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

The unusual feature here is the sheer number of activities packed into one desert outing. You get the usual 4WD dune bashing and camel ride, plus a self-drive ATV session and a horse ride, followed by a Bedouin-style camp evening. I especially like the 30-minute quad-bike trail and the mix of quiet desert time with a lively dinner show.

The second strong point is convenience: hotel pickup and drop-off are included from Dubai, Sharjah, and Ajman. The main consideration is scale. With a possible maximum of 150 people, the camp may feel more like a busy evening show than a private desert escape.

Key points to know before booking

• Two unusual desert activities: You get both a quad-bike ride and a horse ride, not just the standard camel stop.
• Lahbab red dunes: The first three hours focus on ATV riding, sandboarding, photos, and 4WD dune bashing.
• Three-hour camp visit: Al Awir brings Arabic coffee, henna, falcon photos, camel riding, dinner, and stage shows.
• Broad pickup area: Transfers cover selected locations in Dubai, Sharjah, and Ajman, with private transfers available as an option.
• Dinner and entertainment included: The buffet has vegetarian and non-vegetarian choices, with Tanoura, fire, and belly-dance performances when permitted.
• Strong overall rating: The experience is rated 4.8 out of 5 from 20 reviews, with 95 percent recommending it.

Why this safari is different from the standard Dubai desert trip

Many Dubai desert safaris follow a familiar pattern: hotel pickup, dune bashing, a camel photo, dinner, and a few stage shows. This tour adds more motion and more time outside the vehicle. You ride an ATV, try sandboarding, and add a horse ride before settling into the evening camp.

That makes it a good match if you want your desert day to feel active rather than mainly scenic. I would choose it for a first Dubai visit when you want to cover several popular activities in one booking. You will not need to arrange separate transport to the dunes or search for another camp experience.

The tradeoff is that this is not a quiet, small-group nature outing. The maximum group size is listed as 150 people, so the shared camp may be busy. You are paying for range and convenience, not solitude.

The tour costs $164.50 per person. That is not a budget desert ride, but the price includes transport, a 4WD vehicle, dune bashing, a 30-minute ATV ride, sandboarding, camel and horse rides, dinner, drinks such as Arabic coffee, henna, falcon photos, and several shows. If you planned to buy these separately, the package has a sensible value.

A 2 pm start sets up the desert day

Pickup begins around 2 pm, giving you an afternoon and evening away from Dubai. The exact pickup point is selected when you book, and transfers are offered from Dubai, Sharjah, and Ajman. Private transfers are available as an option if you want more control over the ride.

The trip uses an air-conditioned 4WD vehicle with a licensed safari driver and guide. The vehicles are described as insured and fitted with seat belts, roll bars, and other safety equipment. That matters once the vehicle starts climbing and sliding over steep red dunes.

You should wear loose, casual clothing in summer. A jacket is sensible in winter, when the desert can feel cooler after sunset. Since the day includes sand, outdoor riding, dinner, and sitting at a camp, comfortable clothing is more useful than anything formal.

Lahbab brings the red dunes and the first rush

The first stop is Lahbab, a desert area known here for its red dunes. The vehicle pauses while the driver prepares for dune bashing, giving you time to use the restroom and get ready for the outdoor activities.

You then receive a quad-bike safety briefing before beginning the ATV ride. The included ride lasts 30 minutes. That is long enough to make the ATV more than a quick photo prop, though it is not an all-day off-road session.

The ride is self-drive, which gives you more control than sitting in a vehicle throughout the desert visit. You follow the planned trail, stop for photos, and return to the starting point before the 4WD portion begins. You should take the safety instructions seriously and be ready for dust, sun, and uneven sand.

The ATV ride is one of the best reasons to select this particular package. It adds a hands-on activity without requiring you to give up the usual dune experience. If you have no interest in driving a quad bike, however, part of the price is going toward an activity you may not value.

Dune bashing adds the classic Dubai desert moment

After the quad bikes, you return to the 4WD for dune bashing. The driver takes you over the sand in a series of climbs, drops, and turns. The route is designed for the vehicle and the experience is led by a trained safari driver, but the ride can still feel energetic.

I would not treat dune bashing as a gentle sightseeing drive. If you are prone to motion sickness, sit where you are most comfortable, avoid a heavy meal before this part, and tell the guide if you need a pause. The itinerary allows time for preparation and rest before the drive, which helps.

Sandboarding is also included. It is a simple way to use the dunes at your own pace, though the information does not specify how long the sandboarding session lasts. Sunset photography is another planned moment, so keep your phone or camera ready when the light begins to soften.

The Lahbab section lasts about three hours in total. That includes preparation, the ATV session, photo stops, and dune bashing. The schedule gives the active portion a proper share of the afternoon rather than rushing straight to the camp.

Al Awir changes the pace from action to camp life

After Lahbab, you continue to Al Awir for the camp portion. The welcome includes Arabic coffee and sweets, a small but fitting start to the more relaxed evening.

This is where the tour adds its Bedouin-style elements. You can try henna painting, smoke shisha, wear Arabic clothing for a makeover, and meet a falcon expert for a photograph with the bird. These are short cultural activities, not a full lesson in Emirati life, but they give you a few traditional touches beyond the dune ride.

Henna is intended for ladies according to the included details. If you want a design, allow for waiting time because the camp can serve many people. Shisha is also included, while alcoholic drinks are not. Alcohol may be available to purchase at the camp, but it is not part of the package price.

The falcon interaction is another useful detail for families and first-time visitors. You get a chance to see the bird close up and take a photo with the falcon expert. Treat it as a brief encounter rather than a long wildlife presentation.

Camel and horse rides add variety, but keep expectations realistic

The camel ride is described as a short circuit around the camp. It gives you the traditional desert image many people want, but it is not a long trek across the dunes. I see that as a benefit if you want the experience without spending a large part of the evening on an animal.

The horse ride is the more unusual addition. Horse riding is included among the camp activities, and it helps explain the higher price compared with a basic safari. The supplied details do not give the ride length or describe an extended horseback route, so you should expect an added activity rather than a full riding excursion.

You should also be mentally and physically ready for the activities you choose. The operator warns that outdoor pursuits carry possible risks and advises travel health insurance. Anyone with concerns about riding, uneven ground, or motion should consider that before booking.

Dinner is the evening anchor

The camp serves an Arabian barbecue buffet with vegetarian and non-vegetarian choices. Because the tour starts at 2 pm and the camp section lasts about three hours, this functions as dinner rather than lunch.

A buffet is practical for a large shared group. You can choose what suits you, and vegetarian diners have an identified option. The package does not list individual dishes, so I would book this for the overall desert evening rather than a highly specific food menu.

The setting matters as much as the meal. You arrive after the active desert portion, watch the light fade, and sit down for food while the camp entertainment begins. The evening is built for easy participation: eat, watch a show, try a cultural activity, or simply sit and rest before the drive back.

Three shows fill the post-sunset program

The entertainment includes Tanoura dancing, a fire show, and a belly-dance performance. The program also mentions a Ladies Khaliji Dance and other performances. Tanoura is known for the dancer’s spinning costume, while the fire show provides the more dramatic stage moment.

Belly dancing is not available during Ramadan. There are also listed dry days and special Islamic dates when entertainment activities such as Tanoura and belly dancing may not operate under UAE law. The dates can change with UAE law and the season, so check the schedule if the shows are central to your decision.

This is a good setup if you want a social, staged evening after the desert drive. It is less suitable if you are looking for a silent night under the stars. You may have some time to relax or meditate after the program, but the camp remains an organized group setting.

How the group size affects the experience

The stated maximum is 150 people. That does not mean every departure will reach that number, but you should plan for the possibility of a large group. Pickup, ATV organization, camel rides, buffet service, and photos can all take longer when many people are present.

A large group can also make the evening feel lively and easy for families. There is usually something happening, and you have several activities to choose from. Still, if your priority is personal attention from a guide or an empty stretch of dunes, ask about a private transfer or a smaller departure before booking.

The English-speaking driver and guide handle the main journey and desert activities. The supplied information does not name the guide, so you should not expect to request a particular person. The strongest praise attached to this experience focuses on excellent guide attention and the beauty of spending time in the desert, which makes the guide’s role worth noting.

Who gets the best value from the $164.50 price

I see the best value here for active first-time visitors who want one full desert day with many inclusions. Families, couples, and small groups with mixed interests can split their time between driving, animals, photos, food, and shows.

You also get good practical value if you are staying in Sharjah or Ajman, since pickup coverage extends beyond Dubai. The included return transfer removes the need to arrange a taxi or rental car for an evening in the desert.

The price is harder to justify if you only want dune bashing and dinner. A simpler safari may suit you better. It is also not the right choice if you want a private camp, a long horse trek, or a low-key wildlife outing. Those are not what this package promises.

The cancellation terms are friendly if your plans may shift. You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start for a full refund. Cancellations or changes within 24 hours are not refunded, and poor weather or failure to reach the minimum group size may lead to another date or a full refund.

Practical advice for a smoother outing

Keep your phone charged for the sunset stop and the falcon photo. Wear shoes and clothes that can handle sand, and bring a jacket in winter. Since Arabic coffee, sweets, dinner, and non-alcoholic camp offerings are included, you do not need to plan around buying a full meal elsewhere.

Read the safety briefing before the ATV ride and follow the driver’s instructions during dune bashing. The operator says most people can participate, but you are responsible for judging whether you are fit for the activities.

If the shows matter to you, check whether your date falls on a dry day, Ramadan, or a special Islamic holiday. The tour still includes the desert, rides, food, and camp activities, but the entertainment schedule may be reduced.

Should you book this Dubai desert safari?

Book it if you want the widest mix of activities in one organized outing: ATV, dune bashing, sandboarding, camel, horse, falcon, dinner, and live shows. The 4.8 rating from 20 reviews and 95 percent recommendation rate point to a well-received experience, with guide attention and time in the desert receiving the clearest praise.

Choose another option if you want peace, privacy, or a long horseback ride. The possible 150-person group and busy camp atmosphere are the main limits. For an active, all-in-one introduction to the Dubai desert, though, the range of included activities makes the $164.50 cost reasonable.

FAQ

What time does the Dubai desert safari start?

The stated start time is 2 pm. The experience lasts approximately six hours, including the Lahbab desert activities and the Al Awir camp visit.

Does the tour include hotel pickup and drop-off?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included from your selected hotel or location. Transfers are offered in Dubai, Sharjah, and Ajman, and private transfers are available as an option.

How long is the ATV ride?

The included quad-bike ride lasts 30 minutes. You receive a safety briefing before riding and stop for photos during the desert portion.

Are camel and horse rides included?

Yes. The package includes both a camel ride and a horse ride. The camel ride is described as a short ride around the camp, while no specific duration is provided for the horse ride.

Is dinner included?

Yes. An Arabian barbecue buffet dinner is included, with vegetarian and non-vegetarian choices.

Which shows are included?

The entertainment includes Tanoura dancing, a fire show, belly dancing, and a Ladies Khaliji Dance, along with other performances. Belly dancing is not available during Ramadan, and entertainment can be unavailable on listed dry days and special Islamic dates under UAE law.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded. If poor weather or insufficient bookings cancel the experience, you will be offered another date or a full refund.