Dubai Desert Safari with Dune Drive and Dinner
From $65About 6 hoursExperience
An afternoon into the desert south of Dubai: dune driving in a 4x4, sunset over the sand, then dinner at a camp under the stars. Hotel pickup around 15:00, back by 21:30.
What is included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Dubai
- Dune drive in an air-conditioned 4x4, six passengers maximum
- Camel ride, sandboarding and henna at the camp
- Buffet dinner with vegetarian, halal and vegan options
- Alcohol at the camp
- Quad biking — bookable on the day
- Tips for the driver
The day, hour by hour
- 15:00
Pickup from your hotel
We start mid-afternoon so the dunes have cooled. In July and August this shifts later, closer to 16:00.
- 16:15
Dune driving
About 25 minutes of dune bashing in the Al Marmoom or Lahbab area. Tell your driver if you want it gentle — they will genuinely dial it down.
- 17:15
Sunset stop
A high dune, a few minutes of quiet, and the best photograph of the day.
- 18:00
The camp
Camel rides, sandboarding, henna, and a fire. Nothing is compulsory and nothing costs extra unless you choose quad biking.
- 19:30
Dinner and show
A buffet, then tanoura and fire performances. We seat families away from the speakers if you ask.
- 21:00
Return
Back at your hotel between 21:30 and 22:15 depending on where you are staying.
Where you meet us
Your Dubai hotel lobby
Anywhere in Dubai — Deira, Bur Dubai, Downtown, Marina, JBR, Palm Jumeirah
If you cannot find the driver
Your driver will call your room from the lobby. If you are in an apartment without a lobby, agree a street corner the night before.
What to bring
- A light jacket — the desert drops sharply after sunset, even in summer
- Sunglasses and closed shoes for the dunes
- Motion-sickness tablets if you are prone; dune driving is genuinely bumpy
Price by group size
| Group | Per person |
|---|---|
| Shared 4x4, per person | $65 |
| Private 4x4, 2 people | $150 |
| Private 4x4, 4–6 people | $95 |
| Child 3–11 | $50 |
Prices in USD, verified 20 August 2026. {{TBC: confirm all prices before launch}}
If you need to cancel
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before pickup, refunded in full. Inside 24 hours we cannot refund — the vehicle and the camp seats are committed.
Questions people actually ask
Is dune bashing safe?
Yes, when driven by a licensed desert driver in a maintained vehicle, which is what we use. It is still a genuinely bumpy 25 minutes. Pregnant travellers, anyone with back or neck problems, and children under three should not do it — we can route you straight to the camp instead.
Can I do the safari without the dune driving?
Yes. Ask for the direct transfer and you go to the camp on graded track. Same camp, same dinner, no rollercoaster.
Is it too hot in summer?
Less than people expect, because the safari runs late afternoon into evening when the sand has stopped radiating heat. Midday in the desert would be unbearable; 17:00 is fine.
What is the food like?
A buffet of grilled meats, rice, salads and Arabic mezze, with vegetarian and vegan options always available. Tell us about allergies when you book and the camp will plate separately.
Are the camels treated well?
The rides are short loops at walking pace and the animals are rested between groups. If you would rather not ride, nobody will push you — plenty of guests skip it.
Is alcohol served?
At some camps, paid separately. It is not included in the price and is not available at every camp — tell us if it matters and we will place you accordingly.
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