Dubai Red Dune Safari with Camel Ride & BBQ Dinner

4.99

(93 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed stepping out of the van was the dry warmth—like opening an oven door, but somehow pleasant. Our driver grinned and waved us over to the 4x4s. The sand looked almost orange in the late afternoon sun. Once we buckled up, he cranked up some local radio and took off across the dunes. It’s hard to describe that feeling—your stomach drops as you crest a dune, then you’re laughing because everyone else is too. If you wear glasses, tuck them away; I learned that quick when mine slid down my nose on a sharp turn.

After the wild ride, we stopped near a small camp where camels waited. Their handlers—one named Ahmed—helped us climb on for a short loop around the sand. The camels were calm but made these funny grumbling noises every time someone tried to take a selfie. I could smell grilled meat drifting from the camp kitchen already. Some folks grabbed boards and tried sandboarding; it’s trickier than it looks but worth trying at least once.

Inside the camp, low tables circled a stage under string lights. We sipped mint tea while waiting for dinner—a buffet with both veggie and meat options (the chicken skewers went fast). Henna artists set up in one corner; I got a small design on my hand that lasted nearly a week. As dusk settled in, performers took over: first a whirling Tanoura dancer in bright skirts, then belly dancing with live drumming, and finally a fire show that had everyone holding their breath between gasps and applause. The air cooled off just enough by then to make sitting outside comfortable—you could hear crickets if you listened past the music.