Desert Tourism Rooted in Conservation and Heritage

Platinum Heritage is a desert safari operator in Dubai offering wildlife drives through the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, without dune bashing. Conservation Guides accompany guests along designated tracks, sharing insights into the reserve’s native plants and wildlife.

We also contribute a portion of every guest’s fee to desert conservation initiatives.

Step into Dubai’s past and see what life was like 50 years ago. Our desert safaris bring Emirati heritage to life through vibrant camps, authentic Emirati cuisine, and traditional performances. Guests meet Bedouin storytellers, learn about falconry, and experience the customs of the Arabian desert’s nomads. Every moment is designed to preserve local traditions while supporting the community and sharing Dubai’s true cultural story with the world.

Safaris in our Heritage Collection use restored Series I and II Land Rovers, extending the life of historic vehicles rather than replacing them with new models. This approach preserves an important part of Dubai’s motoring heritage while offering guests an authentic way to explore the desert.

Our camps are built using materials such as wood, stone and goat hair, and are powered entirely by solar energy. We also use waste-reduction and recycling systems across our camp operations, supporting a more considered approach to operating in the desert environment.

In 2017, we replaced single-use plastic water bottles with reusable stainless steel bottles, which guests can take home as a keepsake from their desert experience. This change helps reduce our reliance on single-use plastic across our safari operations.

We keep our desert safaris true to Emirati culture by removing imported elements like belly dancing or international menus. Instead, we showcase genuine traditions like cultural dances, falconry, poetry, music, and authentic Emirati dishes. We don’t serve alcohol, respecting local customs and values. This approach ensures every experience honours the UAE’s heritage, educates visitors, and helps protect cultural practices that are slowly fading from Dubai’s landscape.

One of the best ways to discover a culture is through its food. Our Bedouin Culture Safari serve authentic Emirati and Bedouin breakfasts, while our Heritage Desert Safari includes a four-course dinner with favourites like lamb ouzi, camel stew, and kibbeh. Guests learn the stories and traditions behind each dish, turning every bite into part of a delicious cultural journey through Dubai’s heritage.

Animal welfare is central to our approach. We follow the Global Welfare Guidance for Animals in Tourism, with care practices focused on appropriate food and water, suitable living conditions, good health, natural behaviours and minimising distress. These principles guide our camel experiences, falconry and wildlife activities.

We support members of the local Bedouin community who face a unique challenge: they were born in the UAE’s mountains but hold no citizenship or passport, due to their parents being nomads. Despite limited employment options, we employ them as bread makers, henna artists, and coffee makers. Emirati students also join us as entertainers to help fund their studies. Wherever possible, we source local produce, ensuring our safaris directly benefit the communities around us.

Our desert experiences have connected over 500,000 visitors, residents, businesses, and students with Emirati culture and conservation. Every guest helps support our conservation and cultural heritage initiatives. For schools, we’ve developed hands-on Nature & Conservation and Bedouin Culture & Heritage programmes, supporting the UAE Social Studies curriculum and offering memorable, educational field trips in Dubai’s great outdoors.

Unfortunately, some unprotected desert areas outside our property get littered. To raise awareness and inspire action, we organise clean-ups in Dubai’s public desert. For companies, we offer CSR and teambuilding packages that combine a clean-up with a sustainability introduction, followed by our Heritage Safari in a pristine private reserve. It’s a chance for teams to give back to nature while enjoying a unique desert experience.