Dubai Desert Safari: 4x4 Red Dune & Sandboard Thrill
Sixty minutes of red dune bashing followed by sandboarding on golden slopes.
A desert safari in Dubai combines 4x4 dune bashing and sandboarding with a traditional camp experience, including a camel ride, BBQ buffet, live entertainment and hotel pickup. The core package covers all activities and meals with no upselling at the camp. Optional quad bikes and dune buggies are available to rent at a rest stop before the drive begins. The safari runs six to seven hours total, with entertainment shows subject to weather and Islamic observances on certain dates.
Options for this experience
2 optionsStep-by-step itinerary
Desert safari with dune bashing and BBQ
- Drive 60 minutes from Dubai
- Rest and freshen up at first stop
- Optional quad bike or dune buggy rental
- Experience red dune bashing
- Try sandboarding on dunes
- Visit traditional desert safari camp
- Enjoy refreshments and entertainment
- Have BBQ buffet dinner
What’s included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Dubai.
- 4x4 dune bashing for 25 to 30 minutes.
- sandboarding on the red dunes.
- short camel ride.
- wide-range BBQ buffet dinner with vegetarian and meat options.
- unlimited soft drinks, tea, coffee and water.
- live entertainment including belly dance, fire show, Arabic tanoura dance, ayala dance and animal march.
- small henna tattoo for women.
- sunset photo stop.
Times
- Every day 14:30
Before you book
Operated by Desert Thrill
Prices and times updated 12 days ago
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The experience
The day starts with a 60-minute drive across Dubai in a modern 4x4 with a guide who keeps the conversation going. You'll stop at a rest facility to freshen up and catch your breath before the main event: 25 to 30 minutes of dune bashing through the red dunes of Lahbab, where the vehicle pitches and rolls over the slopes. That's when sandboarding happens: you get a board and the chance to ride down the dunes yourself, which is where most people discover whether they love or hate sand in their shoes.
After the dunes, you head to the traditional desert camp for the rest of the evening. A short camel ride comes first, then you settle in for a wide-range BBQ buffet with vegetarian and meat options, unlimited soft drinks, tea, coffee and water. The entertainment rotates through belly dance, fire shows, Arabic tanoura dance, ayala dance and an animal march, though on certain dry days these performances don't run due to weather or Islamic observances. Women get a small henna tattoo as part of the experience. The whole thing wraps up with hotel drop-off, so you don't navigate back to your accommodation.
The package includes everything except alcoholic drinks, which you can buy at the camp if you want them. Optional quad bikes and dune buggies are available to rent at the pre-safari rest stop: no pressure, just an option if you want more speed. Infants under three years old cannot ride in the car during dune bashing, but children from age one are welcome otherwise. The vehicles are fully insured with roll bars and seat belts, and all drivers are licensed for safari work.
Is this one for you?Choose this if you want dune-bashing and sandboarding with all meals and activities locked in upfront, plus a pressure-free chance to add quad bikes or buggies at the rest stop.
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Top questions
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 14 years); Infant (under 5): free.
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 exactly is dune bashing and how rough does it get?
Dune bashing is 25 to 30 minutes of driving a 4x4 over the red dunes of Lahbab at varying speeds and angles: the vehicle pitches and rolls over the slopes, which is what creates the adrenaline. It's designed to be thrilling rather than smooth, so expect to be jostled around and held in by your seat belt.
Can I actually sandboard, or do I just watch?
You get a sandboard and ride down the dunes yourself after the dune bashing. It's included in the package, so there's no extra cost to try it, whether you're a first-timer or you've done it before.
How long is the 60-minute drive from Dubai, and what's the rest stop like?
The drive to the desert takes 60 minutes in the 4x4 with your guide. The rest stop has facilities to freshen up and prepare yourself for the adventure, and it's where you can optionally rent a quad bike or dune buggy if you want to add that to your day, but there's no pressure to buy anything.
What's included in the BBQ dinner at the desert camp?
The buffet includes multiple options for vegetarian and meat dishes, plus unlimited soft drinks, tea, coffee and water. Alcoholic drinks are available to purchase separately at the camp if you want them.
Will the live entertainment happen on the day I book?
The entertainment shows (belly dance, fire shows, tanoura dance, ayala dance and animal march) run on most days, but they don't take place on certain dry dates or during Islamic observances as per UAE law. Your operator will confirm what's scheduled for your specific date when you book.
Is there a camel ride included?
Yes, a short camel ride is part of the package at the desert camp, included with no extra charge.
Dubai Desert Safari: 4x4 Red Dune & Sandboard Thrill
6h–7h · EN · at your hotel
from AED 132 per person
≈ US$ 35 in your currency
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