Dubai Desert: Private 4x4 Safari, BBQ Dinner & Live Shows

Summary

Private Dubai desert safari with camel ride, sandboarding, bbq & shows

You’ll ride through Dubai’s red dunes in a private 4x4 with a local guide, try sandboarding (and probably laugh at yourself), enjoy a short camel ride, and relax at a Bedouin camp with live shows and BBQ dinner. It’s an evening full of small surprises you’ll remember long after you’re back in your hotel room.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I remember is the way the light hit the red dunes outside Al Madam — kind of hazy, almost pink around sunset. Our driver, Ahmed, had this easy laugh and kept checking if we were okay before he took us dune bashing. Honestly, I thought I’d be scared but it was more like being on a rollercoaster that smells faintly of warm sand and engine oil. We stopped halfway for photos; my shoes filled with soft sand instantly. There was this silence out there that felt huge — just wind and our voices echoing weirdly far.

I tried sandboarding next (not gracefully), and Ahmed just grinned and said everyone falls their first time. He offered water from his cooler — it tasted extra cold after all that sun. The drive to the Bedouin camp was quieter; maybe we were tired or just soaking it in. Camels waited near the entrance, chewing like they had all the time in the world. My short camel ride was bumpier than I expected but somehow calming too. The smell of charcoal drifted over from the BBQ area — honestly, I was hungrier than I wanted to admit.

Inside the camp, kids darted between tables with henna on their hands while someone poured tea into little glasses. The food came out fast: grilled chicken, salads, something spicy I still can’t name. During dinner, dancers spun in bright skirts (the Tanoura show) and then there was a fire performer who made everyone gasp at least once. It felt like everyone relaxed together under those strings of lights — strangers sharing plates and stories for an evening before heading back to Dubai city lights.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Dubai Desert Safari and Evening Camp

• Dune Bashing, Sand Boarding & Photos
• Camel Ride, BBQ Dinner & Live Shows
• Return to Hotel

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for this Dubai desert safari?

Yes, pickup from your hotel or residence within Dubai city limits is included.

How long is the camel ride during the tour?

The camel ride is short and takes place at the Bedouin camp in the evening.

Are vegetarian options available for the BBQ dinner?

Yes, both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options are served at dinner.

What activities are included besides dune bashing?

You’ll also try sandboarding, enjoy live entertainment shows, get henna painting (for ladies & kids), have unlimited soft drinks/tea/coffee/water, and take a short camel ride.

Is this tour suitable for children?

Yes, but not recommended for infants or travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.

Are live shows performed during Ramadan?

No live shows are held during Ramadan or government-designated holy/dry days due to restrictions.

How far is Al Madam desert from Dubai city?

The Red Dune Desert near Al Madam is about an hour’s drive from central Dubai depending on traffic.

Is this a private tour or shared group experience?

This is a private tour with your own 4x4 car and driver/guide.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup and drop-off from your Dubai hotel or residence by private 4x4 car, dune bashing in the Red Dune Desert near Al Madam, sandboarding stops for photos (and laughs), bottled water along the way, entry to an evening Bedouin camp with unlimited soft drinks, tea and coffee, a short camel ride, small henna painting for ladies and kids, live entertainment shows (Tanoura dance, belly dance & fire show except during Ramadan), plus a full BBQ dinner with both vegetarian and non-vegetarian choices before heading back to your hotel at night.