Dubai Desert Safari: Dune Bashing, Camel Ride & BBQ Dinner

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Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/27

Duration6h 30m

GroupUp to 99

LanguagesEN

PickupAt your hotel

Dubai desert evening with dune bashing camel ride live shows and BBQ

You’ll feel your heart race during dune bashing across golden sands before slowing down on a gentle camel ride at sunset. Try sandboarding or henna at Al Khayma Camp, then share barbecue under lantern light while live dancers spin nearby. It’s not just about thrills — there’s a warmth to this Dubai evening you might not expect.

6h 30m

Step-by-step itinerary

Desert safari with activities and dinner

Travel by air-conditioned SUV
30-minutes dune bashing
Camel ride experience
Sandboarding activity
Sunset view photo stop
Visit Al Khayma Desert Camp
Henna painting for ladies
Watch Tanura and Ladies Khaliji Dance
Enjoy barbecue buffet dinner

The Experience

I’ll be honest — I thought the Dubai desert safari would be just another tourist thing. But sitting in that SUV, my stomach did this weird flip as we hit the first dune. Our driver, Rashid, grinned in the rearview mirror like he’d done this a thousand times (he probably has), and the sand outside looked almost gold in the late light. I could smell something sweet and dusty through the open window — maybe it was just the desert itself.

We stopped for photos right as the sun started dropping. The sky went kind of pink-orange, and I tried to get a shot but mostly ended up squinting into the wind. There was this moment where everything got quiet except for someone laughing near one of the camels. I’d never actually ridden a camel before — they’re taller than you think, and mine made this low grumbling noise when I climbed on. Felt awkward at first but then sort of peaceful? Not sure I’ll ever get used to that swaying walk though.

The camp was busier than I expected, with families and couples from everywhere. There was henna painting (I let one of the ladies draw a tiny flower on my hand), sandboarding — which looked easier than it was — and cold drinks handed out by a guy who kept calling me “my friend.” The food came out just after dark: smoky grilled chicken, salads, some veggie things I didn’t recognize but tasted anyway. Sitting there under those lanterns with everyone watching the Tanura dancer spin (how do they not get dizzy?), it felt strangely cozy for being in the middle of nowhere.

I still think about that night sometimes — how different the air felt out there compared to downtown Dubai, how Rashid told us stories about growing up nearby while we drove back in silence because everyone was half-asleep from all that food and sand. If you’re thinking about booking a Dubai desert safari with BBQ dinner and camel ride… well, don’t overthink it.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup and drop-off from your hotel or home in Dubai by air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking driver.
30 minutes of dune bashing.
sunset photo stop.
camel ride.
sandboarding.
unlimited cold water and soft drinks.
henna painting for ladies.
entry to Al Khayma shared camp.
live belly dance, Tanura dance, fire show entertainment.
plus a barbecue buffet dinner with vegetarian options before heading back in comfort.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availableNot for pregnant travelersNot for back problems

Operated by Hello Desert Tourism Dubai