Evening Dubai Desert Safari with BBQ, Dune Bashing & Shows

4.68

(79 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

Sand crunches under your shoes as you step out of the 4x4—there’s nothing quite like that first blast of warm desert air. Our driver, Khalid, grinned as he let some air out of the tires before we hit the Lahbab dunes. The ride? Wild. It’s not just up and down; it’s sideways, heart-in-your-throat stuff, but somehow you end up laughing more than screaming. I remember gripping the seat when we paused at the top of a dune—just in time to catch the sun melting into the horizon. The light turns everything gold and pink for a few minutes. You’ll want your camera ready for that.

Once we rolled into camp (it’s got those low tables and cushions everywhere), there was this smell—grilled meat mixing with sweet shisha smoke. I grabbed a cup of cardamom tea while someone set up henna nearby. The shows kicked off after dark: swirling skirts from the Tanoura dancer, then a fire performer who made everyone gasp, and finally belly dancing under fairy lights. Dinner was simple but good—BBQ chicken, rice, salads—and there were plenty of cold drinks to go around. By the time we piled back into the car for drop-off, my shoes were full of sand and my phone was full of photos.