Mleiha in Sharjah offers desert dunes, marine fossils and archaeological sites within reach of Dubai. Allow approximately 45 to 60 minutes from central Dubai, depending on traffic and where your visit begins.
Spend a few hours exploring the dunes or plan a full day around adventure, history and dinner. This guide covers things to do in Mleiha and how to fit them into your visit.
Drive the dunes on a self-drive buggy
A Zerzura self-drive buggy experience follows a guide-led route through Mleiha National Park. The guide sets the route and pace, and every driver receives a briefing before setting off.
An eligible driver takes the wheel of a custom-built Desert Fox buggy, with two- and four-seat options for couples and families. The experience includes:
- A self-drive buggy and full safety gear
- A guided convoy with a lead driver
- Sandboarding, fossil discovery and a guided nature walk
- Refreshments and a warm welcome
Allow around two hours onsite, including a 90-minute route with about one hour of buggy driving and stops at Camel Rock and Fossil Rock. Choose the self-arrival buggy experience if you have your own transport, or the buggy package with Dubai or Sharjah pickup.
Discover the Marine Fossils at Fossil Rock
Fossil Rock is exactly what the name promises: a hillside layered with the remains of an ancient ocean, from a time when this desert lay beneath the sea. Look closely and you can pick out fossilised shells and marine life pressed into the stone.
Visit Sharjah describes fossils at Fossil Rock as more than 80 million years old. Look without disturbing the rock or removing fossils, and follow the guide’s instructions.
Step into the region's ancient history
Mleiha National Park is part of the Faya Palaeolandscape, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2025.
Visit the Mleiha Archaeological Centre to learn more about the region’s history. Museum admission is booked separately, so check opening times when planning your day.
Dine and stargaze in the open desert
An evening visit offers a different view of the dunes. Enjoy dinner outdoors and look for stars when the sky is clear. Ask the team about arranging a specialist astronomy session as an add-on.
Private Dinner in the Dunes starts from AED 2,400 for two guests with private return transfer from Dubai or Sharjah. Dune Buggy and Dinner at Zerzura starts from AED 2,200 for two with shared return transfer, a private camp table and a fire show every evening. Private Dune Buggy and Dinner in the Dunes is AED 4,400 for two, with private buggy, convoy, transfer and exclusive dunes dinner setup.
Sandboarding, Fossil Discovery and Slower Moments
Leave time around the drive to enjoy the quieter side of the desert:
- Look for marine fossils at the guided Fossil Rock stop.
- Try sandboarding at Camel Rock with the guide’s instructions.
- Watch the colour change over the dunes at golden hour
- Take a moment to sit and enjoy the view
These slower moments are often what guests remember as clearly as the driving.
What Makes Mleiha Special
Mleiha brings desert scenery, geology and archaeological history together in one landscape.
Zerzura’s buggy experiences follow guided routes in Mleiha National Park. Compare the route, included activities and shared or private format with the other experiences you are considering.
- A guided route through Mleiha National Park
- Fossil landscapes and archaeological history
- Choose the shared or private format that suits your group.
- The camp runs entirely on solar power, independently of the electricity grid and diesel generators.
Zerzura won the Middle East’s Leading Adventure Tour Operator award at the World Travel Awards 2025. Check the itinerary and inclusions for the specific experience you choose.
How far Mleiha is, and how to plan
Allow approximately 45 to 60 minutes from central Dubai to Zerzura, depending on traffic. Travel time from Sharjah varies by starting point. A buggy-only visit takes about two hours onsite. Add travel time and any separately arranged activities to your plan.
Book a session that suits your day, and leave enough time between separately booked visits. A dining combination has its own itinerary. Bring:
- Closed shoes, which are required for the buggies
- Sun protection: a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen
- Plenty of water, and a light layer for the cool evening
- A camera, because golden hour here is superb
For a desert safari in Sharjah focused on scenery and guided adventure, plan a visit to Mleiha. Book activities ahead, especially in the cooler October to April season.
Quick Facts
- Where: Mleiha National Park, Sharjah. 45-60 minutes from Dubai
- Drive: Self-drive custom buggy in a guided convoy (no experience needed)
- Prices: Self-arrival buggy from AED 1,200 per two-seat buggy for two guests without transfer. Dune Buggy and Dinner at Zerzura from AED 2,200 for two with shared return transfer and a private table at camp.
- Buggy inclusions: Safety gear, guided route, sandboarding, fossil discovery, nature walk and refreshments.
- Good for: Couples, families, history and nature lovers
- Best time: October to April, morning or golden-hour afternoon
Book Your Mleiha Experience
Choose the self-arrival buggy experience or a package with hotel pickup. For dinner, compare Dune Buggy and Dinner at Zerzura with Private Dinner in the Dunes. Dinner at Zerzura is AED 350 per guest without hotel transfer, with your private camp table, a nightly fire show, nature walk, soft archery and board games. Glamping is unavailable. Check each calendar for available dates.
