Dubai Desert Safari with BBQ Dinner, Camel Ride, and Shows

The fire show closes the night, not the sunset.

A six-hour desert safari in Dubai combines dune bashing in a 4x4 across golden sand with camel rides, henna painting, and traditional dress at a Bedouin camp, followed by a BBQ buffet dinner and live performances including belly dance, Tanoura dance, and fire show. Hotel pickup and drop-off with an English-speaking guide are included. Quad biking and buggy rides are available as paid add-ons on some options. During Ramadan and certain public holidays, the belly dance show and alcohol are not offered per local guidelines.

Step-by-step itinerary

Desert safari with cultural activities

• Drive across desert dunes in 4x4
• Watch sunset over desert
• Try optional quad biking and sandboarding
• Ride camels at Bedouin-style camp
• Dress in traditional Arabic attire
• Get henna tattoos
• Relax with Arabic shisha
• Enjoy belly dance and Tanoura shows
• Watch fire show performance
• Feast on BBQ dinner under stars

The experience

The afternoon starts with a drive across the dunes in a 4x4 vehicle: the driver navigates steep sand at speed, and the vehicle climbs and descends in ways that feel less like sightseeing and more like being inside a ride. You'll stop to watch the sunset, then move into sandboarding on the slopes if you want it. The pace is built around the light: once it fades, the desert becomes a different place.

At the camp, the activities layer in without a schedule. Camel rides happen whenever you're ready; henna artists work while you sit; you can dress in traditional Arabic clothing for photos and try shisha. The camp itself is set up for the evening ahead: tables arranged, the stage lit. Dinner is a buffet with grilled meats, salads, hummus, and desserts, with vegetarian options available. The performances start after you eat: belly dance, then the Tanoura dancer spinning in a tall skirt that catches light, then the fire show that closes the night. Water and soft drinks flow throughout. Welcome snacks and Arabic tea arrive early.

The tour runs six hours total and includes hotel pickup and drop-off. If you book a private option, the guide is yours alone. The shared options run with other travelers. Infants sit on an adult's lap and don't need a seat. Children must have an adult with them. Dune bashing isn't recommended for anyone with heart conditions, pregnant travelers, or children under three.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off with an English-speaking guide.
• dune bashing in a 4x4 vehicle.
• camel rides (repeatable).
• sandboarding.
• henna painting and traditional dress photos.
• shisha.
• welcome snacks, Arabic tea, coffee and dates.
• BBQ buffet dinner with vegetarian and non-vegetarian options.
• belly dance, Tanoura dance, and fire show performances.
• water and soft drinks throughout.

Options for this experience

4 options

4-hour Safari Tour with Dune BashingUp to 15 people · Guide in English · 08:00, 08:30 and 09:00A 4-hour adventure safari covering dune bashing, sand boarding, and a camel ride. Complimentary water is not provided, and there is no dinner or campsite activities. Travel is in a shared 4WD vehicle. Pickup is included.

Desert Safari Tour, PrivateUp to 6 people · Guide in English · 14:30 and 15:00Pickup and drop-off by private 4WD for a 6-hour premium safari tour. It includes dune bashing, sandboarding, and a camel ride, along with a self-service buffet dinner offering B.B.Q, vegetarian and non-vegetarian options, and unlimited soft drinks and water. Live entertainment includes belly dance, Tanura show, and fire show. Pickup is included.

Desert Safari Tour in DubaiGuide in English · 14:00Shared 4WD pickup and drop-off for dune bashing, sand boarding, and a camel ride. The campsite activities last 6 hours and include a self-service buffet dinner with vegetarian and non-vegetarian options, plus unlimited soft drinks and water. Travel is in a luxury 4WD SUV, either a Land Cruiser or a Nissan Patrol. Pickup is included.

Safari with Quad Bike and DinnerGuide in English · 14:00Shared 4WD pickup and drop-off for a 7-hour tour. It includes a 30-minute quad bike ride in a closed, fenced area, and live entertainment with belly dance, Tanura show, and fire show. The self-service buffet dinner offers B.B.Q, vegetarian and non-vegetarian options, with unlimited soft drinks and water. The dune bashing covers sand boarding, a camel ride, and campsite activities. Travel is in a luxury 4WD SUV, either a Land Cruiser or a Nissan Patrol. Pickup is included.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day6 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 15:00

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (11 to 80 years) · Child (3 to 10 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 150

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Top 10 Dubai Tours

Is this one for you?Book the private option if your group wants a dedicated vehicle and guide for the full six hours. Choose the shared tour if you're comfortable traveling with other guests and want a lower price. The quad bike and buggy ride add-ons suit travelers who want more active desert time before the camp portion begins.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 10 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What exactly happens during the dune bashing part of the safari?

Dune bashing is a high-speed drive across the golden sand dunes in a 4x4 vehicle, where the driver navigates steep slopes and the vehicle ascends and descends at angles that create a thrilling, roller-coaster-like sensation. It's the opening act of the afternoon and sets the tone for the rest of the experience.

Can I ride a camel, and how long does that take?

Yes, camel rides are included and can be repeated as many times as you want during the camp portion. There's no set duration. You ride when you're ready and can go back for another if you wish.

What kind of food is served at the BBQ dinner?

The buffet includes grilled meats, salads, hummus, and desserts with both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. Soft drinks and water are included throughout the evening. Welcome snacks and Arabic tea arrive at the start.

Are there any activities I have to do, or can I skip some?

Most activities at the camp (henna painting, traditional dress photos, shisha, camel rides) are optional and happen at your own pace. The performances in the evening are part of the experience, but you can watch from your seat at dinner.

What's the difference between the private safari and the shared one?

The private option is a dedicated vehicle and guide for your group. The shared option runs with other travelers in the same vehicle and camp. Both include the same activities, dinner, and performances.

Can I add quad biking or a buggy ride to my tour?

Yes, quad biking and buggy rides are available as paid add-ons depending on which option you book. You arrange these at checkout or confirm availability when you book.