Dubai: All Inclusive Desert Safari with ATV, Camel, Horse ride, Vip & more

The unusual part of this Dubai safari is the sheer range of activities packed into one afternoon. You get a 30-minute ATV ride, dune bashing, sandboarding, a horse ride, a camel ride, falcon photos, camp entertainment, and a BBQ dinner before returning to the city.

I like the mix of active and easygoing moments. The ATV and dune drive bring real action, while the camp offers slower pleasures such as Arabic coffee, henna, local clothing, and sunset photos. The main drawback is the full schedule: with a maximum of 150 people, some camp activities may feel more like a busy group outing than a quiet desert evening.

Key points to know before booking

• ATV time is 30 minutes: You ride independently after a safety briefing, with photo stops along the route.
• Lahbab brings the red dunes: The first three hours combine the ATV ride, dune bashing, sandboarding, and a sunset photo stop.
• The camp adds unusual extras: A horse ride and falcon interaction are included alongside the usual camel ride.
• Dinner comes with live entertainment: Expect a BBQ buffet, vegetarian and non-vegetarian choices, Tanoura dancing, a fire show, and belly dancing when permitted.
• Transfers cover three emirates: Pickup and drop-off are available in Dubai, Sharjah, and Ajman. Private transfers are optional.
• The price covers a lot: At $164.50 per person, this makes the most sense if you plan to use several included activities rather than treating it as a simple desert drive.

Why this safari packs more into one afternoon

Many Dubai desert safaris follow a familiar pattern: dune bashing, a camel photo, dinner, and a few performances. This outing adds two activities that are less common in the usual package, self-drive ATV riding and a horse ride. That changes the feel from a scenic evening with a thrill ride into a busy activity day.

You start around 2:00 p.m., which gives the tour time to reach the Lahbab area and complete the outdoor portion before the camp program begins. The entire experience lasts about six hours. That is long enough for a full desert outing, but you should expect much of the afternoon and evening to be spoken for.

The tour uses an air-conditioned 4WD and includes an English-speaking driver or guide. Pickup and return are offered from selected locations in Dubai, Sharjah, and Ajman. If you are staying outside those areas, check the pickup point before paying.

The company reports that its safari drivers are licensed and trained for desert driving. The Land Cruiser vehicles are insured and fitted with seat belts and roll bars. That does not remove all risk from ATV riding, horse riding, or dune bashing, so you should take the safety briefing seriously and make sure you are physically and mentally ready for the activities.

Lahbab’s red dunes and the ATV ride

The first major stop is Lahbab, a desert area known for broad red dunes. On arrival, the driver prepares the 4WD for dune bashing while you have time to use the restroom and get ready for the next activity. This short pause matters because the outdoor portion can become hot and dusty, especially in warmer months.

Before riding, you receive a quad-bike safety briefing. The ATV portion lasts 30 minutes and is self-drive, not simply a passenger ride. You follow the designated ATV trail, stop for photographs, and return to the starting point before the 4WD session begins.

I like this order. The ATV lets you control your own pace and gives you a more direct feel for the sand. It also makes the later dune drive easier to appreciate because you have already seen how the surface behaves under a smaller vehicle.

Thirty minutes is enough for a taste, not a full off-road expedition. If ATV riding is your main reason for booking, keep your expectations in check. Here it is one part of a large package. The value comes from combining it with several other activities, not from getting a long independent ride.

You should wear clothes that allow easy movement and closed shoes that can handle sand. The supplied guidance recommends casual, loose-fitting clothes in summer and a jacket in winter. Protect your phone and camera from sand, and avoid carrying items you would dislike losing during a bumpy ride.

Dune bashing, sandboarding, and the sunset stop

After the ATV ride, you return to the 4WD for dune bashing. This is the fast, jolting section of the day, with the vehicle climbing and descending the dunes. Seat belts are important here, even if you are tempted to loosen up for photos.

The driver stops for a sunset view and photographs. This is likely to be one of the prettiest points of the outing, since the red sand and low evening light give the desert its strongest color. You will have a chance to pause after the more physical ATV session and take pictures before continuing to the camp.

Sandboarding is also included. The details do not specify how long you get on the board or how many runs are possible, so treat it as a short extra rather than a dedicated sport session. It is easy to try, and the steep dunes give you a simple way to add another bit of action without needing technical training.

The desert portion takes about three hours in total, including preparation, ATV riding, dune bashing, sandboarding, and the photo stop. That is a solid block of time outdoors. In hot weather, drink water whenever it is offered and use the restroom before leaving the preparation area.

Al Awir camp: coffee, henna, clothing, and falcons

The second half moves to a desert camp in Al Awir. You are welcomed with Arabic coffee and sweets, a small but useful introduction to local hospitality after the dusty drive. The camp includes several optional-feeling activities within the package, so you can choose how active or relaxed you want the evening to be.

Henna painting is available for women, and you can try traditional Arabic clothing for photographs. There is also shisha, sometimes called hookah, along with a falcon interaction for photographs. The falcon feature gives the camp program a local point of interest beyond the standard meal and stage show.

The falcon interaction is for photos, not a long wildlife presentation. You should also note that shisha is included as an experience, but alcohol is not included. Alcoholic drinks can be purchased at the camp.

A short camel ride is part of the camp visit. Camel rides here are best seen as a brief cultural activity and photo opportunity, not a long trek across the desert. The tour also includes a horse ride, which is one of the more unusual additions to this package. The supplied details do not give a riding duration, so ask the guide for the exact timing when you arrive.

I appreciate that the camp includes both animals. A camel ride connects with the classic desert image, while the horse ride gives the package something different from the standard Dubai safari. At the same time, the camp has a lot happening. If you want a quiet, private desert setting, the reported maximum of 150 people means this may feel too large.

BBQ dinner and the evening stage shows

Dinner is an Arabian BBQ buffet with both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. That makes the meal workable for mixed groups, though you should not expect a small restaurant setting. The food is served as part of the camp program, with entertainment around the dining period.

The listed shows include Tanoura dancing, a fire show, and a belly dance performance. A Ladies Khaliji Dance performance and other entertainment are also included. Belly dancing is not available during Ramadan, and entertainment can be suspended on designated dry days or special Islamic occasions under UAE law.

Those restrictions matter if the stage program is a major reason for booking. The ATV ride, dune bashing, animals, dinner, and other camp features can still take place, but the evening will be quieter without the dance performances. The supplied schedule lists several dates when Tanoura and belly dancing will not be available, and dates can change with UAE law and the season.

The entertainment is best approached as a lively finish rather than a formal cultural performance. Tanoura dancing brings spinning movement, the fire show adds spectacle, and the dance program gives the camp a festive close. If you prefer a small-scale cultural evening, the group size may be a concern. If you want a convenient dinner with several shows in one place, the format is practical.

After the program, you can relax or meditate before the return drive. That short period is welcome. The day moves quickly from one activity to the next, so a few quiet minutes at the end help you slow down before heading back to the city.

Is $164.50 a fair price?

At $164.50 per person, this is not the cheapest desert safari in Dubai. The price can still be fair if you want a full activity package and would otherwise pay separately for ATV riding, horse riding, dune bashing, dinner, and transfers.

The included list is unusually long:

• Hotel or selected-location pickup and drop-off
• Air-conditioned 4WD transport
• Dune bashing
• A 30-minute quad-bike ride
• Sandboarding
• Arabic coffee and shisha
• BBQ buffet dinner
• Tanoura, fire, and belly dance shows when available
• Camel and horse rides
• Falcon photos
• Henna for women
• Arabic clothing for makeovers
• Sunset photo stop
• English-speaking driver or guide

The calculation changes if you only care about one feature. Someone who wants a long ATV session may find the 30 minutes too brief. Someone who wants only dune bashing and dinner can likely find a simpler package. But if you want to check several boxes in one booking, the price includes enough to justify closer attention.

Group discounts are available, and private transfers are an option. The experience can hold up to 150 people, so ask about private arrangements if avoiding a large group matters to you. The information does not promise a private tour for the activities themselves, so confirm exactly what the private option covers.

Who will enjoy this desert safari most?

I would recommend this tour to first-time Dubai visitors who want a packed half-day without arranging separate activities. Families and friend groups can make good use of the variety, since one person can focus on photos and camp experiences while another looks forward to the ATV ride or dune drive.

It also suits anyone who wants more than the standard camel-and-dinner package. The horse ride, falcon photo, and ATV session give it extra variety. The 4WD is air-conditioned, and most people can participate, but the day still includes jolting driving, sand, heat, and animal activities.

You may want another type of tour if you prefer a calm, small-group evening, a long ATV excursion, or a more focused cultural program. The schedule is busy, and a large maximum group size can affect how much time you get at the camp activities.

The company states that it is not responsible for loss, accidents, sickness, or injury and recommends travel health insurance. That is sensible advice for an outing involving motorized vehicles, dune driving, horses, and camels. Bring only what you need, follow the guide’s instructions, and tell the operator about any concern before departure.

Booking, timing, and cancellation details

Pickup begins around 2:00 p.m., with the exact meeting arrangement tied to your selected hotel or location. Confirmation is provided at booking. Since the experience is commonly booked about seven days ahead, I would reserve before your preferred date fills, especially if you need a specific pickup area or private transfer.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted. The tour also depends on suitable weather and a minimum number of participants. If the operator cancels for either reason, you can choose another date or experience, or receive a full refund.

Should you book this Dubai desert safari?

Book it if you want maximum variety in one six-hour outing. The combination of Lahbab’s red dunes, a 30-minute ATV ride, dune bashing, sandboarding, horse and camel rides, dinner, and shows gives you a broad introduction to Dubai’s desert activities.

Think twice if you want a peaceful desert evening or a long, specialist ATV session. The schedule is full, the group may be large, and some entertainment is unavailable on Ramadan, dry days, and certain Islamic occasions.

At 4.8 out of 5 from 20 ratings, with a 95 percent recommendation rate, the experience has a strong satisfaction record. The positive Spanish-language feedback specifically praises the guide’s attention and the beauty of seeing the desert, which fits the tour’s best qualities: an organized introduction to a striking setting and plenty to do once you arrive.

FAQ

How long does the Dubai desert safari last?

The experience lasts approximately six hours, including the desert activities, camp visit, dinner, shows, and return transfer.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 2:00 p.m.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included from selected hotels or locations in Dubai, Sharjah, and Ajman.

Is private transportation available?

Yes. Private transfers are available as an option.

How long is the ATV ride?

The included quad-bike ride lasts 30 minutes.

Are camel and horse rides included?

Yes. Both a camel ride and a horse ride are included. The camel ride is described as short, while no exact duration is provided for the horse ride.

What food is served at dinner?

Dinner is an Arabian BBQ buffet with vegetarian and non-vegetarian options.

Are the evening shows always available?

No. Tanoura and belly dancing are not available on certain dry days, during Ramadan for belly dancing, or on special Islamic days as required by UAE law. Dates may vary according to UAE law and the season.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the experience are not refunded or accepted.