Burj Khalifa Ticket & Evening Desert Safari with BBQ Dinner Dubai

Burj Khalifa observation deck, level 124

The Burj Khalifa rises 828 metres above Downtown Dubai and has been the tallest building in the world since it opened in 2010. Your ticket takes you to the observation deck on level 124, about 450 metres up, in a high-speed lift that climbs at up to 10 metres per second. When the doors open, floor-to-ceiling glass gives an unobstructed 360-degree view of the towers of Downtown, Business Bay, the Dubai Water Canal, the desert to the east and the coastline to the west.

Plan about an hour on the deck. Digital telescopes show live close-ups of the city and images of how Dubai looked in the past, which makes the visit fun for children too. Is the Burj Khalifa worth visiting? For most first-time visitors it is the moment that puts the whole city in perspective, and a morning slot usually means clearer air and lighter crowds.

How to get to the Burj Khalifa and timing your day

The observation deck entrance is in Downtown Dubai, inside the large shopping centre at the foot of the tower. The easiest ways to get there are a taxi straight to the entrance or the red metro line to the Burj Khalifa station, which is linked to the mall by a long air-conditioned walkway. Arrive before the time slot you chose; slots on this combo run in the morning, between about 8 am and 1 pm.

After your visit, take a taxi back to your hotel and rest for a couple of hours. Our safari driver collects you from your hotel reception between 3:00 and 4:30 pm, so the morning tower visit and the evening in the desert fit together comfortably without rushing. Wear comfortable shoes and light layers: the tower is air-conditioned and the desert cools down after sunset.

Desert camel farm

The first stop on the safari is a traditional camel farm on the edge of the desert. Camels have been central to life in this region for centuries, carrying goods across the sands and providing milk, wool and transport. At the farm you see the animals up close in their pens and learn about the different types of camel common in the desert around Dubai, from racing camels to sturdy working breeds.

It is a short, relaxed stop and a good chance for photos with the desert in the background, especially for children who have never seen camels before. It also sets the scene for the evening, because you will ride a camel yourself later at the camp.

Dune drive across the Dubai desert

From the farm, your 4x4 heads off-road into the dunes. The driver climbs and descends the sandy ridges, sliding along the slopes in the classic Dubai dune drive that many visitors call dune bashing. The ride is exciting rather than extreme, and the views of rolling sand turning orange and red in the late-afternoon light are some of the best of the day.

The vehicle stops on a high dune so you can step out and watch the sunset over the desert. The dune drive is not recommended for pregnant women or anyone with back, neck or heart problems, so let us know when you book if this applies to someone in your group.

Desert camp: camel rides, henna and sandboarding

At the encampment you are welcomed with Arabic coffee and dates. Then the evening is yours: take a short camel ride, have henna painted on your hands or feet, try sandboarding on the hill behind the camp, or dress up in traditional Arabic costumes for photos. A shisha corner is available for adults who wish to try it.

The camp is laid out with low seating, carpets and cushions around an open stage, and the lights of the camp against the dark dunes create a calm, festive atmosphere. It is one of the most popular ways to spend an evening in Dubai, and everything listed here is included.

BBQ dinner and evening shows

Dinner is a full buffet with grilled meats, shawarma with Arabic bread, salads, rice and desserts, served with unlimited soft drinks, tea and coffee. Vegetarian dishes are part of the buffet, so mixed groups eat well.

During dinner the stage comes alive with a Tanoura performance, the spinning dance with a colourful layered skirt, followed by a belly dance show. After the shows, relax under the stars before our driver takes you back to your hotel in Dubai.