Private Dubai Desert Safari: Red Dunes, Dune Bashing & BBQ

You drive the dunes yourself instead of watching from a shared van.

A private 4x4 dune-bashing safari in Dubai's Lahbab Desert for your group, with a skilled licensed driver, sandboarding, camel ride, sunset photography, and an evening of Arabian entertainment and BBQ buffet dinner at a traditional desert camp. Pickup and drop-off from your Dubai hotel are included, and the dune-bashing vehicle is yours alone: no other travelers share the ride across the red dunes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Dubai desert safari with activities and dinner

• Pickup from your Dubai location
• Stop at Dubai Camel Racing Club
• Arrive at Lahbab desert
• Private 4x4 dune bashing
• Sandboarding on high dune
• Camel ride with guide
• Watch sunset at scenic dune
• Explore desert camp and Arabian experiences
• Enjoy live entertainment shows
• BBQ buffet dinner at camp
• Return to Dubai and drop off

The experience

The day starts with pickup from your hotel in a private latest-model SUV (a Land Cruiser LC300, Nissan Petrol or Toyota Sequoia), and a short 15-minute stop at the Dubai Camel Racing Club to see the animals up close before heading into the desert. Once you reach Lahbab Desert, the core of the experience begins: a 30–40 minute private dune-bashing run with a licensed operator who knows the red dunes and handles the climbs and turns while your group sits in the same vehicle. This is not a shared tour. The SUV and driver are yours for that stretch.

After dune bashing, the pace shifts into a series of desert activities. A guide helps you get started on sandboarding on one of the higher dunes, then you take a short camel ride, and you stop at a scenic spot to watch the sunset and photograph the red dunes in evening light. The camp experience begins with time to explore: you can wear Arabian costumes for photos, get a henna design, or pose with a falcon. Complimentary refreshments (water, soft drinks, dates and light snacks) are available throughout.

As evening settles, the entertainment begins. You sit in luxury seating to watch live shows including belly dancing, Tanoura dancing and a fire show. After the performances, a BBQ buffet dinner with a variety of dishes is served at the camp. Once dinner finishes, your private driver takes you back to Dubai and drops you at your preferred location, completing a day that runs 6 to 8 hours from start to finish.

What’s included

• Private pickup and drop-off from your Dubai hotel in a latest-model SUV.
• 30–40 minutes of fully private dune bashing with a licensed operator.
• sandboarding with guide assistance and a short camel ride.
• sunset photography at a scenic dune.
• Arabian costume photos, henna design and falcon photo at the camp.
• complimentary refreshments including water, soft drinks, dates and light snacks.
• live entertainment with belly dancing, Tanoura dancing and a fire show.
• BBQ buffet dinner with a variety of dishes.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 12:00, 13:00 and 14:00

Book up to1h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Hindi

Audio guideEnglish and Hindi

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Red Dunes Safari

Is this one for you?Book this if your group wants to experience dune bashing as passengers in a vehicle built for the terrain rather than as spectators on a shared tour: the private 4x4 and driver mean the day moves at your pace, and you control the stops for photos and activities without coordinating with other travelers.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

22 verified traveler reviews

5 ★22

4 ★0

3 ★0

2 ★0

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Hindi.

What exactly is dune bashing and what happens during that part of the safari?

Dune bashing is a 30–40 minute drive across the red sand dunes of Lahbab Desert in your private 4x4 SUV with a skilled licensed operator at the wheel. The driver takes the vehicle up and down the dunes with climbs and turns, and your group experiences the full movement of the terrain from inside the vehicle. It is the centerpiece of the desert experience.

Is the dune-bashing vehicle shared with other travelers or private to my group?

The dune-bashing vehicle is fully private to your group. You will not share the SUV with other travelers during this part of the safari, which is one of the defining features of this experience.

What activities happen at the desert camp in the evening?

At the camp, you can explore Arabian experiences including wearing traditional costumes for photos, getting a henna design, and posing with a falcon. Later, you sit in luxury seating to watch live entertainment (belly dancing, Tanoura dancing and a fire show) followed by a BBQ buffet dinner with a variety of dishes.

Does the price include pickup from my hotel and the return trip to Dubai?

Yes. Your private driver picks you up from your hotel or another preferred location in Dubai at the start and drops you back at your chosen location after dinner, so transport to and from the desert is included.

Is there a stop on the way to the desert?

Yes. On the drive to Lahbab Desert, you make a short 15-minute stop at the Dubai Camel Racing Club, where you can see the camels up close and take photos before continuing to the desert.