open-air Mercedes G Class. You’ll ride camels, learn Arabic coffee-making, dress in Emirati clothing, enjoy a six-course Bedouin dinner, hear desert stories, and stargaze by telescope. Guides including Imran, Mustafa, Muhammad, and Usman are praised for attentive care.

“Our guide Muhammad was caring and helpful. Seeing the nature preserve, flora and fauna, was awesome. The bbq dinner was incredible - lamb, chicken, Bedouin salads and so many side dishes.”

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2.Dubai Camel Desert Safari, Traditional Meal & Heritage Activities

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 937 reviews · from $193

Travel from central Dubai to the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve for a 45 to 60-minute camel caravan, sunset falconry, henna, bread and coffee making, and a four-course Emirati dinner. Guides such as Karim, Bash, Harish, and Jovan have been praised for friendly, attentive service.

“There were so many different desert safari companies available online, that I was initially overwhelmed trying to pick one. I decided to go with Platinum Heritage, because of the emphasis on sustainability and animal welfare. They don't offer "dune bashing," which was perfect for me, because I get quite motion sick. For the main activity, I chose to the the camel ride, which lasted about 45 minutes, and was absolutely lovely. My guide for this adventure was Jovan, who was very easy to talk to, and super well informed about Dubai. Jovan communicated my hotel pickup time earlier in the day, and I shared the ride with two other groups…”

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3.Heritage Safari in Vintage Land Rover with Dinner

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 861 reviews · 7 hours · from $189

Ride through the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve in a 1950s open-top Land Rover with a conservation guide such as Bashar, Rammel, or Oscar. See oryx and gazelles, watch falconry at sunset, then enjoy Emirati food, camel rides, henna, drumming, Yola, shisha, and stargazing at a Bedouin-style camp.

“What an amazing night. The guide Kharji was very knowledgeable, very friendly and helpful. The desert at night was magical.The camp was awesome. The falcon show was informative as well as wonderful to watch. The food was beautiful and plentiful. There were plenty of anyone wanted seconds. The organisation of the day was exceptional. If I could only do one thing in Dubai this would be it. I highly recommend this tour. It was the highlight of our trip. And platinum heritage is very responsibly ethical and very conscious of the land. They don’t do sand bashing because they want to preserve the land. Riding on the back of the…”

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4.Heritage Safari, Camel Ride & Al Marmoom Oasis Dinner

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 431 reviews · 6 hours · from $189

Spend six hours at Al Marmoom Conservation Reserve with hotel pickup, a vintage Mercedes G-Class safari, camel rides, falcon show, Bedouin village, five-course dinner, entertainment, and telescope stargazing. Guides such as Saeed, Ali, Imran, and Babar are known for helpful service and strong photography.

“We had a fantastic time as a whole family with our wonderful guide Mr. Imran on the occasion of my husband’s birthday! Starting with the desert safari with gazelles, flamingos, hairs and other animals, followed with fun for kids in the sand dunes, special moments with falcons, show with the most beautiful horses, the warmth and cordial welcome by the hosts for a delicious dinner and birthday cake, camel show and riding, impressive fire show, and henna painting for all! We are grateful to Mr. Imran for this amazing experience - in 6 hours we have lived through a mini vacation with the most memorable moments for the whole family!”

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5.Kayak With Dolphins in Historic Shem Creek

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 407 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $48Best value

Paddle a sea kayak through historic Shem Creek with a professional guide, watching for bottlenose dolphins, summer manatees, and loggerhead turtles. Coastal Expeditions provides the kayak, paddle, life jacket, and dry bag. The two-hour trip starts and ends at 514 Mill Street.

“Taut was a fantastic guide. We were able to see lots of wildlife on our tour. Lucky enough to see dolphins and a manatee!”

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6.57 Heritage Desert Safari

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 329 reviews · from $189

Spend about six hours in Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve with a 30-minute falcon show, vintage Land Rover nature drive, 15-minute sunset camel ride, and four-course Arabic dinner. Pickup is included, and guides such as Zulfiqar, Abid, and Riaz have earned praise for their care and local insight.

“We wanted a tour that did not involve tearing up the environment and came across this one. Convenient on time pick up at our hotel in Dubai. First experience was a drive thorough an animal reserve where we came across oryx, gazelle and saRead more”

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7.Desert Safari with Entertainment & BBQ Dinner-Heritage Camp

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 276 reviews

Spend about seven hours in Dubai’s Fossil Rocks Desert with private pickup, dune bashing, sand boarding, a camel ride, sunset photos, Arabic coffee, henna, live dance and fire shows, and a BBQ dinner with vegetarian and non-vegetarian choices. The trip suits groups of up to six.

“Must do activity in Dubai, the tour guide provided excellent service, our family love it, highly recommended.”

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8.Dubai Evening Desert Safari With BBQ Dinner at Arabian Heritage

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 264 reviews · from $104

You’ll ride a 4x4 from Dubai or Sharjah into the red dunes for dune bashing, sandboarding, a short camel ride, henna, Arabic refreshments, and a BBQ buffet. Guides such as Arsalan and Amir Zaman are praised for safe driving and friendly help. Quad bikes cost extra.

“This Dessert Safari Adventure Was Truly Awesomee I had a Great time With the Dune Bashing, The Speed and the fun Jumps were so exciting, and we also had a Great Time During the Sand surfing, I got so far and it was So coool, then we Got to the Amazing place called Read more”

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9.Desert Safari + History to Modern City Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 174 reviews · from $165

You’ll ride a private 4WD with a professional driver from Doha into Qatar’s dunes, stop at Sealine and the Inland Sea, then visit Souq Waqif, Katara, and The Pearl. Suhail and Yahya are among the guides associated with this experience. Camel rides, falcon photos, sandboarding, meals, and museum entry cost extra.

“Fantastic tour ! Don’t hesitate. Just book it. It’s awesome. Suhail and yahya were amazing guides. Incredibly knowledgeable, polite and very respectful.”

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10.3-Day Siwa Oasis Tour, Safari, Camp & Historical Site

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 80 reviews · 3 days · from $361

Travel in a small group from Cairo to Siwa with an air-conditioned vehicle, guide, and driver. You’ll visit El Alamein, float in salt lakes, explore ancient tombs, ride the Great Sand Sea, sandboard, sleep in a lodge or desert camp, and browse Shali and the old souq.

“The experience is outstanding and more than recommended to anyone. We have no words to express our appreciation to Ahmed, which went beyond and above to ensure we are enjoying every single moment out of the 3 days, as well as our lovely driver. There was absolutely nothing to worry about, other than relaxing. Siwa is an unbelievable place, the people are very friendly and lovely, the Safari with the ride, sandboarding and the sunset tea surpased any expectations, and the Cleopatra Spring as well as the salt lakes cannot be missed (we enjoyed our "own" lake). 6 🌟 if we could”

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11.Heritage Camel Desert Safari with Traditional Dinner

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 80 reviews · 7 hours · from $189

Spend seven hours in Dubai’s desert with a 45-minute camel caravan, sunset falconry, bread-making, henna, Yola and drumming, and a four-course Emirati dinner. Hotel transfers, water, coffee, and a refillable bottle are included. Guides such as Raj, Byron, Jovin, and Naeem have led past outings.

“Everything was carefully planned and very accommodating from the hotel drop-off/pick-up to the variety of activities offered throughout the day. The crew was a lot of fun and very knowledgeable. I made new friends during the experience that made the excursion even more impressionable. And the food was AMAZING! Thank you Platinum Heritage!”

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12.Morning Heritage Safari by Vintage G Class & Al Marmoom Oasis

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 79 reviews · from $134

You’ll leave Dubai in an air-conditioned vehicle for Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve, then ride through the sand in an open-air 1980s Mercedes. Abdul and the local team lead camel rides, coffee making, Arabic dress, falcon photos, and a Bedouin breakfast at an oasis village.

“We got to witness Leptien’s Spiny-tailed lizard feeding as well as watch an entire heard of Arabian Gazelle race across the desert!”

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13.Heritage Desert Safari wtih Overnight and Breakfast

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 35 reviews · 20 hours · from $298

You’ll ride through Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve in a 1950s Land Rover, watch falconry at sunset, eat Emirati dishes at a private desert camp, and sleep in a traditional stone room. Guides such as Saif, Ravi, and Mehdi have earned praise, but room bathrooms are shared and showers are by request.

“Una de las mejores experiencias de mi vida. Superó completamente nuestras expectativas. Buen transporte, excelente organización, comida deliciosa, el campamento es muy bonito, limpio y ordenado. El personal es muy muy atento y amable. De verdad recomiendo esta experiencia”

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14.SoCoHo Jeep Safari – Historical Sites – Lunch – Beach

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 34 reviews · from $120

Spend 5 to 6 hours crossing Antigua in an open Jeep with guides such as Terry, Ricky, Andrew, or Flava. Visit Sir Viv Richards Stadium, Betty’s Hope, Devil’s Bridge, Road House Restaurant, and Long Bay Beach. Lunch, drinks, water, taxes, and pickup are included.

“Flava was an excellent tour guide! He is very knowledgeable about Antigua and its history and made the tour fun for us.”

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15.Private jeep safari with historical highlights of Silves town

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 33 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $70

Take a two-hour private jeep ride from Silves with an English-speaking guide such as Felix, combining Moorish walls, a cathedral, old bridge, hill roads, and Arade Dam views. The route changes with the weather, and a soft drink is included.

“Felix was the consummate guide, driver and host of Silves! He gave us valuable insight on his village, and recommended other places in the Algarve. We enjoyed the tour very much, including the walkabout on his property, complete with fruit trees and beautiful shrubs and flowers. Obrigado, Felix!”

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