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

Dubai’s usual desert safari gives you dune bashing, a camel ride, dinner, and a few stage shows. This one adds 30 minutes of self-drive ATV riding and a horse ride, making it a better fit if you want more than a quick camel loop and a meal in the sand.

I like the broad mix of activities and the simple six-hour timing. You get red dunes, sandboarding, a sunset photo stop, camp food, falcon photos, henna, and live performances without arranging separate outings. The main drawback is that the advertised capacity can reach 150 people, so the camp portion may feel busy rather than intimate.

Key points before you book

• ATV riding in Lahbab: You receive a safety briefing, follow an ATV trail, stop for photos, and ride for about 30 minutes.
• Horse and camel rides included: The horse ride is an unusual addition, while the camel ride is a short circuit around camp.
• Two distinct desert settings: Lahbab handles the action, while Al Awir hosts dinner, costumes, henna, and entertainment.
• Full hotel transfer service: Pickup and drop-off are included from Dubai, Sharjah, and Ajman, with private transfer options available.
• Dinner comes with a show: The buffet includes vegetarian and non-vegetarian choices, followed by Tanoura, fire, and belly-dance performances.
• Plan around special dates: Entertainment can be removed on dry days, during Ramadan, and on other dates governed by UAE rules.

Why the ATV and horse ride change the safari

The strongest reason to choose this outing is variety. Many Dubai desert trips follow a familiar pattern: ride out in a 4WD, bounce over dunes, take photos, visit a camp, and sit down for dinner. This tour keeps those staples but adds two activities that give the afternoon more movement.

At Lahbab, you start with the quad bikes. The staff gives a safety briefing before you set off, and the ride lasts about 30 minutes. That is long enough to feel like a real part of the day, but not so long that the ATV becomes the entire experience. You follow a trail, pause for photos, then return to the starting point for the 4WD dune bash.

The horse ride is another useful distinction. Horse riding is not a standard part of many desert safari packages, so it gives this outing extra appeal for riders and families looking for a wider choice of activities. The supplied details do not give a riding duration or describe an open desert route, so I would treat it as a camp activity rather than expect a long equestrian excursion.

This is a busy package, not a quiet nature outing. You are paying for several short experiences packed into one afternoon and evening. I would choose it for action and range, not for solitude.

Lahbab red dunes, ATV trail, and dune bashing

Pickup begins around 2 pm, with transport in an air-conditioned 4WD. The service covers hotels and selected locations in Dubai, Sharjah, and Ajman. Since the trip crosses from the city into the desert, the transfer is an important part of the package, especially if you do not have a rental car.

Lahbab is the setting for the most energetic section. On arrival, the driver prepares the vehicle for dune bashing while you have time to rest and use the restroom. That pause matters. The afternoon includes several activities, and a short break before the ATV ride helps you start without feeling rushed.

The quad-bike session begins with safety instructions. You then ride the ATV trail, stop for photos, and return to the launch point. You are driving the ATV yourself, unlike the dune bash, where a licensed safari driver controls the 4WD. The distinction is worth noting when you book: this is a supervised recreational ride, not an open-ended solo expedition through the desert.

After the ATV portion, the driver takes you over the dunes. Dune bashing provides the classic safari thrill, with the 4WD climbing and descending the red sand. The vehicles are described as insured Land Cruisers with seat belts, roll bars, and other safety equipment, and the drivers are trained and licensed for safari driving.

Still, dune bashing can be physically demanding. If you are prone to motion sickness, the combination of a 4WD ride and an ATV session may be a lot. Eat lightly before pickup, bring water, and tell the guide if you need a pause. The tour is described as suitable for most participants, but you should be mentally and physically able to take part.

Sunset photos and the move to Al Awir

A sunset photo stop is built into the desert section. This gives you a chance to slow down and look at the red dunes without an activity happening every minute. Bring a phone with enough battery, since the day includes several photo opportunities, including the falcon interaction and traditional clothing at camp.

After Lahbab, the group continues to Al Awir for the evening camp. The two-location format gives the experience a clear rhythm. Lahbab is about movement and open sand. Al Awir is about food, cultural touches, and stage entertainment.

The transfer between the two areas also means the schedule is not a continuous ride across untouched desert. You will spend part of the six-hour outing in the vehicle. That is normal for a package covering several sites, but it is useful to know if your priority is uninterrupted time outdoors.

What happens at the Al Awir desert camp

Arrival at camp begins with Arabian coffee and sweets. These small touches provide a gentle welcome after the more physical desert activities. You can then choose from several included camp options instead of simply waiting for dinner.

The camel ride is short and takes place around the camp. It gives you the basic experience of sitting on a camel and taking photos, but you should not expect a long trek. The horse ride adds another animal experience, though no exact duration is provided.

You can also try henna painting, smoke shisha, and put on Arabic clothing for a makeover photo. Henna is listed specifically for ladies, and the traditional attire is available for dress-up photos. A falcon expert is also present for pictures with the bird. These activities are more about brief cultural contact and photographs than detailed instruction, but they help break up the wait before dinner.

The camp menu includes a BBQ buffet with vegetarian and non-vegetarian choices. That range is useful for mixed groups, since not everyone wants the same type of meal. Alcohol is not included, though it can be purchased at the camp. Other personal expenses are also extra.

I would keep your expectations sensible. A buffet dinner at a large desert camp is convenient and social, but it is not the same as a small family meal in a remote Bedouin setting. The Bedouin-style presentation comes through in the coffee, clothing, henna, camel, and performances, while the overall setup remains a structured tourism experience.

Tanoura, fire, and belly-dance performances

The evening entertainment includes Tanoura dancing, a fire show, belly dancing, and a Ladies Khaliji Dance performance. The mix gives you a quick introduction to several popular stage traditions in one sitting.

Tanoura is known for its spinning movement and colorful costume. The fire show supplies the big visual moment, while the belly dance and Khaliji performance add regional music and dance. The program is designed for a broad audience, so expect a show rather than a small cultural demonstration.

There is an important calendar restriction. Belly dancing is not available during Ramadan, and entertainment can also be suspended on designated dry days or special Islamic dates under UAE law. The supplied dates include several dates in April, May, June, August, September, November, and December, but dates can change with UAE regulations and the season.

Check the date of your booking if the shows are a major reason for choosing this tour. The dinner, rides, ATV session, and dune bashing remain the core of the outing, but the evening will feel different without the stage program.

Is the $164.50 price good value?

At $164.50 per person, this is not the cheapest desert safari in Dubai. The value depends on how many included activities you would otherwise pay for separately.

The package includes hotel pickup and return, air-conditioned 4WD transport, dune bashing, a 30-minute ATV ride, sandboarding, sunset photos, a camel ride, a horse ride, falcon photos, henna, Arabic coffee, shisha, dinner, and several shows. The long list is the main financial advantage. If you want both quad biking and horseback riding, arranging those extras on another day could cost more and take more planning.

The price is less compelling if you mainly want a peaceful sunset and a basic meal. You may spend a fair amount of the afternoon moving between activities, waiting for your turn, or sitting at camp. The possible 150-person maximum also means you are not paying for a private desert retreat.

Optional private transfers can improve comfort and control, but the supplied details do not state their extra cost. Ask about the supplement before paying if privacy matters to you. Group discounts are available, which may make the package more attractive for families and larger parties.

The 4.8 rating from 20 reviews and a 95 percent recommendation point to strong overall satisfaction, with particular praise for the guide’s attention and the beauty of being out in the desert. That is encouraging, but the small number of ratings means I would still judge the tour mainly by its activity list, group size, and calendar restrictions.

Clothing, timing, and practical comfort

Start time is 2 pm, and the experience lasts about six hours. The timing takes you from afternoon light into the evening, so you should dress for changing temperatures. Loose, casual clothing works best in summer. Bring a jacket in winter, when the desert can feel cool after sunset.

Closed, secure footwear is a sensible choice for the ATV and sandboarding sections, though the supplied information does not set a footwear rule. You should also expect sand, dust, and heat. Protect your phone and camera, and avoid carrying anything you would dislike getting sandy.

The tour provides restrooms at the vehicle preparation stop in Lahbab. No special accessibility details are supplied. Most people can participate, but the operator warns about possible risks, accidents, sickness, and injury. Travel health insurance is advised, and you should decide honestly if the ATV, dune bash, horse ride, and camel ride suit your condition.

The vehicles have seat belts and safety equipment, and the safari drivers are trained and licensed. That reduces risk, but it does not remove the physical jolts of off-road driving. If you have health concerns, ask the provider before booking rather than relying on the general statement that most participants can join.

Who will get the most from this safari

I would recommend this experience to you if you want a full activity schedule and prefer one booking over several separate arrangements. Families with older children, couples who want more than dinner, and groups split between animal rides and motorized fun should find the mix useful.

It also suits first-time Dubai visitors who want the familiar desert highlights in one afternoon. You get the red dunes, dune bashing, a camel, sandboarding, Arabic coffee, a BBQ, and live entertainment, plus the extra ATV and horse options.

I would be more cautious if you want quiet, small-group travel. A maximum of 150 participants can make the camp feel crowded, and the number of activities means the experience is carefully timed. I would also look elsewhere if you want a long horse ride, a serious desert trek, or a private meal far from other groups. Those details are not promised here.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the 2 pm start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund. The provider can also cancel for poor weather or because the minimum group size is not met, in which case you are offered another date or a full refund.

Should you book this Dubai desert safari?

Book it if you want the widest range of included activities and like the idea of combining ATV riding, dune bashing, horses, camels, dinner, and shows in one six-hour outing. The package is especially good value for active visitors who would otherwise pay extra for quad biking and horseback riding.

Think twice if you care more about space, quiet, or a long single activity. The camp can be large, the camel ride is short, the horse-ride details are limited, and the entertainment may be removed on certain religious dates.

Before paying, confirm the pickup location, ask about private-transfer pricing if needed, and check if your date falls under a dry-day restriction. If those points fit your plans, this is a lively and practical way to get a broad taste of Dubai’s desert in one afternoon.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

Pickup starts at 2 pm. The experience lasts approximately six hours.

Where does the tour take place?

The active desert section takes place in Lahbab. The evening desert camp is in Al Awir.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included from your selected hotel or location in Dubai, Sharjah, and Ajman. Optional private transfers are available.

How long is the ATV ride?

The included quad-bike session lasts 30 minutes.

Are dune bashing and sandboarding included?

Yes. Both dune bashing and sandboarding are included in the tour.

Are the camel and horse rides included?

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

Is dinner included?

Yes. The BBQ buffet includes vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. Alcoholic drinks are not included but are available to purchase at the camp.

Will the live shows operate on every date?

No. Belly dancing is not available during Ramadan, and Tanoura and belly-dance entertainment may be suspended on listed dry days, special Islamic dates, or other dates governed by UAE law.