Dubai Red Dune Safari & BBQ Dinner with Hotel Pickup

Summary

Lahbab Desert Evening Adventure with Live Entertainment

This is your chance to ride over Dubai’s red dunes by 4WD, try sandboarding at sunset, sip Arabic coffee in a Bedouin camp, and enjoy live dance shows before a starlit BBQ buffet dinner. With hotel pickup included and plenty of local touches—from falcon photos to henna art—it’s an evening that feels both lively and relaxed.

What’s the experience like?

Our driver pulled up right on time, and before I knew it we were weaving through Dubai’s late afternoon traffic, heading out toward the open desert. The city faded fast—one minute skyscrapers, the next just endless sand stretching in every direction. When we reached Lahbab, the dunes looked almost pink in the low sun. The 4WD ride was wild—lots of laughter as we bounced over each ridge, sand spraying against the windows. I could actually feel my heart racing when we stopped at the top for photos; there was this quiet except for the wind and a distant engine somewhere.

Sandboarding was next—honestly, it’s trickier than it looks but so much fun once you get going. Some folks tried out quad bikes (not included), but I stuck to watching them kick up dust trails across the horizon. Our guide, Ahmed, pointed out how the colors shift as evening comes on—he grew up nearby and seemed to know every curve of those dunes. We made our way to camp just as dusk settled in, greeted with gahwa (that cardamom coffee smell is something else), sweet gaymat, and sticky dates that left sugar on my fingers.

The Bedouin-style camp felt cozy after all that sun—low cushions, lanterns flickering in the breeze. Camel rides were short but gave us a new view of everything; I snapped a photo with a falcon perched on my arm (it’s heavier than you’d think). Some guests got henna tattoos or tried shisha in a corner tent where smoke curled lazily into the night air. Later, everyone gathered around for tanoura spinning and Khaliji dance performances—music echoing off the sand while cooks set up trays of grilled meats and salads for dinner. When they turned off most of the lights after dinner, you could see more stars than I’ve ever caught back home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Dubai Desert Safari and BBQ Dinner

• Drive to Lahbab desert
• Optional quad bike ride
• Dune bashing and sand boarding
• Welcome with Arabic coffee and sweets
• Camel caravan ride
• Bedouin activities: henna, shisha, falcon
• Watch Tanoura and Ladies Khaliji dances
• Enjoy BBQ dinner buffet
• Experience desert night ambiance
• Drive back to hotel

Top questions

Is quad biking included in this Dubai red dune safari?

No, quad biking is optional and available at an extra cost during your visit to Lahbab desert.

What kind of food is served at the BBQ dinner?

The BBQ buffet includes both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options along with Arabic sweets and dates.

Are there cultural activities at the desert camp?

Yes, you can try henna tattooing, shisha smoking (in designated areas), interact with falcons, and watch traditional dance performances.

How long does this evening desert safari last?

The experience typically lasts about 6-7 hours including hotel pickup and drop-off from Dubai.

What’s included

Your evening covers hotel pickup in an air-conditioned vehicle plus bottled water throughout your trip. At camp you’ll be welcomed with Arabic coffee (gahwa), sweets (gaymat), and dates before joining camel rides or snapping photos with a falcon. Sandboarding is included too, along with unlimited soft drinks and access to shisha pipes in their own area. VIP seating comes standard for dinner service while you watch live Tanoura spinning and Khaliji dance shows—and when it’s time to eat, there’s a full BBQ buffet with plenty of choices for everyone.