Through the Lens

What these desert safari photos show

The pictures in this gallery come from trips into the desert south-east of Dubai, mostly around the Lahbab and Al Awir dune areas, where the sand turns a deep red-orange in the late afternoon. They are not stock images: they record the ordinary moments of a safari day — vehicles pausing on a ridge, guests trying sandboarding for the first time, camels resting near camp and the lanterns being lit after sunset.

Colours change a lot through the day. Morning photos look pale gold with long, soft shadows; afternoon shots are brighter and flatter; the half hour before sunset gives the warm tones most people picture when they think of the Arabian desert. If you are choosing between a morning or evening trip partly for photography, compare the images here to see which light you prefer.

Tips for taking your own photos in the dunes

Fine sand gets everywhere, so keep your phone or camera in a zip bag while driving and avoid changing lenses outdoors. During dune driving, hold the device with both hands or put it away — the vehicle moves suddenly and a dropped phone is hard to find in soft sand.

The best landscape shots come when you walk a few metres away from the vehicles and footprints. Shoot with the sun to your side to show the ripples in the sand, and use a person or a camel as a sense of scale. After dark, the camp is lit but the sky is fairly dark away from the lights; brace your phone on something steady and use night mode for stars.

Please ask before photographing other guests, camp staff or performers, and respect anyone who prefers not to be filmed. Drones need UAE registration and permission, so leave them at home unless you already hold the correct approvals.

How the gallery is maintained

Images are reviewed and captioned by the BashDubai team and updated as new seasons and activities are photographed. Captions describe what is actually in each picture so visitors using screen readers get the same information. If you took a great shot on a desert trip and would like it considered, send it to hello@bashdubai.com with permission to publish.