This work evaluates a two-stage humidification-dehumidification (HDH) process for combined air cooling and desalination for fresh water production from salt water experimentally. A pilot scale plant is designed and constructed with 16 m2 solar collector area for salt water heating. The operational parameters identified are hot saline water supply to humidifiers and it's temperature. The saline water is heated in a solar water heater (SWH) and supplied to the two humidifiers and air preheaters. Main performance parameters i.e. desalinated water generation, cooling effect and energy utilization factor (EUF) of the plant is studied in the light of hot water inlet temperature and its flow rate. It is observed that a maximum of 2.5 LPH of fresh water is produced at a water and air flow rates of 300 LPH and 10 m3/hr respectively. At low inlet water temperatures the resulted cooling effect is more compared with high temperatures and an average of 120 W of cooling effect is produced. The energy utilization factor (EUF) of combined two stage desalination and cooling plant is more compared with individual single stage plants and an average value of 0.4 is attained for combined plant. On overall basis, maximum possible water flow rate in humidifier and also high temperatures are recommended to yield more desalination output. © 2016 The Authors.