Dubai Desert Safari: Dune Bashing, Camel Ride & BBQ Dinner

Race over dunes, ride camels, and feast by firelight beneath desert stars.

A 7-hour desert safari from Dubai includes hotel pickup in a 4x4 vehicle, dune bashing and sandboarding in the red dunes, camel rides, falcon encounters, henna painting, and a BBQ dinner with live cultural performances at a traditional camp. Children from age 4 are welcome. Quad biking is optional and self-driven at your own risk. Avoid eating 2–3 hours before the trip to prevent sickness during dune bashing.

Step-by-step itinerary

Desert safari with activities and dinner

• Hotel pickup in air-conditioned 4x4
• Stop to adjust tire pressure
• Optional quad biking and falcon photos
• Dune bashing adventure
• Sandboarding on dunes
• Arrive at desert camp
• Welcome with Arabic coffee and sweets
• Camel ride and feeding
• Falcon encounters and henna painting
• Arabic attire makeover and shisha lounge
• Enjoy live cultural performance
• BBQ dinner with Arabian dishes
• Return to hotel

The experience

The day starts with pickup from your Dubai hotel in an air-conditioned 4x4. On the way to the desert, the driver stops to adjust tire pressure for off-road grip. You can use restrooms, photograph falcons, or add an optional quad bike ride (self-driven, at your own cost and risk). Once in the dunes, you spend 30–45 minutes dune bashing: the vehicle climbs and drops the golden slopes while you hold on, then you try sandboarding on the sand itself for photos and views across the desert floor.

At the desert camp, you're welcomed with traditional Arabic coffee, dates and sweets. You ride a camel (as many times as you want), watch falcons being handled, get henna painted on your hands, and try on Arabic clothing. The camp has a shisha lounge where you can smoke if you choose. As the sun sets, a live band plays traditional Yola dance and a fire show while you eat a BBQ dinner with vegetarian and meat dishes, plus unlimited water and soft drinks. The driver returns you to your hotel afterward.

The quad biking option is self-driving and not covered by the activity provider's insurance: any accidents or damage are your responsibility. Children ages 9–15 can ride a shared ATV only with an adult. If you're picked up from Sharjah, you'll be collected first and dropped off last on the shared route. Avoid heavy meals before dune bashing to prevent motion sickness.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in a 4x4 vehicle.
• 30–45 minutes of dune bashing and sandboarding.
• camel rides (repeatable).
• falcon encounters and falconry show.
• henna painting and Arabic attire makeovers.
• welcome Arabic coffee, dates and sweets at camp.
• shisha smoking.
• live Yola dance and fire show.
• BBQ dinner with vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes.
• unlimited water and soft drinks.
• English-speaking licensed driver.

Options for this experience

2 options

7-hour tour with a BBQ dinnerGuide in English · 11:30, 14:00 and 14:30Shared tour featuring dune bashing, sandboarding, a camel ride, henna, shisha, a BBQ meal and entertainment shows at Desert Camp. Pickup is included.

7-hour tour with an ATV ride and a BBQ dinnerGuide in English · 11:30, 14:00 and 14:307-hour tour with an ATV ride and a BBQ dinner. Pickup is included.

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 11:30, 14:00 and 14:30Last departure this season: 21 Dec

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (12 to 60 years) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

GroupUp to 100

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Is this one for you?Choose this if you want everything in one afternoon (dune bashing, camel rides, henna, and dinner) all timed to get you back by evening. Book the shared 4x4 if you prefer a fixed schedule over arranging your own transport.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 11 years). Children under 4 can't be included in the booking.

What's the difference between the two tour options?

The 7-hour tour with BBQ dinner includes everything listed here. The option with ATV and BBQ dinner adds optional quad biking, which you drive yourself. It costs extra and is not insured by the provider, so any damage or accident is your responsibility.

What happens if I have back pain or mobility issues?

Dune bashing involves the vehicle climbing and dropping steep sand slopes, which puts stress on your spine. The operator advises against camel rides if you have back problems. If you have spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or are pregnant, this tour is not recommended.

Is alcohol included in the dinner?

Alcoholic drinks are not included in the BBQ meal. The dinner features non-alcoholic beverages: unlimited water and soft drinks.

How long is the camel ride?

The tour includes a camel ride at the desert camp, and you can repeat it as many times as you want during your time there. There's no fixed duration for each ride. You ride at your own pace.

What if I get motion sickness during dune bashing?

The operator recommends avoiding food for 2–3 hours before the trip to reduce the risk of sickness during dune bashing. Unlimited water and soft drinks are provided throughout the day to keep you hydrated.