Dubai Desert Safari: Red Dunes, Dune Buggies & BBQ Dinner

Summary

Evening in Dubai’s desert with dune buggies, camel rides, fire & belly dance plus BBQ dinner

You’ll ride over Dubai’s red dunes in dune buggies or 4x4s, try sandboarding (falling is half the fun), share Arabic coffee with locals, watch fire dancers light up the desert night, eat BBQ under stars—and maybe find your own quiet moment between all the noise.

What’s the experience like?

We’d barely stepped out of the Land Cruiser when our driver, Khalid, grinned and handed me a tiny cup of gahwa. “Arabic coffee—try,” he said. It was earthy and spiced, almost smoky. I nodded and tried to say thank you in Arabic (failed miserably; Khalid just laughed). The sand was cooler than I expected under my shoes, even though the sun was still hanging low over the dunes. Someone revved a dune buggy nearby—loud, but it made me weirdly excited for what was coming.

I’ll admit I was nervous about the dune bashing part. Turns out it’s less like a rollercoaster and more like sliding down orange velvet—except sometimes you’re sideways and everyone is yelling or laughing. Our guide kept pointing out tracks in the sand (“fox last night,” he said once), but honestly I was too busy gripping the seat to spot much wildlife. After that rush, we all tumbled out for sunset photos—my hair full of sand, not glamorous at all—and then tried sandboarding. I fell twice before I got the hang of it. So yeah, if you’re after dignity maybe skip that part.

The camp felt almost unreal after all that noise—a low hum of music, lanterns flickering, someone offering sweet dates and those little fried sweets (I think they called them gaymat?). There were camels waiting for short rides; their eyelashes are ridiculous up close. A woman painted henna on my hand while her daughter watched cartoons on a phone beside her. Later, we sat on carpets eating grilled lamb and rice under string lights while a dancer spun so fast her skirt blurred into color. The fire show had everyone silent for a minute—just crackling flames and desert air.

I still think about that moment walking away from the lights for a second—quiet except for distant drums and soft wind on my face. Not sure why it stuck with me. Maybe because it felt both huge and small at once.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Dubai Desert Safari and Evening Entertainment

• Drive dune buggy or ATV for 30 minutes
• Arrive at desert camp
• Enjoy short camel ride
• Get henna design applied
• Watch Tanoura dance performance
• Watch fire dance performance
• Watch belly dance performance
• Have BBQ dinner with unlimited soft drinks

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included in this Dubai desert safari?

Yes, pickup and drop-off from your hotel or chosen location are included.

What kind of vehicles are used for dune bashing?

Dune bashing is done in fully air-conditioned 4x4 Land Cruiser vehicles.

Can I drive a dune buggy or ATV myself?

Yes, you can book single or double quad bikes or choose 2- or 4-seater dune buggies for a 30-minute drive.

Is food provided during the evening safari?

A live BBQ international buffet dinner is included with both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options.

Are there cultural activities at the camp?

Yes, you can enjoy camel rides, henna painting, Tanoura dance shows, fire performances, and belly dancing (except during Ramadan).

Is this tour suitable for children or people with health issues?

The tour isn’t recommended for pregnant travelers or those with spinal/cardiovascular conditions; infants must sit on an adult’s lap.

Are restrooms available during the tour?

Yes, restroom facilities are available on board at the camp area.

What’s included

Your evening includes hotel pickup and drop-off in an air-conditioned 4x4 Land Cruiser, time to drive dune buggies or ATVs across Dubai’s red dunes (if booked), sandboarding fun, sunset photography stops, short camel rides at camp, intricate henna design painting by local artists, unlimited soft drinks plus Arabic coffee with dates and sweets on arrival. You’ll also enjoy live entertainment—Tanoura spinning dance, fire show (and belly dance except during Ramadan)—and finish with a generous BBQ buffet dinner before heading back to your hotel.