Dubai Desert Safari & BBQ Dinner with Live Shows

Summary

Red Dune Adventure & Evening Camp Experience from Dubai

Get ready for an evening in Dubai’s Lehbab desert: ride camels across red dunes, try sandboarding (even if you fall), relax with henna tattoos and shisha, then share a barbecue dinner under lanterns while live shows fill the night air — moments you’ll remember long after your shoes lose their last grains of sand.

What’s the experience like?

“You ever tried to balance on a sandboard?” our guide Khalid grinned as I wobbled at the top of a dune outside Dubai. The Lehbab desert was quieter than I expected — just the wind hissing over the red dunes and someone laughing in the distance (probably at me). My shoes filled with warm sand as I slid down, not gracefully, but hey, it counts. The sun was still high but already softening, painting everything gold and orange. Camels waited nearby, chewing like they had all the time in the world.

We’d piled into an air-conditioned 4x4 earlier that afternoon — pickup right from our hotel lobby, which felt pretty fancy after a week of metro rides. Khalid pointed out little things on the drive: why some dunes are redder than others (minerals, apparently), how his grandmother used to cook bread buried in the sand. He let us try saying “shukran” for thank you; Li laughed when I tried to say it in Arabic — probably butchered it. When we stopped for camel rides, I was surprised by how calm those animals were, just swaying along while I clung to the saddle like a tourist cliché.

The camp itself smelled like grilled meat and cardamom tea. There were lanterns everywhere and low cushions scattered around little tables. Henna artists worked quietly in one corner; I got a tiny pattern on my wrist that’s still faintly there days later. Dinner was this mix of smoky barbecue and spiced rice — honestly better than most hotel buffets — and there was always someone offering more tea or sweets. The fire show started just as dusk settled; sparks flying up into the dark while drums thudded somewhere behind me. It felt both loud and peaceful at once.

I didn’t expect to enjoy the performances so much — belly dancing under stars is not something you see every day if you’re from Manchester. At one point during the Tanoura dance, with all those spinning colors, I caught myself just sitting back and grinning like a kid at a fairground. We left late, tired but kind of wired from all that light and sound. Even now I can almost taste the smoke from dinner if I close my eyes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Desert Safari and Activities

• Desert Safari with live BBQ dinner and performances
• Lehbab red-dune desert tour with quad bike and camel ride

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for this Dubai desert safari?

Yes, central Dubai hotel pickup and drop-off are included with your booking.

Can vegetarians find food options at the BBQ dinner?

Yes, both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes are available at the international buffet dinner.

Are quad bikes part of this tour or extra?

Quad bike rides are available at additional cost; you can decide on arrival if you want to add them.

How long does the whole experience last?

The tour usually lasts about 6–7 hours including transfers from Dubai.

Is this desert safari suitable for young children?

Infants must sit on an adult’s lap; specialized infant seats are available upon request.

What’s included

Your day includes private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle with pickup from your Dubai hotel, bottled water throughout, guided camel rides across Lehbab’s red dunes, sandboarding gear if you’re feeling adventurous, henna tattoos for ladies, unlimited tea, coffee or soft drinks at camp plus free shisha in the lounge area. Dinner is an international buffet with barbecue options (veg & non-veg) followed by desserts and live performances before heading back to town late in the evening.