Dubai Desert Safari: Dune Bashing, Camel Ride & BBQ Dinner

4.93

(174 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

We were already halfway out of Dubai when I realized how quiet it got — just the hum of the 4x4 and some nervous laughter from the back seat. Our driver, Ahmed, grinned in the rearview mirror before steering us into the red dunes. Dune bashing is wilder than I expected; my stomach did a weird flip on that first drop. Sand everywhere — you taste it in the air, feel it crunch under your shoes when you finally step out for photos. The light was turning gold and everyone just stood there for a second, not really talking.

Camel riding was next. I’ll be honest, getting on was more awkward than graceful (the camel seemed amused). Ahmed explained how these rides go way back in Emirati culture — something about patience and long journeys across this same sand. The camel’s fur felt rougher than I thought it’d be. Someone tried to get a selfie but ended up with just an ear in the frame; we all laughed at that. Sandboarding looked easy until you actually tried to balance — I wiped out twice but honestly didn’t care.

By sunset we found ourselves at this camp set up with low sofas and lanterns flickering in the wind. There was henna painting (I let one of the ladies draw a flower on my hand) and strong cardamom coffee that lingered on my tongue longer than expected. The BBQ dinner smelled unreal — smoky chicken, biryani, flatbread warm from the fire. While we ate, dancers spun and a guy did this wild fire show that made everyone fall silent for a minute. It’s strange how quickly you settle into that rhythm out here — I still think about that sky.