My husband, our sons (age 13 and 10) and I booked the sundowner safari through Arabian Adventures and can see why it's rated so highly.
We only booked 24 hours before and there was no problem with availability. The guide picked us up at the hotel -he was running 15 mins late and called to tell us so - and we went off into the desert.
The guide explained the itinerary to us and pointed out places of interest on the way - takes about 45-50 mins to get to the starting point.
I was a little apprehensive as I don't do rollercoasters but this was just really good fun! We spent about 30 minutes going over the dunes and had a stop for photos (soft drinks were provided), we went to a camel farm, stopped again to take photos of the sunset and then on to the bbq camp.
At the camp we all had a camel ride followed by the bbq and belly dancing. All the drinks were included in the price and the food good.
Well worth the money!

Fantastic! Anyone considering stopping over in Dubai - Do it do it do it!!!! A friend recommended the tour and I am so grateful, it was such a bargain - under $100 for 6 hours full-on entertainment suitable for all ages! Our guide picked us up from our hotel in a 4x4 with 4 other travellers, then told us about Dubai on the way to the desert. In the desert we had about 2 hours of four wheel driving over sand dunes, then saw a camel farm, watched the beautiful sunset, then reached the dinner site. We went for a camel ride, got henna tattoos, ate an enormous amount of delicious traditional food, drank wine, smoked cinnamon and apple flavoured tobacco from shisha pipes, watched a belly dance, chatted to the other guides and travellers and then a bit more four wheel driving on the way home - an experience not to be missed!

Having checked in at our hotel in the early part of the morning, we looked for our driver from Alpha tours, and found that he had ditched us......and we could not book any tours with them. As Arabian Adventures were in the hotel, we decided to book the "Sundowner" with them, much to our delight. we got our moneys worth from beginning to end. The representative at the hotel (Pearl Residence) was ,most helpful, and a real pleasure to deal with. Our tour was booked for 9/01/2008, and she informed us that our guide would pick us up at 2.50pm.

We were very impressed with the timekeeping as our guide. Wajid was punctual, and we did not have to wait at all. Having sorted out the seating arrangements, as our group consisted of 3 people, and we had to share with another 3 people, he introduced himself to us. He was a pleasant and charming young man who delighted us with his sense of humour. On route to the desert, he further impressed us with his knowledge of local attractions as he pointed them out to us. We stopped for a short break, and then proceeded with the "dune bashing". All i can say is wow!! Wajid handled the vehicle with considerable ease, and made our experience something to remember.

We took some wonderful photos, including the the stop at the camel farm, (just mind the smell) and the most magnificient sunset. It was freezing cold though, and Wajid, so kindly offered his jacket to my mum, and ended up being cold the entire evening.

As darkness fell, we were taken to the Arabian Camp where we enjoyed a variety of foods and drinks, and were further entertained with camel rides and an exotic belly dancing show.

The night ended with all the lights being turned off, and we were able to do some stargazing, much to our delight, as living in a city, we do not get to enjoy the beauty of nature.

Wajid, our safari guide, once again entertained and answered our silly questions on the way back to the hotel. The trip ended with him dropping us off at our hotel at 9.30pm.

All in all it was a fantastic experience to say the least. We were happy with the whole "Arabian Adventure" experience and thank Alpha Tours for just dropping us off at the hotel and disappearing into the night!

i definitely recomend this tour, and be sure to ask for Wajid, as he will surely make your experience a memorable one!!!

Although we reserved on-line two places on the desert safari 'Sundowners' tour before we left for Dubai, choosing the option to pay once we were had arrived, when we arrived, this was not registered at all (despite viewing a website confirmation). Therefore we went to one of their many offices in person on the morning of the tour and booked for the evening. The tour commenced at 3pm, with prompt driver pick-up from our hotel. The 4x4 was modern and clean. The riding over the dunes was enjoyable and felt safe, with the driver seeming in control. There were many other jeeps from the company doing the tour at the same time. When we arrived at the camp, the dinner provided was generous and adequate, with unlimited soft drinks and alcohol. There was ample entertainment, including camel riding, a belly dancer, henna tatoos and shisha under the stars. All in all great value for money, and well organised. One of the highlights of our trip.