Quick facts
| Thrill | 2 of 5: |
|---|---|
| Can you do it too? | 5 of 5: |
| Family-friendly | – |
| Guy's verdict | – |
Guy hasn't said yetDubai Desert Conservation Reserve Map: The Arabian desert by hot air balloon, vintage Land Rover and Bedouin camp Enquire / book More episodes Related: hot air balloon dubai
The Arabian Peninsula holds the world's largest unbroken body of sand, yet a surprising amount lives on it. This episode looks at the desert three ways, starting before sunrise in a hot air balloon basket with Balloon Adventures.
From the air you can make out green patches across the sand and the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, home to Arabian oryx and gazelles. A falcon flies alongside the balloon.
On the ground, guide Gert takes Paris through the reserve in a 1950s Land Rover. The standout is a lizard that dives beneath the sand to escape predators. The day finishes at a traditional Bedouin camp with Platinum Heritage, learning how people survived such a harsh climate.
In this episode
- 1:45 Balloon over the desert
- 3:50 Flying with a falcon
- 6:35 Vintage Land Rover safari
- 9:04 Desert wildlife
- 10:33 Bedouin camp
Do it yourself
See hot air balloon rides in Dubai and our desert safari guide.
Paris's verdict
Placeholder: Paris will add his own first-person verdict here. We do not write it for him.
Related
FAQ
Which operators appear?
Balloon Adventures for the balloon flight and Platinum Heritage for the Land Rover safari and Bedouin camp.
What wildlife lives in the reserve?
The episode shows Arabian oryx, gazelles and sand-diving lizards in the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve.
Sources
Facts checked October 2026. Opening times, age limits and seasons change, so confirm with the operator before you go.
Ask Guy in Dubai