How to Open a Desert Safari Tour Business in Dubai

How to Open a Desert Safari Tour Business in Dubai

Dubai is known as a global tourist hub, and it is most popular for its desert activities. The Desert Safari Tour has a unique place among tourist attractions. It has dune bashing, camel rides, and a traditional Arabian dinner for the complete experience of amusement and culture. 

If you are an entrepreneur who is interested in starting a lucrative business in the tourism industry. It is the best time to start your own desert safari tour company in Dubai. The number of tourists continues to increase, and the government is also encouraging tourism, which creates a large potential for this type of business. 

In this blog, we are going to go through all the information you need to know to open your desert safari tour business in Dubai! 

Desert Safari Business Scope in Dubai

As per the data, more than 17 million international visitors chose Dubai as their tourist location in 2023, a number that is growing year by year. Many of these visitors are excited by the prospect of desert safaris. Here’s why the future of this business is looking bright:

1. Demand Year-Round

Dubai's desert safari experiences run continuously throughout all seasons. This means tourists can be served 365 days a year. There are many tourists from the budget and luxury segments. 

2. Embraces All Kinds of Tourists

These different travelers give business owners several different options for customizing packages and more ways to earn revenue. Desert safari tours can attract:

• Lone travelers
• Families
• Corporate groups
• Influencers and content creators

3. Easy to Scale

You can start your business with some of the 4x4 vehicles and then later add:

• Overnight camping
• Private dinners in the desert
• Wildlife safari experiences
• Cultural shows and traditional programs
• Hot air balloon tours

4. Phenomenal Government Support

The UAE government has a pro-tourism policy, such as Dubai Tourism Vision 2030. It aspires to attract more and more tourists. This will generate significantly more tourists and opportunities for your safari business.

Step-by-Step Completed Process to Open a Desert Safari Company in Dubai

Step 1: Mainland or Free zone: 

Mainland: Best option if you want to work all over the city, partner with hotels, and provide transportation.

Free Zone: It will be cheaper, but you can only operate in the area of the Free Zone.

Step 2: Choose Business Activities

Your license should include the proper activities. For example, if you are starting a desert safari business, you will likely need the “Inbound Tourism Operator License” or the “Desert Safari Tour Operator License” for your business.

This would allow you to:

• Arrange desert tours
• Sell packages directly, or through partners
• Use 4x4 vehicles in desert areas

Step 3: Reserve a Business Name

Select a name that is relevant to your business. The name of the business you have selected should be unique, and it should reflect the identity of your business and services. You have to make sure that the name you have selected is according to the:

• Align with UAE name regulations (no religious or political terminology)
• Not registered by others
• Is relevant to the business activity

Step 4: Apply for the Trade License

You need a tourism license from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) if you want to start your tourism business legally in Dubai. Documents you will need to apply for the Trade License include:

• Passport copies of shareholders
• Emirates ID (for UAE residents)
• Business name approval
• Initial approval certificate
• Office lease or Ejari

Step 5: Obtain Relevant Approvals

There are some additional approvals that you need from the following authorities:

• Approval from the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), if you need off-road vehicle permits
• If you want to cook food, approval from the Dubai Municipality for food safety and hygiene
• The Dubai Police, if you have entertainment activities
• Dubai Tourism for compliance with tourism regulations

Step 6: Rent Office and Garage

To lawfully launch your business in Dubai, you need to rent or purchase a physical office and garage premises (or parking space) for your safari vehicles.

• Office: The minimum space you need for your office depends on the scale of your business. 
• Garage: Space for modified vehicles such as 4x4s.

Step 7: Purchase Desert Safari Vehicles

If you are looking to purchase 4x4s, you will need the following:

• Your company should be registered as a tourism company.
• Vehicles modified for dune bashing.
• Insurance for commercial and off-road use

Step 8: Hire Skilled Workers

If you want to start a profitable business, then you need to hire a professional team for your business. Your team member should be:

• Tour guides
• Drivers
• Hospitality Staff such as BBQ, Catering, and Entertainment 
• Booking and customer support representatives

Step 9: Design Safari Packages

If you cater to different types of customers, you have to customize different types of safari design packages, such as

• Morning safari
• Evening safari
• Overnight Safari
• VIP Desert Safari 

Cost of Starting a Desert Safari Company in Dubai 

Here is the estimated cost for the desert safari business starting in Dubai:

Advantages of Starting Your Safari Business with Flyingcolour Business Setup

Flyingcolour Business Setup has more than 20 years of experience in business setup. We have helped entrepreneurs to start businesses in the UAE. We understand the tourism segment and will make sure you have a profitable safari business set up in the UAE. Here’s why you should partner with Flyingcolour® for your safari business.

• Industry intel and advise on Free Zone vs Mainland
• Full support with licensing and documentation
• Fast company registration
• Visa and PRO service assistance
• Guidance on start-up package costs
• Ultimate business support

Conclusion

If you are passionate about adventure and tourism, you can start a desert safari tour business in Dubai. We will provide you with a complete guide about solid planning and the proper licenses, approvals, and other requirements.

If you want to start with a small investment or have ambitions to create a luxury safari brand, Flyingcolour® will be a trusted business partner from day one.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Is a local partner important to start a desert safari tour company in Dubai?

If you choose a mainland setup, you may require a local service agent. However, it is possible in certain cases to have 100% foreign ownership. We can assist you in deciding which legal structure is best for you.

Q2. Can I run my desert safari business from a Free Zone?

Free Zones come with many benefits, but since you will be operating outside the zone (in the desert), you may need some external approvals. In general, a mainland setup is better suited to conducting a tourism business.

Q3. What is the start-up time frame?

With our assistance, the time frame to set up your business is 5-10 working days, depending on documents and approvals being undertaken. 

Q4. What vehicles do you need?

You will require 4x4s that have been modified for dune bashing. The most common options are the Toyota Land Cruiser and the Nissan Patrol. These vehicles should be registered and insured for commercial use.

Therefore, to learn more about How to open a Desert Safari Tour business in Dubai, Book a free consultation with one of the Flyingcolour Business Setup team advisors.

The article was published on 31/07/2025. It is important to note that the federal policies and updates mentioned may have changed since then. For the most current information, please contact our consultant!