Dubai Red Sand Dune Safari: Camel Ride, BBQ & Live Shows

Summary

Evening Desert Adventure with Camel Rides and BBQ Dinner

You’ll get swept up in Dubai’s desert energy—dune bashing thrills, camel rides at sunset, local food straight off the grill, plus live shows under open skies. If you want more than just photos—real moments you’ll remember—this tour delivers.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing you’ll notice is the heat—dry, but not unbearable as we pile into the Land Cruiser around 2:30pm. Our driver, Ahmed, chats about his favorite dune spots while weaving through Dubai’s late-afternoon traffic. The city fades fast; soon it’s just sand and sky. By the time we reach the Red Sand Dunes, that golden light is everywhere, making the dunes look almost unreal.

Dune bashing isn’t for the faint-hearted. I gripped the seat more than once as we slid down steep slopes and bounced over ridges—Ahmed just laughed and turned up the radio. There’s a moment when everything goes quiet except for the wind and the crunch of tires on sand. Afterward, we all spilled out of the car a bit dizzy but grinning.

Camel rides are slower, almost meditative after all that adrenaline. The camels’ handlers—locals from a nearby village—showed us how to sit so we didn’t topple off when they stood up (it’s trickier than it looks). I could smell cardamom from a nearby tent where Arabic coffee was brewing. Henna artists set up under a canopy; I got a small design on my wrist while sipping sweet tea and munching dates.

As sunset hit, everyone grabbed their phones for photos—the sky really does go orange-pink out here. We tried on traditional robes for pictures; honestly, it felt silly at first but made for great memories later. The evening picked up with Tanoura dancers spinning in neon-lit skirts and a belly dance show that had everyone clapping along. Sandboarding was harder than I thought—I ended up with sand in my shoes but didn’t care.

Dinner smelled like charcoal and spices before I even saw the buffet: grilled chicken, veggie kebabs, salads piled high. After eating way too much (the hummus was addictive), there was a fire show that drew an actual gasp from someone behind me. Some folks tried shisha under the stars; I just lay back on a cushion listening to laughter and distant music before we headed back to town around 9:30pm.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Desert Safari and Activities

• You are picked up from hotel
• Drive to Red Sand Dunes
• Sand Dune Bashing session
• Camel riding session
• Henna Tattoo and Arabic Costume Photoshoot
• Tanoura Dancing and Belly Dance show
• Sand boarding and skiing
• Taste Arabic coffee, tea, dates, water, and soft drinks
• Enjoy starters food
• Hot BBQ dinner (veg & non-veg)
• Fire show live performance
• Hubbly Bubbly / Shisha
• Drive back and drop off at hotel

Top questions

Is this desert safari suitable for kids or older adults?

Yes! Activities like camel riding and henna are gentle enough for all ages. Dune bashing can be skipped if you prefer something calmer.

What should I wear for this tour?

Light clothes work best—it gets warm during the day but cooler after sunset. Closed shoes help with sandboarding and walking on dunes.

Are vegetarian options available at dinner?

Absolutely—there are plenty of veggie dishes alongside grilled meats at the BBQ buffet.

Will there be bathroom facilities at the camp?

Yes, there are clean restrooms available at the desert camp area throughout your stay.

What’s included

Your experience covers hotel pickup and drop-off in Dubai, all transport by Land Cruiser, dune bashing session, camel ride, sandboarding gear use, henna tattoo art, Arabic costume photo session, unlimited soft drinks plus Arabic coffee/tea/dates, full BBQ dinner (veg & non-veg), live Tanoura dance & belly dance shows, fire performance—and shisha if you’d like to try it!