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

Red dunes make a fine afternoon playground. This six-hour Lahbab safari packs in more than the usual dune bash, adding a 30-minute ATV ride, sandboarding, a horse ride, and a camel ride before dinner and evening shows at a desert camp. I like the wide mix of activities, especially the ATV and horse ride, which are often missing from standard Dubai safari packages.

I also like the simple transport arrangement, with pickup and return available from Dubai, Sharjah, and Ajman. The main drawback is the potentially large group, with up to 150 people on the tour, so the camp may feel busy rather than intimate. At $164.50 per person, the value depends on how many included activities you actually use.

Key points to know before booking

• The ATV ride lasts 30 minutes: This is a self-drive quad-bike session with a safety briefing before you set off.
• Lahbab supplies the big red dunes: You get a sunset photo stop, dune bashing, sandboarding, and time for the ATV activity.
• The camp adds horse and camel rides: These give the afternoon more variety than a standard 4WD-only safari.
• Dinner comes with several shows: The evening program includes a buffet barbecue, Tanoura dancing, a fire show, and belly dancing except during Ramadan.
• Pickup covers three emirates: Hotel or selected-location pickup is available in Dubai, Sharjah, and Ajman, with private transfers offered as an option.
• The group may be large: The advertised maximum is 150 people, which matters if you prefer a quiet desert setting.

Why this Dubai safari offers more than the standard package

Many Dubai desert safaris follow a familiar pattern: 4WD pickup, dune bashing, a quick camel ride, dinner, and stage shows. This experience adds two useful extras, an ATV drive and a horse ride, giving you more to do before reaching the evening camp.

That matters most if you want an active day rather than a short photo stop in the sand. You can ride a quad bike yourself, try sandboarding, take part in a horse ride, and still have the classic camel experience. It is a busy schedule, but the variety helps justify the price.

The tour is advertised at $164.50 per person. That is not the cheapest desert outing in Dubai, but the price includes hotel transfers, an air-conditioned 4WD vehicle, dune bashing, a 30-minute ATV session, sandboarding, horse and camel rides, dinner, drinks such as Arabic coffee, henna, falcon photos, and several shows.

If you plan to sit out the ATV, horse ride, or camp activities, the value becomes less convincing. If you want to try nearly everything offered, the package becomes easier to justify because you are not paying separate admission for each main activity.

The 2 pm pickup and ride toward Lahbab

The day begins at about 2 pm, with pickup from your selected hotel or location. The service covers Dubai, Sharjah, and Ajman, which is useful if your accommodation is outside central Dubai. An optional private transfer is also available for people who do not want to share the ride.

You travel in an air-conditioned 4WD with an English-speaking driver and guide. The journey leads to the Lahbab region, known for its striking red dunes. Since pickup times can depend on your location, keep the afternoon open rather than scheduling another fixed activity immediately before or after the safari.

The tour runs for about six hours. In practice, that means the afternoon starts with desert activities and the evening ends after dinner and entertainment, followed by the return to the city.

Lahbab: ATV riding, dune bashing, and wide red dunes

At Lahbab, the driver stops to prepare the vehicle for dune bashing. You can use the restroom and take a short break while the 4WD is made ready. This pause is practical, especially before a stretch of bumpy driving and outdoor activity.

Before the quad-bike ride, you receive a safety briefing. The ATV portion is a self-drive activity and lasts 30 minutes. That is enough time to get a feel for the bike and ride along the marked trail, but it is not an all-day motor-sport session.

You also pause for photographs during the ATV activity and later take a sunset photo stop. Lahbab’s red sand gives these pictures more color than the pale dunes closer to the city. Bring a phone or camera that you can protect from sand, and keep loose items secure during the ride.

After returning to the starting point, the 4WD dune bashing begins. This is the energetic part of the afternoon, with the vehicle moving across the dunes rather than simply driving on a flat desert road. The safari vehicles are described as licensed and fully insured, with seat belts, roll bars, and other safety equipment.

You still need to decide how comfortable you are with fast, uneven driving. The operator advises that you should be mentally and physically able to take part, and it recommends travel health insurance because outdoor activities carry possible risks. If you have a medical concern, the sensible choice is to discuss it before booking.

Sandboarding adds a quieter desert activity

Sandboarding gives you a break from the engine noise. You can slide down the dunes rather than ride over them, making it a simple way to enjoy the sand at your own pace.

The supplied details do not specify how long the sandboarding session lasts or whether the activity is guided. Treat it as an included extra rather than the main focus of the day. The ATV and dune bashing receive the clearest time allocation, while sandboarding fits into the Lahbab portion of the program.

This is also a good point to take photographs, since you have the open dunes around you before moving on to the evening camp. If you prefer quiet moments, use this time to slow down instead of trying to complete every activity quickly.

Al Awir camp: coffee, henna, falcons, and local dress

The second part of the tour takes you to a desert camp in Al Awir. You are welcomed with Arabic coffee and sweets, which offers a gentler start after the ATV ride and dune bashing.

At the camp, you can try a henna design, with henna painting specifically noted for women. You can also smoke shisha, wear Arabic clothing for a makeover, and meet a falcon expert for a photograph with the bird.

These activities are designed as short cultural encounters rather than long demonstrations. They give you a taste of traditional hospitality and camp customs, though the large maximum group size may mean some stations feel busier than others.

The falcon photograph is a popular visual memory from the visit, while the Arabic clothing gives you another chance to take pictures. If you want henna, do it early enough to allow the design to dry before dinner and the ride back.

Horse and camel rides give the camp more variety

The camel ride is a short circuit around the camp. It is not presented as a long trek through the dunes, so you should think of it as a brief introduction to riding a camel and taking photographs.

The horse ride is one of the more unusual features of this package. Standard safari programs often focus on camel rides and dune bashing, while a horse activity gives the schedule a different feel. The available information does not state the exact length or format of the horse ride, so expect an included camp activity rather than a full equestrian lesson.

You may not have time to linger at every station if you want to sample everything. The schedule includes many activities across roughly three hours at the camp, so some choices and waiting may be part of the experience.

Sunset buffet dinner and evening shows

The evening meal is an Arabian barbecue buffet with vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. That makes the dinner workable for mixed groups, though the details do not specify the full menu or whether special dietary requests can be arranged.

Arabic coffee and shisha are included. Alcohol is not included, although alcoholic drinks can be purchased at the camp. Any other expense not specifically listed should also be treated as extra.

The entertainment program includes Tanoura dancing, a fire show, belly dancing, the Ladies Khaliji Dance, and other performances. The combination gives the evening a festive finish after the more physical afternoon.

The belly-dance performance is not offered during Ramadan. Entertainment is also suspended on specific dry days and certain special Islamic dates under UAE law. The listed dates 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, though dates can change with UAE law and the season.

If the shows are important to you, check the entertainment schedule for your exact date before booking. The dinner and camp activities may still operate, but the performance portion can change.

What the group size means for your evening

The maximum group size is 150 people. That is a sizeable operation, and it helps explain how the provider can combine transfers, several activity stations, a buffet, and stage entertainment in one package.

A large group can work well if you want a lively camp with many activities happening at once. It is less suitable if you picture a private, peaceful evening in a small Bedouin camp.

The option of a private transfer may improve the ride to and from the desert, but it does not necessarily turn the entire camp experience into a private tour. Ask what the private option covers if avoiding crowds is your main reason for choosing it.

Clothing, comfort, and safety tips

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

Choose clothes that allow movement for the ATV, horse, and camel activities. Secure scarves, phones, and small bags before dune bashing, since sand and sudden movement are part of the day.

The driver and guide are English-speaking, and the safari drivers are described as trained and licensed. The 4WD vehicles have seat belts, roll bars, insurance, and safety equipment, but you should still follow the instructions given before each activity.

The operator accepts most people, but participation requires you to be mentally and physically able to take part. Travel health insurance is advised because the provider does not accept responsibility for loss, accident, sickness, or injury.

Who will get the most from this $164.50 safari

I would choose this tour if you want a packed first desert experience and do not want to select separate activities. Families, couples, and groups of friends can spread out across the ATV, sandboarding, horse ride, camel ride, photographs, food, and shows.

It also suits anyone who wants more action than a simple sunset-and-dinner outing. The ATV ride is the clearest reason to choose this package, while the horse ride gives it an unusual extra.

I would be more cautious if you dislike organized group events, long activity lists, or loud evening entertainment. The 150-person maximum and the number of included stations mean this is designed for variety and convenience, not solitude.

The experience has a 4.8 rating from 20 reviews, with 95 percent recommending it. The strongest praise focuses on the guide’s attention and the pleasure of seeing the desert, which fits the tour’s main strength: it combines a well-filled schedule with the chance to enjoy Lahbab’s red dunes.

Cancellation and booking details

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the scheduled start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund.

The experience requires good weather and a minimum number of participants. If poor weather or low enrollment causes cancellation, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund. Confirmation is provided when you book, and mobile tickets are available.

Should you book this Dubai desert safari?

Book it if you want the widest activity mix in one half-day package. The ATV, dune bashing, sandboarding, horse ride, camel ride, buffet dinner, and shows create a full schedule, and the included pickup makes the $164.50 price easier to assess.

Skip it if you mainly want a quiet desert sunset or a private camp. In that case, the large group limit and busy program may feel like too much. Check the entertainment dates, wear practical clothing, and reserve only if you expect to use several of the included activities.

FAQ

Where does the safari provide pickup and drop-off?

Pickup and drop-off are available from selected hotels or locations in Dubai, Sharjah, and Ajman. Private transfers are available as an option.

What time does the experience start?

The stated start time is 2 pm.

How long does the desert safari last?

The experience lasts approximately six hours. The Lahbab portion is listed as about three hours, followed by about three hours at the Al Awir desert camp.

Is the ATV ride included?

Yes. A 30-minute quad-bike ride is included, along with a safety briefing before you begin.

Are dinner and entertainment included?

Yes. The package includes an Arabian barbecue buffet with vegetarian and non-vegetarian choices, Tanoura dancing, a fire show, and other performances. Belly dancing is not offered during Ramadan and may be unavailable on listed dry days or special Islamic dates.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You must cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time for a full refund. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded.