Dubai Desert Safari: Camel Ride, Sandboarding & BBQ Dinner

Summary

Dubai’s red dunes, camel ride laughs and fire-lit desert evenings

You’ll leave Dubai behind for real red dunes and wild dune bashing before trying sandboarding (expect to get sandy). Ride camels at sunset, eat barbecue under lanterns and stars, watch live shows and try henna if you want. It’s less about perfection and more about feeling the desert around you — laughter, food smells, firelight and all.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was how quiet it got as soon as we left Dubai behind — just the hum of the car and then suddenly, sand everywhere. Our driver, Ahmed, grinned at us in the mirror before heading straight into the dunes. Dune bashing is wilder than I expected; my stomach did that little jumpy thing on the steeper drops. My friend kept laughing every time we slid sideways. There was this moment when we stopped at the top of a dune — wind in my face, everything tinged orange — and Ahmed pointed out some tracks in the sand (foxes maybe?). He said you can smell the desert after rain but today it was just dry air and sun-warmed sand.

We tried sandboarding next. Honestly, I fell twice before getting anywhere but it was fun — sand gets everywhere though, so maybe don’t wear your favorite shoes. The camel ride felt slower than I thought it would (they’re taller than they look), but our guide Samira showed me how to hold on and told stories about her grandfather’s old caravan days. She laughed when I asked if camels ever get bored out here. The main keyword for this tour is “desert safari Dubai” but honestly, what stuck with me most was just watching the sun drop behind those endless dunes.

After sunset we reached camp — lanterns flickering, carpets underfoot, smells of grilled meat and cardamom tea mixing in the air. There were henna artists (my attempt looked like a lopsided flower), fire dancers who spun so close I could feel the heat on my arm, and music that got louder as more people joined in. Dinner was generous: barbecue chicken, salads, something sweet with rosewater I still think about sometimes. Sitting back under all those stars made me forget about city noise for a while. It’s not perfect comfort (sand sticks to everything), but that’s kind of the point.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Desert safari with activities and dinner

• Hotel pickup in air-conditioned vehicle
• Dune bashing on red dunes
• Stop at sunset photo point
• Sandboarding on dunes
• Camel ride experience
• Dinner with live traditional shows
• Return to hotel

Top questions

How long does the Dubai desert safari last?

The experience lasts an evening including pickup from your hotel and return after dinner and shows.

Is hotel pickup included for this desert safari?

Yes, air-conditioned hotel pickup and drop-off are included in Dubai.

What activities are part of this Dubai desert safari?

Dune bashing on red dunes, sandboarding, a short camel ride, henna tattoos (for ladies), live shows and dinner are included.

Are there vegetarian options at dinner?

Yes, both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes are served at the buffet BBQ dinner.

Is this tour suitable for children or elderly guests?

Specialized infant seats are available but it’s not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.

How many people share each vehicle?

This is a shared tour with 6 to 7 guests per vehicle.

Can pregnant travelers join this desert safari?

No, it’s not recommended for pregnant travelers due to dune bashing activity.

What kind of entertainment is provided at camp?

Belly dance, Arabian Tanura show, Turkish folk dance and a fire show are performed live during dinner.

What’s included

Your evening includes hotel pickup and drop-off in modern vehicles from Dubai city hotels; wild dune bashing over tall red dunes; time to try sandboarding; a short camel ride guided by locals; unlimited refreshments; henna tattoos for ladies; sunset photo stops; then a buffet BBQ dinner with vegetarian and non-vegetarian options plus live performances before returning to your hotel late evening.