Dubai Desert Safari: Dune Bashing, BBQ Dinner & Shows

Summary

Evening desert adventure with dune bashing, camel rides, live shows and barbecue dinner in Dubai’s golden dunes

You’ll feel the adrenaline of dune bashing across Dubai’s golden sands before slowing down with sunset photos in the conservation reserve. Ride camels, try henna art or sandboarding if you’re up for it, then settle in for a barbecue dinner under lantern light with live Tanoura and fire performances. It’s lively but there are quiet moments too — you’ll remember both.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll be honest — I almost missed the pickup because I was hunting for my sunglasses (which I never found). The driver waited, grinning, like he’d seen this a hundred times. We piled into the Land Cruiser with two other travelers from Germany who kept asking about sandboarding. Our guide, Ahmed, just winked and said “wait for it.” The city faded fast behind us — glass towers swapped for endless yellow dunes that looked soft but felt gritty when I brushed my hand against them at our first stop.

Dune bashing is… hard to describe. It’s loud — tires crunching over sand while everyone clings to whatever they can grab. My stomach dropped more than once (I may have yelled), but Ahmed seemed totally calm, even laughing as we slid sideways down a steep slope. When we finally stopped for sunset photos in the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, the air was cooler than I expected. There was this burnt sugar smell from someone’s shisha pipe drifting by while we tried to look casual for photos but mostly just squinted into the wind.

The camp felt like walking into another world — carpets on sand, lanterns swinging a little in the breeze. We were handed tiny cups of cardamom coffee and sticky dates; I spilled half of mine because I was distracted by a woman painting henna on someone’s hand (she smiled at me later and insisted I try it too). Dinner was a blur of grilled chicken, smoky lamb kebabs, salads that tasted way better than hotel buffet stuff. There was a moment during the Tanoura dance when everyone went quiet except for this one little kid clapping off-beat — honestly, that stuck with me more than any fire show.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Dubai Desert Safari with Dinner and Shows

• Pick up by 4x4 Land Cruiser
• Dune bashing in desert
• Capture sunset photographs
• Camel riding experience
• Henna painting session
• Photograph in local dress
• Enjoy unlimited refreshments
• Relax with shisha
• Enter Bedouin camp, receive Arabic coffee and dates
• Feast on BBQ dinner buffet
• Watch Tanoura dance performance
• Enjoy belly dancing show
• See fire show entertainment
• Drop off at hotel

Top questions

Is pickup included for this Dubai desert safari?

Yes, pickup and drop-off by 4x4 Land Cruiser are included in the tour price.

What kind of food is served at the BBQ dinner?

The buffet includes grilled meats (chicken and lamb), salads, Arabic dishes, vegetarian options, and desserts.

Are drinks included during the tour?

Yes, unlimited water, soft drinks, tea and coffee are provided throughout the evening.

Can you try camel riding on this safari?

Yes, a short camel ride is included at the camp as part of your experience.

Is sandboarding available during this Dubai desert safari?

Yes, sandboarding is one of the activities offered after dune bashing.

Are there any live shows or entertainment?

The evening features Tanoura dance performances, belly dancing and a fire show at camp.

Is this suitable for vegetarians or people with dietary restrictions?

The BBQ dinner buffet offers both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes.

How long does this desert safari from Dubai last?

The experience usually lasts around 6 hours including transfers from your hotel.

What’s included

Your evening includes hotel pickup and drop-off by 4x4 Land Cruiser, all dune bashing and sandboarding activities in the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, camel riding at camp plus henna painting and photo opportunities in local dress. You’ll have unlimited refreshments — water, soft drinks, tea or coffee — plus a full BBQ buffet dinner with vegetarian options before returning to your hotel late evening.