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

The big draw here is the extra-long activity list. You get a 30-minute ATV drive, 4WD dune bashing, sandboarding, a horse ride, a camel ride, sunset views, and an evening camp program in one six-hour outing. I especially like the ATV and horse ride, since many desert safaris stop after dune bashing and a short camel circuit.

I also like the easy hotel pickup and the broad meal-and-show package. The main caution is pace: with so many activities and a possible group size of up to 150 people, this is a busy day rather than a quiet desert escape. Check the entertainment calendar too, since some performances are not available on dry days, during Ramadan, or on certain Islamic holidays.

Key points to know before booking

• Thirty minutes on a self-drive ATV: You get a proper quad-bike session rather than only watching a demonstration.
• Lahbab’s red dunes: The desert stop combines ATV riding, dune bashing, sandboarding, and a sunset photo break.
• Horse and camel rides included: The horse ride adds something unusual to a standard Dubai safari.
• Three-hour camp evening: Expect Arabian coffee, sweets, henna, shisha, clothing for photos, falcon pictures, dinner, and live shows.
• Transfers across three emirates: Pickup and drop-off are available in Dubai, Sharjah, and Ajman, with private transfers optional.
• A full package for $164.50: The price makes more sense if you plan to use most of the included activities rather than skip straight to dinner.

Why this safari is different from the usual desert outing

Many Dubai desert safaris follow a familiar formula: hotel pickup, dune bashing, a camel photo, dinner, and a few stage shows. This one adds two activities that change the feel of the day: a self-drive ATV session and a horse ride.

That matters if you want an active outing rather than a scenic drive followed by a meal. The ATV section gives you time to handle the bike yourself on a marked desert trail, while the 4WD segment puts you in the hands of a licensed safari driver for the steeper dune runs.

The package also works well for mixed groups. One person can enjoy the action, another can try henna or Arabic dress at camp, and everyone can meet again for dinner. It is not a specialist riding tour, though. The safari aims to offer many short experiences in one afternoon, not long, technical sessions on horseback or an ATV.

The experience receives a 4.8 rating from 20 ratings, with 95 percent recommending it. The strongest praise centers on the guide’s attention and the simple pleasure of reaching the desert, taking in the red dunes, and having a well-organized day outside the city. That is a fair picture of the tour’s appeal: it offers a lot, and its best moments come from the mix of movement, scenery, and friendly camp activities.

Leaving Dubai for Lahbab’s red dunes

Pickup begins around 2pm from your selected hotel or location. The vehicle is an air-conditioned 4WD, and transfers cover Dubai, Sharjah, and Ajman. If you are staying outside those areas, confirm the pickup point before you book rather than assuming a city-center meeting spot.

The first major stop is the Lahbab Desert. Lahbab is known for its red-toned dunes, which give the photography here more color than the pale sand close to central Dubai. The schedule allows about three hours in this area, including preparation, the ATV ride, dune bashing, sandboarding, and a sunset photo stop.

On arrival, the driver prepares the vehicle for dune bashing. You can use the restroom and take a short break during this setup period. That pause is useful because the afternoon includes several activities, and the heat can make even a simple transfer feel tiring.

Before riding the quad bikes, you receive a safety briefing. The ATV session lasts 30 minutes, long enough to get a real taste of self-driving without turning the entire outing into a motorsports day. You will stop for photographs during the ride, then return to the starting point for dune bashing.

Bring a steady hand with your phone, but do not let photography take over. The red dunes are at their best when you look up from the screen. Loose sand, open sky, and the changing light do most of the work.

What to expect from the ATV and dune bash

The ATV is the most distinctive part of the daytime program. You are not simply seated in a 4WD while someone else handles every turn. After the safety briefing, you ride the quad bike yourself for 30 minutes on the desert trail.

This should suit first-time riders who want a short introduction without committing to a full-day motor tour. The tour states that most people can participate, but you should still be honest about your physical ability and comfort with a motorized bike. The operator advises participants to be mentally and physically able to take part, and recommends travel health insurance because the desert activities carry normal outdoor risks.

Then comes the dune bash. Here, the trained and licensed safari driver takes over in a fully insured Land Cruiser equipped with seat belts, roll bars, and other safety features. Expect a more forceful ride than a normal road transfer, with the vehicle moving up and down the dunes.

If you dislike sudden drops, rough motion, or motion sickness, this section deserves careful thought. The advantage of having a professional driver is that you do not need to manage the vehicle yourself. The tradeoff is that you have little control over the intensity once the ride begins.

Sandboarding is also included. The available details do not give a separate duration, so think of it as an added desert activity rather than a long boarding session. It is a good chance to try sliding down the sand after the dune bash, especially if you want something less mechanical than the ATV.

Sunset in the desert, then Al Awir camp

After the Lahbab activities, you continue to the Al Awir desert camp for the evening portion. The camp schedule runs for about three hours, giving you time to slow down after the ATV and dune driving.

You are welcomed with Arabian coffee and sweets. These small details help shift the mood from sport to social time. You can also try henna, wear local Arabic clothing for photos, and smoke shisha, also called a hookah. Shisha and Arabic coffee are included, while alcoholic drinks are not included but can be bought at the camp.

The short camel ride is part of the package. It is best understood as a traditional camp activity and photo opportunity, not a long trek through the dunes. The horse ride is the more unusual addition. Since no separate duration is given for the horse section, you should expect a brief scheduled ride rather than an extended equestrian outing.

A falcon expert is available for photographs with the bird. This gives you a quick look at an important part of desert culture, though the program is designed for interaction and pictures rather than a full falconry lesson.

The camp also gives you time to relax or meditate before returning to the city. That slower stretch is welcome after a packed afternoon. If you want a peaceful desert experience, use this time away from the busiest activity points, but remember that the camp can accommodate as many as 150 people.

BBQ dinner and the evening shows

Dinner is an Arabian barbecue buffet with vegetarian and non-vegetarian choices. That broad menu makes the tour easier for mixed groups, though the available information does not provide a detailed dish list. Plan on a shared buffet setting rather than a private restaurant meal.

The entertainment includes Tanoura dancing, a fire show, and the Ladies Khaliji Dance. Belly dancing is also listed, except during Ramadan. These performances are meant to round out a Bedouin-style camp evening, and they give you something to watch while you eat or settle in after the rides.

Entertainment is affected by UAE regulations and the tour’s listed dry dates. Tanoura and belly dancing are not available on the specified dry days, during Ramadan, or on certain special Islamic days. The dates supplied include April 3 and 20, May 6, 22, and 25, June 1, 3, and 5, August 10, 11, and 31, September 9, November 3, 9, and 30, and December 2. Dates can change under UAE law and seasonal schedules, so check close to booking.

This is important for price comparisons. If dinner and desert activities are your main goals, the tour still has value on a night without the dance performances. If the stage program is essential, confirm the date first.

Is $164.50 good value?

At $164.50 per person, this is not the cheapest Dubai desert safari. The value comes from what is bundled: round-trip transfer, a 4WD ride, 30 minutes on an ATV, sandboarding, horse and camel rides, camp refreshments, henna, shisha, falcon photos, a buffet dinner, and several shows.

If you paid separately for transport, a quad-bike session, a camp meal, and individual desert activities, the package could compare well. It is especially useful if you want to avoid choosing between a safari and a separate ATV booking.

The price is less attractive if you plan to skip most of the camp program or dislike organized group outings. You are paying for range and convenience, not privacy. Private transfers are optional, but a private vehicle does not necessarily turn every part of the camp evening into a private experience.

Group discounts may improve the cost for families or friends. Ask about the final price for your group before booking, especially if several people want to ride the ATVs or join the horse activity.

Clothing, comfort, and practical preparation

Wear loose, casual clothing, particularly in summer. A jacket is sensible in winter, when the desert can feel cooler after sunset.

Closed, comfortable footwear is a practical choice for the ATV, sandboarding, and uneven sand. The supplied information does not set a strict footwear rule, but sandals can be awkward when you are moving between vehicles and activities.

The tour provides hotel or location pickup, air-conditioned transport, and restroom access during the Lahbab preparation stop. That makes the six-hour schedule manageable, but it remains a long afternoon and evening. Eat lightly before pickup, drink water, and avoid bringing anything you do not want exposed to sand.

The operator says most people can participate, but anyone with health concerns should consider the physical demands of dune bashing, ATV riding, horse riding, and camel riding. The safety equipment and licensed drivers help, but they do not remove every risk.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the 2pm start time. Changes or cancellations inside 24 hours are not accepted for a refund. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum number of participants can lead to a rescheduled date or full refund.

Who should book this Dubai desert safari?

I would recommend it to you if you want the most activities in one desert day. Families with older children, groups of friends, and first-time Dubai visitors may appreciate the variety, since nobody has to settle for only dune bashing or only a dinner camp.

It also suits anyone curious about riding an ATV but unwilling to give up the classic camel, falcon, and BBQ elements. The horse ride is a useful bonus for people who have already done a standard Dubai safari and want something different.

I would choose another option if your priority is silence, a small group, a long horse ride, or a slow desert walk. The maximum group size of 150 tells you that this is a lively, organized production. It may feel crowded at the camp, especially around popular photo activities.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a full-value action package and will use the ATV, dune bash, sandboard, horse ride, camel ride, dinner, and shows. The mix is unusually broad, transfers are practical, and the red dunes give the afternoon a clear visual highlight.

Skip it if you want a private or quiet desert evening, or if you are booking mainly for belly dancing on a date when entertainment may be suspended. For most active first-time visitors, though, the combination of Lahbab’s dunes and Al Awir’s camp makes the $164.50 price reasonable, provided you are comfortable with a busy six-hour schedule.

FAQ

What time does the Dubai desert safari start?

Pickup and the tour start time are listed as 2pm.

How long does the experience last?

The full experience lasts approximately six hours, with about three hours in Lahbab and about three hours at the Al Awir camp.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included from your selected hotel or location.

Which areas offer transfers?

Transfers are available from Dubai, Sharjah, and Ajman. Optional private transfers are also available.

How long is the ATV ride?

The quad-bike session lasts 30 minutes.

Are food and drinks included?

An Arabian BBQ buffet dinner is included, with vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. Arabic coffee, sweets, and shisha are included. Alcoholic drinks are not included but are available to purchase at the camp.

Are the performances available every day?

No. Tanoura dancing and belly dancing are unavailable on certain listed dry days, during Ramadan, and on some special Islamic days under UAE law. The fire show and other entertainment are also subject to the tour’s operating schedule.

What happens if I need to cancel?

You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded. If poor weather or an insufficient number of participants causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund.