Morning Desert Safari Dubai: Camel Ride & Sandboarding

Ride a camel in the desert, then slide down the dunes on a board.

A morning desert safari in Dubai includes hotel pickup, dune bashing in an air-conditioned 4x4, a camel ride across the Arabian Desert, and sandboarding on the red sands of Lahbabd. The tour runs 4 hours with water served throughout and drop-off back at your hotel. A live English-speaking guide leads the whole experience.

Step-by-step itinerary

Morning desert safari adventure

• Pickup from hotel
• Dune bashing in 4x4 SUV
• Camel ride in desert
• Sand skiing on dunes
• Enjoy cold and soft drinks
• Drop back to hotel

The experience

The day starts with pickup from your Dubai hotel between 7 and 7:30am. You'll ride in an air-conditioned 4x4 SUV for about 35 to 40 minutes of dune bashing: the vehicle climbs and drops over the sand ridges while you sit inside. The route heads toward Lahbabd desert on the Hatta Oman Road, where the sand turns red.

Once in the desert, you'll dismount and ride a camel across the open sand. This is different from a beach camel ride: the animal moves across actual desert terrain, and the vistas stretch in every direction. After the camel ride, you'll get a sandboard and slide up and down the dunes on your own: the board works like a snowboard on sand. Cold and soft drinks are served between activities to keep you hydrated in the heat.

By 11 or 11:30am, the driver brings you back to your hotel. The whole package (dune bashing, camel riding, sandboarding, and transport) fits into a single morning, so you have the rest of the day free.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in a 4x4 vehicle.
• 35 to 40 minutes of dune bashing in an air-conditioned SUV.
• a camel ride across the red sands.
• sandboarding experience on the dunes.
• water and soft drinks throughout the morning.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (9 to 75 years) · Child (3 to 8 years) · Infant (1 to 2 years)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 4 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 14 days ago

Good to know

Physically demandingInfant seats availableNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Desert Explorers Tourism

Is this one for you?Pick this if you want a guide handling logistics while you control the pace of your camel ride and sandboarding. The 4x4 transport and sequence are set, but the activities themselves move at your speed.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 8 years); Infant (1 to 2 years).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the camel ride like in the desert compared to riding on a beach?

The camel moves across open desert sand rather than packed beach, and you'll see the full expanse of the Arabian Desert around you instead of the shoreline. It's a longer, more immersive ride through the landscape.

How does sandboarding work, and do I need experience?

Sandboarding is sliding down dunes on a board similar to a snowboard. No experience is needed. The tour provides the board and you slide at your own pace on the red sands of Lahbabd.

What time does pickup happen, and when will I be back at my hotel?

Pickup runs between 7 and 7:30am from your Dubai hotel, and drop-off is between 11 and 11:30am. The whole tour takes 4 hours.

Is the dune bashing rough, and will I be uncomfortable in the 4x4?

The 4x4 is air-conditioned and built for dune driving. The vehicle climbs and descends the sand ridges, which is thrilling but the suspension is designed for it. The ride lasts 35 to 40 minutes.

What's included in the tour price?

Hotel pickup and drop-off, the dune bash in the 4x4, the camel ride, sandboarding, water and soft drinks, and a live English-speaking guide are all included.