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

The unusual draw here is the horse ride alongside the ATV session. Many Dubai desert outings stop at dune bashing, a camel circuit, and dinner. This one adds a wider mix of activities, with the red dunes of Lahbab providing the main setting before you settle into a camp at Al Awir.

I like the practical all-in-one format: hotel transfers, dinner, shows, and rides are covered, so you are not piecing together a desert day yourself. I also like the 30 minutes of quad-bike time, which gives you more than a quick photo stop. The main thing to consider is the pace. With a six-hour schedule and a group that can reach 150 people, some camp activities may feel brief or busy.

Key points at a glance

• 30-minute ATV ride in Lahbab: You get real self-drive time on a marked desert trail, not just a stationary quad-bike photo.
• Red-dune 4WD driving: The driver prepares the vehicle while you take a break, then takes you across the dunes after the ATV session.
• Horse and camel rides included: This is a broader animal-riding program than the usual camel-only desert outing.
• Sunset and camp program: Expect Arabian coffee, sweets, henna, shisha, falcon photos, local clothing, dinner, and stage shows.
• Transfers from three emirates: Pickup and drop-off are available in Dubai, Sharjah, and Ajman, with private transfers offered as an option.
• Strong current rating: The experience carries a 4.8 rating from 20 ratings, with 95 percent recommending it. One Spanish-language comment praised the guide’s attention and the beauty of being in the desert.

Why this safari offers more than the usual dune stop

Dubai desert tours often follow a set pattern: a 4WD ride, a few photos, a camel circuit, and a camp meal. This program keeps those familiar pieces but adds an ATV ride and a horse ride, making it a better match for you if you want activity rather than a mostly seated evening.

The appeal is variety. You can move from driving your own quad bike to riding with a professional 4WD driver, then shift to slower camp activities. That change of pace helps the six-hour outing feel like a full excursion instead of a single attraction stretched over an afternoon.

The setting also matters. Lahbab is known for its red dunes, and the tour schedules a sunset photo stop before the camp portion. The strongest visual moments should come from the dunes themselves, especially as the light softens near the end of the afternoon.

Still, this is not a quiet private desert retreat. The group limit is as high as 150 people, so the camp can feel organized for volume rather than personal attention. If you want an intimate meal beside the dunes, a private transfer may improve the day, but the camp program itself remains a shared experience.

Leaving Dubai for Lahbab

Pickup begins around 2:00 pm from your selected hotel or location. Transportation is in an air-conditioned 4WD vehicle, and pickup and return are included for Dubai, Sharjah, and Ajman.

That transfer is a real part of the value. You do not need to arrange a separate desert taxi or work out how to reach Lahbab. Since the activity lasts about six hours, the afternoon departure also gives you time for the major outdoor activities before dinner and performances.

Your English-speaking driver and guide stay central to the experience. The driver handles the desert driving and prepares the vehicle for the dune section. At the starting point, you can use the restroom and rest while the vehicle is readied.

Wear loose clothing that lets you move easily. Summer calls for light, casual clothes, while a jacket is sensible in winter. Sand, sun, and wind are part of the setting, so clothing that you do not mind getting dusty is the practical choice.

Lahbab ATV riding and the 4WD dune run

The quad-bike session lasts 30 minutes. Before setting off, you receive a safety briefing, then ride along an ATV trail with stops for photographs. This is self-drive time, so you control your own quad bike rather than simply sitting behind a driver.

Thirty minutes is enough to make the ATV section worthwhile, though it is not a full off-road expedition. Think of it as an active introduction to the dunes. You will have time to handle the vehicle, see the red sand from a different angle, and stop for pictures without giving the whole afternoon to quad biking.

After returning the bikes, you begin the 4WD dune bash. This is where the professional driver takes over. The vehicles are described as insured Land Cruisers equipped with seat belts, roll bars, and other safety features, and the safari drivers are trained and licensed for desert driving.

The contrast between the two sections is part of the fun. On the ATV, you choose your line along the trail. In the 4WD, you hand over control and experience the steeper, faster movement of the dunes. If you are prone to motion sickness, sit where you feel most comfortable and keep that possibility in mind before booking.

Sandboarding is included too. The provided details do not specify how long you get on the board, so treat it as an additional activity rather than the main event. It is a good way to add a little movement between the quad-bike ride and the dune drive.

A sunset photo stop rounds out the Lahbab portion. Use it for more than a quick selfie. The changing light, broad red dunes, and open horizon are the clearest reason to bring a phone or camera with free storage and a charged battery.

Al Awir camp: coffee, clothing, and camel time

After the dune activities, you continue to a desert camp in Al Awir. The welcome is traditional in style, with Arabic coffee and sweets available as you arrive.

The camp gives you several small cultural activities rather than one long performance. You can try henna painting, smoke shisha, and put on local Arabic clothing for a photo. Ladies can receive henna tattoos, and the clothing activity gives you a simple way to take part without needing special preparation.

A falcon expert is also present for photographs with the bird. Falconry is closely tied to the region, so this encounter adds more local context than a camp made up only of food and stage entertainment. The supplied details do not promise a full falconry demonstration, so expect an interaction and photo opportunity rather than a long educational talk.

The camel ride is short and takes place around the camp. It is useful to know what this means: you are not heading out on a lengthy camel trek across the dunes. The ride gives you a taste of the traditional transport experience and a chance to take pictures without committing to an extended animal ride.

The horse ride is the feature that sets this program apart. Horse riding in the camp section adds another option for people who would rather spend time around horses than repeat the camel circuit. The exact riding time is not specified, so you should expect a camp activity rather than a major equestrian session.

Dinner and the evening entertainment

The barbecue buffet includes vegetarian and non-vegetarian choices. It is served after the afternoon activities, when a substantial meal is welcome. You can also buy alcoholic drinks at the camp, but they are not included in the tour price.

The entertainment includes Tanoura dancing, a fire show, belly dancing, and the Ladies Khaliji Dance, along with other camp performances. These shows provide a lively finish, though they are designed for a broad audience and should not be confused with a small cultural performance in a local venue.

There is one important calendar restriction. Belly dancing and Tanoura dancing are not available on specified dry days, certain dates, or special Islamic days under UAE law. The dates can change with UAE regulations and the season. If the shows are a key reason you are booking, check the entertainment schedule for your exact date before paying.

During Ramadan, the belly-dance performance is excluded as well. Other parts of the program may still operate, but you should not assume every listed performance will run on religious or dry days.

After dinner and the shows, you can relax or meditate before returning to the city. That slower ending is welcome after ATV riding and dune bashing. The return time is not stated exactly, so allow flexibility for traffic and the pace of the group.

Is the $164.50 price good value?

At $164.50 per person, this is not the cheapest Dubai desert safari. The price makes more sense when you count what is bundled: hotel pickup and return, an air-conditioned 4WD, 30 minutes on a quad bike, dune bashing, sandboarding, a horse ride, a camel ride, dinner, coffee, shisha, henna, falcon photos, local clothing, sunset viewing, and several shows.

If you only want a dune drive and a meal, a simpler safari should cost less and may suit you better. If you would otherwise book an ATV session separately, the higher price becomes easier to justify. The horse ride is another inclusion that helps distinguish this package from basic desert programs.

The value also depends on how much you use the camp activities. Someone who skips henna, falcon photos, camel riding, and the shows may feel the package is overloaded. Someone who wants to try nearly everything in one afternoon is more likely to see the price as fair.

Group size is the main value warning. Up to 150 people can take part, so the per-person price does not buy a private experience. Private transfers are available as an option, and they may be worth considering if you care about a more controlled start and finish.

The experience has a current rating of 4.8 from 20 ratings, and 95 percent recommend it. The strongest praise emphasizes attentive guiding and the simple pleasure of spending time in the desert. That fits the tour well: its strength is the broad program and the chance to enjoy the setting through several different activities.

Who should book this desert safari?

I would point this tour toward active first-time visitors who want to cover many classic Dubai desert activities in one outing. Families and mixed groups may also like it because one person can focus on the ATV, another on the horse ride, and everyone can meet at the camp for dinner.

It works especially well if you are staying in Dubai, Sharjah, or Ajman and want transfers handled for you. The English-speaking driver and guide make the day easier for international visitors, and confirmation arrives at booking.

You should think twice if you dislike shared groups, loud entertainment, or a packed schedule. The group can be large, the camp activities are likely to run on a timetable, and the dune bash can be physically demanding.

The tour states that most people can participate, but it also warns about possible risks, illness, accidents, or injury. You should be mentally and physically able to take part, and travel health insurance is advised. The combination of quad bikes, dune driving, horses, camels, and sandboarding is not a good fit if you need a low-risk, gentle outing.

What to bring and how to prepare

Bring comfortable clothes, closed footwear if you prefer more protection from sand, sun protection, and a phone or camera. A jacket helps in winter, while loose, light clothing is better in summer.

Keep valuables to a minimum. The operator does not accept responsibility for loss, sickness, accident, or injury, so you should take sensible care of personal items and arrange suitable travel insurance.

Plan around the 2:00 pm start and avoid scheduling a tight evening commitment. The advertised duration is about six hours, and the return can be affected by the number of people in the group, desert conditions, and city traffic.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made inside that window are not refunded or accepted. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum number of participants can lead to a new date, another experience, or a full refund.

Should you book it?

Book this safari if you want maximum variety in one desert day. The ATV ride, horse ride, camel ride, dune bash, dinner, and shows give you a lot for the six-hour schedule, and the included transfers remove much of the planning work.

Choose a simpler or smaller safari if your priority is peace, privacy, or a long, focused camel or horse experience. Also check your date if belly dancing and Tanoura are important to you, since UAE rules and Ramadan can affect the entertainment.

For an active visitor who wants the classic desert sights plus two less-common additions, the $164.50 price is reasonable. Just set your expectations correctly: this is a busy, broad program built around variety, not a private retreat.

FAQ

How long does the Dubai desert safari last?

The experience lasts approximately six hours, beginning with pickup around 2:00 pm.

Where does the safari take place?

The outdoor activities take place in the Lahbab desert, followed by a desert camp visit 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.

Is private transportation available?

Yes. Private transfers are available as an option.

How long is the ATV ride?

The included quad-bike session lasts 30 minutes.

Is dune bashing included?

Yes. A 4WD dune-bashing session is included after the ATV activity.

Are camel and horse rides included?

Yes. Both a camel ride and a horse ride are included. The camel ride is described as a short circuit around the camp.

Is dinner included?

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

What entertainment is included?

The program includes Tanoura dancing, a fire show, belly dancing, Ladies Khaliji Dance, and other performances. Belly dancing is not available during Ramadan, and Tanoura and belly dancing may be absent on specified dry days or special Islamic days 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 time are not refunded or accepted.