Dubai Desert Safari: Quad Bike, Camel Ride & BBQ Dinner

Red dunes quad biking camel rides and BBQ under desert stars

You’ll race over Dubai’s red dunes on a quad bike, try sandboarding at sunset, ride camels through quiet desert stretches, then unwind at camp with a huge BBQ dinner and live shows. With pickup included and plenty of laughs along the way, it’s one of those days you’ll remember every time you spot sand in your bag weeks later.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Desert adventure with quad biking and dinner

• Pick up from hotel or residence
• Travel to Lehbab Red Dunes
• Stop for refreshments
• Ride ATV for 30 minutes
• Dune bashing for 30 minutes
• Stop for sandboarding and sunset photos
• Arrive at desert camp
• Enjoy BBQ dinner with 30+ dishes
• Watch live performances and fire shows
• Experience camel ride and henna painting
• Try Arabic shisha and soft drinks
• Return to hotel

The Experience

We rolled out of Dubai in a 4x4 with the AC blasting and our guide, Imran, already cracking jokes about who’d get sand in their shoes first. The city faded fast, replaced by these wild red dunes — honestly, I didn’t expect them to look so endless. At Lehbab, the air was dry and smelled faintly like warm stone. The quad bikes were lined up like little beasts waiting for us. I’m not exactly an adrenaline junkie, but once I got going, tearing over those dunes for half an hour felt weirdly freeing. My hands shook after — not sure if it was excitement or just gripping the handlebars too tight.

After that, dune bashing in the Land Cruiser was… well, Imran called it “desert rollercoaster” and he wasn’t kidding. There were moments my stomach dropped out completely (my friend screamed — she’ll deny it). We stopped for sandboarding right as the sun started dipping; sliding down felt clumsy but fun, and the sand got everywhere. The light turned everything this deep orange-pink — I still think about that view sometimes when I’m stuck in traffic back home.

The camel ride was shorter than I thought (maybe ten minutes?), but there’s something oddly peaceful about moving so slowly across that landscape. Back at camp, things shifted — lanterns flickered on low tables, grills smoked with spicy-sweet smells. Dinner was a blur of plates: grilled chicken, salads piled high, something with lentils I can’t name but went back for twice. Between bites we watched dancers spin and twist fire through the dark; someone painted a henna flower on my hand while my friend tried shisha for the first time (she coughed so hard she nearly spilled her tea). It all felt messy and lively and good.

By the time we drove back to Dubai under a sky full of stars (and maybe a bit of sand still stuck in my socks), I realized how much I’d needed a day like this — not perfect or polished but real. If you’re thinking about a desert safari with quad biking near Dubai, just go hungry and don’t wear white shoes.

Top questions

How long is the Dubai desert safari with quad bike?

The tour includes about 30 minutes of quad biking plus dune bashing and evening activities; total experience lasts several hours including transfers.

Is hotel pickup included for this desert safari?

Yes, pickup from your hotel or residence in Dubai is included by 4WD vehicle.

What kind of food is served at the BBQ dinner?

The BBQ buffet offers more than 30 dishes with both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options.

Can beginners do the quad biking?

Yes, both beginners and experienced riders can join the quad bike ride over the red dunes.

Are live performances part of this desert safari?

Yes, there are live Tanoura dance shows, fire shows, belly dancing, Sufi performances during dinner at camp.

How long is the camel ride during this tour?

The camel ride usually lasts between 5 to 10 minutes as part of the experience.

Is sandboarding included on this tour?

Yes, you’ll get to try sandboarding down the dunes after dune bashing.

Are drinks included during dinner?

Soft drinks as well as tea and coffee are included during dinner at camp.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup by air-conditioned 4WD from anywhere in Dubai before heading out to Lehbab Red Dunes for refreshments and a self-drive quad bike session. After dune bashing and sandboarding stops for photos at sunset, you’ll enjoy a short camel ride before relaxing at a desert camp with BBQ buffet dinner (veg & non-veg), soft drinks, tea or coffee. Evening entertainment features live dance shows plus henna painting and shisha before drop-off back at your hotel.