Dubai Desert: Can-Am Buggy Safari & BBQ Camp with Pickup

Summary

Red Dunes thrill ride then desert campfire dinner under Dubai stars

You’ll jump straight into a Can-Am buggy adventure across Dubai’s Red Dunes with a local guide leading the way—sand flying, heart pounding, laughter echoing between stops for photos or just to breathe in the view. If you add on the evening camp, expect smoky BBQ flavors, live shows under lanterns, camel rides, and maybe even a moment of quiet awe under all those desert stars.

What’s the experience like?

I barely had time to shake the sand out of my shoes before our guide, Ahmed, handed me the helmet and grinned. “You ready?” he asked — I wasn’t sure, but I nodded anyway. The Red Dunes outside Dubai look soft from a distance, almost like velvet folds, but up close they’re steep and kind of intimidating. We got a quick rundown about the Can-Am buggy (I only half-listened because I was still staring at the horizon), and then suddenly we were off. The engine roared louder than I expected — you feel it in your chest — and for a minute all I could think about was not flipping us over. Sand sprayed everywhere. My hands were sweating inside the gloves.

Ahmed kept waving us forward, sometimes pausing so we could catch our breath or snap photos (he took one where my hair is just wild — I’m keeping that one). The wind tasted dry and metallic, but honestly, it felt good when we stopped on top of this massive dune and looked out over the emptiness. There’s something weirdly peaceful about it. Didn’t expect that part. He told us how these dunes shift every season — “never the same desert twice,” he said. I tried to repeat that in Arabic; Ahmed laughed and corrected me gently.

If you pick the camp option after the buggy ride, there’s this whole other side to it: camels groaning somewhere behind us, smoke from the BBQ curling up as people set up low tables under lanterns. The grilled chicken was juicy (I ate too much), and there was shisha for anyone who wanted it — sweet apple smoke drifting around while dancers spun in bright skirts. Someone tried henna for the first time; she giggled when it tickled her wrist. By then, the sky was black and full of stars you never see in Dubai city. That part sticks with me more than I thought it would.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Can-Am Buggy Desert Safari Adventure

• Meet and greet with guide
• Receive safety briefing
• Freshen up before start
• Drive 1000cc Can-Am Buggy
• Explore Dubai Red Dunes
• Take photos and videos
• Optional desert camp and BBQ
• Enjoy live entertainment

Top questions

How long does the Can-Am buggy ride last?

The main buggy activity lasts about one hour in the Red Dunes area near Al Badayer.

Is hotel pickup included for this Dubai desert tour?

Yes, pickup and drop-off in central Dubai are included.

What is included if I choose the camp option?

You get BBQ dinner, live entertainment (belly dancing & Tanoura show), shisha, henna tattoo, and a camel ride.

Are children allowed on this Can-Am buggy safari?

No, children under 13 years old are not allowed due to local regulations.

Is this tour suitable for people with health issues?

This activity isn’t recommended for pregnant travelers or those with spinal or cardiovascular problems.

Where does this desert safari take place?

The tour takes place at Dubai’s Red Dunes area near Al Badayer—the highest dunes around Dubai.

Do I need previous driving experience for the buggy?

No special experience is needed; your professional guide gives a safety briefing before you start.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup and drop-off from central Dubai hotels, an open desert Can-Am buggy ride led by a professional guide through Al Badayer’s Red Dunes—with water breaks and photo stops along the way—and if you select it, an evening camp with BBQ dinner, live shows like belly dancing and Tanoura spinning, shisha lounge time, henna tattooing sessions, plus camel rides before heading back to town.