The short answer is any time between mid-October and April. That is when the desert evenings are cool enough to sit around a fire, the skies are clear and a night in a tent feels comfortable from sunset to sunrise.

Within that window each month has its own feel. Here is how the camping season runs, month by month, so you can pick the night that suits your group.

When is camping season in Dubai?

Nomadic’s camping season runs from 16 September to 14 May. Over the summer, from 15 May to 15 September, the desert is too hot for overnight camping, so we close and come back each September for the new season.

Month by month

September and October. The season opens in mid-September, and plenty of people are keen to get out to the desert as soon as it does. Evenings in the desert are cooler than the city, but they are still warm, roughly in the mid to high 20s °C after dark, and humidity can make some nights feel sticky. It is a great time to get an early taste of the season, as long as you plan for the warmth:

• Wear light, breathable clothes

• Bring plenty of water

• Pack wet wipes or hygiene wipes for a quick freshen-up before bed and in the morning

• Plan to head off not long after sunrise, before the day warms up

If you want the most comfortable night’s sleep, the cooler months from November onwards are the ones to aim for.

November. For many people this is the sweet spot. The heat has gone, evenings drop to around 20°C and the nights are comfortable for sleeping. Sunset is around 5:30pm, so you get a long evening under the stars.

December and January. The coolest months and the most atmospheric. Desert nights can drop to around 12 or 13°C, and because the air is so dry it feels colder than the number suggests. This is fire pit weather: bring jackets and jumpers, and you will be cosy under a full duvet once you are in the tent. December is also one of the most popular months, with National Day, the winter break and New Year’s Eve all falling within a few weeks.

February. Our favourite month to camp. The weather is about as good as it gets: cool, clear and comfortable, day and night. It is also when lots of people get out to explore, knowing there are only a few months of the season left.

March and April. Days warm up again, but evenings stay pleasant, roughly in the high teens to low 20s °C. Spring is a beautiful time in the desert, and a good choice for families before the season closes.

Early May. The last few weeks of the season. Evenings are warm, and it is your final chance to camp before the summer break.

Special times to camp

Some of the best nights of the year line up with the holidays. National Day weekend and the run-up to the winter break always have a great atmosphere in the desert, and Christmas and New Year are among the most popular dates of the season. Eid is another favourite, and evenings during Ramadan are special too, when friends and families love to come together in the desert.

Clear skies and stars

The winter months bring the clearest skies of the year, which makes them the best time for stargazing. For the darkest skies, pick a night close to the new moon, when the Milky Way and more stars are easier to see. In mid-December the Geminid meteor shower peaks, one of the best of the year, so a December night can come with shooting stars too.

Weekdays, weekends and holidays

Weekends (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) and public holidays are the most popular nights, especially in December. For a December weekend, book at least four weeks ahead. New Year’s Eve books out much earlier, so aim for six to eight weeks ahead to get the date you want.

Weekday nights are quieter and better value. A tent is AED 1,297 + VAT on a weekday and AED 1,497 + VAT at the weekend. If you book two or more tents, every tent is charged at the weekday rate, whichever night you choose.

Over the winter break, from 20 December to 2 January, prices are AED 1,497 + VAT per tent on weekdays and AED 1,697 + VAT at the weekend, with special pricing for New Year’s Eve.

What about the weather?

Winter in the UAE is mostly dry and settled, but now and then a windy day or a rare spell of rain comes through. The tents are weatherproof, and our team checks the conditions every day. If a date is not looking right for camping, we will be in touch with you before your trip.

Planning your trip

Whichever month you choose, the essentials are the same. Our packing list for desert camping covers what to bring, with warmer layers for December and January. Planning an evening with a bigger group instead? Our guide to planning a desert BBQ night covers timings, food and fuel.

Book your night in the desert

Pick your date on our tent rental in Dubai page. Each tent sleeps up to 4 on air mattresses with duvets and pillows, and your private camp is fully set up before you arrive, from AED 1,297 + VAT per tent. For an evening rather than an overnight stay, our private desert BBQ setups run from your arrival time until midnight.