Evening desert safari with dune bashing, camel ride and BBQ dinner
6 h · starts 14:30, 15:30 · 4.3 (3)
Our evening safari leaves when the heat goes out of the day. A licensed desert driver collects you from your hotel or home in a late-model 4x4, at 14:30 if you are staying in Dubai Marina, JBR or Palm Jumeirah, or at 15:30 for Downtown, Business Bay and Deira. About 45 minutes later we stop at the edge of the red dunes off the Al Ain road, let the tyres down and drive into the conservation area in convoys of no more than five cars, every driver on the radio to the lead car.
The dune drive lasts around 30 minutes and it is genuinely bumpy: steep climbs, sideways slides and sudden drops. Most guests love it, but it is not for everyone. If you are pregnant, have back or neck problems or have had recent surgery, tell us when you book and your driver will take the flat tracks to camp instead. We stop on a high ridge for sunset photos, try sandboarding on a long slope, then roll into our own camp near the Lahbab dunes. We run it ourselves, so the toilets are clean, the majlis seating is cushioned and the food is cooked on site that evening.
At camp there is a short camel ride, henna painting, Arabic coffee and dates, then a BBQ buffet with grilled chicken, lamb kofta, salads, rice, fresh bread and a full vegetarian table. The evening ends with a tanoura dancer, a belly dance performance and a fire show; during Ramadan the belly dance is dropped and the camp stays calm and family focused. Water, soft drinks, tea and coffee are included. Cheaper safaris often charge again at the camp for camel rides, photos or drinks; we do not. Quad bikes are the only optional extra and the price is agreed before you leave home. You are dropped back at your door at about 21:30.
How the time is spent
- 15:30Pickup from your hotel or home
Your driver messages you 15 minutes before arrival. Guests in Dubai Marina, JBR and Palm Jumeirah are collected earlier, at 14:30, because the drive out to the dunes is longer.
- 16:20Tyre stop at the edge of the dunes
We meet the rest of the convoy, let the tyres down for grip in the sand and give you ten minutes for the restroom, a cold drink and a quick safety talk.
- 16:35Dune bashing in the red dunes
About 30 minutes of climbs, slides and drops through the conservation area. Tell your driver if you want it gentler; they can ease off at any point without stopping the convoy.
- 17:20Sunset photo stop and sandboarding
We park on a high ridge as the sun goes down behind the dunes. Your driver takes photos for you, then you can try sandboarding on a long, soft slope.
- 18:00Arrival at our desert camp
Welcome with Arabic coffee and dates, then time for the camel ride, henna painting, traditional dress photos and a look at the night sky before dinner is served.
- 19:00BBQ buffet dinner
Grilled chicken, lamb kofta, salads, rice, hummus and fresh bread, with a separate vegetarian table. Water and soft drinks are on every table throughout the evening.
- 19:45Tanoura, belly dance and fire shows
About an hour of live performances on the central stage. During Ramadan the belly dance is not performed and the evening is kept quiet and family focused.
- 21:30Drop-off at your door
We leave camp at about 20:45 and drive back on the main road, so the return is smooth. Most guests are home or at their hotel by 21:30.
Times shown for the first start time; later runs follow the same plan.
Included
- Pickup and drop-off from Dubai hotels and homes
- Licensed desert driver and late-model 4x4
- 30 minutes of dune bashing in a small convoy
- Sunset photo stop and sandboarding
- Short camel ride at camp
- Henna painting, Arabic coffee and dates
- BBQ buffet dinner with a full vegetarian selection
- Tanoura, belly dance and fire shows
- Unlimited water, soft drinks, tea and coffee
Know before you go
- Wear light, comfortable clothes and closed shoes or sandals you do not mind filling with sand; nights in December to February get cool, so bring a light jacket.
- Dune bashing is not suitable for pregnant guests or anyone with back, neck or heart problems; tell us and we will arrange a smooth ride straight to camp.
- Child seats are available for children under four; please request them when booking so the driver brings the right size.
- Bring sunglasses and a small bag for your phone; sand gets into everything during sandboarding.
- During Ramadan the belly dance is dropped and alcohol is not served; the rest of the evening runs as normal after sunset.
- Guests prone to motion sickness should eat a light lunch and ask to sit in the front seat.
Questions about this experience
Can I cancel or change my safari?
What happens if the weather is bad?
Is the safari suitable for children?
Is there vegetarian or vegan food?
Will someone take photos of us?
Guests on this experience
Pickup was 40 minutes late and we missed most of the sunset from the dunes. The office called to apologise and refunded part of the price, but the evening felt rushed. The camp and food were good, and the driver was careful on the dunes.
Bilal drove the dunes just hard enough for my kids to scream with joy without anyone feeling sick. Sunset photo stop on a high ridge, a camel ride, henna for my daughter. Dinner was grilled chicken and lamb with plenty of vegetarian options. Pickup from our Deira hotel was exactly on time.
My parents visiting from Manchester had never been in the desert. Mohammed explained the Bedouin traditions at camp and persuaded Dad onto the sandboard. The tanoura dancer was mesmerising. Dropped back by half past nine, which suited them perfectly.
More Dubai experiences
Lift off at first light over the dunes near Margham for about an hour in the air, then a falcon show and breakfast at a desert camp. Pickup before dawn.
Four hours in the red dunes while the light is soft and the sand is cool: a proper dune drive, sandboarding and a camel ride, back in Dubai by lunchtime.
Sunset dune drive, dinner by the fire, a tent with a real bed and a sky full of stars, then sunrise over the dunes and breakfast before the drive home.