Home / FAQs
Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know before you head out with us. Still curious? WhatsApp us on +971 54 444 2203 or email explore@spx.me. A real person will reply.
Experiences & booking
How do I book an experience?
Pick a date on the Experience Desk or open any experience page. Choose your date and number of guests, add any gear or pets, and pay securely online. Your place is confirmed once payment is received.
What happens after I book?
You’ll get a booking confirmation by email. Closer to the day, we’ll ask if you’d like to join the WhatsApp group for your experience, where we share the meeting point, location pin, timings and a full briefing. We only add people who say yes.
What's included?
Each experience page lists exactly what’s included. Most include a menu cooked on site from scratch, water and soft drinks, a crew-led convoy, camp setup with fire pits and toilet facilities, and a loan radio if you need one.
What should I bring?
For most desert experiences: a capable 4×4 with recovery gear, a radio (or borrow one of ours), a camping chair, warm layers for the cooler early hours, water, snacks and reusable cups and bottles. Staying overnight? Bring your camping gear, rent it from us when you book, or opt in to the gear included with SPx Signature experiences and above. Your briefing will have the full list.
Do I need off-road driving experience?
You don’t need to be an expert. We lead the convoy and share sand-driving tips along the way, enough to get you through the tricky bits and into camp comfortably. A little experience, or the willingness to learn, is all it takes.
What kind of car do I need?
Most experiences are self-drive in your own 4×4, in convoy with our crew. Some are reachable by regular car. Look for the “4×4 only” or “Regular car OK” tag on each experience.
Can I come on my own?
Most experiences are open to couples and mixed groups, with solo guests welcome by invitation, to keep the mix balanced. Send us a message and introduce yourself; we’d love to hear from you.
Is there a toilet?
Yes, there’s a proper toilet set up at camp. Five-star facilities* (*stars provided by the sky).
Can I bring my dog?
Pets are welcome on most experiences. Add them to your booking so we know who’s coming. Four-legged guests should be leashed, well trained and happy around people and other pets, so everyone has a great time.
Can I bring my children?
You can, though our experiences are designed with adults in mind. We head deep off-road, well away from regular facilities, and there are no kid-specific amenities on site. Camps have open fires, wood-fired ovens and hot grills, beach locations have no lifeguards, and in the desert and mountains it’s surprisingly easy to wander out of sight. If you’d like to bring the little ones, you’re welcome to, as long as they stay under your close supervision the whole time. Their safety is your responsibility, and we’re always happy to talk through whether a particular experience is a good fit. Children under 10 join free.
I have allergies or dietary needs. What should I do?
Add them to your booking, and mention them in your experience’s WhatsApp group when you sign up, so our crew can plan the menu around them. If an allergy is severe, message us before you book and we’ll tell you honestly whether we can cater for it safely.
Is it safe?
Your safety comes first. Groups are small and vetted, our hosts are trained, and everyone gets a briefing before we set off. There’s always a first-aid kit on site, and at least one member of the crew is trained in first aid, just in case.
Where exactly are we going?
We share the meeting point and location pin with booked guests before the day. We spend a lot of time scouting these spots, so we kindly ask that you don’t geotag or share the location on social media. Let’s keep them special.
Will there be phone signal?
Out where we go, usually not much. That’s why we bring Starlink internet to every experience, so you can still send that sunset photo home.
Will I be photographed?
We usually capture the experience on camera, and photos may appear on our social channels. Rather not be in them? Just let us know before the experience and we’ll keep you out of any photos or videos we share. No questions asked.
Why red lights only on dark-sky nights?
On our Dark Sky Sessions we shoot long-exposure photos of the night sky, and white light ruins them (along with everyone’s night vision). So on those nights it’s red light only: bring a headlamp with a red-light mode and keep car lights off once we’re set up. On our other experiences, light up as you like.
What does "leave no trace" mean for me?
Everything we bring in comes out with us, including every bit of litter. Help us leave each spot exactly as we found it, so it stays this beautiful.
What if I'm feeling unwell before the experience?
Please sit this one out if you have any symptoms, for everyone’s sake. Let us know as early as you can. Our cancellation policy applies, and we’re happy to talk about moving you to another experience.
What's your cancellation policy?
Plans change, we get it.
- 5 or more calendar days before the experience: full refund
- 3 to 4 days before: 50% refund
- 2 days (48 hours) or less: no refund
Can I reschedule?
Our experiences run on fixed dates, so we can’t reschedule a booking. If you can’t make it, talk to the SPx crew. Where we can, we may move your place to another experience (limited to twice in the season).
What if SPx cancels?
If we have to cancel because of weather, safety or any other reason, you can choose a full refund or a credit toward another experience of the same tier.
The experience I want is sold out. What now?
Join the waitlist on the experience page. We’ll let you know the moment a place opens up.
Do you run experiences in Oman?
Yes. Our Oman experiences run from November 2026 and are booked on the Experience Desk, the same way as our UAE dates. They’re run by Sand and Peak Explorations, our company in Oman.
What do I need for an Oman experience?
If you’re driving in from the UAE, you’ll need your passport, any visa required for your nationality, and Oman insurance for your vehicle. We’ll send a full checklist after you book. Already in Oman? You’re all set; just join us at the meeting point.
Gear & shop
What can I buy in the SPx Shop?
Gear we’d trust out there, because we do: tents, mattresses, pillows, chairs, fire pits, head torches and lighting. Everything is tested on the trail by our crew, and some of it is co-developed with manufacturers through SPx R&D. Rooftop tents, vehicle awnings and more are on the way.
How does gear rental work?
Rental is an add-on to your SPx experience booking. Add the items you need when you book (up to 3 days before), and we’ll hand them over when you arrive on location and collect them at the end. Each item has one fixed rental price, the same whichever experience you join.
Can I rent gear without booking an experience?
Not at the moment. Rental exists so that not having gear never stops you from joining us. We may open it up for independent trips in the future.
Is gear included on some experiences?
Yes. On SPx Signature experiences and above, gear is included free. Just opt in when you book. A refundable deposit still applies, unless you’re in the Inner Circle.
Is there a deposit on rental gear?
Yes. Each item carries a refundable deposit equal to its replacement value, paid when you book. At the end of the experience we check the gear together, and your deposit comes back within 5 working days. If something’s damaged, we deduct the repair cost; if it can’t be repaired, the deposit covers it and the item is yours to keep. SPx Inner Circle members pay no deposits.
Do members get a discount on rentals?
Yes, SPx Members save 15% on gear rental.
Where do you deliver?
Across the UAE and Oman, through local delivery partners in each country.
How much is delivery?
It depends on the item and your address, and you’ll see the exact cost at checkout before you pay. Keep an eye on product pages for seasonal free-delivery offers.
Can I return or exchange an item?
Because our gear is made to be used outdoors, we can’t accept returns or exchanges once an item has been sold. If something isn’t right, message us and we’ll see what we can do.
How can I pay?
Securely online by card, Apple Pay or Samsung Pay. You can view prices in AED or OMR; every payment is charged in UAE dirhams (AED) at the prevailing exchange rate.
Corporate & partners
What can SPx do for my company?
Half-day and full-day team building, leadership retreats and client hosting, out in the desert, mountains or Oman, or in a city venue. Every program is built around your goals. See the Corporate page.
How many people can you host?
Most of our corporate programs host 10 to 60 guests, but there’s no hard limit. Planning something bigger? We’d love to hear about it; just give us a little extra notice.
How far in advance should we book?
The more notice, the better. We recommend 6 to 8 weeks so we can plan every detail properly. Shorter timelines are sometimes possible, so ask.
How quickly will we get a proposal?
Within two working days of receiving your brief.
Why don't you publish corporate prices?
Because every program is built for your team: the setting, activities, food and facilitation all change the price. Tell us your group size and goals and you’ll get a tailored proposal.
How does payment work?
We work from a purchase order for the full amount. 50% is paid in advance and 50% after the event, both by bank transfer.
Can you host us at a hotel or city venue?
Yes. We run structured team building and leadership sessions at hotels and event venues. City events don’t include live-fire cooking, but they bring the same SPx energy.
Can we stay overnight?
Corporate programs are usually half or full day, but with enough notice we can add an overnight camp with tents and bedding included.
Who runs the training and leadership sessions?
Certified coaches and facilitators, matched to your goals. Already have a trainer you love? We can work with them.
Can we take our team to Oman?
Yes. Oman programs need extra planning for travel documents and vehicle insurance, so give us as much notice as you can.
We run a gym, yoga or pilates studio. Can we partner with you?
We’d love that. You bring your community, we find the location and look after food and nutrition, and we build the agenda together. Start a conversation on our Corporate page.
I'm a coach or corporate trainer. Can we work together?
Yes. You facilitate your workshop; we plan the event, handle logistics and run everything on the ground.
Can companies hold an SPx membership?
Membership is for individual guests. Company bookings are looked after by our corporate desk, with one proposal and one invoice.
Membership
What does SPx membership include?
Priority booking, 10% off every experience in the UAE and Oman, 15% off gear rental, free entry to every community event and the members’ WhatsApp channel, for AED 750 a year.
Do I need to be a member to book?
No. Anyone can book an experience or order from the store. Membership is for guests who join us often and want first pick of dates and better prices.
What is the SPx Inner Circle?
Our founding tier, limited to 30 places and offered by personal invitation. It can’t be bought on the website.
Can I use my membership in Oman?
Yes. Member benefits, including the 10% discount, apply to our UAE and Oman experiences alike.
Are Community Nights included?
Yes. Members come to every community event free, including the ticketed Community Nights.
Can I come to a community event without being a member?
Our free community gatherings are for members, with a few places held for newcomers we’ve invited. Ticketed Community Nights are open to everyone, and members come free.
Does my membership renew automatically?
No. Memberships last 12 months. We’ll remind you 30 days and again 15 days before yours expires, and you can choose whether to renew. Membership fees are non-refundable once your membership starts.
Not sure which experience is right for you?
We're here to help.
Planning for a team?
Tell us your goals and we’ll send a proposal within two working days.