Best Destinations for Desert Travel

If you're seeking thrilling desert travel experiences filled with golden sand dunes and exciting off-road adventures, you're in for a treat.

The exceptional landscapes, ways of life, and diverse animals in deserts worldwide draw in visitors seeking a unique experience.

In this guide, Planingo as Travel Planner, will talk about the best places to visit, helpful tips for your journey, and must-see attractions to help you plan your trip.

Top Deserts to Explore Around the World

Whether you want to ride camels, drive a 4x4, or sleep under a blanket of stars, the world’s deserts offer something for every kind of traveler. Below, we discuss the five most famous deserts with their tourist attractions to convince you to plan your next trip.

Sahara Desert, Morocco, and Algeria

The features:

The Sahara is known across North Africa as the world’s greatest hot desert. Dunes as tall as 500 feet can be found in Morocco’s Erg Chebbi and Algeria’s Grand Erg Oriental.

Going on a camel trek gives you a genuine experience of the desert, while overnight camping under the stars provides magical moments. The Atlas Mountains backdrop creates stunning contrasts against the endless sandy terrain.

Atacama Desert, Chile

The features:

The Atacama Desert is known as the driest non-polar desert in the world, and its stunning landscapes often serve as a stand-in for Mars in films. In this unique place, you can explore strange and fascinating rock formations in the Valley of the Moon.

Don’t miss the impressive geysers at El Tatio, which put on a spectacular show in the early morning. The lack of light pollution and calm air here make stargazing an unforgettable experience!

Flamingos build their nests in salt flats, such as Salar de Atacama. These areas are known for their stunning, mirror-like surface reflections, which make them a beautiful sight.

Wadi Rum, Jordan

The features:

Wadi Rum, called the Valley of the Moon, brings together giant sandstone peaks and long sandy stretches. Climbing, hiking, and jeep tours are all available at this UNESCO World Heritage Site in narrow canyons.

Living in a Bedouin camp will allow you to experience the local culture, and a balloon ride will let you admire the desert’s size. The scenery appears very different when photographed during golden hour.

Gobi Desert, Mongolia, and China

The features:

The Gobi Desert covers areas of both China and Mongolia. The landscape features a variety of terrains, including rocky plains and dunes that make unique sounds when you drive across them. One of the highlights is Khongoryn Els, known as the "winds of the singing sands." When the wind blows over these dunes, they create a musical sound that adds to the enchanting experience of the area.

You can spot Bactrian camels in the wild here, and guesthouses in the ger camps allow you to feel like a nomad. Dinosaur fossil sites add paleontological interest to desert exploration.

Namib Desert, Namibia

The features:

The Namib Desert, known for having the tallest dunes in the world at Sossusvlei, is a dream destination for photographers. The striking red-orange dunes stand out beautifully against the white clay ground.

Visitors can enjoy fun activities like climbing the dunes or sandboarding down them. The desert is also home to fascinating wildlife, like elephants that have adapted to life in such a dry environment, as well as oryx antelopes. Additionally, the Skeleton Coast features eerie shipwrecks set against the stunning landscapes of the coastal desert.

For the next chapter in this guide, we introduce you to some underrated desert destinations and sightseeing tourist attractions; you may want to know about them.

Hidden Oasis Destinations in the Desert

Seek out oases as much as dunes when you travel in the desert.

• Siwa Oasis (Egypt): Siwa is a peaceful town nestled amid the Sahara, surrounded by palm trees.
• Huacachina (Peru): Huacachina is an ideal destination for sandboarding, with its stunning desert lagoon situated near towering dunes and breathtaking sunsets.
• Chebika Oasis (Tunisia): This oasis in Tunisia is surrounded by mountains, features waterfalls, and is home to date palms.
• Al-Ahsa Oasis (Saudi Arabia): Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ahsa Oasis is the largest in the world, making it an excellent destination for ecotourism and cultural discovery.

These spots offer peaceful contrasts, providing travelers with a unique experience that combines off-road fun with the desert's variety.

Amazing Wildlife You Can See in Deserts

Although deserts appear empty, they are home to resilient animals in arid regions.

Look out for:

• Fennec foxes, gazelles, and oryx are found in North Africa and the Middle East.
• Namibia is also home to meerkats and black-backed jackals.
• Endangered species in the Sonoran Desert include kangaroo rats and Gila monsters.
• Almost every region is known for its camels, the real stars of desert travel.

Another option that makes the desert an exciting destination for travel planning is desert safari experiences:

Best Desert Safaris and Where to Find Them

Another exciting option for desert travelers is to join a desert safari. In Desert travel safaris, you can discover distant places, see amazing animals in their natural habitats, and enjoy delicious local foods. Below, see Planningo's offer for such experience:

• Dubai Desert Safari: This popular off-road adventure in Dubai combines riding over big dunes, sandboarding, and stopping at traditional Bedouin camps.
• Sonoran Desert (USA): You can join jeep tours in Arizona that bring you to areas full of desert life and impressive cactus forests.
• Oman’s Wahiba Sands: Camping in the Wahiba Sands (luxurious glamping experience) without a tent allows you to truly appreciate the beauty of the desert and enjoy incredible adventures riding across the dunes.
• Australian Outback: The Simpson and Gibson deserts in the Outback are destinations for unique Aboriginal cultural experiences, accessible via 4WD tours.

After all these points, you need some travel plan tips to help you have a smooth trip without any problems, from booking a flight and tour to the desert hotel to camping hacks. Below, as an AI trip planner, we bring some hacks and information to help you make a complete plan before visiting this desert.

How to Pack for a Desert Trip

Essential Clothing Items

Any clothing for the desert should help prevent sunburn, keep the user warm or cool as needed, and be easy to wear. Wear pants and shirts with light, protective materials to guard yourself from UV radiation and tiny sand pieces.

Big hats and sunglasses designed for UV protection will keep your face and eyes safe from the heat of the desert. You can handle significant changes in temperature each day by simply changing your outfits.

Crucial Gear and Equipment

Water vessels (Water bottles) lined with insulation will keep your water cool, and hydration packs help you avoid pausing whenever you feel thirsty. Resting under a lightweight roof or tarp is a great way to combat outdoor heat.

Travel aids (Navigation tools), such as GPS technology, compasses, and clear maps, make it much easier not to get disoriented in the desert. Rescue teams use Emergency signaling devices like satellite communicators to arrange help in areas that are hard to reach.

Health and Safety Supplies

If you’re using sunscreen SPF 50+, apply it to any exposed skin and lips every few hours. A first aid kit should include supplies for treating heat illness, wound care, and medication. If you exercise intensely, electrolyte products keep your body hydrated. With insect repellent, you won’t attract pests from the desert that could spread diseases.

Photography and Documentation Equipment

It requires a watertight casing or cover to prevent sand from entering your camera. If you’re out in frigid weather, using extra batteries and portable chargers helps compensate for the loss of battery life. Having lens cleaning supplies on hand improves the quality of images captured in dusty locations. Waterproof storage protects electronic equipment during unexpected weather events.

Best Time of Year for Desert Travel

Spring Desert Conditions (March-May)

The spring is the best time for desert travel thanks to moderate temperatures and good conditions in campsites. After the winter rains come to the deserts, the flowers bloom, providing makers with outstanding photos.

Once animals wake from winter, the chance of seeing wildlife in nature becomes more likely. We get many more hours to explore because we haven’t yet experienced the hot days of summer.

Fall Desert Season (September-November)

Autumn is a great time to explore deserts because the summer heat has subsided and winter hasn’t arrived yet. Fine weather and clear skies make it an ideal time for outdoor activities or stargazing. The clear skies and pleasant weather make it a great time to go outdoors or stargaze.

Tourist crowds decrease after the summer vacation season, offering more secluded experiences and budget-friendly accommodations. Wildlife viewing improves as animals become more active during cooler periods.

Winter Desert Experiences (December-February)

Although the days during winter desert trips are comfortable, low temperatures at night require good preparation. When the weather is clear, astronomers and photographers can observe far and near. A lack of insects and little rain make being outside very enjoyable. Wildlife diversity is often found in areas that typically have few animals during bird migrations.

Summer Considerations and Limitations

Because temperatures in deserts can be over 120°F in summer, Summer desert travel is hazardous. People must do many things early or late in the day to stay safe from the heat.

As water use increases and heat can be hazardous, planning trips effectively and preparing for emergencies is crucial. During adverse weather conditions, fewer tourists visit, and fewer rooms are available at higher prices.

Final Thoughts

There is much more to deserts than empty land; they are full of adventure, beautiful sights, and culture. If explorations get your blood pumping, seeing towering dunes excites you, or if you just enjoy peaceful sunsets, there’s a perfect spot for you. Pack the right gear, plan your trip carefully, and get ready to experience the unforgettable charm of exploring the desert.

Now that you have a taste of what deserts have to offer, you can start planning your unforgettable desert escape!