Dubai Desert Safari 4x4: Dune Bashing & Belly Dance Show

You're picked up in an hour and dropped straight into the high dunes of Dubai's desert.

You get picked up from your hotel, driven to the desert meeting point, then taken on a high-dune 4x4 drive with time for sandboarding and camel photos. At the campsite, dinner, henna, sheesha, and three live dance shows are all included. The whole experience runs 6 hours from pickup to drop-off, with the actual desert time split between driving, activity, and entertainment at camp.

Step-by-step itinerary

Desert safari with dune bashing and show

• Pickup from your location
• Drive past camel racing and skydiving clubs
• Reach desert meeting point
• Freshen up and explore facilities
• Optional quad bike and camel rides
• Dune bashing in 4x4 vehicle
• Photography and sand boarding
• Enjoy camp site with drinks and henna
• Try Arabic costume photography
• Watch Tanora, belly, and fire dances
• International buffet dinner with BBQ
• Drive back to your location

The experience

The pickup happens from your hotel or location in Dubai, and the drive to the meeting point takes almost an hour along Dubai Al Ain Road. You'll pass the camel racing club and skydiving club on the way. Once you arrive at the desert meeting point, there's time to freshen up (toilets and a mosque are there if you need them) and grab some photos before the real thing starts. The whole stop is about 30 to 45 minutes, which gives you a chance to settle in and maybe grab a coffee from the tuck shop.

Then comes the dune bashing itself: the 4x4 vehicle tackles the high dunes, which is what makes this desert safari feel different from the standard runs. After the driving, you get time for sandboarding (20 minutes near the campsite) and more photos before heading to the camp. The vehicle is a big, comfortable luxury SUV, and the guides are trained to handle the terrain and keep things safe. The whole desert time is around 30 to 40 minutes of actual driving and activity.

At the campsite, everything is included: international buffet dinner with BBQ, tea and coffee, soft drinks, henna painting on your hand, and a smoking pipe (sheesha) if you want it. There's also a short camel ride for photos (it's on a sharing basis, so the queue can move slowly), though you can pay extra for a longer ride if that matters to you. The entertainment runs through the evening: Tanora dance, belly dance, and fire dance shows happen while you eat. After all that, the driver takes you back to Dubai, and you're done by around 9 or 10 p.m., depending on traffic.

Sandboards are provided free, and the staff handles pickups on time: the company runs 24/7 customer service if something changes. Groups stay small enough that you're not packed in, and a dedicated supervisor is there to help if you need anything during the day.

What’s included

• Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Dubai, a one-hour drive to the desert meeting point, a high-dune 4x4 drive with a professional guide, 20 minutes of sandboarding, a short shared camel ride for photos, henna painting on your hand, an international buffet dinner with BBQ, tea and coffee, soft drinks, sheesha smoking pipe, and three live entertainment shows (Tanora dance, belly dance, and fire dance) at the campsite.
• Sandboards are provided free.
• The total experience runs 6 hours from pickup to return.

Options for this experience

3 options

No pickup or drop-offGuide in English · No fixed timeDirect reporting to the camp: pickup and drop-off are not provided with this option. Pickup is included

Pickup from a specific locationGuide in English · No fixed timePickup from Deira City Center: guests must make their own way to the Day to Day center, next to the Deira City Center Metro station, where drop-off also takes place. Pickup is included

Exciting desert safari by 4x4 with an entertainment show, departing from DubaiGuide in English · No fixed timeCheck-in time is 4:30 pm to 5 pm; pickup is included

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (7 to 70 years) · Child (2 to 6 years): free · Infant (under 2): free

GroupUp to 600

Live guideEnglish

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 3 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Excellence Gulf Tourism

Is this one for you?Book this if you want the dune-driving and camp entertainment in one afternoon without arranging transport, timing multiple stops, or paying separately for dinner and shows: the fixed schedule and included meals mean you show up at your hotel and everything else is handled.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 6 years): free; Infant (under 2): free.

How long is the drive from Dubai to the desert meeting point?

Almost an hour along Dubai Al Ain Road. You'll pass the camel racing club and skydiving club on the way.

What's included in the price?

Hotel pickup and drop-off, short camel ride, sandboarding, henna painting, international buffet dinner with BBQ, tea and coffee, soft drinks, sheesha, and three live dance shows (Tanora, belly dance, fire dance).

Can I do a longer camel ride instead of the short one?

Yes, but it costs extra. You can add it when you check out.

Is sandboarding difficult?

No, sandboards are provided free and the activity is 20 minutes near the campsite. It's designed for all levels.

What time does the tour end?

Around 6 hours total from pickup, so if you're picked up at 3 p.m., you'd be back by 9 p.m. depending on traffic.

Are quad bikes and desert buggies included?

No, they're optional rentals at extra cost. You can pre-book them when you book the tour.

What if I want to skip the camel ride?

The short camel ride is included, but if you'd rather not do it, you can use that time for photos or rest at the meeting point.

Is there food for dietary restrictions?

The buffet is international with BBQ options. Contact the company's 24/7 customer service before booking if you have specific dietary needs.