Dubai Desert: Camel Ride, Dune Bashing & Sandboarding Tour

4.95

(473 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

The morning didn’t start quite as planned — I spilled half my coffee on my shirt just as our driver pulled up outside the hotel in Dubai. He grinned like he’d seen it all before (maybe he had), waved off my apologies, and helped us into the 4x4. The city faded fast behind us, replaced by this dry hush and endless red dunes. I kept thinking the sand looked softer than it felt — it squeaked underfoot when we stopped for a photo, which was oddly satisfying.

Dune bashing came next. Honestly, I thought I’d be cool with it, but halfway through I was gripping the seat tighter than I’d admit. Our guide Khalid laughed and told me to just “let go,” so I did — or tried to, anyway. The desert air tasted dusty but fresh, and there was this weird calm between the bumps when all you could hear was wind. Afterward, climbing onto a camel felt almost gentle by comparison. The camel’s name was something that sounded like “Majnoon” (crazy), which made sense because he kept turning his head to look at me like he knew something I didn’t.

I didn’t expect to enjoy sandboarding as much as I did — mostly because I fell off twice before figuring out how to balance. My shoes filled with warm sand and Khalid showed me how to brush it out without burning my hands (pro tip: use your sleeve). There was a falconer nearby too; he let us hold his bird for photos. The bird’s feathers were softer than they looked, and for a second everything went quiet except for its little clicking sounds.

We drove back toward Dubai with the sun already climbing higher. My shirt still had a coffee stain but somehow that felt right — proof I’d actually been there instead of just watching from a window. If you’re thinking about a morning desert adventure in Dubai with camel ride and sandboard, don’t worry about doing it perfectly. The best parts are the messy bits you don’t plan for.