Dubai Desert Safari: Dune Bashing, Camel Ride & Quad Bike

Summary

Morning in Dubai’s Lahbab desert with camels and sandboarding thrills

You’ll feel Dubai’s desert wake up around you on this half-day safari: sip Arabic coffee in an air-conditioned tent, race over dunes by 4WD and quad bike, then try sandboarding (falling is half the fun). Ride camels with a local guide before relaxing again with dates and tea — it all feels both exhilarating and oddly grounding.

What’s the experience like?

There’s this moment when the 4WD stops just outside the city — you can still see the skyline behind you, but already the air feels different, drier somehow. Our guide, Ahmed, handed us tiny cups of Arabic coffee as we stepped into the shade of an air-conditioned tent. I’m not usually a morning person but something about that first sip (spicy and almost smoky?) made me feel awake in a way that hotel breakfast never does. The quad bikes were parked out front — I wasn’t sure at first but ended up trying it anyway. Sand gets everywhere, by the way. Even in your shoes.

Dune bashing is wild — more rollercoaster than car ride. You can hear everyone’s nervous laughter bouncing around inside the jeep as Ahmed cranks up some music and floors it over these huge waves of sand. The windows rattle and sometimes you catch a glimpse of another group off in the distance, kicking up their own dust clouds. Afterward my hands were kind of shaky (in a good way), so I just stood outside for a minute watching sunlight flicker on the dunes before we tried sandboarding. It looks easy until you’re actually standing at the top with your feet strapped in — I fell twice but honestly didn’t care because everyone was cheering each other on.

The camel ride was slower, quieter — almost awkward at first because camels are taller than they look and make these deep snuffling sounds. Our guide showed us how to hold on (I probably looked ridiculous) but after a few minutes it felt sort of peaceful. There was this breeze that came through right then; you could smell something sweet on it, maybe from some plant I couldn’t see. We finished back at the tent with dates and more coffee — someone asked if we could do another quick ride and Ahmed just grinned and said why not? That sums up the whole morning for me: unexpected things happening just because someone said yes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Morning desert safari with activities

• Pickup from hotel or location
• Travel to Lahbab desert
• Refreshments in air-conditioned tent
• Restroom break and quad bike option
• Dune bashing for 30-45 minutes
• Take photos and relax
• Sandboarding with guide instructions
• Camel ride in the desert
• Relax with soft drinks and Arabic coffee
• Drop off at hotel or location

Top questions

How long does the Dubai desert safari last?

The half-day desert safari typically lasts about 4-5 hours from pickup to drop-off.

Is quad biking included in every booking?

Quad biking is only included if you select that option during booking.

Are refreshments provided during the tour?

Yes, Arabic tea or coffee with dates plus water and soft drinks are served in an air-conditioned tent.

Can I repeat the camel ride?

Yes, short camel rides can be repeated if time allows.

Is hotel pickup included for this desert safari?

Yes, pickup and drop-off at your selected hotel or location are included.

What should I wear for sandboarding?

Sports shoes are recommended for safe sandboarding; casual loose clothing is best for comfort.

Is dune bashing safe for everyone?

Dune bashing isn’t allowed for pregnant women, infants under 3 years old, or those with certain medical conditions like back or neck pain.

What’s included

Your morning includes pickup from your hotel or chosen location by air-conditioned 4WD vehicle, all dune bashing and sandboarding activities led by a licensed local guide, optional quad biking if selected when booking, short camel rides (repeatable), entry to an air-conditioned tent with Arabic tea or coffee plus dates and soft drinks before returning to your drop-off point later in the day.