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

Red dunes make a fine afternoon playground. This Dubai safari adds more than the usual camel ride and dune bash, with a 30-minute ATV drive, horseback riding, sandboarding, and an evening camp with dinner and live entertainment. I like the broad mix of activities, and I like that hotel transfers from Dubai, Sharjah, and Ajman are included.

The main drawback is pace. You have about six hours to fit in a long list of activities, and the desert camp can host up to 150 people. That makes this a lively, convenient outing, but not a quiet desert escape. The entertainment schedule can also change on dry days and special Islamic dates.

Key points to know before booking

• ATV riding in Lahbab: You get a safety briefing and a self-drive quad bike session before the 4WD dune bash.
• Horse and camel rides included: Horseback riding adds something unusual to the standard Dubai safari menu, while the camel ride is a short camp circuit.
• Six hours from pickup to return: The afternoon start is set for 2:00 pm, with sunset photos, camp activities, dinner, and shows filling the evening.
• A full Arabian camp program: Expect coffee, sweets, henna, shisha, local clothing, falcon photos, barbecue food, Tanoura dancing, and a fire show.
• Good value for an action-packed day: At $164.50 per person, the price is high for a group excursion, but it covers transport, several rides, dinner, and entertainment.
• Entertainment has date limits: Belly dancing and Tanoura performances are not offered on listed dry days or certain special Islamic dates under UAE law.

Why this safari offers more than the usual Dubai desert trip

Many Dubai desert outings follow a familiar pattern: hotel pickup, dune bashing, a camel photo, then dinner at a camp. This one tries to fill the day with more active options. You get an ATV ride, sandboarding, a horse ride, and a camel ride, along with the standard 4WD adventure and evening program.

That makes the experience a strong match for you if you want variety and do not want to spend long stretches simply sitting at camp. It also works well for a mixed group. One person can enjoy the dunes, another can try henna or local clothing, and someone else can focus on dinner and shows.

The tradeoff is that each activity gets limited time. The ATV session is specifically listed as 30 minutes, and the camel ride is described as short. You should think of these as tasters rather than full riding excursions.

The experience is recommended by 95 percent of its audience and carries a 4.8 rating from 20 reviews. One Spanish-language review praised the guide’s attention and described being in the desert as a beautiful moment. That fits the main appeal here: you get a broad, easy-to-book introduction to Dubai’s desert in one afternoon.

From Dubai to the red dunes of Lahbab

Pickup begins around 2:00 pm from your selected hotel or location. Transfers are included from Dubai, Sharjah, and Ajman, and private transfers are available as an option. The ride is in an air-conditioned 4WD vehicle with an English-speaking driver or guide.

The first major stop is Lahbab, known for its red dunes. The schedule allows about three hours in this area, including preparation, the quad bike ride, photo stops, and dune bashing. During the vehicle setup, you can use the restroom and take a short break before the action begins.

Lahbab is the right setting for the active part of the day. The red sand gives your photographs stronger color than the pale dunes found closer to the city, and the open space gives the driver room for a more energetic 4WD session. Your driver is licensed for safari driving, and the Land Cruiser vehicles are described as insured and equipped with seat belts and roll bars.

Still, dune bashing is not a gentle sightseeing ride. The vehicle climbs and slides across the dunes, and the motion can be rough. If you are prone to motion sickness, eat lightly before pickup and tell the driver if you need a pause. The tour states that most people can participate, but you should be physically and mentally ready for the activities.

The 30-minute ATV session in Lahbab

Before riding, you receive a safety briefing for the quad bikes. You then set out on an ATV trail, with a pause for photographs before returning to the starting point for the dune bash.

This is one of the strongest reasons to choose this outing. ATV riding gives you control over part of the desert experience. Instead of only watching a driver handle the dunes, you get to steer your own machine and feel the sand beneath the wheels.

The 30-minute limit matters. It is enough for a first taste, but not enough for a long off-road expedition. You should also expect the ride to be part of a group program rather than a private wilderness ride. The experience description does not specify the ATV model, exact trail length, or whether protective clothing is supplied, so ask the operator if those points matter to you.

After the ATV section, you return for the 4WD dune bash. The order is useful: you get the self-drive activity while you are fresh, then sit back for the faster vehicle ride. Sandboarding is also included. Since no separate duration is given for sandboarding, treat it as another short activity rather than a long session.

Sunset photographs and the move to Al Awir

After Lahbab, the outing continues to Al Awir for the camp portion. The transition shifts the mood from active desert sports to a more social evening program.

A sunset photo stop is included, and this is one of the moments worth protecting in your schedule. The afternoon start is timed to bring you into the cooler and more photogenic part of the day. Wear clothing that looks good in photographs but remains loose enough for sitting, climbing, and riding.

The tour recommends casual, loose-fitting clothing in summer and a jacket in winter. That is practical advice. The desert can feel hot during the day, while the evening may be cooler, especially once you stop moving.

Arabian coffee, henna, falcons, and local clothing

At the Al Awir camp, you are welcomed with Arabian coffee and sweets. These small touches help set the tone before dinner and give you a chance to slow down after the dune activities.

You can try henna painting, with the henna tattoo option specifically noted for women. You can also wear Arabian clothing for photographs and meet a falcon expert for a picture with the bird. The falcon encounter is a photo opportunity, not described as a full demonstration or handling session, so keep your expectations modest.

Shisha, also called hookah, is included. Alcohol is not included, though it is available to buy at the camp. If you do not smoke, you can simply treat the shisha area as one of the camp’s optional social activities.

The short camel ride takes place around the camp. It is a classic Dubai desert moment, but the wording makes clear that this is not a long trek into the dunes. I would choose it for the feel of sitting on a camel and getting a few photographs, not for a serious riding experience.

The included horse ride is a welcome extra

Horseback riding is the most unusual addition to this safari. Many desert programs offer camel riding but not horses, so this option gives the afternoon a different flavor.

The supplied details confirm that a horse ride is included, but they do not state its duration, route, or riding level. That means you should see it as an included sample activity rather than plan the day around an extended equestrian outing. If you have little riding experience, ask the staff for instructions before setting off.

The combination of horse, camel, and ATV rides can make this a good choice for families with older children or groups with different interests. It is less suitable if you want one carefully developed activity, such as a long horseback ride or serious quad-bike tour.

Barbecue dinner and evening performances

The dinner is an Arabian barbecue buffet with vegetarian and non-vegetarian choices. That range is useful for groups, since you do not need to find a separate meal after returning to Dubai.

The evening entertainment includes Tanoura dancing, a fire show, belly dancing, and a Ladies Khaliji Dance performance. Belly dancing is not offered during Ramadan, and Tanoura and belly dancing can also be unavailable on listed dry days or special Islamic dates required by UAE law.

The shows provide a lively finish, but they also confirm that this is a large, organized camp experience rather than a private Bedouin evening. With a maximum group size of 150, expect shared seating, a crowd around the performance area, and a set program. That can be fun if you like an animated night with plenty to watch. It will not suit you if you want silence, solitude, or a small local gathering.

After dinner, you can relax or meditate before the return to the city. The exact return time is not stated, but the full outing lasts about six hours.

Is $164.50 a fair price?

At $164.50 per person, this is not the cheapest Dubai desert safari. The value comes from the number of inclusions rather than from exclusivity.

Your price covers hotel pickup and drop-off, air-conditioned 4WD transport, dune bashing, a 30-minute ATV ride, sandboarding, horse and camel rides, dinner, drinks such as Arabic coffee, shisha, henna, local clothing, falcon photos, sunset viewing, and several shows.

Buying all those pieces separately would be difficult, and transport alone adds convenience. The price makes more sense if you plan to use most of the included activities. If you mainly want dune bashing and a buffet, a simpler safari may be better value.

Private transfers are available as an option, but the supplied details do not state the extra cost. The standard format is shared, and the possible group size is large. Pay more for private transport only if you place a high value on control over pickup and the ride to the desert.

Practical advice for a smoother afternoon

Bring a phone or camera with enough battery for the ATV, dunes, sunset, falcon, and camp photographs. Wear closed, comfortable shoes if you plan to try the active portions, and choose clothes that allow easy movement.

Keep valuables secure. The operator states that it is not responsible for loss, accidents, sickness, or injury, and recommends travel health insurance because desert activities carry potential risks. That warning is worth taking seriously, especially for ATV riding, dune bashing, horse riding, and camel mounting.

You should also tell the operator about any health concern that could affect participation. Most people can take part, but the program is not purely passive sightseeing. It asks you to climb into vehicles, ride animals, handle a quad bike, and cope with rough movement.

Book at least several days ahead if your dates are fixed. The average booking point is seven days before the outing, and a minimum number of participants is required. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the 2:00 pm start. Cancellations or changes inside that window do not receive a refund.

Who should book this Dubai safari?

I would recommend this experience if you want an all-in-one desert afternoon and prefer variety over depth. It is especially suited to first-time visitors, active couples, families with suitable older children, and groups where everyone wants a different activity.

The trip is also useful if you are staying in Dubai, Sharjah, or Ajman and want transport handled for you. The combination of ATV riding, dune bashing, horse riding, camel riding, and dinner gives you a lot to talk about afterward.

I would look elsewhere if you want a small group, a long horse trek, a lengthy ATV route, or a quiet desert setting. The large possible group, short activity blocks, and camp entertainment make this a broad sampler, not a private expedition.

Should you book it?

Book this safari if your priority is maximum variety in one six-hour outing. The ATV ride and horse ride add real value beyond the standard Dubai desert formula, while dinner, shows, transfers, and camp activities keep the evening easy.

Skip it if the $164.50 price feels high for a shared experience or if you want extended time on one activity. Also check your date carefully, since entertainment may be reduced during Ramadan, dry days, and special Islamic dates. For an energetic first taste of the Lahbab desert with very little planning required, this is a strong and well-filled choice.

FAQ

What time does the Dubai desert safari start?

The stated start time is 2:00 pm. The full experience lasts approximately six hours.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off at your selected hotel or location are included. Transfers are offered from Dubai, Sharjah, and Ajman.

How long is the ATV ride?

The included quad-bike session lasts 30 minutes. You receive a safety briefing before starting.

Are horse and camel rides included?

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

Is dinner included?

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

Are the shows available every day?

No. Belly dancing is not offered during Ramadan. Tanoura dancing and belly dancing may also be unavailable on listed dry days and certain special Islamic dates under UAE law.

What is the cancellation policy?

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 are offered another date or a full refund.