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

★★★★★★★★★★ 4.93 (174 reviews) 95% rated it 5 stars

Free cancellationExcellent quality

1/19

Duration6h 30m

GroupUp to 700

LanguagesEN

PickupAt your hotel

Dubai desert safari thrills with sunset dunes camel rides fire show

You’ll barrel over Dubai’s red sand dunes in a 4x4, ride camels like locals once did, try your luck at sandboarding and relax with henna and fresh coffee as sunset hits. A BBQ dinner under lanterns wraps up your desert safari with live dance shows — it’s not what you expect until you’re there.

6h 30m

Step-by-step itinerary

Desert Safari with Activities and Dinner

Pick up from your doorstep
Drive on red sand dunes
Enjoy thrilling dune bashing
Ride a traditional camel
Take sunset photography
Try sand boarding
Relax on camp sofas
Get henna painting and tattoo
Enjoy unlimited refreshments
Watch belly, tanura, zumba, fire shows
Have BBQ buffet dinner

The Experience

We were already halfway out of Dubai when I realized how quiet it got — just the hum of the 4x4 and some nervous laughter from the back seat. Our driver, Ahmed, grinned in the rearview mirror before steering us into the red dunes. Dune bashing is wilder than I expected; my stomach did a weird flip on that first drop. Sand everywhere — you taste it in the air, feel it crunch under your shoes when you finally step out for photos. The light was turning gold and everyone just stood there for a second, not really talking.

Camel riding was next. I’ll be honest, getting on was more awkward than graceful (the camel seemed amused). Ahmed explained how these rides go way back in Emirati culture — something about patience and long journeys across this same sand. The camel’s fur felt rougher than I thought it’d be. Someone tried to get a selfie but ended up with just an ear in the frame; we all laughed at that. Sandboarding looked easy until you actually tried to balance — I wiped out twice but honestly didn’t care.

By sunset we found ourselves at this camp set up with low sofas and lanterns flickering in the wind. There was henna painting (I let one of the ladies draw a flower on my hand) and strong cardamom coffee that lingered on my tongue longer than expected. The BBQ dinner smelled unreal — smoky chicken, biryani, flatbread warm from the fire. While we ate, dancers spun and a guy did this wild fire show that made everyone fall silent for a minute. It’s strange how quickly you settle into that rhythm out here — I still think about that sky.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup from your hotel or residence by 4x4 vehicle, thrilling dune bashing over Dubai’s red sand dunes, a traditional camel ride and sandboarding session. At camp you’ll enjoy henna painting and unlimited refreshments before settling in for live entertainment shows with belly dancing and fire performances plus a full BBQ buffet dinner with vegetarian options before heading back in comfort.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Holiday Tours