Dubai Desert Safari Half-Day with Camel Ride & Sandboarding

Summary

Lahbab Red Dunes Morning Adventure & Camel Experience

Start your morning with dune bashing across Dubai’s red sands, ride a camel like locals have for generations, and try your luck at sandboarding down soft dunes. With an early pickup and expert guide handling everything, you’ll get adventure plus real insight into desert life—all before lunch.

What’s the experience like?

Our driver pulled up right on time, the city still quiet as we left behind the glass towers for the open road toward Lahbab’s red dunes. The sun was just starting to warm up, but you could still feel a cool breeze through the car window. Once we hit the sand, our guide grinned and let some air out of the tires—then we were off, bouncing over dunes in a 4x4. The sound of sand crunching under the wheels is something I won’t forget soon.

After that wild ride, everything slowed down for the camel trek. The camels waited patiently, their big eyes blinking in the morning light. Climbing up felt a bit wobbly at first, but once we got moving it was surprisingly peaceful—just us and endless waves of orange sand. Our guide shared stories about how these animals have been crossing deserts for centuries, which made me appreciate every slow step even more.

Sandboarding came next—standing at the top of a dune with a board in hand is both exciting and a little nerve-wracking. The sand here is so fine it almost squeaks under your feet. I managed to stay upright most of the way down (not everyone did!), and there was plenty of laughter as we all tried again and again. Cold drinks tasted extra good after all that sun and activity.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Morning Desert Safari Adventure

• Dune bashing in 4×4 SUV
• Camel ride in the desert
• Sand skiing on dunes
• Refreshments served
• Return to hotel

Top questions

Is this Dubai desert safari suitable for kids?

The tour can be fun for older children who enjoy adventure activities like dune bashing and sandboarding. However, infants need special seats and some parts may not suit very young kids.

What should I wear for the morning desert safari?

Wear light, comfortable clothes you don’t mind getting sandy, plus closed shoes or sandals that stay on easily. A hat and sunglasses help with the morning sun.

How long does the half-day Dubai desert safari last?

The whole experience takes about four hours from pickup to drop-off—usually between 7:00am and 11:30am depending on your location in Dubai.

Is food included during this tour?

No meals are served on this morning safari, but cold water and soft drinks are provided throughout to keep you refreshed in the desert heat.

What’s included

Your morning includes pickup from anywhere in Dubai in a comfortable 4x4 vehicle, plus all transfers out to Lahbab’s famous red sands along Hatta Oman Road. You’ll get a guided dune drive lasting around 35 to 40 minutes for plenty of thrills, along with time to try sandboarding down those soft slopes. There’s also a camel ride through the open desert landscape—and when you need it most, cold water and soft drinks are always available on board before heading back to your hotel or residence.