Dubai Desert Safari: Dune Bash, Camel Ride & VIP Dinner

4.88

(160 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was the sand — it gets everywhere, but honestly, you stop caring after the first few minutes of that wild 4x4 dune bashing. Our driver, Ahmed, grinned in the rearview mirror as we bounced over what felt like endless waves. I grabbed the door handle more than once (no shame), but by the time we stopped for sunset photos, my cheeks hurt from laughing. The light was this soft gold that made everything look kind of unreal. Someone handed me a cup of sweet tea and I just stood there, breathing in air that tasted a little like dust and spice.

Later, climbing onto the camel was trickier than it looked — they’re taller than you expect! The guide joked about my “camel face” (I think he meant my nervous smile). The slow sway was oddly calming though, and for a minute it was quiet except for the sound of hooves pressing into sand. Back at camp, things got lively fast: music started up, people drifted toward the fire pits or lounged on low cushions. I found out our “VIP area” meant actual chairs — not just mats — which my knees appreciated after the camel ride.

I didn’t expect to care much about the food but wow, that smoky grilled chicken and creamy hummus hit different under all those stars. There were veggie options too — someone next to me piled their plate high with rice and salads. Between bites I watched dancers spin so fast their skirts blurred; at one point sparks flew from a fire performer’s hands and everyone gasped at once. It felt both touristy and somehow real — maybe because people around me were actually having fun, not just performing for photos. On the drive back to Dubai, I kept thinking about how quiet the desert got after all that noise faded out.