Dubai Desert Safari: Dinner, Camel Ride & 4x4 Pickup

Summary

Desert adventure from Dubai with dinner, camel ride & shows

You’ll leave Dubai behind for an afternoon of dune bashing in a 4x4, quad biking and sandboarding with a local guide, camel riding at sunset, and dinner in a Bedouin-style camp with live music and henna painting—a mix of thrill and warmth you’ll remember long after you brush the sand from your shoes.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect the city to disappear so quickly. One minute we were weaving through Dubai’s late afternoon traffic, and then—just like that—the skyline faded behind us and it was all open sand. Our driver, Khalid, grinned in the rearview mirror before gunning the 4x4 up a dune. I clutched the seat (maybe too tightly), laughing and half-yelling as we bounced over the ridges. The air smelled dry and hot, but not in a bad way—just different from the city’s perfume counters and AC chill.

We stopped for quad biking first. I’m not exactly graceful on four wheels, but nobody seemed to care—some kids zipped past me while their dad filmed on his phone. Sand got everywhere: in my shoes, my hair, even my teeth (don’t ask). After that came sandboarding, which looked easier than it was. Khalid gave me a thumbs-up when I finally managed to stay upright for more than two seconds. He told us stories about growing up near Al Ain while we caught our breath—his laugh was loud enough to echo off the dunes.

The sun started dropping fast after that. We rode camels out toward a low ridge where everything turned gold for maybe five minutes—felt like longer though. The camels snorted softly; one of them tried to eat my scarf (I guess I can’t blame him). At the camp later, there was this smell of grilled meat and cardamom coffee drifting through the air. Local women painted henna on our hands while music started up somewhere behind us—someone’s little kid kept trying to copy the dancers’ spins and nearly toppled into the fire pit.

I still think about that first bite of smoky lamb under the stars—maybe because it tasted like relief after all that adrenaline. The belly dancer winked at our table; someone handed me sweet tea I didn’t know I needed. It wasn’t perfect or fancy or anything like that, but honestly? That made it better somehow.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Dubai Desert Safari and Activities

• 4x4 dune drive
• Optional quad biking
• Optional sandboarding
• Henna painting
• Camel riding
• BBQ dinner with live music and dance

Top questions

How long is the Dubai desert safari tour?

The tour lasts approximately 6 hours from pickup to drop-off.

Is hotel pickup included for this Dubai desert safari?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off by 4x4 are included in Dubai.

What activities are part of this desert safari?

The tour includes dune bashing, quad biking (optional), sandboarding, camel riding, henna painting, live dance shows, and a BBQ dinner.

Is food provided during the tour?

Yes, a BBQ buffet dinner with starters like falafel is included along with soft drinks and Arabic tea or coffee.

Are children allowed on this Dubai desert safari?

Yes, but infants must sit on an adult’s lap; specialized infant seats are available if needed.

Do I need any special fitness level for this tour?

The experience is suitable for all physical fitness levels except those with spinal injuries.

Can I try traditional activities during this safari?

Yes, you can try henna painting and dress up in Arabic costume for photos at the camp.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off by 4x4 vehicle from Dubai, guided dune bashing through conservation reserve dunes, optional quad biking and sandboarding sessions, camel riding at sunset, henna painting by local artists, live belly dance and Tanoura shows at a Bedouin-inspired camp plus unlimited soft drinks, Arabic tea or coffee, shisha if you want it—and a full BBQ buffet dinner before heading back to town.