Dubai Red Dune Safari: Quad Biking, Camel Ride & BBQ Dinner

4.87

(235 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

We rolled out of Dubai and I could already feel the city slipping away — that weird quiet that comes when you leave all the glass behind. Our guide, Ahmed, had this calm way of pointing things out as we bumped along toward Lehbab. The sand changed color before I noticed it: suddenly it was this deep, almost burnt orange under the sun. I’d seen photos but didn’t expect how soft it felt when I stepped off for quad biking — like flour, honestly. My hands were shaky on the throttle at first (I’m not exactly a daredevil), but after a minute it felt more like play than fear. Sand in my shoes for days after.

Dune bashing was next — basically clinging on while Ahmed laughed and took us up these ridiculous slopes. There was this moment at the top where everything went silent except for wind and someone’s nervous laugh (maybe mine). Sandboarding looked easy until I tried to stand up — let’s just say gravity works fast here. We ended up covered in red dust and grinning like idiots.

The camp felt different — lanterns flickering, people chatting in little knots. Camels waited nearby, chewing quietly; I swear one winked at me. The ride was short but kind of hypnotic with the slow sway and the smell of tea brewing somewhere close by. Dinner was smoky barbecue and sweet dates — not fancy but somehow perfect after all that adrenaline. Five live shows kicked off just as dusk settled; I didn’t catch every word but you don’t need to when everyone’s clapping along or watching fire spin through the dark. On the drive back, someone fell asleep with sand still stuck to their arm. That view of stars over the dunes… yeah, it sticks with you.