Dubai Desert: Quad Bike, Camel Ride, Sandboard & BBQ Dinner

Summary

Quad bikes at sunset, camel rides under stars, desert BBQ and laughter in Dubai’s golden dunes

You’ll race across Dubai’s Al Lahbab Desert by quad bike, try dune bashing with a local driver, then slow down for a camel ride as twilight falls. At camp you’ll taste BBQ under open skies, sip sweet tea, watch live shows or get henna painted — all with hotel pickup included. It’s one of those days that sticks with you long after you’ve brushed off the last grains of sand.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect the sand to feel cold first thing — not freezing, but cool enough that I kept rubbing my hands together while we waited for our quad bikes outside Dubai. The Al Lahbab Desert is so much quieter than the city. Our guide, Farid, grinned as he handed me a helmet (“Don’t worry, you’ll get the hang of it!”). The first few minutes on the quad bike were bumpy and honestly a little nerve-wracking — I nearly veered off when I tried to wave at my friend. But then you settle into it. The engine hums under you, there’s this sharp tang of petrol in the air mixed with dust and something sweet from someone’s shisha nearby. We stopped after half an hour — my arms were jelly — and just stood there watching the wind draw patterns on those endless dunes.

Dune bashing was next. Farid drove like he’d done this a thousand times (he probably has), laughing at our squeals every time we slid sideways down a slope. There was this moment when everything went silent except for tires on sand and my heart thumping; I still think about that view when we paused at the top — pink sky melting into gold, not a building in sight. Sandboarding was trickier than it looked; I fell twice before sliding halfway down without eating sand (small victories). Some kids from another group cheered me on in Arabic — I had no idea what they said but it sounded encouraging.

After sunset, things slowed down. Camels are taller than you think up close — mine blinked at me like he knew I was nervous. The ride felt almost meditative as dusk settled and someone started brewing tea back at camp (you could smell cardamom drifting over). At camp, henna artists worked quietly while people tried apple-flavored shisha or just lay back watching the first stars show up. Dinner was smoky BBQ with soft flatbread and salads; nothing fancy but honestly perfect after all that sand and adrenaline. There was music too — not loud club stuff but live drumming that made you want to stay up all night.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Desert adventure and evening camp

• Arrive at Al Lahbab Meeting Point
• Ride quad bike in desert
• Experience dune bashing ride
• Take desert photos
• Try sandboarding on dunes
• Enjoy camel ride at twilight
• Get henna painting at camp
• Have BBQ dinner with drinks
• Relax by campfire under stars

Top questions

How long is the desert safari tour from Dubai?

The tour lasts several hours including pickup and drop-off from your hotel or residence in Dubai or Sharjah.

Is quad biking included in the Dubai desert safari?

Yes, a 30-minute self-drive quad bike ride is included in the Al Lahbab Desert experience.

Are food and drinks provided during the tour?

Yes, an international buffet dinner with BBQ (vegetarian & non-vegetarian) plus unlimited soft drinks, tea, coffee & water are included.

Do I need previous experience for dune bashing or sandboarding?

No experience is needed; guides will help you with both activities.

Is hotel pickup available for this Dubai desert safari?

Yes, pickup and drop-off are included from hotels or residences in Dubai & Sharjah.

Are children allowed on this tour?

Yes; infants seats are available for small children if needed.

What should I wear for quad biking and camel riding?

Wear comfortable clothes and closed shoes suitable for sandy conditions.

Is there entertainment at the desert camp?

Yes; there are four live entertainment shows with Arabic music during dinner at camp.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup and drop-off from your hotel or apartment anywhere in Dubai or Sharjah, a 30-minute self-drive quad bike ride across Al Lahbab Desert’s dunes, guided dune bashing with photo stops at sunset, sandboarding equipment and instruction if you want to try it (you should), plus a gentle camel ride as evening falls. At camp you can relax with unlimited soft drinks or tea (the cardamom is strong), taste freshly grilled BBQ dinner with vegetarian options too, enjoy live music shows under open sky, get henna tattoos if you like — even try apple-flavored shisha before heading back to town late in the evening.