Dubai Desert Safari: Quad Bike, Sandboarding & BBQ Dinner

Summary

Red sand dunes quad biking camel rides and desert bbq with live shows

You’ll feel adrenaline on a Dubai desert safari as you ride quad bikes across red dunes, try sandboarding (don’t worry if you fall), enjoy camel rides at sunset and relax at a desert camp with BBQ dinner and live shows. The evening winds down with laughter around lanterns—this isn’t something you’ll forget quickly.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect the sand to look so red out near Lahbab — it’s almost surreal when you first step out of the 4x4. Our driver, Sameer, grinned as he handed us helmets for the quad bikes. I was nervous (and honestly, sweating under my shirt) but once I hit the throttle, that faded into this weird mix of excitement and dust in my teeth. The desert wind is dry but not harsh, just enough to sting your cheeks a little. You hear nothing but engines and then, suddenly, laughter from someone spinning out nearby. That was me, by the way — not on purpose.

After the quad biking bit (30 minutes goes faster than you’d think), we regrouped for water and some sweet tea at the meeting point. There’s this moment where everything slows down — just the smell of sand and cardamom in the air. Dune bashing came next; Sameer cranked up Arabic pop and we bounced over dunes that felt twice as high from inside the car. He stopped at one point so we could take photos — sunset bleeding into orange over endless ripples of sand. I tried sandboarding too, which is harder than it looks. My landing wasn’t graceful but no one seemed to care.

The camp itself feels like a movie set but warmer somehow — low cushions, lanterns everywhere, people drifting around in borrowed abayas for photos (I looked ridiculous but whatever). Camels snorted quietly off to one side while someone painted henna on my hand; I still have a faint trace of it days later. The food surprised me: smoky grilled chicken, salads with mint, flatbreads still warm from somewhere behind the tents. There was a fire show that made everyone gasp and then belly dancing started up right after — one of those moments where you forget about your phone for once.

We left late, tired in that good way where your shoes are full of sand and you can’t stop replaying certain flashes in your head — like how quiet it got after sunset or how friendly everyone was at camp. If you’re thinking about a Dubai desert safari with quad bike riding thrown in… well, I get why people do this more than once.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Desert safari with quad bike and BBQ

• Pickup from location in Dubai
• Drive to Red Big Dunes via Al Ain & Hatta Road
• Stop 30-40 minutes for quad bike ride and refreshment
• Dune bashing for 30-35 minutes with photo stop
• Proceed to desert camp
• Camel riding at camp
• Enjoy BBQ dinner and live activities

Top questions

How long does the Dubai desert safari last?

The tour runs from about 2:30pm pickup to 9:30-10:00pm drop-off.

Is hotel pickup included for this Dubai desert safari?

Yes, pickup and drop-off from anywhere in Dubai are included.

How long is the quad bike ride during the tour?

The self-drive quad bike session lasts around 30 minutes.

Is food provided on this Dubai desert safari?

Yes, there’s a live BBQ dinner with an international buffet (vegetarian & non-vegetarian options).

Are there live performances at the desert camp?

Yes, there are live Tannura shows, belly dancing, and a fire show included.

Can children join this Dubai desert safari?

Specialized infant seats are available but travelers should be physically fit; not recommended for pregnant travelers or those with spinal/cardiac issues.

What activities are included besides dune bashing?

You’ll also get camel rides (short), henna tattoos, sandboarding, shisha smoking (optional), and photo ops in Arabic costumes.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup from any location in Dubai by 4x4 vehicle before heading out toward Lahbab’s red dunes along Hatta Oman Road. You’ll have time for self-drive quad biking (about 30 minutes), dune bashing through big red sands with photo stops at sunset, plus sandboarding if you’re up for it. At camp there’s camel riding (short), henna tattoos, shisha smoking if you want to try it out, photo ops in Arabic dress, then settle down for a BBQ dinner buffet while watching live Tannura dance shows, belly dancing and fire performances before being dropped back late evening.