Dubai Red Dune Safari: Sunset, Camel Ride & BBQ Dinner

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Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/12

Duration6h

GroupUp to 100

LanguagesEN · AR

PickupAt your hotel

Dubai desert safari with sunset dunes camel ride bbq dinner and live shows

You’ll ride over Dubai’s red dunes at sunset with a local guide, try sandboarding (wipeouts likely), snap photos as daylight fades, then settle into an open-air camp for camel rides, henna tattoos, shisha (if you want), and a big BBQ buffet dinner with live shows before heading back to your hotel under desert stars.

Step-by-step itinerary

Desert safari with activities and dinner

Start tour in Dubai
Pickup by safari guide
Travel to Lehbab Red Arabian Desert
Dune bashing, quad biking, sandboarding
Photoshoot at sunset dunes
Go to Arabian camp
Camel ride and buffet dinner
Enjoy live shows
Return to Dubai

The Experience

"You ever tried sandboarding?" our guide Khalid grinned as he handed me a board, the Lehbab desert stretching out in every direction. I hadn’t—didn’t even know if I’d stay upright—but the dunes were glowing this wild orange under the late afternoon sun, so I just went for it. The sand felt warm and fine under my hands when I wiped out (twice), and Khalid just laughed and offered a hand up. There was this dry, cinnamon smell in the air—maybe from the heat or maybe just my nerves.

We’d started in Dubai, getting scooped up right at our hotel by a 4x4 (air conditioning blasting, thankfully). The drive out to the red dunes took about 45 minutes, city towers fading into nothing but open sky. Once we hit Lehbab, things got loud—tires spinning through soft sand during dune bashing. It was bumpy and honestly kind of hilarious how much we all screamed on the steeper drops. Someone in the back kept trying to film but dropped their phone into a seat crack; nobody cared because outside was that endless desert light.

After sunset photos—everyone scrambling for that perfect angle—we rolled into this camp set up with low cushions and lanterns flickering as dusk settled in. Camels waited nearby (they make these deep huffing noises when you approach), and I managed a short ride without falling off. There was henna painting too; mine smudged because I’m impatient, but it still looked cool. Dinner was this huge buffet—grilled chicken, spiced rice, flatbreads—and sweet tea that tasted smoky somehow. The live shows started after dark: swirling skirts, drums echoing across the sand. At one point someone handed me shisha; I coughed immediately but it made everyone laugh harder.

I didn’t expect to feel so far away from city noise—just lanterns swinging gently and stars coming out overhead. On the way back to Dubai, it was quiet in the car except for someone softly humming along to Arabic pop on the radio. I still think about that last bit of sun on the dunes sometimes—you know?

What’s included

Your evening includes home pickup by 4x4 from anywhere in Dubai, Sharjah or Ajman, all dune bashing and sandboarding gear at Lehbab desert with an experienced driver-guide, sunset photo stops on high dunes, a short camel ride for photos or fun (no pressure if you’re nervous), entrance to an Arabian camp with open-air seating under lanterns where you’ll get henna tattoos if you want them plus unlimited soft drinks, tea and coffee; then a big BBQ buffet dinner with both veg and non-veg options alongside fresh fruit before returning to your hotel late evening after live music and dance shows beneath desert stars.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Sand Dune Arabian Adventure