Dubai Desert: Sunset Camel Ride, BBQ & Al Khayma Camp

Sunset camel trek, Bedouin camp dinner & desert traditions

You’ll ride camels through golden dunes as the sun sets outside Dubai, then relax at Al Khayma Camp with tea, shisha or henna if you want. Enjoy a barbecue buffet with live shows and try on local dress for photos or just for fun. It’s not just about what you see — it’s how it feels to step into desert calm for an evening.

Step-by-step itinerary

Desert camel ride and BBQ dinner

• Pick up from hotel
• Drive 45-50 minutes to desert
• Enjoy 40-45 minute camel ride
• Arrive at Al Khayma Bedouin camp
• Have tea or coffee with dates
• Try Shisha smoking and Henna tattoo
• Dress in traditional Arab attire
• Take photo with falcon
• Enjoy BBQ buffet dinner with live shows
• Return to hotel

The Experience

We were still brushing city dust off our shoes when our driver pulled away from Dubai’s glass towers and into that long stretch of sand — you know, the kind that looks endless until you’re actually in it. Forty-something minutes later, we stepped out to this strange quiet. Camels were waiting, big-eyed and kind of funny up close (one kept chewing like he had all the time in the world). The sun was already starting its slow dive, so we climbed up and just… rocked along. It’s not graceful at first — I nearly lost my sandal — but after a while you get into this rhythm, swaying as the light goes gold and everything cools down just enough to notice.

Our guide, Ahmed, pointed out shapes in the sand I’d never have spotted — fox prints maybe? He laughed when I asked if they ever get bored out here (“Never! Too many stories,” he said). The camel ride ended at Al Khayma Camp, where someone handed me sweet gahwa coffee before I could even sit down. There was this smell — smoky from the fire pit but also something floral from the shisha pipes. People wandered around in borrowed kanduras or abayas (I tried one; felt oddly regal), and a woman painted henna on my hand while her daughter watched cartoons on a phone nearby. It all felt both staged for us and somehow real at the same time.

Dinner was a proper spread: grilled lamb, flatbreads warm enough to steam your fingers, sticky dates that tasted like caramel. Between bites there were dancers swirling so fast their robes blurred, and a falconer who let me hold his bird for a photo (I looked terrified; everyone else laughed). Later they set up a telescope for stargazing — though honestly I just lay back on one of those low cushions and listened to people chatting in Arabic under the night sky. The drive back to Dubai was quiet except for someone softly snoring behind me. Still think about that hush out there sometimes.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup by air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking driver, a 40-minute sunset camel ride across the desert, entry to Al Khayma Desert Camp where you’ll be welcomed with coffee and dates, options for shisha smoking or henna painting, dressing up in local attire if you like, photo opportunities with a falcon and Arabian horse show access. You’ll enjoy unlimited soft drinks and water plus an open buffet barbecue dinner before being dropped back at your hotel in Dubai.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by OceanAir Travels

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Top questions

How long is the sunset camel ride near Dubai?

The camel ride lasts about 40-45 minutes through the Arabian Desert before reaching Al Khayma Camp.

Is hotel pickup included for the Dubai camel trekking tour?

Yes, pickup and drop-off from your selected hotel or location in Dubai are included.

What activities are available at Al Khayma Desert Camp?

You can try shisha smoking, get a henna tattoo (for ladies), dress in traditional Emirati attire, enjoy live entertainment shows, take photos with a falcon, and have dinner.

Is food provided during the Dubai desert tour?

A barbecue open buffet dinner is included at Al Khayma Camp with vegetarian and non-vegetarian options.

Can children join the camel ride?

Infants below 5 years are not allowed to ride camels for safety reasons.

Are there any restrictions during Ramadan?

During Ramadan and certain religious holidays, some entertainment like Ladies Khaliji Dance may be restricted; Tanoura and Fire shows will still be available.

What should I wear for the sunset camel trek?

Loose-fitting clothing is recommended; bring a jacket during winter months as evenings can be cool.