We can pick you up from any hotel in AlUla. If your hotel is not listed, please contact us. Alternatively we can pick you up from the AlUla Visitors Center at Winter Park.
We are happy to accommodate your food/dietary requirements. We have many vegetarian dishes so you will still have a variety of food to enjoy. Please inform us at the time of booking if you have any food allergies.
Many of our guests want to recognise the tremendous contribution our Conservation Guides make to their experience. However, there are no obligations to include a gratuity. If you do want to tip, the amount depends completely on you.
Platinum Heritage only operates with in-house vehicles and Conservation Guides. Therefore, we have very limited availability and book out in advance. Once you have confirmed your travel plans, we strongly suggest that you book your desert safari before arriving to avoid disappointment. Our online booking system contains live inventory to see if seats are still available.
Desert safaris require a minimum number of guests to operate. Minimum guest numbers differ between experiences and are subject to change at any time. If a safari is cancelled due to minimum guest numbers not being reached, guests will be offered an alternate option or be provided with a full refund.
During the day, loose-fitting clothing. Throughout the experience, wear closed toe shoes (no sandals, thongs, flip flops etc.)
May-October: Loose clothing, shorts, t-shirts, etc
November-April: Dress in layers.
It can become quite cold in the desert as soon as the sun has set. Especially between December-February, the temperature can get less than ten degrees Celsius. Jeans, closed shoes, shirts, cardigans or even a jacket is required on cooler nights in the desert.
Sharaan Nature Reserve is blessed with a diverse ecosystem that allows the natural landscapes to flourish the way it does. During your nocturnal eco walk with UV lights, you might encounter nighttime creatures. However, your Conservation Guide is extensively trained to identify them quickly without putting anyone in any type of danger. We encourage admiring them from a distance for their safety, as well as yours.
The only concern for our pregnant guests would be during a few slightly bumpy areas. It shouldn't be an issue if you are experiencing a healthy pregnancy, as it is only slightly bumpier than driving on a dirt road. Please ensure to inform us upon booking and at the beginning of your experience so your Conservation Guide can take extra caution during the nature drive.
As an ecotourism company, we focus on sustainable practices and conduct gentle drives throughout the Sharaan Nature Reserve that don't include dune bashing. While dune bashing can be a fun experience, it has its downsides; it's typically not family-friendly and can feel rushed. The pristine AlUla landscapes have so much more to offer, with an expansive and rich culture, exotic wildlife, and some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world.
In addition, the desert ecosystem is very sensitive, and about 95% of the animals in the desert live under the sand. When you drive fast across dunes, you are damaging all the vegetation and wildlife. Dune bashing is not an innocent pastime; it's an adventure sport and should be limited to certain areas since it does a lot of damage.
Numerous factors make it difficult for us to provide an exact pick-up time at the time of booking. However, you will have a 1-hour range to help you plan your day. We never want our guests to wait. Therefore, we try to give a precise pick-up time on the day of your safari. We will call you in your hotel room first. However, if you are not in the room, we will:
- Leave a message with the Concierge
- Send you a confirmation email
- If you are not in the room and didn't provide us with an email address, we will phone or leave a text message on the international number you provided
- If you have not received a message, please contact us
If you will be travelling with a child below 5 years old, a private car is required for various reasons:
- The drive will be toned down to accommodate a younger child, this might change the nature drive experience for other guests.
- Car seats are strictly required for young kids, eliminating the chance of seat rotation for everyone to enjoy the splendid views.
- Young children often get scared, cry, sick etc. Having a private vehicle will allow you the flexibility to shorten the drive better to suit your family's needs.