Dubai Desert Safari: 4x4 Dune Bashing, BBQ Dinner & ATV Ride

★★★★★★★★★★ 4.95 (464 reviews) 97% rated it 5 stars

Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/29

Duration6h–8h

GroupUp to 400

LanguagesEN · PA +3

PickupAt your hotel

Dubai’s dunes, sunset colors, camel rides and fire-lit nights

You’ll race across Dubai’s golden dunes in a 4x4, try sandboarding (wipes are free), ride camels at sunset and share smoky BBQ under desert stars. Local guides bring warmth—and jokes—to every stop. Between henna painting, live dance shows and fire-lit silence, you’ll find yourself grinning at strangers or just staring at those endless sands.

6h–8h

Step-by-step itinerary

Desert adventure and cultural evening

4x4 dune bashing ride
Try sandboarding on dunes
Enjoy peaceful camel ride
Arrive at cozy desert camp
Have BBQ dinner with mixed dishes
Watch belly dance performances
See Tanoura spinning dance
Enjoy live fire show
Try henna painting and shisha
Dress in traditional Arabic outfits

The Experience

We jolted forward as our driver—Ahmed, who grinned like he’d done this a thousand times—gunned the 4x4 up a dune just outside Dubai. I grabbed the handle (probably too tight), sand rattling against the windows and my stomach somewhere between excitement and “should I have skipped lunch?” The desert looked endless from up there—soft gold everywhere. When we stopped, the quiet was almost weird after all that engine noise. You could hear nothing but wind and someone laughing in the next car over.

I tried sandboarding next. Honestly, it’s harder than it looks—my first attempt ended in a slow-motion flop that Ahmed politely pretended not to see. The sun was dipping low by then, making everything glow orange. We took turns on camels, their big eyes half-closed like they’d seen every tourist trick in the book. My friend snapped a photo of me waving awkwardly (I still can’t decide if I look brave or just confused).

The camp felt like another world: lanterns swinging gently, smoke from the BBQ drifting over carpets laid out under the open sky. Our guide handed us plates piled high with grilled chicken and rice—so much flavor I actually stopped talking for a minute (rare for me). Henna artists waved us over; my design smudged because I couldn’t sit still long enough. Later, dancers spun and a fire show lit up everyone’s faces—there was this moment when everything went quiet except for the crackle of flames and someone clapping off-beat behind me. I didn’t expect to feel so at home out there.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup from your hotel in Dubai before heading out for 4x4 dune bashing across golden sands with an experienced local guide.
You’ll get to try sandboarding down smooth hillsides and enjoy a peaceful camel ride as sunset colors spread across the desert.
At camp you’ll be served a flavorful BBQ dinner with both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes under lantern light while watching belly dancing, Tanoura spinning and a live fire show.
There’s also henna painting by skilled artists, shisha in designated areas and chances to dress up in traditional Arabic outfits for photos before heading back to town.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessiblePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Royal Planet Tourism