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

Spend an afternoon in the desert without arranging the drive there or back.

A 6-hour Dubai desert safari tour includes hotel pickup, dune bashing in a 4x4 with an English-speaking guide, sandboarding and sunset photos in the dunes, a camel ride at camp, and a BBQ dinner buffet with live belly dance, fire show and Tanoura performance. The tour runs small groups at a shared Bedouin-style camp, with henna tattooing, shisha smoking and Arabian dress-up included. Quad bikes cost extra.

Step-by-step itinerary

Desert adventure and cultural experience

• Pick up from your location
• Travel to Lahbab red dunes
• Break for water and restroom
• Optional quad bike or ATV ride
• Thrilling dune-bashing experience
• Sand-boarding and photo break
• Refreshment break at starting point
• Proceed to desert camp
• Henna tattooing and shisha smoking
• Dress in Arabian attire
• Meet falcon expert and pose
• Short camel ride around camp
• Enjoy barbecue dinner buffet
• Watch live Tanoura, fire, belly dance
• Relax and meditate
• Return to city

The experience

Your driver picks you up from your hotel in an air-conditioned 4x4 and heads to the red dunes at Lahbab. Once you arrive, there's a water and restroom break, and time to try a quad bike or ATV if you want one (those run $50 extra). Then the dune bashing starts: the guides here claim the longest safari rides in Dubai, and you'll spend 30 to 35 minutes on the dunes with a professional driver handling the vehicle while you feel every drop and climb. The ride stops for sandboarding and a photo break at sunset before heading back to base for a 10–15 minute refresh.

The camp is a typical Bedouin setup where you move between activities: henna tattooing, shisha smoking in a common area, trying on Arabian dress, and posing with a falcon and its handler. A short camel ride loops around the camp grounds (you can ride again if you want). As the sun goes down, the buffet opens (both meat and vegetarian options), and the live shows start: belly dance, fire performance, Tanoura (spinning skirts), and Khaliji dance. The shows run while you eat. Afterward, there's time to relax or meditate before the drive back to your hotel.

The tour is shared. You'll be in a group at the camp and in the vehicle with other travelers. An English-speaking guide is with you throughout. Cold water, tea, coffee and snacks come with the price. The BBQ dinner, all the activities at camp, transportation and hotel pickup are included. If you want a VIP table at the camp instead of the standard seating, that's an option you can add at checkout.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in an air-conditioned 4x4.
• dune bashing with a professional guide for 30–35 minutes.
• sandboarding and sunset photo stop in the desert.
• camel ride around the camp (repeatable).
• henna tattooing and shisha smoking.
• Arabian dress-up and falcon photo with a handler.
• BBQ dinner buffet with meat and vegetarian options.
• live belly dance, fire show, Tanoura and Khaliji dance performances.
• unlimited cold water, soft drinks, tea, coffee and snacks throughout the day.

Options for this experience

2 options

Dune Bashing, Camel Ride, Sandsurf & 5* BBQ: Dubai Desert SafariGuide in English or Arabic · 13:00, 13:30 and 14:00Pickup is included

Live BBQ Premium Desert SafariGuide in English or Arabic · 13:00, 13:30 and 14:00Live BBQ Premium Desert Safari, includes pickup

You pick the guide language when booking.

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 13:00, 13:30 and 14:00

AgesAdult (17 to 65 years) · Senior (66 and older) · Youth (11 to 16 years) · Child (3 to 10 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 100

Live guideEnglish and Arabic

Audio guideEnglish and Arabic

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyInfant seats availableInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Dubai Desert Dunes

Is this one for you?Book this if you want dune driving, camel riding, and a dinner show in one afternoon. The shared group departs on a fixed schedule from your hotel, so everything connects without gaps.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Arabic.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (11 to 16 years); Child (3 to 10 years); Infant (under 3): free.

How long does the dune bashing part of the tour actually last?

The dune bashing experience runs 30 to 35 minutes with a professional safari driver. The vehicle stops for sandboarding and sunset photos before returning to the camp for a short break.

What happens at the desert camp after the dune bashing?

At the Bedouin-style camp, you can get henna tattooing, smoke shisha, dress in Arabian clothes, and meet a falcon handler. A short camel ride loops around the grounds, and you can ride again if you want. Dinner is a BBQ buffet with live belly dance, fire show, Tanoura and Khaliji dance performances.

Is the camel ride included, or do I pay extra for it?

The camel ride around the camp is included in the tour price and can be repeated if you want another go.

What's included in the dinner, and are there vegetarian options?

Dinner is a BBQ buffet with both meat and vegetarian dishes. Cold mineral water, soft drinks, tea, coffee and snacks are included throughout the day.

Do I need to arrange my own way to the desert, or does the tour handle pickup?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included in the tour price. A driver collects you from your Dubai location in an air-conditioned 4x4 and brings you back after the evening shows end.

Can I add quad biking to this tour?

Yes. Quad bikes, ATVs and quad buggies are available at the red dunes before the dune bashing starts, and cost $50 extra per person.