Dubai Desert Safari: Camel Ride, Sandboarding & BBQ Dinner

★★★★★★★★★★ 4.97 (300 reviews) 97% rated it 5 stars

Free cancellationExcellent quality

1/32

Duration6h 30m

GroupUp to 30

LanguagesEN · HI +1

PickupAt your hotel

Evening desert adventure with camel rides, sand dunes, BBQ dinner & live entertainment in Dubai’s Al Lahbab sands

You’ll feel your heart race during dune bashing across Dubai’s red sands before slowing down for a peaceful sunset camel ride. Try your hand at sandboarding, get henna painted by local artists, then settle into an evening of live music, dance shows, and a generous BBQ dinner under desert stars.

6h 30m

Step-by-step itinerary

Desert adventure and evening camp

Arrive at Al Lahbab Meeting Point
Rent quad bike or dune buggy
Explore desert landscape
Enjoy thrilling dune bashing ride
Stop for desert photo opportunities
Try optional sandboarding session
Take gentle camel ride at sunset
Arrive at desert camp
Get traditional henna art
Watch live dance and music
Enjoy BBQ buffet dinner and drinks
Gather around campfire under stars

The Experience

I’ll be honest — I signed up for this Dubai desert safari mostly because I’d never seen real dunes before, and the idea of riding a camel sounded like something you just have to try once. But it started out way more exciting than I expected. Our driver, Khalid, picked us up right from our hotel (he had this easy laugh that made everyone relax) and after about 45 minutes we reached Al Lahbab. The sand was almost red in the late afternoon light — not just yellow like I’d pictured. There were quad bikes buzzing around and kids shrieking somewhere off to the side. We stopped for a bit so people could try those out, but honestly I was just watching the light shift across the dunes.

Then came dune bashing — which is basically careening up and down steep sandy hills in a 4x4 while everyone in the car alternates between nervous giggles and actual yelps. Khalid seemed to love every second; at one point he cranked up some Arabic music and yelled “hold tight!” as we slid sideways down a slope. My palms were sweaty from gripping the seat but it was weirdly fun. We stopped for photos right as the sun started dipping low — there was this hush over everything except for wind moving through the grass. I tried sandboarding too (not gracefully), and got sand everywhere, even inside my shoes.

By dusk we switched gears completely: camels waiting quietly, their handlers chatting softly in Arabic. The ride itself was gentle, almost meditative compared to what came before. You could hear nothing but hooves pressing into soft sand and someone’s phone camera clicking now and then. At camp, there were lanterns lit already and this smell of grilled meat drifting out — my stomach actually growled out loud (embarrassing). A woman painted henna on my hand while her daughter watched; she smiled at my attempt to say “shukran.”

The evening rolled on with music and dancers — I didn’t catch every detail because honestly I was just soaking it all in: smoky air from shisha pipes, kids chasing each other near the fire pit, people laughing over sweet tea or coffee poured from those tall brass pots. The barbecue buffet had both veggie stuff and kebabs; I probably ate too much bread but who cares? Sitting under that huge open sky after all that noise earlier felt kind of perfect. Even now if I close my eyes I can almost feel that warm breeze again.

What’s included

Your evening includes pickup and drop-off from your Dubai or Sharjah hotel or residence, 30 minutes of dune bashing with time for sunset photos and sandboarding on Al Lahbab’s red dunes. Afterward you’ll enjoy a gentle camel ride at twilight before arriving at camp for unlimited soft drinks, tea, coffee or water.
apple-flavored shisha.
henna tattoos for women and children.
four live entertainment shows set to Arabic music.
plus an international buffet BBQ dinner with both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options before heading back under starry skies.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Seven Tours Dubai