Dubai Desert Safari: Dune Bashing, 60min Quad & BBQ Camp

Summary

Dubai’s wild dunes, quad bikes, and a campfire night under stars

You’ll feel Dubai’s desert come alive: quad biking across open dunes (not just circles), dune bashing with expert drivers, camel rides at sunset, and a night at Majlis camp with live shows and barbecue dinner under starlight. It’s equal parts thrill and calm — you might still think about that silence on top of a dune long after you’re back in your hotel room.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll be honest — I almost missed the pickup because I couldn’t find my sneakers (sand in flip-flops is just not it). Our driver, Hassan, just grinned when I finally showed up at the hotel lobby, shoes in hand. He had this calm way of making you feel like being late was part of the plan. The drive out from Dubai was all chatter and city lights fading behind us until suddenly it was just sand and that weird quiet you only get outside the city.

The first thing that hit me at the edge of the desert wasn’t the heat — it was this sweet cardamom smell from tiny cups of Arabic coffee and sticky dates they handed us. My hands were already sandy before we even got on the ATVs. The quad biking wasn’t some kiddie loop; it was real open desert riding. Sixty minutes felt both endless and too short as we tore over those huge red dunes. I stalled mine once (don’t judge), but Hassan just waved and shouted something encouraging in Arabic — probably “try not to flip it.” Sand got everywhere, even in my teeth somehow.

Dune bashing came next — forty-five minutes of what felt like being inside a rolling drum. The 4x4 driver barely blinked as we slid sideways down these massive slopes. There was this one moment at the top of a dune where everything went silent except for the wind whistling through the windows. I caught myself grinning like an idiot. We stopped for photos; everyone tried to look cool but mostly just squinted into the sun.

The Majlis camp looked like something from an old movie set, lanterns swinging in the breeze and carpets everywhere. We tried camel riding (awkward but fun), then sat around while a henna artist painted my friend’s hand with these careful little swirls. Dinner was this smoky barbecue — lamb kebabs, grilled veggies, flatbreads warm from a fire — and there were live shows: drums, spinning dancers, even fire twirling that made everyone gasp at least once. At some point I realized I’d lost track of time completely. The stars came out sharp and cold above us while people lounged on cushions or smoked shisha quietly nearby.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Dubai desert safari and evening camp

• Pickup from hotel
• Drive to desert and refresh
• Enjoy 60-minute ATV quad biking
• Experience 45-minute 4x4 dune bashing
• Arrive at Majlis Bedouin camp
• Relax and try camel riding
• Enjoy sand boarding and hookah
• Get henna design and costume makeover
• Watch live shows and dances
• Have BBQ dinner under moonlight
• Stargaze before returning to hotel

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for this Dubai desert safari?

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

How long is the ATV quad ride during the tour?

You can choose between 10, 30, or 60 minutes for your open desert quad biking session.

Is food provided during the evening camp?

Yes, there’s a five-course BBQ dinner with vegetarian options available at Majlis camp.

Are children allowed to ride ATVs?

Children aged 15+ can do open desert rides; ages 11-14 have a designated area for safety; infants cannot ride ATVs.

What activities are included at Majlis camp?

Camel rides (repeatable), sandboarding, henna painting, shisha smoking, local attire try-on, live shows (except belly dance during Ramadan).

Is this tour suitable for people with health issues?

The roller coaster dune bashing isn’t recommended for some health conditions but non-dune options are available so everyone can enjoy the camp experience.

How many guests are usually at Majlis camp?

The management keeps it to around 100 guests max for comfort and atmosphere.

What should I wear for this Dubai desert safari?

Light casual clothes—shorts or jeans—and closed sports shoes are best for walking on sand; bring light woolens if traveling December-April as nights can get chilly.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off within Dubai city limits, all open desert quad biking gear (with your own ATV for up to 60 minutes if you want), thrilling dune bashing in a 4x4 SUV with photo stops on high dunes, entry to Majlis elite camp for camel rides you can repeat if you’re brave enough plus sandboarding and shisha sessions if you fancy them; there’s also henna art by local artists and local attire makeovers before sitting down to a five-course BBQ dinner with drinks—vegetarian or Jain meals on request—and four different live shows unless it’s Ramadan or certain holidays when belly dancing is skipped.