Dubai Red Dunes: Desert Safari, Camel Ride & BBQ Dinner

★★★★★★★★★★ 4.97 (216 reviews) 97% rated it 5 stars

Free cancellationExcellent quality

1/14

Duration6h

GroupUp to 99

LanguagesEN

PickupAt your hotel

Red dunes rush, camel rides, smoky bbq and desert laughter

You’ll race over Dubai’s Red Dunes with dune bashing led by a local guide, then catch your breath at a Bedouin-style camp with Arabic tea and sweets. Ride camels under open sky, try sandboarding (or just watch), get henna painted if you want, then settle in for a smoky BBQ dinner and live shows before heading back to your hotel with sand in your shoes — and probably your hair.

Step-by-step itinerary

Desert safari with activities and dinner

Hotel pick-up in 4x4 SUV
Drive through camel farms
Dune bashing at Red Dunes
Stop for photos at highest dunes
Drive to desert camp
Traditional welcome with tea and sweets
Photo session in Arabic dress
Camel riding and sandboarding
Henna painting
International buffet dinner with BBQ
Enjoy unlimited refreshments
Watch belly dancing and fire shows
Hotel drop-off

The Experience

“Hold on!” That’s what our guide, Sameer, yelled right before the Land Cruiser dove down the side of Big Red. I didn’t know you could actually feel your stomach drop like that outside a roller coaster — sand flying everywhere, the windows rattling a little. We’d left Dubai less than an hour ago but it felt like another world out here in Lehbab Desert. There was this dry, mineral smell in the air and the color of the dunes kept shifting as the sun moved. Sameer grinned in the rearview mirror every time someone squealed (me, mostly). I tried to take photos but honestly, my hands were too busy gripping the seat.

After all that bouncing around, stepping out onto the sand was weirdly quiet. It’s softer than I expected — gets everywhere though. We stopped for pictures at the top of a dune; wind stung my face and I could see tiny camel caravans way off in the haze. The camp was a short drive after that. They handed us sweet Arabic tea (tastes almost floral?) and dates as soon as we arrived — one of those small gestures that just makes you feel welcome even if you’re sweaty and covered in sand. There were camels waiting nearby for rides. My camel’s name sounded like “Mishmish” (apricot?), which made me laugh because he looked so unimpressed by all of us.

I tried sandboarding too — kind of fell straight on my back but nobody seemed to mind. Some people got henna painted on their hands; others just sat back with hookah or watched kids run around chasing each other between lanterns. The sun dropped fast behind the dunes and suddenly it was all golden light and long shadows. The buffet dinner smelled like grilled spices from halfway across camp — smoky chicken, charred veggies, something sweet with cinnamon for dessert (I wish I’d asked what it was). There were live shows: belly dancing, then this wild spinning Tanura dancer who looked dizzy even when he stopped. At one point someone handed me a falcon for a photo — not sure who was more nervous.

By the time we piled back into the SUV for hotel drop-off, I realized my shoes were full of red sand and my phone battery was dead from too many videos. But yeah… I still think about that first cold sip of tea after dune bashing — somehow tasted better than anything back in town.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup from anywhere in Dubai city by 4x4 Land Cruiser driven by a licensed guide.
thrilling dune bashing at Lehbab Desert’s Red Dunes.
stops for photos atop high dunes.
entry to a Bedouin-style camp where you’ll be welcomed with Arabic tea, coffee, sweets and fresh fruit.
camel riding.
sandboarding.
henna painting.
unlimited soft drinks.
international buffet BBQ dinner (vegetarian options too).
live entertainment shows including belly dancing and Tanura dance.
plus return drop-off to your hotel after dark.

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availableNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Get Your Tours