Dubai Desert Safari with Dune Bashing, Camel Ride & BBQ

4.98

(53 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

Heat still clings to the air when our driver swings by in a cool 4x4. We leave the city behind—suddenly, it’s just us and endless red dunes. The Lehbab Desert looks unreal at this hour, all gold and orange. Our guide, Faisal, laughs as he lets some air out of the tires. “Makes for a smoother ride,” he says. Then we’re off—dune bashing feels like a rollercoaster on sand. You’ll probably find yourself gripping the seat one minute and laughing the next.

After that wild ride, I tried sandboarding for the first time. It’s trickier than it looks—sand gets everywhere—but sliding down those slopes is worth it. Some folks hopped on quad bikes (ATVs), zipping past us with big grins. If you want to rent one, there’s a guy named Imran who sorts it out fast—20 minutes goes by in a blink.

Camels wait nearby, chewing quietly and looking unimpressed by all our excitement. My short camel ride was surprisingly calming after all that adrenaline. There’s also horse riding if you fancy something different.

As sunset hits, we head to camp. The smell of charcoal and grilled kebabs fills the air—my stomach was already rumbling from all the action. While waiting for dinner, I got my hand painted with henna by an older lady who told me she’s been doing this since she was twelve. A falconer let us hold his bird for photos; its feathers felt softer than I expected.

The evening wraps up with dance shows—Tanura spinning dancers in bright skirts, a fire performer who made everyone gasp, and belly dancing that had kids clapping along. By then, the desert night feels cool and quiet around us—a world away from Dubai’s busy streets.