Dubai Evening Desert Safari: Dune Bashing, BBQ & 5 Live Shows

Red dunes adventure in Lahbab desert with camel ride and dinner

An evening desert safari in Dubai's Lahbab Red Dunes combines 30–35 minutes of 4×4 dune bashing and sandboarding with a premium camp experience: table-seated BBQ buffet, camel ride, falcon photo, henna and five live shows (Tanoura, belly dance, fire, Khaleeji and Dabke). Hotel pickup and drop-off from Dubai and selected Sharjah locations are included, along with a licensed guide, unlimited refreshments and designated-area shisha. The experience runs about 6 hours. During Ramadan and designated UAE religious holidays, some performances may be unavailable per local regulations, though the safari activities and dinner proceed as scheduled.

Step-by-step itinerary

Evening desert safari with activities

• Drive 30–35 minutes dune bashing
• Try sandboarding and sunset photo stop
• Arrive at Al Awir desert camp
• Enjoy Arabic coffee and dates welcome
• Take a short camel ride
• Get falcon photo and henna painting
• Participate in Arabic dress photography
• Relax with shisha in designated area
• Dine with table-seated BBQ buffet
• Watch five live shows

The experience

The evening starts with 30–35 minutes of dune bashing across the Lahbab Red Dunes in a 4×4, with a stop to watch the sunset and try sandboarding if you want. If you upgrade, you can swap part of that for a self-drive quad-bike or dune-buggy session in a designated desert area instead. After the dunes, the driver brings you to the Al Awir premium camp, where you arrive with Arabic coffee and dates waiting.

Dinner is table-seated, not floor-style, and the buffet includes grilled meats, Arabic sweets, fresh fruit and unlimited soft drinks and water. Between courses, five live shows rotate through the camp: Tanoura (spinning skirts), belly dance, fire performance, Khaleeji (traditional Gulf dance) and Dabke (line dance). You're not watching from a distance: the performers work the dining area. While you eat, you can also book a short camel ride, get a professional falcon photo, have henna painted on your hands, wear traditional Arabic dress for photos and smoke shisha in the designated zone.

Pickup runs from Dubai and selected Sharjah hotels, and the driver drops you back at the end of the evening. A licensed guide is with the group throughout. Specialized infant seats are available for an extra charge if you're bringing a baby. The safari is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnancy or poor cardiovascular health, though it suits all other fitness levels.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from Dubai and selected Sharjah.
• 30–35 minutes of 4×4 dune bashing with a sunset stop and sandboarding.
• table-seated BBQ buffet with grilled meats, Arabic sweets, fresh fruit and unlimited refreshments.
• short camel ride and professional falcon photo.
• henna painting and traditional Arabic dress photography.
• designated-area shisha.
• five live shows (Tanoura, belly dance, fire, Khaleeji and Dabke).
• licensed English-speaking guide throughout the evening.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 14:30 and 15:00

Book up to3h before

AgesAdult (10 and older) · Child (4 to 9 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 33

Live guideEnglish

Audio guideSpanish, French, German and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availableNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Dubai Explorers

Is this one for you?Pickup from your Dubai or Sharjah hotel means you don't need a car or a driver to reach the dunes. The evening is arranged and timed so the whole experience, from collection to drop-off, holds together without you building it.

Traveler reviews

4.94★★★★★★★★★★

303 verified traveler reviews

5 ★289

4 ★13

3 ★0

2 ★0

1 ★1

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 9 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What exactly is dune bashing, and how rough is it?

Dune bashing is driving a 4×4 vehicle up, down and across the sand dunes at speed. It's the main thrill of the evening. You get 30–35 minutes of it in the Lahbab Red Dunes, with a sunset stop for photos and sandboarding. The ride is bumpy and fast enough to feel it, which is why it's not recommended for people with spinal injuries or pregnancy.

Can I drive a quad bike or dune buggy instead of riding in the 4×4?

Yes, if you upgrade at checkout. You can choose a self-drive quad-bike or dune-buggy session in a designated desert area as part of your booking, though the dune bashing in the 4×4 is included in every option.

How many live shows are there, and what kind?

Five live shows perform during dinner: Tanoura (traditional spinning-skirt dance), belly dance, fire performance, Khaleeji (Gulf-style dance) and Dabke (line dance). During Ramadan and designated UAE religious holidays, belly dancing and some other performances may not run per local regulations, though the rest of the safari and the dinner go ahead as normal.

Is alcohol included, or can I bring my own?

Alcohol is not part of the included refreshments. If you want to add it, that's an upgrade option at checkout.

What time does the safari start, and when do I get back?

The experience runs about 6 hours total. Your hotel pickup time depends on your location in Dubai or Sharjah. The operator will confirm the exact pickup window when you book.

What's included in the BBQ dinner?

The buffet includes grilled meats, Arabic sweets, fresh fruit, unlimited soft drinks and water. You sit at a table, not on the ground, and eat while the live shows perform around the camp.