Dubai Desert Safari: 4x4 Dune Bashing & Camel Ride with Dinner

What happens when you trade asphalt for sand dunes for an afternoon

You get picked up from your hotel, driven into the red dunes for 4x4 bashing and a camel ride, watch the sunset, try sandboarding if you want, then settle into an evening camp for henna, entertainment shows, and a full BBQ dinner with drinks. Transport, food, and activities are all included. You show up and the day unfolds.

Step-by-step itinerary

Desert safari with rides and entertainment

• Stop at camel racing club
• Ride on red sand dunes
• Camel ride traditional experience
• Take sunset photography on dunes
• Enjoy sand boarding
• Get henna painting and tattoo
• Drink unlimited refreshments
• Watch belly dance show
• Watch traditional tanura dance
• Watch zumba dance
• Watch fire show
• Eat BBQ dinner with veg and non-veg

The experience

The 4x4 accelerates hard into the first dune and the ground drops away beneath you. Your driver leans into the slope, and for a moment the vehicle tilts at an angle that makes your stomach flip, then the wheels grip and you're climbing the next ridge. This is dune bashing, and it's the first thing that happens after pickup from your hotel. The red sand here is nothing like beach sand. It's fine and packed, and the dunes roll in waves that look small from a distance and enormous once you're inside them. You'll stop at the camel racing club about ten to fifteen minutes in, where you can see the animals up close (these are expensive, working camels, not the tourist kind) before heading back out for the ride itself.

The camel part comes next, and it moves at the pace of an actual camel, which is slower and stranger than you'd expect. After that, there's time for sandboarding if you want it, or you can skip it and watch the sunset from the dunes while the light turns the sand orange and gold. Henna painting and temporary tattoos are available if you're interested, though they're not rushed into the schedule. The whole afternoon builds toward the evening camp, where the entertainment starts (belly dance, traditional tanura spinning, zumba, a fire show), and the food arrives in stages: unlimited coffee, tea, soft drinks, and then the BBQ dinner with vegetarian and meat options. It's a full experience, not a quick stop.

The drive back to your hotel wraps up the day. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, so you don't arrange transport separately or negotiate with a taxi driver at the end. The group stays small enough that the 4x4 doesn't feel crowded, and the whole outing runs about four hours from start to finish, though the exact timing depends on where you're staying and how long you linger at the camp.

What’s included

Your day includes private 4x4 transportation with hotel pickup and drop-off, dune bashing across the red sand dunes, a traditional camel ride with a stop at the camel racing club, sandboarding, sunset photography time, henna painting and temporary tattoos, unlimited refreshments (coffee, tea, water, soft drinks), and a full BBQ dinner with vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. Entertainment shows (belly dance, traditional tanura dance, zumba, and a fire show) are part of the evening at the camp.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day8 departure times: the first at 11:00, the last at 14:30

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (14 to 60 years) · Child (4 to 13 years) · Infant (1 to 3 years): free

GroupUp to 100

Live guideEnglish and Hindi

Audio guideEnglish and Hindi

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 12 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Red Dunes Safari

Is this one for you?Right for travelers who want the desert experience without arranging separate transport or timing the sunset themselves: the pickup, route, and dinner schedule are all fixed, which is what lets you relax instead of navigate.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Hindi.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 13 years); Infant (1 to 3 years): free.

What's included in the Dubai desert safari?

Hotel pickup and drop-off, 4x4 dune bashing, camel ride, sandboarding, sunset stop, henna painting, unlimited drinks (coffee, tea, water, soft drinks), BBQ dinner with vegetarian and meat options, and entertainment shows including belly dance, tanura dance, zumba, and fire show.

How long does the desert safari take?

Approximately four hours from hotel pickup to drop-off, including the dune drive, camel ride, sunset photography, camp activities, and dinner.

Is the camel ride included?

Yes, the camel ride is included as part of the safari experience.

Can I do sandboarding, or is it optional?

Sandboarding is available and included, but it's optional. You can skip it if you prefer.

What time does the safari start?

Pickup is from your hotel. The exact time depends on your location, but the safari typically runs in the late afternoon to evening to catch the sunset.

Is dinner included?

Yes, an unlimited BBQ dinner with vegetarian and meat dishes is included, along with unlimited refreshments.

Do I need to arrange my own transport to the desert?

No, hotel pickup and drop-off are included in the package.