Dubai Desert Safari: Dune Bashing, Camel Ride & 5-Star Buffet

Four Hours in the Red Dunes: What a Dubai Desert Safari Actually Includes

You get picked up from your hotel, driven into Al Lahbab's red dunes for 25–30 minutes of dune bashing, then spend the evening at a campsite doing camel rides, henna painting, and watching live entertainment (Tanura, belly dance, fire show). Dinner is an unlimited international buffet with both meat and vegetarian options, plus Arabic coffee and dates. The driver brings you back to your hotel when it's done.

Step-by-step itinerary

Desert safari with entertainment and dinner

• Arrive at desert campsite
• Enjoy Arabian coffee and dates
• Experience dune bashing in 4x4 Land Cruiser
• Ride a camel
• Dress in Arabian outfits and take photos
• Get Arabic henna designs
• Watch Tanura and belly dance shows
• Watch fire show performance
• Have unlimited 5-star BBQ buffet dinner
• Relax with comfortable seating at clean camp

The experience

"How much time do we actually spend in the sand?" That's the question most people ask first, and the answer is straightforward. You're in the 4x4 for about 25 to 30 minutes of dune bashing, then the rest of the evening unfolds at the campsite in Al Lahbab. The drive out takes time, the activities are spread across the evening, and you're back at your hotel by late night. It's not a rushed thing. It's structured so you hit the main moments without feeling herded.

The desert safari starts with pickup from your hotel in a Land Cruiser that holds up to six people, and the first thing you get is Arabian coffee and dates while the driver navigates the red dunes. After the dune bashing settles down, you move into the camp experience: camel riding, henna painting on your hands, a chance to wear traditional Arabian outfits for photos. The light is best right around sunset, and that's when most people take their pictures. Then come the live shows: Tanura (the spinning skirt performance), belly dancing, and a fire show that runs after dark. It's all happening at the same campsite, so you're not moving between venues.

Dinner is the centerpiece. The buffet is unlimited and includes both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes cooked fresh on-site, plus soft drinks, water, Arabic coffee and tea. You sit at a shared table with the other guests in your group, which is part of how they keep the price reasonable for a Dubai desert safari experience. The food quality is the thing people mention most. It's genuinely good, not the token meal you'd expect at the end of a tour. Shisha, quad bikes and dune buggies are available separately if you want to add them, but they're not part of the package price.

The whole evening is designed around groups staying small and the professional drivers handling the vehicle work, so you're not managing logistics or worrying about timing. Pickup and drop-off are included, which saves the hassle of arranging your own transport back to your hotel after dark.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off in a shared 4x4 Land Cruiser, 25–30 minutes of dune bashing through the red dunes, camel riding, henna painting, traditional Arabian outfit photos, six live entertainment shows (Tanura, belly dance, fire show), unlimited international BBQ buffet dinner with vegetarian and non-vegetarian options, Arabic coffee, tea, dates, soft drinks and mineral water, and comfortable seating at a shared table at the Al Lahbab campsite.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 14:00, 14:30, 15:00 and 16:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (18 to 40 years) · Senior (41 to 65 years) · Youth (10 to 17 years) · Child (4 to 9 years) · Infant (1 to 3 years)

GroupUp to 108

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyInfant seats availableNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Royal Vision Tourism

Is this one for you?Book this if you want the main Dubai desert experience (dune driving, camel riding, entertainment and a proper dinner) without arranging separate transport or negotiating prices at the gate. The fixed itinerary and included pickup handle all of that.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (10 to 17 years); Child (4 to 9 years); Infant (1 to 3 years).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What time does the desert safari start and end?

Pickup is from your hotel. The full experience runs several hours into the evening, with return to your hotel by late night. Exact times depend on your hotel location and the operator's schedule.

Is the dune bashing rough or smooth?

Dune bashing in a 4x4 Land Cruiser is thrilling but not extreme. It lasts 25–30 minutes and is designed for mixed fitness levels. The vehicle is built for desert terrain.

Can I choose vegetarian food at dinner?

Yes. The unlimited buffet includes both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes, and you can eat as much as you want.

Do I have to ride a camel?

Camel riding is included in the itinerary, but check with the operator about whether participation is optional if you have concerns.

Is henna painting included?

Yes. Henna painting on your hands is part of the experience at the campsite.

What's not included in the price?

Quad bikes, dune buggies, and shisha are available for an extra charge. Infant seats are charged separately.

How many people will be in my group?

The Land Cruiser holds up to 6 passengers. You'll share the vehicle and the dinner table with other guests.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

The campsite areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible. The dune bashing itself involves a moving vehicle, so discuss your needs with the operator before booking.