How hot does the desert sand get in Dubai in summer (August), and is a desert safari still bearable in the heat?

Some travelers just sit directly on a towel on the sand, but the sand itself gets very hot — noticeably hot even standing on it.

On a thick mat or inflatable mattress the heat is noticeable but doesn't burn — it's recommended to bring a thicker mat rather than sitting directly on the sand.

Inside a car with AC the heat isn't felt at all, so driving around the desert is quite comfortable.

In the evening you can comfortably sit on the dunes for about an hour, have a snack, and head back to the AC — quite tolerable for a short stop.

Active activities like buggy rides or quad biking are hard to handle in daytime heat — better to pick evening tours without sun-exposed activities.