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

Red dunes camel ride sandboarding fire show and BBQ in Dubai desert

You’ll feel Dubai’s desert come alive: crunching red sand underfoot, camel rides at sunset, wild dune bashing with a local guide, and evenings filled with music, dance shows, and fresh BBQ dinner beneath wide-open stars. Expect laughter (and maybe a sandy tumble), real flavors, and small moments that linger long after you’re home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Desert safari with activities and dinner

• Pick up from hotel or home
• Drive 50 minutes to desert
• Guide shares Dubai stories
• Stop to prepare vehicle
• Enjoy dune bashing in red sands
• Capture sunset photos
• Arrive at deluxe desert camp
• Ride camels and sandboard
• Try henna painting and horse riding
• Enjoy Arabian drinks and dates
• Watch live music and dance shows
• Savor BBQ dinner with traditional dishes
• Drive back to starting point

The Experience

The first thing I noticed was the crunch of sand under my shoes when we stepped out near Lehbab’s red dunes. Our guide, Ahmed, grinned and handed me a tiny cup of ghawa — that cardamom coffee smell hit before I even tasted it. The drive from Dubai wasn’t long (maybe 50 minutes?), but it felt like another world out here. Ahmed kept telling stories about old Dubai and Bedouin life; honestly, I only caught half because I was busy watching the light shift on those dunes.

Dune bashing was wilder than I expected — lots of laughter and a few nervous squeaks from the back seat (not naming names). We stopped at the top for photos just as the sun started dropping, and everything turned this weird copper color. Camels were waiting nearby, chewing like they’d seen a thousand tourists before us. The camel ride itself was bumpy and short but kind of peaceful; you could hear wind moving over the sand if you listened past everyone’s chatter.

At camp, things slowed down. There were dates and sweet tea, henna painting for anyone who wanted (my attempt smudged almost immediately), and some people tried on those flowing Arabian outfits for photos. Sandboarding looked easy until you tried to balance — Li laughed so hard when I faceplanted that even one of the staff joined in. The evening picked up with music and dance: two belly dancers, then a tanoura whirling so fast my head spun just watching. The fire show was honestly mesmerizing — sparks flying into the dark while everyone went quiet for a second.

I piled my plate with kebabs, hummus, salads — all fresh from the buffet line. There were veggie options too (someone asked about Jain food; apparently you just tell them ahead). Sitting there under desert stars with sticky fingers and smoky hair… I still think about that view sometimes when city noise gets too much. Afterwards we all loaded back into the van, tired but kind of giddy — nobody talked much on the way back to Dubai or Sharjah. That silence felt good.

Top questions

How long is the Dubai desert safari tour?

The tour lasts about 6 hours including pickup and drop-off from your hotel in Dubai or Sharjah.

Is hotel pickup included in this desert safari?

Yes, pickup and drop-off from your hotel or home in Dubai or Sharjah are included.

What activities are included in the Dubai desert safari?

You’ll get dune bashing at Lehbab red dunes, camel riding, sandboarding, henna painting (for ladies/kids), live dance shows, and a BBQ dinner.

Is vegetarian or Jain food available at dinner?

Yes—vegetarian dishes are always included; pure Jain food is available if you inform them while booking.

Are drinks provided during the safari?

You get unlimited tea, coffee, water, soft drinks plus traditional Arabic ghawa with dates at camp.

Can kids join this Dubai desert safari?

Yes—children can join but must be accompanied by an adult; infants sit on an adult’s lap during transport.

Is dune bashing mandatory?

No—if you don’t want dune bashing you can go directly to camp without the rough ride.

Where does dune bashing take place?

Dune bashing happens at Lehbab’s red sand dunes outside Dubai.

What’s included

Your day includes door-to-door pickup from anywhere in Dubai or Sharjah (shared van up to 6 passengers), all entry fees for dune bashing at Lehbab red dunes, a short camel ride in the heart of the desert plus time for sandboarding at camp. At camp there’s henna painting for ladies and kids, Arabic costumes for photos if you want them, unlimited soft drinks/tea/coffee/water along with welcome ghawa coffee and dates. Dinner is a premium buffet with vegetarian options (Jain meals available if requested ahead) followed by live fire show performances plus two belly dances and tanoura dancing before your return drive home in comfort.