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

Dubai’s usual desert safari gets a bigger program here: a 30-minute ATV ride and a horse ride join the standard dune bashing, camel ride, sandboarding, camp dinner, and shows. You start in Lahbab’s red dunes, then finish at an Al Awir camp with Arabian coffee, falcon photos, henna, costumes, and a buffet barbecue.

I like the wide mix of activities, especially the chance to control your own quad bike instead of only riding in a 4WD. I also like the practical setup: hotel pickup, dinner, several performances, and transfers from Dubai, Sharjah, and Ajman are included. The main drawback is the pace. With so much packed into six hours, some activities are brief, and a group of up to 150 people can make the camp feel busy.

Key points at a glance

• Lahbab red dunes: Begin with the desert’s most active section, including a safety briefing, ATV trail, photo stops, sandboarding, and 4WD dune bashing.
• Two less-usual activities: The 30-minute quad-bike session and horse ride add variety beyond the standard camel-and-dune-bash formula.
• Al Awir evening camp: Arabian coffee, sweets, henna, shisha, local clothing, falcon photos, and a short camel ride fill the second half.
• Dinner with several shows: The buffet includes vegetarian and non-vegetarian barbecue choices, followed by Tanoura, fire, and belly-dance performances when permitted.
• Useful transport coverage: Pickup and drop-off are offered at selected locations in Dubai, Sharjah, and Ajman, with private transfers available as an option.
• Strong overall value: At $164.50 per person, the price makes more sense for active visitors who plan to use several included activities.

Lahbab gives the day its action

Pickup begins around 2 p.m. from your selected hotel or location. You ride in an air-conditioned 4WD with an English-speaking driver-guide, heading out toward Lahbab, the desert area known for its red dunes.

The first stop is practical as well as scenic. The driver prepares the vehicle for dune bashing while you can use the restroom and get ready for the quad-bike ride. That pause matters because the next section is active, dusty, and exposed to the sun.

Before you ride, you receive a safety briefing for the quad bikes. The ATV session lasts 30 minutes and is self-drive, so you control your own machine rather than sitting behind a guide. You follow the designated trail and stop for photographs before returning to the starting point.

I like this arrangement because it gives you a clear introduction to the desert before the more dramatic 4WD ride. It also lets you decide how much energy to spend early in the afternoon. If you are not comfortable on a quad bike, ask the guide about the safest way to take part before setting off. The supplied details say most people can participate, but the operator also advises you to be mentally and physically able to handle the activity.

Quad bikes, sandboards, and a 4WD dune bash

After the ATV ride, the same Lahbab section continues with dune bashing. Your licensed safari driver takes the 4WD over the dunes, with seat belts, roll bars, and other safety equipment fitted to the vehicle.

Dune bashing is the most forceful part of the outing. Expect sharp climbs, descents, and turns across the sand rather than a quiet scenic drive. If you get motion sickness, this is the point to think carefully about your comfort. The tour includes a full 4WD transfer, but the dune-bashing section is the part most likely to feel intense.

Sandboarding is also included. The information does not give a set duration for it, so treat it as a short activity during the Lahbab stop rather than a full lesson or extended sport session. You can use it to slide down a dune after the vehicle has reached a suitable area.

The schedule gives you about three hours in Lahbab, including preparation, the ATV ride, photo stops, sandboarding, and dune bashing. That is a useful amount of time for an action-focused desert visit, though the exact balance between activities may depend on the day’s conditions and group movement.

Sunset views before the camp program

The tour includes a sunset photo stop. This is one of the calmer points in a busy afternoon, and you should use it to take in the open sand rather than treating it as just another quick picture stop.

The timing is helpful. Pickup starts at 2 p.m., and the camp portion follows the Lahbab activities, so the late-day light should be part of the transition from active desert driving to the evening meal. The supplied schedule does not promise an exact sunset time or a private viewing area, so keep expectations practical. You get a planned photo opportunity, not a long silent stay far from every other group.

Bring a phone or camera with enough battery, and protect it from sand. Wear loose, casual clothes in summer. In winter, take a jacket, since the desert can feel cooler after sunset.

Horseback riding adds something different

The horse ride is the feature that separates this package from many standard Dubai safari programs. It gives you a change from engines, quad bikes, and sandboarding, although no riding duration or skill level is specified.

That lack of detail is worth noting. If the horse ride is your main reason for booking, ask the provider how long it lasts and how the activity is organized before paying. Here it is one part of a packed schedule, not a dedicated equestrian outing.

Still, I like having it included. The horse ride offers a slower way to experience the desert and gives families or mixed-age groups another choice besides the more physical ATV session. The tour states that most people can participate, but you should still judge your own balance, mobility, and comfort around animals.

Al Awir camp brings the Arabian-style evening

After Lahbab, you continue to an Al Awir desert camp. The pace changes here. You are welcomed with Arabian coffee and sweets, then can try several camp activities before dinner.

The included options are:

• Henna painting for women
• Shisha, also called an Arabic water pipe
• Arabian clothing for photographs
• Falcon interaction and photos with a falcon expert
• A short camel ride around the camp
• Time to relax or meditate

The falcon experience is primarily a photo opportunity, not a long wildlife presentation. That distinction helps you set the right expectation. You get a chance to meet the bird with an expert and take pictures, while the clothing and henna add familiar touches of camp culture.

The camel ride is also short and takes place around the camp. It is enough to try the traditional mode of transport and take a few pictures, but it is not a long trek across the dunes. Since the tour already includes a horse ride and ATV session, the short camel ride fits the day’s broad program.

Shisha is listed as included, along with Arabic coffee. Alcohol is not included, though it can be purchased at the camp. If you do not smoke, you can simply skip the water pipe and spend that time with the coffee, clothing, falcon photos, or a quiet break.

Buffet barbecue and live entertainment

Dinner is an Arabian barbecue buffet with vegetarian and non-vegetarian choices. That is useful for a mixed group, since you do not need to arrange separate food in advance for different diets within the options stated.

The meal comes after the camp activities and is paired with live entertainment. The program includes Tanoura dancing, a fire show, belly dancing when permitted, and a Ladies Khaliji Dance performance, plus other acts.

The show schedule is subject to UAE restrictions and special dates. Belly dancing is not offered during Ramadan, and entertainment can also be unavailable on designated dry days or special Islamic days under UAE law. The supplied dates include several dates in April, May, June, August, September, November, and December, but the dates may change with UAE law and the season. Check the current schedule before booking if the performances are important to you.

This is a good place to keep your expectations grounded. The dinner and shows create a lively shared evening, but the camp may host a large number of people. The maximum group size for the overall activity is 150, so this is not the choice for a private, quiet desert dinner unless you select the private-transfer option and confirm what that does and does not change.

Is $164.50 a fair price?

At $164.50 per person, this is not a budget desert safari. Its value comes from the number of included parts rather than from one long, specialized activity.

You receive hotel pickup and drop-off, air-conditioned 4WD transport, dune bashing, 30 minutes on a quad bike, sandboarding, a horse ride, a camel ride, falcon photos, henna, Arabian clothing, coffee, shisha, dinner, and several shows. Buying a separate ATV session, horse ride, meal, and desert drive could cost more, though the exact comparison depends on the provider and the type of transfer.

I would consider the price fair if you want to sample almost everything in one afternoon and evening. It is especially sensible for a first desert visit when you do not want to choose between an ATV tour, a camp dinner, and a traditional camel experience.

I would look elsewhere if your priority is only dune bashing, a long horse ride, or a small private group. You may pay less for a simpler safari, while a dedicated riding or private desert experience may give you more time with the activity you care about most.

Who will enjoy this safari most?

I would recommend this outing to active first-time visitors who want a full program without arranging several separate bookings. It suits couples, families with participants able to manage the physical activities, and groups with different interests.

The range is its strength. One person can focus on the ATV, another can enjoy the horse ride, and everyone can meet again for dinner and performances. The inclusion of vegetarian and non-vegetarian food also helps mixed groups.

You should think twice if you dislike fast vehicle movement, heat, dust, or tightly scheduled activities. The afternoon includes several transfers and activity changes, and dune bashing can be demanding. The operator advises travel health insurance because desert activities carry possible risks, accidents, sickness, or injury.

The tour is not presented as wheelchair-specific, and no detailed accessibility information is supplied. If you have mobility, medical, or physical concerns, contact Desert Thrill before booking rather than relying on the general statement that most people can participate.

What to bring and when to book

Wear casual, loose-fitting clothing in summer. Bring a jacket in winter for the cooler evening period. I would also carry sunglasses, sun protection, closed shoes suitable for sand, and a phone with room for plenty of photos, though the operator does not list these items as included or required.

The advertised start time is 2 p.m., and the experience lasts about six hours. Plan for an evening return to the city rather than a quick afternoon outing. Pickup and drop-off are available from selected hotels or locations in Dubai, Sharjah, and Ajman.

The tour is often booked about seven days ahead, so I would reserve earlier for a preferred date, especially if you need a particular pickup area or want private transfers. Confirmation is provided at booking.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted and are not refunded. Poor weather or failure to reach the minimum number of participants can lead to cancellation by the operator, with a different date or a full refund offered.

My verdict on the six-hour program

I like this safari because it gives you more than the standard dune-drive formula. The ATV ride is long enough to feel like a real part of the day, the horse ride adds a welcome change of pace, and the evening camp covers the familiar desert traditions without requiring extra bookings.

The tradeoff is breadth over depth. The camel ride is short, the sandboarding time is not specified, and the horse ride does not have a published duration. A large possible group also means the camp will not feel secluded.

Book it if you want an energetic, all-in-one introduction to Dubai’s desert, with dinner and entertainment included. Skip it in favor of a smaller or more specialized tour if you want long, quiet time in the dunes or a serious riding experience.

FAQ

Where does this Dubai desert safari take place?

The active desert portion takes place in Lahbab, followed by the camp and evening program in Al Awir.

What time does the experience start?

The stated start time is 2 p.m.

How long does the safari last?

The experience lasts approximately six hours.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included from your selected hotel or location, with coverage for Dubai, Sharjah, and Ajman.

How long is the ATV ride?

The included quad-bike session lasts 30 minutes.

Are dinner and vegetarian food included?

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

Are the entertainment shows always available?

No. Tanoura and belly-dance entertainment may be unavailable on specified dry days, during Ramadan, and on special Islamic days as required by UAE law. Dates can vary with the law and season.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded.