Dubai Red Sand Safari: Dune Bashing, Camel Ride & Dinner Show

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Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/7

Duration7h

GroupUp to 500

LanguagesEN · AR +1

PickupAt your hotel

Dubai desert safari thrills with dune bashing, camel rides and fire shows

You’ll feel every bump and laugh as you bash dunes near Dubai, try sandboarding (or just watch), ride camels with friendly handlers and settle into a lively desert camp for BBQ dinner and fire shows. With hotel pickup included and plenty of time to soak in the sunset or get henna tattoos, this is one of those days you’ll remember for its little surprises.

Step-by-step itinerary

Desert safari with dune bashing and activities

Pick up from hotel by 4WD vehicle
Drive to red desert
Begin dune bashing adventure
Optional sandboarding or sand surfing
Take photos of desert landscape

The Experience

We were already bouncing in the backseat when our driver, Khalid, grinned at us through the mirror and said, “Ready?” I didn’t realize how much sand could move under a 4WD until that first climb — it was like being on a rollercoaster built by the desert itself. The air smelled dry and warm, almost sweet, and every time we stopped at the top of a dune I’d catch my breath just looking out over that endless red. My shoes filled up with sand in about two seconds flat. Worth it.

Khalid handed me a board for sandboarding — I wiped out immediately (he laughed but tried to hide it), but honestly, sliding down felt less scary than I thought. Some folks went for the quad bikes, but I stuck to watching them kick up clouds while a kid nearby shrieked with laughter. Later, we all tried riding camels — they’re taller than you expect and smell kind of earthy, not bad though. The camel handler taught us to say “yalla” to get moving; Li laughed when I tried to say it in Arabic — probably butchered it.

By sunset we gathered around low tables at camp. There was this smoky scent from the barbecue drifting everywhere — I still think about that grilled chicken. Henna artists painted swirling patterns on hands while kids darted between lanterns. The belly dance and fire show felt both touristy and weirdly hypnotic; everyone clapped along without really knowing why. It got chilly fast after dark so I borrowed an extra scarf someone offered me, which somehow made it feel more real — like we were all just people together out there in the desert night.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel or home pickup by air-conditioned 4WD vehicle straight from Dubai city limits out into the red sands. You’ll get dune bashing with a licensed driver, try sandboarding (no experience needed), enjoy camel rides with local handlers plus a full international buffet dinner—vegetarian options too—at camp. There are two live fire shows as well as belly dancing performances twice during dinner hours. Kids and ladies can get henna tattoos.
hookah is available at designated areas.
Arabic folk dance and Tanura round out the evening before drop-off back at your place.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Oscar Adventures Dubai