Dubai Desert Safari: Camel Ride, BBQ Dinner & Live Shows

Summary

Dubai desert safari with camel ride BBQ dinner belly dance and hotel pickup

You’ll ride over golden dunes in a 4x4 Land Cruiser, try a short camel ride under that huge Dubai sky, and taste fresh-grilled barbecue at a desert camp. Watch live belly dance and fire shows after sunset — all with hotel pickup included so you don’t have to stress about getting there or back. It’s not just about photos; it’s how you’ll feel when everything goes quiet for a second out in the sand.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll be honest, I almost missed our Dubai desert safari because I couldn’t find my sunglasses (classic). Our driver, Khalid, just grinned and said, “Desert has its own light.” He was right — it’s this pale gold that gets everywhere, even inside your shoes. The Land Cruiser felt like a spaceship as we bounced over the dunes. My friend Sara squealed every time we slid sideways; I pretended to be cool but probably looked terrified. Dune bashing is way more intense than it sounds — like being inside a shaken soda can, but somehow fun.

We stopped at what looked like the middle of nowhere. Camels were waiting — taller than I expected and with these long-lashed eyes that made me feel both awkward and weirdly calm. The camel ride was short (my thighs thanked me), but there was this moment when everything went quiet except for the wind and some distant laughter from another group. I caught the smell of grilled meat drifting from the camp ahead. Honestly, I didn’t expect to get hungry in the desert.

The evening part is still a blur of color and music. There was a henna lady who smiled patiently while I tried to explain what kind of design I wanted (I ended up with something completely different — still cool though). The buffet dinner had way more options than I thought — smoky kebabs, salads, sweet dates. During the belly dance show, one of the dancers pulled someone up from our table; everyone cheered, and even Khalid laughed so hard he nearly dropped his tea. The fire show was wild — you could actually feel the heat when they spun those flames close by. Even now, sometimes I remember how the stars looked sharper out there than anywhere else I've been.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Desert safari with cultural activities

• Travel in 4x4 Land Cruiser
• Enjoy dune bashing
• Take a camel ride
• Optional quad biking
• Watch sunset over desert
• Experience henna tattoo
• Enjoy BBQ dinner under stars
• Watch belly dance show
• Watch fire show
• Watch tanoora show

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included in this Dubai desert safari?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are both included in your booking.

How long is the camel ride during the safari?

The camel ride is short — just enough for photos and to experience it briefly.

Are meals provided on this tour?

A buffet dinner is included at the desert camp with barbecue options.

What live shows are part of this Dubai safari?

Belly dance show, fire show, and tanoura show are all included in the evening program.

Is quad biking available during this trip?

Quad biking is optional and can be arranged at extra cost on site.

Is this tour suitable for children or infants?

Yes, infants can join using specialized seats or strollers; adult pricing applies except for infants.

Is it wheelchair accessible?

The tour is wheelchair accessible according to provided information.

Are entry fees or taxes included?

All fees and taxes are covered in your booking price.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off by air-conditioned vehicle from anywhere in Dubai, all entry fees and taxes covered upfront, a short camel ride through the sand dunes, an open buffet barbecue dinner at camp with plenty of choices (including salads and desserts), plus live entertainment featuring belly dance shows, tanoura spinning performances, fire shows—and even small henna tattoos if you want one before heading back under those crazy-bright stars.