Dubai Desert Safari: Quad Biking, Dune Bashing & Camel Ride

Summary

Dubai desert adventure with quad bikes dune bashing and camel rides

You’ll feel your heart race as you quad bike across Dubai’s red sands, laugh through wild 4x4 dune bashing, try your luck at sandboarding, and meet camels face-to-face—all with pickup from your hotel and a local guide who knows every shortcut through the desert.

What’s the experience like?

I was still brushing sand off my shoes when our guide, Ahmed, grinned and handed me a helmet. The sun wasn’t too high yet—just enough to make the red dunes around Lahbab glow. You could smell that dry desert air, kind of like warm stone. I’d never been on a quad bike before (my nerves definitely showed), but Ahmed just laughed and said, “Don’t worry, everyone wobbles at first.” He was right. After a few jerky starts, I got the hang of it—sort of—and we zipped around this big fenced area, engines buzzing and sand flicking up behind us.

Next up was dune bashing in a 4x4. I thought it’d be like driving over speed bumps. It’s not. Our driver cranked up some Arabic pop music and suddenly we were flying over these massive red hills—up, down, sideways—I actually lost track of which way was forward at one point. My friend screamed (in a good way) every time we hit a steep drop. When we stopped for photos in the middle of nowhere, it was so quiet you could hear your own breath. The sand felt weirdly cool under my hands even though the air was warming up.

I tried sandboarding after that—way harder than it looks on Instagram. I fell twice but honestly didn’t care; sliding down those golden slopes with nothing but sky ahead is something I still think about now and then. We finished with a short camel ride (the camel seemed unimpressed by my attempts at conversation) and snapped some photos with Ahmed and the crew—they know all the tricks for getting that “floating above the dunes” shot. On the drive back to Dubai, I kept finding grains of sand in my pockets. Guess they come home with you.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Morning desert safari and quad biking

• Pick up from Dubai hotel
• Travel to Dubai Lahbab Desert
• Listen to Dubai history explanation
• 30 minutes quad bike ride
• 4x4 off-road dune adventure
• Sandboarding on red dunes
• Short camel ride in desert
• Photo session with guides
• Return journey to Dubai

Top questions

How long is the Dubai morning desert safari?

The tour includes several activities and lasts about half a day including hotel pickup and drop-off.

Is quad biking included in this Dubai desert safari?

Yes, there is a 30-minute quad bike ride inside a large fenced area if you select that option.

Are hotel transfers included in this Dubai desert tour?

Yes, pickup and drop-off from your Dubai hotel are included by air-conditioned 4x4 vehicle.

What activities are part of the morning desert safari?

The tour includes quad biking, dune bashing in a 4x4 vehicle, sandboarding, a short camel ride, photo stops, and water.

Is this Dubai safari suitable for pregnant travelers?

No, it is not recommended for pregnant travelers or those with spinal injuries.

Do guides speak English during this desert safari?

Yes, an English-speaking licensed desert safari guide leads the experience.

Can children join the Dubai morning desert safari?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels but may not be ideal for very young children due to activity intensity.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off within Dubai city limits by air-conditioned 4x4 vehicle, bottled water throughout the adventure, a 30-minute quad bike ride in a large fenced area (if selected), repeatable sandboarding on red dunes, thrilling dune bashing with an expert driver, a short camel ride across the sands, photo stops guided by your hosts for memorable shots—and all led by an English-speaking licensed desert safari guide before returning comfortably to your hotel.