Dubai Desert Safari: Camel Ride, Sand Surf & BBQ Dinner

★★★★★★★★★★ 4.96 (84 reviews) 98% rated it 5 stars

Free cancellationExcellent quality

1/15

Duration6h 30m

GroupUp to 6

LanguagesEN · AR +2

PickupAt your hotel

Red dunes, camel rides, sand boarding and a smoky BBQ under desert stars

You’ll feel Dubai’s desert heat on your skin as you ride camels over red dunes, try sand surfing (and maybe wipe out), then relax with Arabic coffee before a smoky BBQ dinner under lantern light—with live shows swirling around you all evening.

6h 30m

Step-by-step itinerary

Desert safari with activities and dinner

Pickup from hotel
Drive 45 minutes to desert meeting point
Wait for all company cars
Option to rent quad bike or dune buggy
Use washroom facilities
Drive over Arabian red dunes
Stop for pictures and sand boarding
Arrive at Boudin village camp
Welcome with Arabic dates and coffee
Serve starters with drinks
Camel ride
Watch belly dance, tanura, and fire shows
Enjoy international BBQ dinner buffet

The Experience

The first thing I remember is the color—those red dunes outside Dubai really do look unreal when you’re standing there, sand in your shoes, sun low and hot on your neck. We’d just tumbled out of the car after that 45-minute drive from the city, still half-asleep and blinking at all the other groups gathering at this meeting point. There was this weird mix of excitement and nerves in the air—some people were already eyeing up the quad bikes, but I just needed a minute to wake up. Our guide Khalid grinned at us as he handed out bottles of water, cracked a joke about “desert hair,” and pointed out where we could find the washrooms (which honestly, I was grateful for after all that coffee).

Then came dune bashing—honestly, it’s wilder than it sounds. The car felt like it was dancing across those red waves; I kept grabbing the seat in front of me and laughing every time we slid sideways. At one point Khalid stopped right on top of a dune so we could try sand boarding—I wiped out almost immediately (sand everywhere), but it was worth it for that view. The wind up there is dry and sharp; you can taste dust on your lips. And then suddenly everything goes quiet except for people shouting in different languages and cameras clicking away.

The camp itself looked straight out of some movie set—lanterns swinging gently, low tables scattered around carpets. We got welcomed with sticky dates and tiny cups of Arabic coffee (I tried to say “shukran” but probably butchered it—Khalid laughed anyway). There were camels waiting for us just outside; riding one felt awkward at first but kind of peaceful once you settle into its rhythm. Later, while we ate shawarma and falafel under string lights, the belly dancers started up—honestly mesmerizing—and someone behind me kept clapping off-beat. The fire show was loud and bright; I still think about how everyone went quiet for those few minutes, just watching sparks fly against that dark sky.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup from Dubai city hotels, a drive to the red dunes where you’ll have time to try optional quad biking or dune buggy rides (for an extra fee), followed by dune bashing with stops for photos and sand boarding.
At camp you’re welcomed with Arabic dates and coffee before enjoying starters like shawarma and falafel plus unlimited soft drinks.
Camel rides are available along with live belly dance shows, Tanura performance and fire show—all capped off with an international buffet dinner featuring BBQ specialties before heading back to your hotel.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Your Journey Travel and Tourism L.L.C