Sustainable Tourism In Dubai

Platinum Heritage is the first and only desert safari operator in Dubai to offer only gentle wildlife drives, instead of regular dune-bashing that harms the desert ecosystem. Expert Conservation Guides take guests along set tracks and share interesting facts about native plants and wildlife. We proudly donate a portion of every guest's fee to desert conservation, so your adventure helps keep the desert thriving.

Step into Dubai’s past and see what life was like 50 years ago. Our desert safaris bring Emirati heritage to life through vibrant camps, authentic Emirati cuisine, and traditional performances. Guests meet Bedouin storytellers, learn about falconry, and experience the customs of the Arabian desert’s nomads. Every moment is designed to preserve local traditions while supporting the community and sharing Dubai’s true cultural story with the world.

Safaris in our Heritage Collection use restored Series I and II Land Rovers instead of buying new cars each year. Up to 40% of a car’s lifetime emissions come from manufacturing alone. By rebuilding rather than scrapping, we cut waste and avoid harmful materials. Our 36-vehicle fleet has already kept 650 cars from being produced, making it a greener way to explore the desert.

Throughout the years, Platinum Heritage has won several sustainability awards thanks to our efforts to protect the environment in everything we do. Our camps are built from raw materials like wood, stone, and goat hair, and run entirely on solar power. We’ve also implemented strict waste reduction and recycling systems, ensuring every safari is run in harmony with the desert environment we aim to protect.

In 2017, we swapped single-use plastic bottles for stainless steel reusable ones. It’s better for the environment (and the camels), and guests can take them home as a keepsake of their adventure. This saves more than 200,000 plastic bottles every year, cutting waste while giving visitors something lasting to remember their desert experience.

We keep our desert safaris true to Emirati culture by removing imported elements like belly dancing or international menus. Instead, we showcase genuine traditions like cultural dances, falconry, poetry, music, and authentic Emirati dishes. We don’t serve alcohol, respecting local customs and values. This approach ensures every experience honours the UAE’s heritage, educates visitors, and helps protect cultural practices that are slowly fading from Dubai’s landscape.

One of the best ways to discover a culture is through its food. Our Bedouin Culture Safari serve authentic Emirati and Bedouin breakfasts, while our Heritage Desert Safari includes a four-course dinner with favourites like lamb ouzi, camel stew, and kibbeh. Guests learn the stories and traditions behind each dish, turning every bite into part of a delicious cultural journey through Dubai’s heritage.

Animal welfare is at the heart of what we do. We follow the Global Welfare Guidance for Animals in Tourism, which ensures animals enjoy the five freedoms: food and water, a healthy environment, good health, natural behaviours, and protection from distress. Every camel safari, falcon show, and wildlife drive meets these ethical standards, so your experience supports the fair and respectful treatment of the animals in our care.

We support members of the local Bedouin community who face a unique challenge: they were born in the UAE’s mountains but hold no citizenship or passport, due to their parents being nomads. Despite limited employment options, we employ them as bread makers, henna artists, and coffee makers. Emirati students also join us as entertainers to help fund their studies. Wherever possible, we source local produce, ensuring our safaris directly benefit the communities around us.

Our desert experiences have connected over 500,000 visitors, residents, businesses, and students with Emirati culture and conservation. Every guest contributes to preserving traditions and the desert environment. For schools, we’ve developed hands-on Nature & Conservation and Bedouin Culture & Heritage programmes, supporting the UAE Social Studies curriculum and offering memorable, educational field trips in Dubai’s great outdoors.

Unfortunately, some unprotected desert areas outside our property get littered. To raise awareness and inspire action, we organise clean-ups in Dubai’s public desert. For companies, we offer CSR and teambuilding packages that combine a clean-up with a sustainability introduction, followed by our Heritage Safari in a pristine private reserve. It’s a chance for teams to give back to nature while enjoying a unique desert experience.