Dubai Red Dunes: Camel Ride, Sandboarding & BBQ Dinner

Summary

Red dunes adventure in Dubai with camel ride, sandboarding and desert BBQ

You’ll feel Dubai’s red dunes under your feet as you try sandboarding and hold tight during dune bashing with your local guide. Ride camels at sunset while colors shift across Lahbab desert, then share stories over a Bedouin-style BBQ dinner with live music and dance shows under open sky. It’s lively but somehow peaceful too.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t think the desert would smell like this — kind of dry but sweet, like warm stones and something faintly herbal on the wind. Our guide, Ahmed, picked us up right from our hotel in Dubai (he was early, which honestly surprised me), and by the time we left the city behind it felt like we’d landed on another planet. The drive out to Lahbab took about an hour. I kept staring out the window at all that emptiness. When Ahmed let some air out of the tires for dune bashing, he winked and said, “Now it gets fun.” He wasn’t kidding — my stomach did a few flips as we bounced over those huge red dunes. My friend screamed once and then just started laughing uncontrollably.

After that madness, standing on top of a dune with a sandboard strapped to my feet felt weirdly peaceful. The sand was so soft it squeaked under my shoes. I wiped out twice but didn’t care — honestly, I think half of us did. Sunset crept in while we were still brushing sand off our clothes; everything turned gold and pink at once. That’s when they brought over the camels for our ride. I’d never been that close to one before — their eyelashes are ridiculous! Riding at sunset was quieter than I expected; you could hear nothing but the wind and sometimes another group laughing far away.

Later on at the camp (Oscar Knight Tours Camp — Ahmed said it’s run by his cousin), there was this falcon show where you could actually hold one if you wanted. I tried to say thank you in Arabic after taking a photo with the bird and totally butchered it; the handler just grinned at me anyway. Dinner was outside under these low lights — smoky kebabs, rice with cinnamon somewhere in there, sweet little pastries called Lukaymat that stuck to my fingers. There were dancers too: belly dancing and this wild spinning dance that made me dizzy just watching.

I’m still thinking about how quiet it got between all the music and chatter — just stars overhead and people picking over their plates or getting henna painted on their hands. It’s funny how something so busy can feel peaceful at the same time.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Desert safari with activities and dinner

• Pickup from hotel
• Drive 50-60 minutes to desert
• Adjust vehicle tire pressure
• Optional quad bike experience
• Red dune bashing in 4x4 Landcruiser
• Sandboarding on desert dunes
• Enjoy sunset colors in desert
• Camel riding at sunset
• Watch falcon show and photo session
• Travel to Bedouin style desert camp
• Optional henna painting
• Watch belly and tanoura dance show
• Enjoy BBQ dinner with Arabian dishes
• Return to hotel

Top questions

How long does the Dubai red dunes tour take?

The full experience lasts around 6-7 hours including pickup from your hotel in Dubai.

Is sandboarding included in this Dubai desert safari?

Yes, sandboarding is included as part of the tour after dune bashing on the red dunes.

Are meals provided during the tour?

A full open BBQ dinner buffet is served at camp with vegetarian options available.

Does this tour include camel riding?

Yes, a sunset camel ride is included in Lahbab desert during the experience.

Is hotel pickup included for this Dubai desert safari?

Yes, pickup and drop-off from your selected hotel or location in Dubai is provided by air-conditioned 4x4 Land Cruiser.

Can children join this Dubai red dunes safari?

This experience is not allowed for children below 5 years old due to safety reasons.

What entertainment is offered at camp?

The evening includes a falcon show (seasonal), belly dancing, Tanoura dance performance, fire show, henna painting, shisha (extra charge), and live music.

Are drinks included during dinner?

Bottled water, fresh Arabic coffee, tea, dates and welcome drinks are included at camp.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup by air-conditioned 4x4 Land Cruiser from anywhere in Dubai, guided dune bashing on Lahbab’s red sands for about 30-45 minutes followed by sandboarding equipment and instruction if you want to try it out yourself. You’ll have a sunset camel ride through the desert before heading to Oscar Knight Tours Camp for a falcon show (seasonal), henna painting by professionals if you’re interested, plus an open buffet BBQ dinner featuring Emirati dishes alongside belly dancing and Tanoura performances under open sky before returning to your hotel late evening.