Desert Safari Dubai: Dune bashing, camel ride & BBQ dinner

Dune bashing and live performances replace the usual evening in Dubai

An evening desert safari from Dubai combines 4x4 dune bashing, camel riding, sandboarding and henna painting with a BBQ dinner and live Tanoura and fire shows at a Bedouin-style camp. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, along with refreshments and a guide in English, Arabic or Hindi. Children from age 5 are welcome.

Step-by-step itinerary

Desert safari with cultural activities

• Hotel pick-up in Dubai
• 4x4 dune bashing adventure
• Optional quad biking on dunes
• Camel ride in the desert
• Sandboarding on golden dunes
• Henna painting session
• Dress in traditional Arabic attire
• Enjoy BBQ dinner at Bedouin camp
• Watch Tanoura and fire shows
• Hotel drop-off

The experience

You get picked up from your Dubai hotel in a 4x4 and driven into the desert for the main event: dune bashing. The vehicle speeds over towering sand dunes while you take in the landscape from the passenger seat. If you want to control your own ride, quad biking is available as an add-on at checkout. Once the adrenaline settles, a camel ride offers the slower, traditional way to move through the dunes. The perspective shifts completely when you're sitting high on the animal's back.

Sandboarding comes next, and the operator welcomes both experienced boarders and complete beginners. You glide down the golden dunes at whatever pace suits you. Back at the camp, a guide applies henna to your hands or arms while you dress in traditional Arabic attire for photos. As the sun sets, you're sitting under the stars with a BBQ dinner of vegetarian and meat dishes, unlimited tea, coffee, soft drinks and water. The evening fills with live belly dance, Tanoura (whirling dervish) performance and a fire show.

The whole experience runs about six hours from pickup to drop-off. A live guide in your chosen language (English, Arabic or Hindi) stays with the group throughout. The safari suits anyone from age 5 upward, though it's not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnancy, or significant cardiovascular concerns. Quad biking and alcohol are optional add-ons available at checkout depending on which package you choose.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in a 4x4 vehicle.
• dune bashing and sandboarding.
• camel ride.
• henna painting and traditional Arabic dress for photos.
• BBQ dinner with vegetarian and meat dishes.
• unlimited refreshments including tea, coffee, soft drinks and water.
• live belly dance, Tanoura and fire show performances.

Options for this experience

2 options

Red Dune Desert Safari (stand-up)Guide in 4 languages · No fixed timeShared-car option: dune bashing, sandboarding, a photo stop, falconry, a camel ride, and refreshments including tea or coffee, dates and soft drinks. Pickup is included.

Desert Safari plus ATVGuide in 4 languages · No fixed timeShared-car option including ATV. Pickup is included.

You pick the guide language when booking.

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (11 to 80 years) · Child (5 to 10 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupUp to 100

Live guideEnglish, Arabic, Hindi and Punjabi

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. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Tripa Tours

Is this one for you?Book this safari if your evening is free and you want the full cultural and adventure mix: dune bashing, camel riding, sandboarding and a sit-down dinner with live shows all happen in one outing, with hotel pickup handling the logistics. Quad biking is optional at checkout if you want to steer your own bike through the dunes instead of riding as a passenger.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Punjabi, Arabic and Hindi.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 10 years). Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.

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 desert safari dinner package?

The safari includes hotel pickup and drop-off, dune bashing in a 4x4, a camel ride, sandboarding, henna painting, traditional Arabic dress for photos, a BBQ dinner with vegetarian and meat options, unlimited refreshments (tea, coffee, soft drinks, water), and live performances: belly dance, Tanoura and fire show.

Can I ride a quad bike instead of just being a passenger during dune bashing?

Yes, quad biking is available as an add-on at checkout. You control your own quad bike to explore the dunes for 30 minutes, though it costs extra beyond the base safari price.

How long does the whole experience take?

The desert safari runs about six hours from the time you're picked up at your hotel until you're dropped back off.

Can I add alcohol to my dinner?

Alcohol is not included in the standard package but is available as an optional add-on at checkout, depending on which safari option you choose.