Dubai Red Dunes Buggy Adventure with Pickup & Fossil Rock

Summary

Polaris RZR Buggy Ride in Lahbab Desert: Fossil Rock & More

You’ll get picked up right at your door in Dubai and head out to Lahbab for a real taste of desert adventure: drive your own Polaris buggy over wild red dunes, check out ancient fossils at Fossil Rock, try sandboarding (it’s harder than it looks!), and even hop on a camel for that classic desert photo. If you want something more than just sightseeing—this is it.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing that hit me was the silence—just the soft crunch of sand under our boots as we stepped out at Lahbab. Our driver had picked us up right from our hotel in Dubai, and after about an hour’s drive (with a quick stop for coffee at a roadside stand), we rolled into the desert. The sun was already warming up the dunes, painting everything this deep orange-red you only see out here. I could smell the sand—dry, almost metallic—and there was this faint whiff of petrol from the buggies lined up, ready to go.

After a quick safety chat (our guide, Ahmed, didn’t mess around with helmets), I climbed into the Polaris 1000cc buggy. It’s loud and you feel every bump—honestly, it’s half the fun. We zipped over dunes that looked way steeper from inside the buggy than they did from afar. At one point, I caught myself laughing out loud as we slid sideways down a slope. We stopped near Fossil Rock for photos; if you look closely at the ground there, you’ll spot tiny shell imprints—leftovers from when this place was underwater ages ago.

Later on, we headed to a small camp tucked behind some dunes. There were camels waiting (they’re taller than you think) and boards for sandboarding. I tried standing up but ended up sitting most of the way down—it’s trickier than it looks! Before heading back to Dubai, we just sat for a bit with cold bottled water in hand, watching the light change on the sand as evening crept in. The ride back felt quieter somehow—maybe just tired or maybe still buzzing from all that adrenaline.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Dune Buggy Adventure in Lahbab

• Pickup from Dubai to Lahbab
• Explore red dunes of Arabian peninsula
• Return to pickup point

Top questions

Is prior driving experience needed for the dune buggy?

Nope! The guides give clear instructions before you start and make sure everyone feels comfortable behind the wheel.

What should I wear for the tour?

I’d recommend closed shoes (sand gets everywhere), sunglasses, and light clothes—you’ll get dusty but it’s worth it.

Are kids allowed on this tour?

Kids can join but infants need to sit on an adult’s lap; not recommended for pregnant travelers or those with certain health issues.

What’s included

Your ride includes hotel pickup and drop-off in an air-conditioned car, bottled water to keep you cool, use of a Polaris 1000cc dune buggy (with helmet), plus time at a desert camp where you can try sandboarding and take a camel ride if you like.