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

Dune bashing, a camel ride, sandboarding, sunset soft drinks, henna painting, and a starlit BBQ with live entertainment

An evening desert safari in Dubai's red dunes with hotel pickup in a 4WD vehicle, dune bashing with professional drivers, a camel ride, sandboarding, and a three-course BBQ dinner at a Bedouin camp. The tour includes Tanoura dance, belly dancing, a fire show, henna hand painting, and soft drinks. It runs six hours and operates in English with a live guide.

Step-by-step itinerary

Dubai Desert Safari Experience

• Hotel pick-up in 4-wheel-drive
• Dune bashing in desert
• Watch sunset with soft drink
• Arrive at Bedouin camp
• Welcome with Arabic coffee and dates
• Camel ride in desert
• Sandboarding on dunes
• BBQ dinner under stars
• Enjoy Tanoura, belly dance, fire show
• Return transfer to hotel

The experience

The tour starts with hotel pickup in a long-wheelbase 4WD vehicle fitted with air-conditioning and seat belts. Once in the desert, the driver tackles towering dunes across the landscape while you sit back for the ride. This is dune bashing, and it is the core of the afternoon. The vehicles are built for rough terrain and licensed to carry up to six passengers, so the experience is shared but not crowded.

As the sun drops, you stop at a high dune to watch the light change over the sand while sipping soft drinks. Then comes the Bedouin camp, where you're welcomed with Arabic coffee and dates. From there, you ride a camel through the golden sands (a slower, quieter moment after the speed of the dunes), and then try sandboarding, sliding down the slopes on a board. Henna painting happens here too, with an artist applying traditional designs to your hands while you wait for dinner.

The evening meal is a three-course BBQ buffet under the stars, with grilled specialties and a variety of juices available. Entertainment follows: a Tanoura dancer in a spinning skirt, a belly dancer, and a fire show that lights up the desert night. The tour ends with a transfer back to your hotel, arriving after dark.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in a 4WD vehicle.
• dune bashing across the desert.
• camel ride through the sands.
• sandboarding down dunes.
• henna hand painting.
• three-course BBQ dinner with grilled specialties.
• soft drinks and juices.
• Tanoura dance, belly dancing and fire show entertainment.
• Arabic coffee and dates at the camp.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 15:30Last departure this season: 31 Oct

Book up to5h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (5 to 11 years) · Under 5: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 60

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availableNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Arabian Adventures

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English only, so this tour works best if you're comfortable following commentary in English. The off-road driving is adventurous and rough, so it's not suitable for travelers with spinal injuries, heart conditions, or neck or back problems, but it suits all other fitness levels, including families with children from age 5 onward.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 11 years). Under 5: they can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is dune bashing like in a 4WD vehicle?

Dune bashing is off-road driving across towering sand dunes with a professional driver navigating the rough terrain. The vehicles are long-wheelbase 4WDs with air-conditioning, seat belts and roll cages, built to handle the steep slopes and soft sand. It is the main thrill of the afternoon.

What happens at the Bedouin camp?

At the camp, you receive a warm welcome with Arabic coffee and traditional dates. You then ride a camel through the desert, try sandboarding down the dunes, and have henna hand painting applied. Later, the three-course BBQ dinner is served here under the stars, followed by live entertainment including Tanoura dance, belly dancing and a fire show.

Is vegetarian food available?

Vegetarian options and kids meals are available at the BBQ dinner. You need to request these at the time of booking so the camp can prepare them for you.

What time does the tour end and how do I get back to my hotel?

The tour runs for six hours and ends after dark, with a comfortable transfer back to your hotel included. You'll be dropped at your hotel's main entrance, so confirm your pickup location and time 24 hours before the tour date.

What should I wear on the desert safari?

Modest dress and comfortable, closed walking shoes are recommended. The desert can be cool in the evening, and closed shoes protect your feet during sandboarding and the camel ride.