Dubai: Early Morning Desert Safari Camel Ride & Sandboarding

★★★★★★★★★★ 4.96 (81 reviews) 96% rated it 5 stars

Free cancellationExcellent quality

1/11

Duration3h–4h

GroupUp to 99

LanguagesEN · AR

PickupAt your hotel

Early morning desert safari dubai sunrise camel ride sandboarding dune bashing pickup included

You’ll see Dubai’s red dunes wake up under sunrise light, try sandboarding (yes, you’ll probably fall), bounce through dune bashing with a local driver, and meet camels who seem as sleepy as you feel. Includes early pickup so you catch every moment—there’s something about that first quiet hour in Lahbab that sticks with you.

3h–4h

Step-by-step itinerary

Early morning desert safari and activities

Pick up from hotel at 4:30-5:00 AM
Drive in 4x4 Land Cruiser to desert
Deflate tires for dune bashing
40 minutes dune bashing in Lahbab desert
Stop for sunrise photos
20 minutes sandboarding
10 minutes camel riding
Enjoy unlimited soft drinks and water
Return to hotel by 8:30 AM

The Experience

Ever wondered what it feels like to stand in the middle of the Dubai desert before the city even wakes up? I didn’t think I’d be awake at 4:45am either, but our driver Sami was already grinning outside the hotel lobby. The roads were empty except for us and a few stray cats, and by the time we reached Lahbab—the red dunes—I could smell that dry, cool air you only get before sunrise. It’s weirdly peaceful. Sami handed me a bottle of water and told me to watch for fox tracks (I never saw one, but he swears they’re out there).

The real surprise was how quiet everything felt right before the sun showed up. We stood on top of a dune after some wild dune bashing (honestly, my stomach needed a minute), and suddenly it was just wind and this slow orange glow pushing over the sand. I tried to take photos but nothing really caught it. There was this moment where I just stopped talking—everyone did—and listened to nothing at all. Then Sami started laughing because I nearly fell off my sandboard. Sand gets everywhere, by the way. Like everywhere.

I’m not usually a “ride a camel” person but somehow it made sense out there. The camels looked half-asleep too; their handler clicked his tongue softly and they just plodded along while I bounced around trying not to look terrified in front of everyone else. My friend Li tried saying thank you in Arabic—didn’t go well, but it got a big smile from our guide anyway. After all that, we piled back into the Land Cruiser with sand in our shoes and that weird feeling you get when you’ve done something totally new before breakfast.

What’s included

Your morning includes hotel or residence pickup anywhere in Dubai around 4:30–5:00 am, all transport by 4x4 Land Cruiser with professional drivers licensed for dune bashing, about 40 minutes of thrilling dune bashing at Lahbab’s red dunes (with photo stops), 20 minutes of sandboarding fun, 10–15 minutes camel trekking with handlers present, unlimited soft drinks and cold water to keep you refreshed throughout—and drop-off back at your place after sunrise has done its thing over those endless sands.

Good to know

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

Operated by Desert Fun Tourism LLC