Dubai Desert Safari: Camel Ride, Sandboarding & BBQ

The entertainment runs all evening: Tanoura dance, belly dancing, and a fire show happen after dinner under open sky.

A six-hour evening desert safari in the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve combines dune driving, a camel ride, sandboarding and a three-course regional BBQ dinner with live entertainment, all starting with hotel pickup. The reserve is exclusive to this operator: no other tour groups run here. Guides speak English, and unlimited soft drinks and house beverages (beer and wine) are included. Vegetarian and kids' meals are available on request.

Step-by-step itinerary

Desert safari with activities and dinner

• Hotel pick-up in 4-wheel-drive vehicle
• Drive and dune bashing in desert
• Watch sunset with soft drink
• Arrive at Bedouin camp, welcome with coffee and dates
• Camel ride through desert
• Sandboarding on dunes
• Enjoy BBQ dinner with drinks
• Watch Tanoura dance, belly dance, and fire show
• Transfer back to hotel

The experience

Hotel pickup in a long-wheelbase 4x4 sets the timing. The vehicle tackles the dunes first, climbing and dropping through the landscape while the light fades. You stop at a high point to watch the sunset with a soft drink, then arrive at the Bedouin camp where Arabic coffee and dates wait. The camel ride follows (a straightforward walk through the golden sand), and then sandboarding lets you glide down the dunes on a board. Dinner is a three-course regional buffet served under the open sky, with unlimited soft drinks and house beverages (beer and wine) flowing throughout.

Entertainment runs the full evening: a Tanoura dancer (a whirling performer in a spinning skirt), a belly dancer, and a fire dancer perform between courses and after dinner. The reserve itself matters. It's licensed only to this operator, so you won't see other tour groups. Guides are trained in first aid and carry radios. Vehicles have GPS and roll cages. Seating rotates during the drive so everyone gets different vantage points. The return to your hotel is included, and the whole day runs about six hours from pickup to drop-off.

Children from age five are welcome, though younger children (under five) require special car seats and an exclusive vehicle. Pregnant travelers and anyone with spinal, heart or cardiovascular concerns should not participate. The off-road driving is rough and the camel ride involves mounting and dismounting. Dress modestly and wear closed shoes. A portion of your fee supports local conservation efforts.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup in an air-conditioned 4x4 vehicle.
• dune driving with a sunset stop.
• camel ride through the desert.
• sandboarding down the dunes.
• three-course regional BBQ dinner buffet.
• unlimited soft drinks and unlimited house beverages (beer and wine).
• Tanoura dance, belly dance and fire dance performances.
• return transfer to your hotel.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 1 May 2027

Book up to5h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (5 to 11 years) · Under 5: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 60

Live guideEnglish

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 11 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availableNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Arabian Adventures

Is this one for you?Book this safari if you're staying in a Dubai hotel without a car: pickup and drop-off are included, so the whole evening is arranged from your lobby. The exclusive reserve means you're away from other tour groups, and the fixed schedule (dune drive, sunset, camel ride, dinner, entertainment) holds the full experience inside one evening without you building it.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 11 years). Under 5: they can't be included in the booking.

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 camel ride actually like on this safari?

The camel ride is a walk through the desert sand at the Bedouin camp after dune driving and before dinner. It's a straightforward experience, not a long trek. You mount, ride and dismount as part of the evening's sequence of activities.

Can I bring my five-year-old on this desert safari?

Children from age five are welcome and can ride in a shared vehicle with other guests. Children under five require a special car seat and must book an exclusive vehicle, so contact the operator at least 24 hours before your date to arrange that.

What happens if I'm in Dubai during Ramadan?

During Ramadan, the safari includes the tradition of Iftar (breaking the fast) at sunset with traditional dates, hibiscus drink, sparkling date juice and Vimto juice served on a dune. The belly dancer is replaced by an additional Tanoura dancer, and the BBQ dinner timing adjusts to after sunset.

Is the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve different from other desert safari locations?

Yes, the reserve is exclusive to this operator, meaning no other tour companies run safaris there. It's a private location where you won't encounter other tour groups during your evening.

What drinks are included, and what costs extra?

Unlimited soft drinks and unlimited house beverages (beer and wine) are included throughout the safari. Premium alcoholic drinks are available for purchase if you want them.

How do I arrange pickup from my hotel?

Pickup is included from Dubai hotels. You must confirm your pickup location and time at least 24 hours before your safari by calling [phone] or WhatsApp [phone]. Be in your hotel lobby 15 minutes before your confirmed time.