Dubai Desert Safari: Dune Bashing, Camel Ride & BBQ

Race down sand dunes, then slow down for a camel ride as the sun drops.

A full-day desert safari from Dubai combines dune bashing in a 4WD vehicle, sandboarding, a traditional camel ride, and a BBQ dinner at a desert camp with live entertainment. The tour includes hotel pickup, an English-speaking guide, soft drinks and dates, and runs about 7.5 hours from pickup to drop-off. Not suitable for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnancy, or serious heart conditions.

Step-by-step itinerary

Desert safari with activities and dinner

• Pickup from hotel or location
• Drive to desert with 20–25 minute break
• Prepare vehicle for off-road drive
• Enjoy 30-minute dune bashing ride
• Relax and take desert photos
• Try sandboarding on dunes
• Experience traditional camel ride
• Head to desert camp at sunset
• Enjoy live entertainment and BBQ dinner
• Return to pickup location

The experience

The day starts with a pickup from your hotel 45 minutes before your chosen departure time. Once in the air-conditioned 4WD, you'll head toward the desert with a 20–25 minute stop to use facilities or rest, and an optional quad bike ride is available if you want more speed before the main event. Your guide adjusts the vehicle's tire pressure for the sand, then the dune bashing begins: about 30 minutes of climbing and racing down the dunes in the Land Cruiser, the kind of ride that makes your stomach drop and your hands grip the seat.

After dune bashing, you'll have time to catch your breath, take photos, and try sandboarding: your guide shows you how to climb the soft banks and slide down on a board. Then comes the camel ride through open desert as the light starts to fade. These slower moments let you feel the landscape and the rhythm of traditional Arabian travel, a sharp contrast to the adrenaline of the 4WD.

As the sun sets, you'll head to the desert camp for live entertainment shows and a BBQ buffet with both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. Soft drinks, mineral water, tea, and dates are included throughout the day. Your guide helps you back into the vehicle afterward, and you're driven back to your hotel to finish the evening.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off at your selected location.
• transportation in air-conditioned 4WD vehicles.
• dune bashing for approximately 30 minutes.
• sandboarding with guide instruction.
• a camel ride in the open desert.
• soft drinks, mineral water, tea, and dates throughout the day.
• BBQ buffet dinner with vegetarian and non-vegetarian options.
• live entertainment shows at the desert camp.
• an English-speaking guide for the full tour.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 14:00

AgesAdult (10 to 70 years) · Child (3 to 9 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 70

Live guideEnglish

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 11 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availableNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by AlMahra Tours LTD

Is this one for you?The tour is led in English by a professional guide, so you'll understand the commentary and safety instructions throughout. If you speak English and want the full story of what you're seeing and doing, this works. If you need translation into another language, check whether a different departure offers it before booking.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 9 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What exactly happens during the dune bashing part?

Dune bashing is a 30-minute ride in a 4WD Land Cruiser where your guide drives up and down the sand dunes at speed. It's the adrenaline centerpiece of the tour: the vehicle climbs steep slopes and races down them, and you'll feel every drop and acceleration.

Do I need to know how to sandboard before I go?

No. Your guide gives you instructions on how to use the board, then you climb the sandbank and glide down. It's designed for guests of all ages and fitness levels, so beginners are welcome.

What's included in the BBQ dinner at the camp?

The buffet offers both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. Soft drinks, mineral water, tea, and dates are served throughout the day, and the dinner happens after the live entertainment shows at the desert camp.

Will the dune bashing make me sick?

Some travelers do feel motion sickness during the ride. The operator recommends eating only light food 2 to 3 hours before the safari to reduce the chance of discomfort.

How long is the whole tour from pickup to drop-off?

The full experience runs about 7.5 hours. Your driver will pick you up 45 minutes before your selected departure time and coordinate via WhatsApp for a smooth collection.