The vastness of the desert promises sand and frolic, and boy it does deliver. The adventurous claim that there’s nothing quite like bashing the curves of a sand dune in a 4-wheel drive vehicle. But for those who want to drink in the landscape slow, observing details of the desert as one travels, opt for a camel or horse trek. As you go, you have all the time you need to slowly observe, like hyacinth and desert ephemerals that seasonally flourish.

The components of each safari experience—from dune bashing to quad-bike riding, camel riding to horse trekking—can be tailor-made to suit your whim. But no matter which components you choose, most safaris wind up around the campfire—with the moon, the darkened dunes, a sumptuous buffet repast and some haunting Bedouin music, for company.