Dune Buggy Desert Adventure with BBQ Dinner Dubai

The red dunes outside Dubai

Less than an hour from the city, the desert south-east of Dubai is known for its deep red-orange sand, coloured by iron oxide and piled by the wind into high, rolling dunes. It is the setting for most dune adventures from the city, with wide open areas where buggies, quads and 4x4s can roam safely under the watch of experienced guides.

Our shared vehicle collects you from your hotel or residence in areas such as Downtown, Business Bay, Dubai Marina, Bur Dubai or Palm Jumeirah in the afternoon. The drive itself shows how quickly the city gives way to sand, camels and low acacia trees, so you do not need to work out how to get to the desert from Dubai.

Driving your dune buggy

At the buggy base you receive a helmet and a clear briefing on the controls, the hand signals and how to drive safely on soft sand. The buggies are powerful, with roll cages and seat belts, yet easy to drive. Your guide leads the convoy at a pace that suits the group, climbing crests, cruising along ridges and dropping into hollows between the dunes.

Over 60 minutes you get a real feel for desert driving, with stops for photos at viewpoints over the endless sand. A Dubai dune buggy safari is one of the most exciting ways to explore the desert, and most first-time drivers are surprised by how quickly they gain confidence. Children ride as passengers with an adult.

Sandboarding and camel ride

After the buggy ride, it is time to slow down. On a tall, soft dune you try sandboarding for 15 to 20 minutes, sliding down the slope on a board standing up or sitting, depending on your nerve. It is easier than it looks, and the soft sand makes falls painless and funny.

Then you meet the camels for a short ride across the sand, swaying gently as they walk. Camels have been central to desert life for thousands of years, carrying people and goods across Arabia, and riding one is a classic part of any desert safari in Dubai. The staff help you mount and dismount, and it is a favourite moment for children and photographers.

The desert camp at sunset

As the sun sets, you arrive at a desert camp laid out in traditional style with carpets, low cushions and lanterns around a central stage. Arabic coffee scented with cardamom, tea and soft drinks are served on arrival, and women and girls can have their hands decorated with henna by a local artist.

The evening programme includes live shows such as the Tanoura, a colourful whirling dance in which the performer spins for minutes on end in layered skirts that open like discs, along with other dance performances. Watching the sky change colour over the dunes with a cup of coffee in hand is one of the best things to do in Dubai for a first visit.

BBQ dinner under the stars

Dinner is a BBQ buffet with grilled meats and chicken, salads, rice, bread and Arabic side dishes, with vegetarian choices available. The food served at desert camps in Dubai is halal, and the open-air setting under the stars makes it feel special. After dinner there is time to relax, take photos and enjoy the calm of the desert night, far from the traffic and lights of the city.

The best time for a desert safari in Dubai is from October to April, when afternoons are warm and evenings pleasant; in summer, the afternoon heat is strong, so drink plenty of water. You return to your hotel in central Dubai in the evening, about 6 hours after pickup.