Dubai: Private Red Dunes Desert Safari & BBQ Dinner

4.92

(130 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

Ever wondered what it feels like to stand on top of those wild red dunes outside Dubai? I didn’t really know what to expect until our guide, Khalid, pulled up in his 4x4 right at our hotel. He grinned and said “Ready for some real desert?” — and honestly, I wasn’t sure if I was. The city faded fast behind us, replaced by this endless stretch of sand that looked almost unreal in the late afternoon sun. The air smelled dry but sweet, like distant spices and something ancient. My hands were sweaty gripping the seat as we started dune bashing — it’s more rollercoaster than drive, trust me.

I laughed so hard when we stopped for photos because my hair was full of sand and I’d lost a flip-flop somewhere in the backseat. Khalid just shrugged and pointed out how the light changed every few minutes — gold one second, then pinkish-orange. We tried sandboarding (I fell twice), then he found a camel named Zayed who seemed way too relaxed about carrying tourists. There was this moment where everything went quiet except for the wind and Zayed’s slow chewing. Kind of peaceful, actually.

Later at camp, there were Arabic sweets and coffee (the cardamom hits you first), henna painting for anyone who wanted it (my attempt looked like a toddler’s drawing), and a falconer who let me hold his bird — heavier than I thought! Dinner was this huge barbecue spread at our own table; smoky lamb kebabs, grilled veggies, soft flatbreads. The fire show made everyone gasp at least once. I remember catching myself smiling for no reason while watching the belly dancer spin under those string lights. It felt both loud and somehow personal at once — maybe that’s just what happens out there.