Booking a desert safari in Sharjah? Lovely. Now for the bit nobody plans: what to wear. Get it wrong, and you’ll spend the evening sweating into stiff jeans in the back of a 4×4, which is no fun at all. The quick version goes like this. Loose, light clothes. Closed shoes. A hat and sunglasses. And a thin jacket shoved in your bag for when the sun goes down. Below, I’ve split the rest up for men, women and kids.
Why your outfit matters on a Sharjah desert safari
The desert isn’t a mall. You’ll climb in and out of the 4×4 more times than you’d guess, plod through sand that slides under every step, and maybe hop on a camel or ride a board down a dune if that’s in your package. Stiff fabric makes all of it harder.
Daytime in Sharjah’s desert is bright and hot, and the sand can feel rough and warm under thin soles. Then the sun sets and it cools off, enough to catch out anyone on a winter trip who brought just a T-shirt. So you’re dressing for four things at once: moving around, the sun, the sand and a cooler evening. Looking fancy isn’t one of them.
What men should wear on a desert safari in Sharjah
Tops
Guys get off lightly here. No need for a shopping trip; the stuff you’d pull on for a lazy weekend with friends does the job, so long as it’s comfy and keeps a bit of sun off. A cotton tee is fine. Linen shirt, even better if it’s a loose one, and an old polo works too. Burn easily? Grab a thin long-sleeve shirt, the airy kind. Skip anything snug round the chest or waist, since there’s a fair bit of sitting about, in the car and again at camp.
Trousers and shorts
Down below, cargo pants or light trousers win. Sand won’t scratch your shins, and you can scramble up a dune in them. Shorts to the knee are alright if your plan is basically the sunset and the camp, but for camels or a go on the sandboard, trousers. Jeans in July heat, though? Please don’t.
Shoes and extras
On your feet, I’d go with sneakers or a tired old pair of walking shoes that won’t be missed if the sand roughs them up. Then sunglasses, a cap, sunscreen and a thin scarf go in a little bag, and that scarf will feel like genius the moment the wind starts flicking sand at you. The nice watch stays at the hotel. Sand gets into everything, jewellery included.
What women should wear on a desert safari in Sharjah
Women get more options, which is nice, though it does mean a bit more thinking. Your own style matters, so does the weather on the day, and so does how active you plan to be.
Outfit ideas
The easiest thing to wear is a pair of loose cotton trousers. You can walk in them, sit in them and clamber into the 4×4 without a second thought. Want a bit more coverage? Long tunic. Breathable tops stop you overheating. Leggings? Fine, under something longer and loose. And a flowy maxi dress is gorgeous in sunset photos, assuming you’re mostly just lounging at camp.
Maxis do have one weak spot: camels and sandboards. Planning on either? Then trousers, or slip a pair of shorts on underneath.
Shoes and extras
For shoes, trainers are hard to argue with. Flat sandals with a decent strap are fine once you’ve settled in at camp, but heels and dainty little shoes just sink and wobble in loose sand, so leave them in the hotel room. In your bag I’d have sunglasses, a scarf or shawl, sunscreen, a sun hat and socks, all in a small crossbody bag, plus spare shoes if you think you’ll need them.
Modest outfit choices
A word on modesty. Sharjah has a strong local cultural identity, and lots of visitors like to cover up a little more in public places or at cultural spots. Loose trousers, long dresses, tunics, anything covering the shoulders: they all tick that box. That light scarf you packed? Handy again, for covering up and for keeping blowing sand off your face. Nobody expects traditional dress on a normal safari, by the way. Respectful and comfortable is the whole brief.
What kids should wear on a desert safari?
Most kids are thrilled by the desert. That lasts until they’re hot, sandy, and grumpy, which can happen fast. There’s the car ride, then charging around camp, then the shows and whatever activities they’re allowed on, so they’ll be on the go. Pick their clothes at the hotel while everyone’s calm, because doing it in a mad scramble at the door never goes well.
Clothes
Soft cotton tees and light trousers are what you want, with maybe an airy long-sleeve top thrown in for sun cover. Shorts are fine for the slower bits of the day. Leave anything heavy at home and pick things you’re happy to see covered in dust. They will be.
Shoes and extras
Shoes must fit and stay on. Usually that means sneakers. Then a sun hat, sunglasses that survive a sprint, sunscreen made for their age group, and proper socks. Check their shoes before every activity. Quad bikes and dune buggies? Those can have age, height, and safety limits, and on that, the operator’s call is final.
The kids’ bag
A separate little bag for the kids is a lifesaver. I’d put a spare outfit for each child in there, extra socks, wipes and tissues, a small bottle of water and their sunscreen. Add a light jacket or jumper if you’re going in the evening, any medicine they take, and a snack if the tour’s fine with it. With babies or toddlers, nappies and the rest of the usual kit go in too.
What to wear for a morning, evening or overnight desert safari
When you go changes things a fair bit. The desert in the morning and the desert after dark honestly feel like two different trips.
| Safari type | What to wear | Worth bringing |
| Morning safari | Light cotton clothes and comfortable trousers | Sunglasses, hat and sunscreen |
| Evening safari | Breathable shirt, trousers or a comfortable dress | Light jacket or shawl |
| Overnight safari | Comfortable clothes for the day | Warm jacket and spare clothes |
| Summer safari | Loose, lightweight clothing | Sun hat and sunscreen |
| Winter safari | Comfortable layers | Jumper or jacket |
Morning safari
Going in the morning? You’ll be out early, and it warms up quickly once the sun’s properly up. A cotton tee with light trousers and sneakers will see you through. Don’t leave without sunglasses and sunscreen, mind you, because by late morning that sun means business.
Evening safari
Evening trips are the popular ones: a bumpy dune drive, the sunset, then a few hours at camp. Wear stuff that copes with a bit of bouncing about and is still comfy later, sat around at camp. Going in winter, or anywhere near it? Then a light jacket or shawl comes along, because once it’s dark you’ll want it.
Overnight safari
Sleeping out there? Bring a whole change of clothes plus something warm for the night and for sitting out late under the stars. Message your operator first and ask what the camp gives you. No point lugging a pillow across the dunes if there’s one waiting.
The best shoes for a desert safari
Shoes trip people up. Sometimes literally. Sand pours into anything open, and soft, lumpy ground tires your feet quickly. Sneakers suit nearly everyone. Doing sandboarding, quad biking or a dune buggy ride? Check with your operator in case there’s a footwear rule. A pair of sandals in your bag is nice to swap into at camp.
| Footwear | Good for |
| Sneakers | Walking and most outdoor activities |
| Walking shoes | Longer walks on uneven ground |
| Secure sandals | Relaxing around the camp |
| Hiking shoes | Rougher desert ground |
| Flip-flops | Short walks around the camp |
| High heels | Best left at home |
What not to wear on a desert safari
Some outfits look great in the hotel mirror and awful on a dune. Heavy jeans trap heat. Heels sink. Tight clothes? A pain the second you climb or sit cross-legged. Your good shoes get scuffed. Tiny earrings disappear into the sand for good. Anything formal comes home dusty. One safety thing: tuck in loose scarves and dangly fabric around vehicles and moving equipment. Easy test before you leave: would you mind it getting sandy? If not, wear it.
Small extras worth packing
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- A hat or cap
- A light scarf
- A water bottle, if your operator allows it
- A phone pouch or protective case
- Lip balm
- A light jacket for winter evenings
- Any personal medication
- Wet wipes and tissues if the kids are coming
Before you book your Sharjah desert safari
One more thing before you hit “book”. Read what’s in the package, properly. A lot of tours are mostly dune bashing and camp shows. Others let you bolt on camel rides, quad bikes, or dune buggies, and those sometimes have clothing and footwear rules of their own. Glance at the weather a day or two out, and ask about pickup time while you’re at it, since a morning trip in full sun and a cool evening trip need different outfits. Got kids? Lay their stuff out the night before and thank yourself later. Out there, do what your guide tells you. Oh, and travel light. If you’re driving over from Dubai or another emirate, a chunk of the day could be spent in a chilly, air-conditioned car before you see any sand at all, so dress for the whole day.
Frequently asked questions
1. What should I wear on a desert safari in Sharjah?
Pretty much anything loose and light that your skin can breathe in. Comfy trousers, a tee and a pair of sneakers will get most people through the whole trip, as long as you’ve got sunglasses on and some sunscreen rubbed in. Out till after dark? Then chuck a thin jacket in the car too.
2. Can women wear a dress?
Of course you can. Maxis are lovely for lounging about at camp. Camels and dune climbs are where they get awkward, so pop on trousers, or some shorts under the dress, if you’re doing either.
3. Are shorts okay?
Yep. On a laid-back trip, shorts are totally fine. Planning to do a lot of climbing and riding, though? Then light trousers make more sense, since they’ll keep sun and sand off your legs.
4. Which shoes work best on the sand?
Whatever sneakers or walking shoes you’re happy to get sandy. Once you’re parked up at camp, strappy sandals are fine. Try heels or flip-flops on a dune and you’ll probably end up walking back barefoot with them in your hand.
5. What about the little ones?
Keep it simple. Light clothes, sneakers that really fit and a sun hat they won’t rip off after five minutes. Whoever’s in charge of the bag should have sunscreen, a spare outfit, extra socks and, if it’s an evening trip, a small jacket.
Before you head out
Right, so getting ready for your desert trip is quite simple. Men can wear breathable shirts and light trousers, women can choose loose and comfortable outfits, and kids should have soft clothes and shoes that fit well. Keep sunscreen, sunglasses, hats and a light jacket handy for everyone. Before leaving, check what your package includes and make sure you have everything you need. With a little preparation, you can relax and enjoy the dunes with Desert Safari Sharjah. We look forward to making your desert trip a memorable experience!