Dubai Desert Safari: Dune Bashing, Camel Ride & Sunset BBQ
The ride across the red dunes is steep enough that you'll feel the vehicle tilt.
A Dubai Desert Safari is a full evening combining dune bashing in a 4x4 Land Cruiser, sandboarding down the Arabian Desert slopes, a short camel ride, and traditional entertainment at a Bedouin camp. You'll watch Tanura dance, belly dancing and fire shows, then eat a buffet barbecue under the stars, with hotel pickup and drop-off included.
Options for this experience
2 optionsStep-by-step itinerary
Desert safari with activities and entertainment
- Hotel pick-up in 4x4 vehicle
- Drive to desert meeting point
- Stretch legs and use washroom
- Optional quad bike or buggy rental
- Dune bashing adventure drive
- Quad bike or buggy ride
- Sandboarding on desert dunes
- Enjoy traditional Arabic coffee and dates
- Watch Tanoura dance and belly dancing
- See fire show performance
- Dine on Arabian barbecue feast
- Drop-off at hotel
What’s included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off by luxury 4x4 Land Cruiser.
- dune bashing and sandboarding with instruction.
- a short camel ride.
- welcome Arabic coffee, tea and dates.
- henna painting and sheesha.
- Tanura dance, belly dancing and fire show.
- self-service buffet dinner with grilled meats, salads, rice and desserts.
- free water and soft drinks throughout.
- photograph in local costume.
Times
- Every day 13:30 14:00
Before you book
Operated by Dubai Desert Tours
Prices and times updated 9 days ago
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The experience
The tour starts with a 45-minute to one-hour drive from your hotel to the desert meeting point, where you can use facilities and take photos of the red sand before the main event begins. A Land Cruiser picks you up in the afternoon (around 2 to 3 PM in winter, or as late as 3:30 to 4:30 PM during summer), and heads into the dunes for dune bashing, the core of the experience. The vehicle tilts and accelerates across the slopes. If motion sickness is a concern, skip heavy meals for an hour before pickup. Wear light, breathable clothing and closed shoes so sand doesn't get everywhere, and bring sunscreen and a hat.
After the drive, you'll sandboard down the dunes with instruction and a guide on hand for safety. The activity takes advantage of the sunset light and gives you a chance to catch your breath between the adrenaline of the vehicle and the evening ahead. Quad bikes and buggies are available for self-driving if you book them in advance and pay extra. Most riders spend around 20 to 30 minutes navigating the terrain at their own pace.
The Bedouin encampment is where the pace shifts. You'll receive a traditional Arabic welcome of coffee and dates, then move through the evening's activities: a short camel ride (repeatable if you want another go), henna painting, and sheesha. The entertainment runs through Tanura dance, belly dancing and a fire show. Dinner is a self-service buffet of grilled meats, salads, rice and desserts, with free water and soft drinks throughout. The entire experience lasts 6 to 7 hours from pickup to drop-off.
Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want the full arc of a desert evening (the vehicle thrills, the cultural performances and the meal) all in one outing with hotel transport handled. The fixed schedule fits all three into a single 6 to 7 hour block, so you're not piecing together separate bookings or arranging your own way to the camp.
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Top questions
What languages is the tour guided in?
Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Urdu, Romanian, Danish, Arabic, Czech, Norwegian, Filipino, Greek, Chinese, Russian, Pashto, Finnish, Hindi and Dutch.
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 10 years); Infant (under 3): free.
What's the dune bashing actually like in a 4x4?
Dune bashing is a high-speed, bumpy drive across steep sand slopes in a Land Cruiser where the vehicle tilts noticeably as it climbs and descends. It's the main event of the safari and the reason the tour recommends avoiding heavy meals beforehand and taking motion sickness precautions if you're prone to it.
Can I ride a camel, or is it just a photo moment?
The camel ride is short but repeatable, so you can do it more than once if you want. Due to the number of guests at the camp, rides are kept brief but you're welcome to go again.
What entertainment happens at the Bedouin camp?
The camp features Tanura dance, belly dancing and a fire show (fire-breathing or fire-dancing). You'll also get henna painting and sheesha, plus the traditional welcome of Arabic coffee and dates when you arrive.
Is the sandboarding hard, or do beginners get instruction?
Sandboarding comes with thorough instruction before you start, and guides stay with you for safety and tips on navigating the dunes. The activity follows the dune-bashing drive and takes advantage of the sunset views.
What's included in the dinner?
Dinner is a self-service buffet of grilled meats, fresh salads, rice dishes and desserts, with free water and soft drinks served throughout the evening. Refreshments continue as you watch the performances.
How long does the whole tour take?
The entire safari runs 6 to 7 hours from hotel pickup to drop-off, including the 45-minute to one-hour drive to the desert, dune bashing, sandboarding, camp activities and dinner.
Dubai Desert Safari: Dune Bashing, Camel Ride & Sunset BBQ
6h · EN · ES · FR · DE · IT · PT +14 · at your hotel
from AED 196 per person
≈ US$ 52 in your currency
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