If you’re planning a trip to the UAE, chances are going glamping in the desert or on the beach are at the top of your UAE bucket list. Well, you’re in luck. Because now, more than ever, the UAE is just brimming with incredible places to go glamping.
It’s possible to stay in a VIP campsite on a private island in Abu Dhabi, sleep in a chic Airstream trailer on the banks of the beautiful Hatta Dam in Dubai, or get the ultimate Bedouin experience riding camels through sand dunes and sleeping under the stars in a Bedouin-style tent in Ras al Khaimah.
With so many cool glamping experiences, you might have a hard time choosing the perfect one. So we’ve created a list of the 10 best places to go glamping in the UAE to help you plan your bucket list-worthy experience!
- Short on time and don’t want to read the entire article? Here are our top 3 picks!
- Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island Al Sahel Villas (for wildlife encounters)
- Starlight Camp (for a private island experience)
- Bedouin Oasis Camp (for a desert experience)
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The 10 Best Places to Go Glamping in the UAE
Glamping in Dubai
1. Hatta Resorts
Located 90 minutes from downtown Dubai, Hatta Resorts offers three different glamping options. With the Sedr Trailers, you can camp in a luxury Airstream trailer on the banks of the Hatta Dam. Or, if you want to do some serious stargazing, book one of the 15 dome-shaped tents complete with a private terrace and firepit in Hatta Resorts’ Hatta Dome Park.
Or, for the ultimate views, the luxury cabins at Damani Lodges are perched on the Hajar Mountains and offer supreme views of Hatta Wadi Hub, which you can enjoy from the large wood terrace. With a comfy bed, complimentary Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, a minibar, a coffee maker, and a private bathroom, you’ll have all the creature comforts of a hotel room!
Glamping in Abu Dhabi
2. Starlight Camp
With its truly unique location, Starlight Camp is easily one of the coolest glamping spots in Abu Dhabi, if not the entire UAE. To get to this off-the-beaten-path spot, hop on the private boat shuttle from Abu Dhabi and you’ll be whisked to the completely private Starlight Island.
Your 30-square-meter “crystal roof tent” is set right on the shores of the Arabian Gulf, a location made even better by the backdrop of the island’s sand dunes. Guests rave about the staff and the amenities, so expect everything to be top-notch.
From boho-chic oceanfront dining areas to Arabian-style outdoor lounge areas with pillows and telescopes for stargazing, each of the four campsites is impeccably outfitted with things you didn’t even know you wanted.
3. Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island Al Sahel Villas
When it comes to luxury glamping in the UAE, Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island Al Sahel Villas takes things up a notch with their 30 exclusive safari-style villas found dotted across the natural grasslands of the protected wildlife reserve of Sir Bani Yas Island.
You can choose the One-Bedroom Villa, the One-Bedroom Pool Villa, and the Two-Bedroom Anantara Pool Villa. The latter gives you indoor and outdoor living spaces, a private pool overlooking the savannah, and so much more.
But the best part is that you can go on desert drives to see the sanctuary’s many wild animals. Book this unique UAE glamping experience, and you’ll have the chance to get up close with everything from giraffes and gazelles to cheetahs and the near-extinct Arabian oryx!
4. Pura Eco Retreat, Jebel Hafit Desert Park
Another incredible option for glamping in Abu Dhabi is the Pura Eco Retreat in Jebel Hafit Desert Park, which offers rustic tents, spherical domes, and transparent bubbles set in Al Ain’s dramatic desert mountains. You’ll have the chance to hike, mountain bike, ride camels and horses, and explore 8,000-year-old archaeological sites during the day.
And in the evening, for some of the best glamping in the UAE, opt for one of the luxury Skylight Domes, and you’ll be able to gaze out at the dramatic mountain sunset from the comfort of your plush bed before doing some serious stargazing from your private terrace at night.
5. Bab Al Nojoum – Hudayriyat
When it comes to unique places to go glamping in the UAE, Bab Al Nojoum – Hudayriyat in Abu Dhabi is a great option. Plus, it’s just a stone’s throw from downtown Abu Dhabi, so it’s a cinch to reach.
Set on Hudayriyat Island, you’ll have endless options to have fun in the sun, sand, and sea. Plus, yoga sessions, kayaking excursions, outdoor movies, and plenty of games and water sports are all part of the fun.
But the coolest thing about Bab Al Nojoum – Hudayriyat is the accommodation options. Whether you want to sleep in one of the two-story Duplex Tents with a private pool, a beachfront Wave canvas tent, or a converted vintage VW bus, you’ll have all sorts of unique options to choose from here!
Glamping in Ras Al-Khaimah
6. Longbeach Campground
Located less than 90 minutes from Dubai, you’ll find some of the best glamping in the UAE in Ras Al-Khaimah, including the luxury tents, domes, and cabins at the Longbeach Campground. But what makes this place stand out from the rest is the resort-like atmosphere and endless amenities.
Spend a night here, and you’ll be able to take advantage of the all-inclusive activities package. You’ll get access to the 300-meter beach, pool, outdoor spa, water sports activities, a floating theater, and tons more.
7. Banan Beach
Located on a gorgeous beach in Ras al Khaimah, Banan Beach is one of the coolest glamping spots in the UAE if you’re looking for a resort-style stay. You can choose from rustic, boho-chic-style A-frame tents, wooden cabins right on the beach, or loft-style cottages, all of which include daily breakfast and weekend dinners.
You’ll also get access to the beachfront adults-only pool, as well as the family pool. There’s also an on-site restaurant serving up everything from sandwiches and salads to wood-fired pizzas and kid-friendly dishes. The entire property is gorgeously decorated so be prepared to be posting lots of pictures to your social media!
8. Bedouin Oasis Camp
If you’re looking to go glamping in Ras al Khaimah but prefer the sand dunes to the beach, Bedouin Oasis Camp offers the ultimate desert glamping experience with a cultural twist.
This is an especially great option if you’ve always dreamed of going camel trekking, dune bashing, or sandboarding. And if you want to tap into UAE culture, you can also try your hand at archery and falconry or be entertained by a traditional Arabic dinner, as well as a belly dancing and fire show.
Desert experiences aside, the luxury Bedouin-style tents are outfitted with traditional Arabic furnishings, air-conditioning, comfy beds, and private bathrooms.
Glamping in Sharjah
9. Kingfisher Retreat by Sharjah Collection
If you’re looking for 5-star glamping spots in the UAE, Kingfisher Retreat by Sharjah Collection might be just what you’re looking for. The truly luxurious tents feature all the creature comforts of an eco-friendly, 5-star hotel room, as well as a private pool!
This place prides itself on executing flawless Arabian hospitality, so expect nothing but the best when you stay at Kingfisher Retreat. You can spend your days lounging on the private beach, going on self-guided cycling and kayaking tours, spotting sea turtles in the mangroves, trying the sunset yoga experiences, and so much more.
Once you work up an appetite, there’s an on-site restaurant facing the sea. Better yet, you can have a BBQ in your tent’s private outdoor living space. The staff will even bring freshly sourced fish and seafood to your tent!
10. Moon Retreat by Sharjah Collection
Another top-notch glamping retreat belonging to the Sharjah Collection, Moon Retreat is a great alternative if you prefer to be smack in the middle of the desert. This is one of the most highly-rated places for glamping in the UAE, so expect to be treated like royalty during your stay.
Book one of the luxury domes, and you’ll be able to take in desert views from bed each morning before cooling off in your private, temperature-controlled pool during the day and stargazing from your private terrace each evening.
If you need more space or prefer to have all the creature comforts of home, you can also stay in a 1- or 2-bedroom luxury tent. Either way you go, the staff are on hand to help with everything, from providing telescopes for stargazing to hosting outdoor movie nights to bringing you burgers and veggies to grill on your terrace.
That completes our list of the 10 best places to go glamping in the UAE! Did we miss any cool UAE glamping spots? Comment below so we can add them to the list!
Where to Go Glamping in the UAE
Chances are, if you’re visiting the UAE, you’ll be basing yourself in either Dubai or Abu Dhabi. If you’re short on time and don’t want to travel far, you’ll be pleased to learn that there are quite a few glamping options within these two emirates that allow you to glamp on the beach or stay in a luxury dome surrounded by sand dunes and stars.
But explore the UAE’s lesser-known emirates, and you’ll find all sorts of incredible glamping opportunities. Whether you want to gaze at the star-speckled sky from a luxury tent in Sharjah or you want to get a taste of the Bedouin lifestyle and culture in Ras Al-Khaimah, there are some truly unique glamping experiences to be had in the UAE!
Plus, no matter where you’re basing yourself in the UAE, these glamping spots are never more than a few hours’ drive away.
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