Dubai Desert Safari: Dune Bashing, BBQ Dinner & Live Shows

4.96

(173 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

I’ll admit, I didn’t expect the desert to smell like anything — but when we stepped out near Al Lahbab, there was this warm, dusty sweetness in the air. Our driver, Ahmed, grinned as he let some air out of the tires and told us to “hold tight.” The land cruiser felt like a boat on waves as we started dune bashing. My stomach did that rollercoaster flip at least twice (maybe three times — I lost count). There was sand everywhere, even in my socks. Someone in our group shrieked and then laughed so hard she nearly cried.

We stopped on top of a high ridge just as the sun started dropping — all orange and pink across those endless red dunes. Ahmed pointed out a couple of camels wandering far off; I tried to snap a photo but mostly just stared. Sandboarding was next. I wiped out immediately (no shame), but sliding down felt oddly freeing. The keyword “desert safari tour” doesn’t really cover how strange and peaceful it is out there — quiet except for wind and our voices echoing off nothing.

Later, at camp, someone handed me sweet tea while another guest got henna painted on her hand. There were lanterns glowing everywhere and the smell of grilled kebabs drifting over from the buffet. We sat cross-legged on carpets watching the tanoura dancer spin — honestly mesmerizing — and then a fire show that made everyone gasp. I tried shisha for the first time (coughing fit included). The whole thing felt both loud and calm at once, if that makes sense. I still think about that silence between dances.