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

Summary

Evening in Dubai’s desert with camel ride dune bashing fire show & BBQ

You’ll feel the rush of dune bashing in Lahbab before sunset, try a wobbly camel ride across glowing sands, and end up sharing barbecue under lanterns at an Al Aweer camp. With live shows, henna painting and sandboarding all included—and someone always ready with tea or a joke—it’s not just another evening out; it’s one you’ll remember when you need a bit of quiet magic.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Desert safari with rides and dinner

• Arrive at Lahbab Desert
• Enjoy dune bashing and desert rides
• Take sunset photography on red dunes
• Travel to Al Aweer Desert camp
• Participate in desert activities and live shows
• Have BBQ dinner at desert camp
• Return to hotel around 9pm

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for this Dubai desert safari?

Yes, pickup and drop-off from your hotel or home in Dubai are included by 4x4 vehicle.

How long does the evening desert safari last?

The experience lasts about 6-7 hours including travel time; you spend around 4 hours at the Al Aweer desert camp.

What activities are included during the Dubai desert safari?

You’ll get dune bashing in Lahbab Desert, camel riding, sandboarding, henna painting, Arabic costume cosplay and live entertainment shows like belly dance and fire show.

Is food provided during the tour?

Yes, there is a buffet BBQ dinner at the camp with both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options plus drinks like water, coffee, tea and soft drinks.

Can children join this Dubai desert safari tour?

Yes, children can join but must be accompanied by an adult; infants sit on an adult’s lap and specialized seats are available.

Are there any health restrictions for this tour?

This tour isn’t recommended for pregnant travelers or those with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health due to bumpy rides.

Where does dune bashing take place?

Dune bashing happens in Lahbab Desert on red sand dunes before heading to Al Aweer for camp activities.

What should I wear for the evening desert safari?

The dress code is smart casual; comfortable clothing is best since you’ll be moving around sand dunes and sitting outdoors.

What’s included

Your evening includes hotel pickup by 4x4 vehicle (shared), all entry fees for both Lahbab and Al Aweer deserts, guided dune bashing on red dunes, camel riding experience (with friendly handlers), sandboarding sessions if you’re brave enough to try it again after falling once or twice (trust me), henna painting and Arabic costume cosplay at camp plus unlimited water, coffee, tea and soft drinks throughout. You’ll also enjoy live entertainment shows—belly dance, Tanura dance and fire show—and finish off with a full buffet BBQ dinner offering both vegetarian and non-vegetarian choices before being dropped back at your hotel late evening.

What’s the experience like?

Ever wondered what it really feels like to stand on those endless red dunes just outside Dubai? I wasn’t sure what to expect—maybe a lot of sand and some touristy stuff. But as soon as our driver picked us up (right on time, which I didn’t see coming), things got interesting fast. The city faded and suddenly we were bouncing over Lahbab’s dunes in a 4x4, my stomach doing little flips every time we hit a steep drop. The air smelled dry and warm, almost sweet with the sun getting lower. Our guide, Kareem, kept grinning in the rearview mirror—he knew exactly when to pause for us to catch our breath or snap photos. He even pointed out a falconer off in the distance; I’d have missed it if he hadn’t.

I’ll be honest: riding a camel is not as graceful as it looks in photos. Mine was called Lulu and she was patient with me fumbling around (the handler just laughed and said “first time?”). There was this weird calm up there though—just rocking along while the sky started turning orange and pink behind us. Sandboarding looked easy until I tried it; let’s just say I’m still shaking grains out of my shoes. Some kids nearby were shrieking with laughter every time someone wiped out. It felt good to laugh along with them.

The camp at Al Aweer was buzzing but somehow peaceful too—low tables, lanterns flickering, people quietly chatting or getting henna painted on their hands. Someone handed me sweet tea that tasted faintly of cardamom (I wish I’d asked for the recipe). The live shows started up after dark: swirling skirts from the Tanura dancer, then fire spinning so close you could feel the heat on your face. Dinner was simple but honestly delicious—grilled meats, salads, smoky eggplant dip. Sitting under that wide desert sky eating barbecue with strangers who felt like friends for a night… I still think about that view sometimes when things get noisy back home.