Dubai Desert Safari: Dune Bashing, Camel Ride & BBQ Dinner

Race the dunes, then settle into camp for fire shows and grilled meat under the stars

A seven-hour desert safari from Dubai combines dune bashing in a 4x4 across the red dunes of Lahbab, camel riding, sand surfing and an evening at a desert camp with buffet dinner and traditional dance performances. The package includes hotel pickup, henna tattooing, Arabic dress photography, live guide in multiple languages, and unlimited soft drinks and coffee or tea.

Step-by-step itinerary

Desert Safari and Evening Entertainment

• Pick up from accommodation
• Drive 1 hour to Lahbab Desert
• Rest and optional quad bike ride
• Dune bashing for 30 minutes
• Sand surfing (sandboarding)
• Drive to desert campsite
• Enjoy BBQ dinner and buffet
• Watch belly dance and fire show
• Drive 1 hour back to city

The experience

The day starts with a one-hour drive from your hotel into the desert in an air-conditioned 4x4, heading toward the Hajjar Mountains and the red dunes. Your guide answers questions about Dubai's history, culture and landmarks along the way. At Lahbab Desert you get a 20–25 minute break to use facilities or rest, with the option to book a quad bike ride on the spot if you want an extra rush.

The dune bashing comes next: about 30 minutes of the vehicle climbing and dropping over the sand dunes at speed, the kind of ride that makes your stomach flip. After that settles, you move into sand surfing (sandboarding down the slopes), then head to the campsite in the middle of the desert. There you change into traditional Arabic dress (a Qandura or Abbaya) for photographs, get henna designs on your hands, and sip Arabic coffee or tea while you wait for dinner.

The evening centers on a buffet spread of regional dishes cooked over hot coals at a live grilling station, followed by desserts and more coffee or tea. Between courses, belly dancers, fire performers and traditional Tanoura dancers take the stage. The return drive to your hotel takes another hour, wrapping up around seven hours after pickup.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup in an air-conditioned 4x4 vehicle.
• one-hour drive to the desert and one-hour return.
• dune bashing for about 30 minutes.
• sand surfing (sandboarding).
• camel riding.
• traditional Arabic dress (Qandura or Abbaya) for photography.
• henna hand tattooing.
• buffet dinner with live grilling station and regional dishes.
• desserts.
• Arabic coffee, tea and unlimited soft drinks.
• live entertainment including belly dancing, fire show and Tanoura dance.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 14:30

AgesAdult (16 to 49 years) · Senior (50 to 80 years) · Youth (7 to 15 years) · Child (4 to 6 years) · Infant (1 to 3 years): free

GroupUp to 100

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Arabic, Bangla, Hindi, Persian and Urdu

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 16 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availableNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Addax Tourism

Is this one for you?Book this safari if you want the full desert evening: dune bashing, camel riding, sand surfing and a campfire dinner with live shows all in one outing. The fixed schedule and included transport mean the day unfolds without you arranging stops or timing. The guide handles the route and the camp handles the meal, so you move from one moment to the next.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German, Arabic, Hindi, Persian, Bangla and Urdu.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (7 to 15 years); Child (4 to 6 years); Infant (1 to 3 years): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the dune bashing actually like in the 4x4?

Dune bashing is a 30-minute session where the vehicle accelerates up and down the sand dunes at speed. The driver handles the steering while you experience the adrenaline and the view. It's the centerpiece of the safari before you move on to sand surfing and the camp.

Do I get to ride a camel, or just see them?

You ride the camels for a brief round at the desert camp after dinner. The camels are mild-tempered and the ride is short, giving you the experience without a long commitment.

What food and drinks are included?

The safari includes a buffet-style dinner with regional dishes, live grilling station, desserts, Arabic coffee, tea and unlimited soft drinks throughout the day. Alcoholic beverages are not included.

How long is the drive from my hotel to the desert?

The drive to Lahbab Desert takes one hour in the air-conditioned 4x4, and the return drive to your hotel takes another hour, so travel time accounts for two of the seven hours total.

Can I wear traditional Arabic dress for photos?

Yes, you get to wear a Qandura (men's dress) or Abbaya (women's dress) for photographs at the camp, and you can also get henna designs on your hands as part of the experience.