Dubai: Red Dune Safari, BBQ Dinner & Live Shows Pickup

Summary

Evening desert safari with red dunes adventure BBQ and live dance

You’ll ride across Dubai’s red dunes in a 4x4 with your local guide before trying sandboarding and snapping photos at sunset. Afterward, relax at a desert camp with BBQ dinner and watch belly dancing, Tanoura spinning, and fire shows under lantern light. It’s lively but there are quieter moments too—like sharing tea or getting henna—before heading back to your hotel.

What’s the experience like?

“You’ve never tried dune bashing?” our driver grinned at me in the rearview mirror, eyebrow raised. I just shook my head — honestly, I didn’t even know what it meant until we were flying over those Lahbab red dunes outside Dubai. The 4x4 rattled so much I lost count of how many times I laughed out loud (and maybe squealed once or twice). The sand was everywhere — in my shoes, hair, probably even my teeth — but the air felt cooler than I expected as the sun started to dip. There was this orange-pink light that made everything look kind of unreal for a minute.

We stopped at the top of one really high dune and our guide handed me a sandboard. “Just lean back,” he said, but I definitely didn’t look as graceful as he did. Still, sliding down with the wind in my face was worth every awkward tumble (and yeah, sand in places I won’t mention). Some local kids waved from far off on camels; their laughter carried over to us. I tried to say thank you in Arabic when they helped me up — pretty sure I butchered it but they smiled anyway.

By sunset, we reached the camp — lanterns flickering and the smell of grilled meat mixing with sweet shisha smoke. Dinner was a big spread: barbecue chicken, salads, flatbreads warm from the fire. There were dancers swirling in bright skirts (the Tanoura guy spun so long it made me dizzy just watching), and when the fire dancer came out everyone went quiet for a second except for someone’s phone buzzing behind me. I got a henna tattoo from an older woman who barely spoke English but patted my hand gently when she finished. Even now, sometimes I catch that scent of spice and charcoal if I close my eyes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Evening desert safari and entertainment

• Pick up from hotel in Dubai or Sharjah
• Red dune bashing in Lahbab desert
• Sand boarding on high dune
• Take photos of sunset with dunes
• Enjoy BBQ dinner with live shows
• Drop off at hotel in Dubai or Sharjah

Top questions

Is pickup included for this Dubai evening desert safari?

Yes, hotel or residence pickup in Dubai or Sharjah is included by 4x4 Land Cruiser.

How long does the dune bashing last during the tour?

Dune bashing lasts about 35 minutes on the red dunes at Lahbab desert.

Are meals provided during this safari experience?

Yes, an international buffet dinner with barbecue is included (vegetarian & non-vegetarian options).

What activities are available besides dune bashing?

You can try sandboarding, camel rides, get a henna tattoo, and watch live entertainment shows.

Are drinks included at the desert camp?

Tea, coffee, soft drinks, and cold water are all included at no extra cost.

Is this tour suitable for infants or pregnant travelers?

No, it’s not recommended for infants without special seats (available for extra charge), pregnant travelers or those with spinal/cardiac issues.

Where does the tour start and end?

The tour starts with pickup from your location in Dubai/Sharjah and ends with drop-off at your hotel or residence.

What’s included

Your evening includes pickup and drop-off anywhere in Dubai or Sharjah by 4x4 Land Cruiser; dune bashing on Lahbab’s red sands; sandboarding; camel ride; henna tattoo; unlimited tea, coffee, soft drinks and water; an international buffet BBQ dinner (with both vegetarian and non-vegetarian choices); plus live belly dance, Tanoura dance and fire show entertainment before heading home.