Dubai Desert Safari: Dune Bashing, Camel Trek & Stargazing

Dune bashing, a night under the stars, camel rides at sunrise, and a Bedouin camp that doesn't close at sundown

This overnight desert safari in Dubai combines dune bashing, camel riding, camping and stargazing in a single 18-hour experience at Al Khayma Camp. You're picked up from your hotel, driven into the Lahbab desert for a 30–45 minute dune drive and sandboarding, then settled into a private air-conditioned tent where you'll spend the night. The package includes a three-course BBQ dinner with live entertainment, a camel trek at sunrise, and morning Arabic breakfast before drop-off. A guide stays with you throughout, and the camp provides shower facilities, Wi-Fi and all activities on-site.

Step-by-step itinerary

Overnight desert safari experience

• Pick up from hotel in 4WD
• Travel to Lahbab desert
• Take 20-minute break at desert
• Optional quad bike ride
• Start dune bashing ride
• Try desert sandboarding
• Arrive at Al Khayma camp
• Settle in tent and welcome refreshments
• Go for camel ride around camp
• View desert sunset from dune
• Enjoy leisure activities at camp
• Have barbecue buffet dinner with entertainment
• Stargaze with telescope at night
• Overnight stay in camp tent
• Wake early for sunrise camel trek
• Watch sunrise over sand dunes
• Eat freshly cooked Arabian breakfast
• Return to hotel from camp

The experience

The day starts with a 4WD pickup from your hotel and a drive to the Lahbab desert. Once there, you'll have a short break to use facilities or try a quad bike ride before the dune bashing begins. The Land Cruiser climbs and slides down the sand dunes for 30–45 minutes (the kind of ride that feels like controlled chaos), then you'll try sandboarding, standing on a wooden board and gliding across the dunes on your own.

At Al Khayma Camp, you'll be led to your own tent and welcomed with Arabic coffee, dates and sweets. What follows is a mix of things you choose: a camel ride around the camp (timed to catch the sunset from a high dune if the light holds), henna painting, shisha smoking, a photo with a falcon, or simply sitting in the camp. As night falls, the lights go out for a stargazing session with a telescope. Dinner is a three-buffet spread (Emirati, Moroccan and Arabian dishes from a Michelin-starred kitchen) followed by live entertainment: a fire show, traditional dance and falconry display.

The overnight part is the real draw. You'll ride a camel near the camp to a fire, where your guide demonstrates how to make Arabic coffee and tea while you sit in the quiet of the desert. Stories and the dark sky fill the hours before you head back to your tent to sleep. Wake before sunrise, and you're on camelback again for a 10–15 minute trek to watch the sun rise over the dunes. Breakfast (freshly cooked Arabic bread, tea and more) happens by 8am, and then the driver takes you back to your hotel.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in a 4WD air-conditioned vehicle.
• dune bashing (30–45 minutes) and sandboarding.
• overnight stay in a private air-conditioned tent with shower facilities.
• short camel ride around the camp and sunrise camel trek (10–15 minutes).
• three-buffet BBQ dinner (Emirati, Moroccan and Arabian) with live entertainment (fire show, traditional dance and falconry).
• stargazing with a telescope.
• morning Arabic breakfast.
• Arabic coffee and tea demonstrations by the campfire.
• unlimited mineral water and soft drinks.
• welcome refreshments (Arabic coffee, dates and sweets).
• henna painting, shisha smoking and falcon photo experience.
• free Wi-Fi at the camp.
• English-speaking licensed guide throughout.

Options for this experience

2 options

Shared tour with a private tentGuide in English · 14:30Camp type: shared stay at our exclusive Al Khayma camp, with a self-service open buffet. Spend the night in traditional Bedouin style with a sunrise camel trek. Includes pickup

Shared tour with ATV and private tentGuide in English · 14:30Overnight desert safari featuring dune bashing, sandboarding, a 35-minute quad bike ride, camel riding, a BBQ dinner and live shows. Includes pickup

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 14:30

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (12 to 60 years) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Under 3: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 50

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

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 3 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical level

Operated by OceanAir Travels

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to spend a full night in the desert rather than return to the city the same evening: the overnight stay and sunrise camel trek are what turn this into a complete desert immersion instead of an evening excursion. Moderate fitness is needed for dune bashing and camel riding. Pregnant travelers, anyone with back or neck pain, heart problems or infants under 3 cannot participate in the dune bashing portion by UAE law.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years). Under 3: they can't be included in the booking.

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 dune bashing ride actually like?

Dune bashing lasts 30–45 minutes in a Land Cruiser that climbs up and slides down the sand dunes in the Lahbab desert. It's a high-energy off-road drive, not a gentle tour, so the operator recommends eating 2–3 hours before the safari to avoid sickness during the ride.

Do I sleep in a regular tent or something more comfortable?

You stay overnight in a private air-conditioned tent at Al Khayma Camp, with shower room facilities available. The tent is your own space, and the camp provides free Wi-Fi during the night.

What happens during the camel rides?

You get a short camel ride around the camp premises during the day (repeatable if you want), then a longer camel trek at sunrise that lasts 10–15 minutes and takes you out to watch the sun rise over the dunes from camelback.

Is the stargazing with a telescope included?

Yes, stargazing with a telescope is included as part of the overnight experience. It happens after dinner, once the camp lights are turned off so you can see the desert sky clearly.

What meals and drinks are provided?

A three-buffet BBQ dinner (Emirati, Moroccan and Arabian dishes) is included, along with Arabic breakfast in the morning. Throughout the day and night, you get unlimited mineral water and soft drinks, Arabic coffee and tea, dates, sweets, and Arabic bread.

Can I bring luggage or a backpack?

Only a small backpack is allowed during the tour. Full luggage is not permitted. Wear sports shoes for sandboarding and casual, loose-fitting clothing. Bring a jacket if you're visiting in winter.