7-Hour Dubai Desert Safari: Dune Bashing, BBQ & 3 Shows

Dune bash at sunset, then watch fire and belly dance under the stars

A 7-hour desert safari tour from Dubai that combines dune bashing in a 4x4 SUV, camel rides and henna design at Majlis Camp with three live performances and a full BBQ buffet dinner. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included from centrally located Dubai properties, and the camp operates with roll-over protection cages on every vehicle and strict hygiene standards. The tour runs continuously with no gaps between activities: dune bashing, sandboarding, sunset views, traditional Arabic welcome with coffee and dates, camel rides, fire show, Tanura dance and belly dance performance, then dinner before return to your hotel.

Step-by-step itinerary

Desert safari with activities and dinner

• Pass through Dubai to Arabian Desert
• Experience 4x4WD dune bashing
• Try sandboarding and photo stops
• Arrive at Majlis ABC Tours desert camp
• Enjoy Arabic welcome with treats and Ghawaa
• Relax at Majlis seating
• Take camel ride (repeatable)
• Get henna design or relax with hookah
• Wear traditional Arab attire
• Watch sunset around Majlis camp
• Enjoy Fire show and Tanura show
• Have BBQ buffet dinner with drinks
• Watch belly dance performance
• Return to hotel

The experience

The day starts with pickup from your Dubai hotel and a drive toward the Arabian Desert, where the dune bashing begins in a 4x4 SUV over golden-colored giant dunes. This is the part most guests book for: the vehicle rolls and pitches across the sand with a trained driver at the wheel, and every SUV carries a built-in roll-over protection cage. After the dune drive, you stop for sandboarding and photo moments in the desert before heading to Majlis Camp as the light shifts.

At the camp, the evening unfolds in layers. You arrive to a traditional Arabic welcome with Ghawa (aromatic coffee) and local dates, then settle into the Majlis seating. From there, activities run in parallel: camel rides (repeatable if you want another go), henna design from a lady artist, hookah pipes to relax with, and time to watch the sunset from the camp. As darkness falls, three live shows take the stage: the fire show, the Tanura dance (a spinning performance in traditional dress), and a belly dance performance. Between and after the shows, a BBQ buffet dinner arrives with Emirati and Mediterranean dishes prepared to Western standards: grilled lamb kebabs, herb-grilled fish, chicken skewers, baked vegetables, pasta, rice, fresh bread, and desserts including the traditional Emirati Luqaimat. Soft drinks, tea and coffee flow throughout, and water is unlimited at the campsite.

The tour operates on a shared-vehicle basis, so you'll travel with other guests and share the SUV seating: priority goes to seniors for front seats, and children under 12 sit in the rear per UAE law. If you prefer privacy, a private SUV upgrade is available at additional cost. Guests with health concerns or infants travel the soft desert track instead of dune bashing and meet everyone else at the camp for the evening activities. Vegetarian and Jain meals are available on request, and a falafel counter serves vegetarian guests throughout dinner.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from 700 centrally located Dubai hotels.
• 4x4 dune bashing with roll-over protection cages.
• sandboarding and desert photo stops.
• camel ride (repeatable).
• henna design service.
• hookah.
• traditional Arabic coffee and dates on arrival.
• three live shows: fire show, Tanura dance and belly dance.
• BBQ buffet dinner with Emirati and Mediterranean grilled meats, baked vegetables, pasta, rice and desserts.
• soft drinks, tea and coffee.
• unlimited water at the campsite.
• traditional Arab costume to wear during the evening.
• vegetarian and Jain meals available on request.

Options for this experience

5 options

Afternoon desert safari with BBQGuide in English · 15:00Desert safari, camel ride and sandboarding, lasting 6 hours: desert safari, camel ride, sand boarding, BBQ dinner, fire show, Tanura and belly dancer. Pickup is included.

Dubai Desert Safari, Premium EditionGuide in English · 14:30Full desert safari program: 4x4 WD dune bashing, BBQ dinner, sand skiing, shesha, camel ride, henna, Tanura, belly dancer and fire show. Pickup is included.

Desert safari with 10-minute ATV rideGuide in English · 14:30Desert safari with a 10-minute ATV ride: 4x4 dune bashing in the desert, 10 minutes of ATV riding across open desert, camel ride, sandboarding, fire show, Tanura, belly dancer and BBQ dinner. Pickup is included.

See 2 more options

Safari, VIP Lounge, dinner, showsGuide in English · 14:30, 14:45 and 15:15Desert safari with VIP lounge service: dune bashing, camel ride, sand boarding, shesha, henna, BBQ, and 3 live shows and more. Pickup is included.

Private safari with VIP lounge and BBQGuide in English · 14:30 and 14:45Exclusive jeep desert safari: private desert safari jeep, VIP lounge seating, BBQ dinner, camel ride, sand boarding, henna, Tanoura, fire show and belly dancer. Pickup is included.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 14:30, 14:45, 15:00 and 15:15

AgesAdult (9 to 70 years) · Child (3 to 8 years) · Infant (under 3)

GroupUp to 100

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 or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by ABC Tourism LLC

Is this one for you?Book this if you want dune bashing, camel rides, and dinner in one 7-hour block with hotel pickup included. Choose the private vehicle option if you prefer traveling alone rather than in a shared group.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 8 years); Infant (under 3).

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 included in the 7-hour desert safari from Dubai?

The tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off from 700 centrally located Dubai hotels, dune bashing in a 4x4 SUV, sandboarding, a camel ride, henna design, hookah, traditional Arabic coffee and dates on arrival, three live shows (fire show, Tanura dance and belly dance), a full BBQ buffet dinner with Emirati and Mediterranean dishes, soft drinks, tea and coffee, and unlimited water at the camp.

Can I do the dune bashing if I have health concerns or mobility issues?

Guests with health issues, spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health or infants travel on the soft desert track instead of the dune bashing portion and are taken directly to Majlis Camp, where they join all the evening activities (shows, camel rides, henna, hookah and dinner) with everyone else.

What happens during the evening at Majlis Camp?

The camp evening includes a traditional Arabic welcome, camel rides (you can repeat them), henna design, hookah, sunset viewing, and three live performances: the fire show, Tanura dance and belly dance. Dinner is a BBQ buffet with grilled meats, baked vegetables, pasta, rice and desserts, served between and after the shows.

Is the tour private or shared, and how are seats arranged in the SUV?

The standard tour is shared with other guests in one 4x4 SUV. Seating is allocated by the driver with priority for seniors in front seats. Children under 12 must sit in the rear per UAE law. Co-passengers can shift seats equally during the drive if they agree among themselves. A private SUV is available at additional cost if you prefer not to share.

What should I wear and bring for the desert safari?

Wear light, casual clothes, shorts or jeans, and closed sports shoes for walking on the sand. Between December and April, desert temperatures can drop to around 9°C, so bring light woollen clothes or a windbreaker. You'll also receive a traditional Arab outfit (Abaya for women, Kandura for men) to wear during the evening at camp.

Are vegetarian and dietary restriction meals available?

Yes. Vegetarian dishes are available in the BBQ buffet, and Jain food is prepared on request. A falafel counter serves vegetarian guests throughout the evening, and the menu includes hummus, salads, baked vegetables and lentil curry alongside the grilled meats.