Many travelers visiting Dubai imagine sitting on soft carpets under a starry desert sky, enjoying food and cultural performances in a beautiful, intimate setting. But in reality, not all desert safari camps offer the same experience. Some camps have rows of plastic chairs, while others offer traditional majlis seating.

This difference can completely change how your evening feels — from your comfort level to the overall atmosphere and even how your photos look. Understanding the distinction between plastic chairs and majlis seating helps you choose the right desert safari experience from the start.

In this article, we discuss why seating matters during a desert safari, what plastic chair seating looks like, what majlis seating is and why it is special, the key differences between both options, and how to make sure you get the experience you want.

Why Seating Matters in a Desert Safari Camp

Seating at your desert camp plays a significant role in your overall experience. Most desert safari evenings last around 2–3 hours, and you will spend most of that time sitting while eating, watching live shows, and relaxing after the excitement of dune bashing.

Seating directly affects:

• Comfort — back support, leg space, and overall posture throughout the evening
• Atmosphere — whether the camp feels intimate and cozy or crowded and generic
• Cultural experience — whether the setting feels traditionally Emirati or like a standard outdoor event

For families and elderly guests, the right seating can make the difference between genuinely enjoying the evening and spending it feeling uncomfortable.

What Is Plastic Chair Seating?

Plastic chair seating is the most common setup in budget desert safari camps. It is simple, practical, and designed to handle large groups efficiently rather than create a personalized cultural experience.

1. Where You Will Commonly See It

Plastic chairs are typically found in:

• Budget safari packages targeting price-conscious bookings
• High-capacity camps built to serve large bus groups
• Tours that prioritize volume over atmosphere

2. What the Setup Looks Like

A typical plastic chair arrangement includes:

• Rows of chairs placed around tables or facing a central stage
• A buffet area positioned in front or at the center
• A performance stage for evening entertainment

The layout often resembles an outdoor restaurant or corporate event space rather than a traditional desert environment — which significantly impacts how cultural and immersive the experience feels.

Pros:

• Easy to sit on, particularly for guests who cannot manage low seating
• Included in lower-priced packages
• Straightforward and familiar for guests who prefer standard seating

Cons:

• Can feel crowded, rushed, and impersonal
• Limited space to move comfortably between guests
• Little to no traditional or cultural atmosphere
• Visually unappealing in photos and videos

What Is Majlis Seating?

Majlis seating comes directly from traditional Arabian hospitality, where guests are welcomed into a comfortable shared sitting space with cushions and carpets. It is the authentic equivalent of what you would experience in an Emirati cultural gathering — and it is the setting that most travelers picture when they imagine a desert safari camp.

1. Traditional Arabian Hospitality Style

The majlis is a central pillar of Emirati culture — the space where people gather to talk, eat, and spend meaningful time together. Read our guide on the cultural significance of traditional Emirati gatherings to understand the deeper meaning behind this type of seating arrangement.

In desert camps, this style is recreated using:

• Traditional carpets and floor cushions
• Low seating arrangements with soft backrests
• Warm lantern lighting and decorative fabrics

2. What the Setup Looks Like

Typical majlis setup elements:

• Floor seating or slightly raised low platforms
• Cushions with soft backrests for extended comfort
• Low tables for food, drinks, and Arabic coffee service
• Lanterns, woven textiles, and traditional décor throughout

The overall environment feels calm, warm, and genuinely inviting — the kind of atmosphere that makes the evening memorable long after you leave.

3. Designed for Relaxed Evenings

Majlis seating is built for comfort and unhurried conversation — not quick turnaround of large groups.

Why many travelers prefer it:

• You can stretch your legs and genuinely relax between courses and performances
• Families can sit together in one connected space
• Feels personal, intimate, and far less crowded
• Creates a strong authentic “Arabian night” atmosphere

This type of seating is most commonly found in premium, heritage-style, and private desert safari camps.

Plastic Chairs vs Majlis Seating: Key Differences

Many premium camps offer a thoughtful mix — majlis seating as the primary setup with standard chairs available on request for guests who need extra support.

Which Desert Safari Camps Offer Majlis Seating?

Majlis seating is typically available in:

• Premium desert safari camps
• Heritage or culturally focused camps
• VIP or private sections within larger shared camps

General pattern across the market:

• Lower-priced packages → plastic chairs in high-capacity setups
• Mid to premium packages → majlis or carefully mixed seating

If the seating style and atmosphere matter to your experience, choosing a mid-range or premium package is a worthwhile investment. Read our guide on why Trawey desert safaris are different to understand what separates a quality camp from a basic one.

Which Seating Is Better for Families and Elders?

Seating preference in a desert camp depends on comfort level, age, and physical considerations.

For Families with Children

Majlis seating is generally better for families.

• Children can move freely and safely in an open, cushioned space
• Softer surfaces reduce the risk of bumps and falls
• The whole family can sit together in one relaxed area

Read our desert safari guide for families for more detailed advice on what to look for when booking with children.

For Elders or Guests with Mobility Considerations

This depends on the specific type of majlis setup available.

Key considerations:

• Very low floor-only seating can be difficult for guests with knee or back issues
• Majlis setups with backrests, low sofas, or slightly raised platforms are significantly more comfortable
• Many camps can provide standard chairs on request even within a majlis setting

Read our desert safari guide for seniors for specific tips on what to ask operators before booking with elderly guests.

Tips to Make Sure You Get Majlis Seating

Not all safari packages clearly describe their seating type, so it is important to verify before booking.

Check Photos Carefully

Look specifically for:

• Carpets, cushions, and low tables in camp photos
• Lantern-style lighting and traditional textile décor
• Guests sitting on the ground or low platforms

Avoid relying only on activity or dune photos — these never show the camp setup.

Ask Direct Questions Before Booking

• Is the seating plastic chairs or majlis-style cushions?
• Is majlis seating included in the standard package or only for VIP guests?
• Is the seating shared with a large group or more private?
• Are chairs available on request for elderly guests?

If comfort and atmosphere matter to you, avoid the cheapest available options — the difference in experience is significant and typically reflects directly in the price.

How Trawey Selects Its Camps

At Trawey Tours, camp selection is based on quality of experience, not just logistics. The focus is on providing a genuinely comfortable and authentic desert environment — not a basic, crowded setup.

What Trawey prioritizes in every camp:

• Majlis-style seating with proper spacing between guest groups
• Family-friendly arrangements where groups can sit together comfortably
• Accessibility options for elders — backrests, cushions, or chairs available on request
• Traditional décor with carpets, lanterns, and culturally meaningful elements

Trawey also provides real camp photos and clear seating information before booking, so guests know exactly what to expect when they arrive.

Seating might seem like a minor logistical detail, but it has a profound impact on your desert safari experience. It shapes how comfortable you feel, how relaxed the evening becomes, and how memorable the setting is when you look back on it.

Plastic chairs may be functional for short, budget-focused trips. But if you are looking for something immersive, atmospheric, and genuinely connected to Emirati culture, majlis seating offers a far richer and more meaningful evening.

A desert safari should feel special — not crowded or ordinary. Choosing the right seating setup is one of the simplest ways to ensure it does.

Planning your desert safari?
Book with Trawey Tours and experience a carefully chosen camp where the atmosphere, seating, and cultural details are exactly what you imagined.