Dubai Desert Safari: Camel Ride, Sandboarding & BBQ Dinner

Summary

Sunset camel rides, sand boarding thrills & BBQ under Dubai stars

You’ll feel Dubai’s desert come alive: from dune bashing thrills to sharing strong Arabic coffee at a Bedouin camp. Ride camels across sunset dunes, try sandboarding (expect sand everywhere), enjoy live music and shows by firelight, and relax over a smoky BBQ dinner before heading back under starry skies.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was the quiet — not total silence, but that soft hush you get when the city finally drops away. The sand looked almost pink in the late afternoon light. Our driver, Ahmed, grinned as he let some air out of the tires before we took off dune bashing. I’d heard about it, but nothing really prepares you for that lurching feeling as the 4x4 crests and then slides down those steep dunes. My heart was pounding and I probably laughed too loud — my friend still teases me about it.

We stopped somewhere that felt like the middle of nowhere (I guess it was), and there were camels waiting near this low tent. Their eyelashes are way longer than I expected — one of those little details nobody tells you. The camel ride wasn’t long, maybe a couple hundred meters, but just enough to feel how oddly gentle they are. The guide told us their names in Arabic; Li laughed when I tried to repeat one. Afterward, we tried sandboarding — which is basically snowboarding but warmer and with more sand in your shoes. I fell twice and got a mouthful of grit. Worth it.

The sun dropped fast after that. At the Bedouin camp, we were greeted with tiny cups of Arabic coffee (so strong it made my eyelids twitch) and these sticky-sweet dates. There was music playing somewhere — not loud, just drifting over from another tent — and people getting henna painted or trying shisha for the first time. The BBQ dinner smelled amazing; smoky lamb kebabs and something spiced I couldn’t quite name. Sitting on cushions around a low table under all those stars… hard to describe without sounding cheesy, but it felt good to just sit there with everyone else winding down after all that adrenaline.

I didn’t expect to like the entertainment as much as I did — belly dancing, then this wild fire show where everyone gasped at least once. It got chilly after dark (bring a jacket if you’re here in winter). On the drive back to Dubai, I kept thinking about how different everything felt out there compared to downtown — like you get this other side of Dubai for an evening and then slip back into city lights before you know it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Desert safari with dinner and entertainment

• Pick up from hotel in Dubai
• Drive to desert for dune bashing
• Arrive at Bedouin camp
• Welcome with Arabic coffee and sweets
• Meet and ride camels
• Enjoy henna painting and shisha
• Watch live entertainment shows
• Have BBQ buffet dinner
• Return to hotel

Top questions

How long is the camel ride during the Dubai desert safari?

The camel ride is approximately 200 meters long but can be repeated if you wish.

Is hotel pickup included for this Dubai desert safari?

Yes, pickup and drop-off are included from hotels, cruise terminals, apartments or residences in Dubai.

What kind of food is served at the Bedouin camp BBQ dinner?

A five-course BBQ dinner is served with vegetarian options available; Jain food can be requested in advance.

Are drinks included on this tour?

Yes, unlimited mineral water, tea, coffee, Coke and Sprite are included with dinner.

Can infants or small children join this desert safari?

Yes, infants can join; prams or strollers are allowed and specialized infant seats are available upon request.

Is sandboarding included in this Dubai desert safari?

Yes, free use of sandboards is included at the camp for guests who want to try it.

What entertainment is provided at the Bedouin camp?

The evening includes live belly dance performances, Tanoura dance shows and a fire show.

Are there vegetarian or Jain meal options available?

Yes, vegetarian meals are always available; Jain food can be provided if requested ahead of time.

What’s included

Your evening includes hotel pickup and drop-off anywhere in Dubai plus a 30-minute dune bashing adventure in a 4x4 SUV. You’ll enjoy short camel rides (repeatable), free sandboarding gear at the camp, unlimited soft drinks including tea and Arabic coffee with dates and sweets on arrival. There’s henna painting, shisha at dedicated tents, live music and dance performances by firelight plus a full five-course BBQ dinner before heading back to town late evening.