Desert Safari Deluxe: From Sandboarding To Stargazing Under The Stars

Desert Safari Deluxe: From Sandboarding To Stargazing Under The Stars

Last updated on September 23, 2025 by W R

Going on a Desert Safari tour in Dubai is a must-do if you visit the city. This is an adventure everyone takes, whether you are a thrill-seeker or a laid-back traveller. It’s a fun and exciting tour that is ideal for anyone, whether you are travelling solo, as a couple, or as a family. There are many activities involved in a desert safari, and you can undertake these activities based on your preference. Let’s take a look at what you would experience when you are on an adventure in the desert in Dubai.

Desert Safari Deluxe: Sandboarding

Sandboarding: Desert Safari Deluxe

Sandboarding

Get ready for a thrilling sandboarding adventure in the desert. You can glide on the dunes on a specially designed board while enjoying the fantastic sunset views of the desert. You can ride the board while standing, sitting, or lying down on your stomach. It is a fun and offbeat adventure which lets you uniquely interact with the desert. Moreover, you don’t need to have any skills or prior experience to ride this. It is easy to do once you’ve learned a few instructions, and it is great for cardio.

Desert Safari Deluxe: Dune Bashing

Dune Bashing: Desert Safari Deluxe

Dune Bashing

Dune Bashing is a highlight in any desert safari adventure. It involves riding a powerful 4×4 vehicle, which promises to be an exhilarating ride. You can feel the ups and downs of the dunes while enjoying the adrenaline rush that comes with this thrilling activity. Typically, experienced drivers ride these special vehicles, so you don’t need to worry about your safety and can enjoy the ride.

Desert Safari Deluxe: The Bedouin Camp

The Bedouin Camp: Desert Safari Deluxe

The Bedouin Camp

The Bedouin camps imitate the camps that Arabian travellers use on their way through the desert on camel, and they needed to rest for a few hours or nights. You can experience what real desert life feels like this way. Experience authentic Bedouin hospitality, which often begins with a traditional tea followed by Arabic sweets and dates. Frequently, you are required to share these camps with other travellers, where you can relax and connect with them. There could be anywhere between 100 and 150 people inside the Bedouin camp, and it is a great place to exchange travel stories and experiences.

Desert Safari Deluxe: Camel Rides, Henna Tattoos, and Shisha

Camel Ride: Desert Safari Deluxe

Camel Ride

Once you reach the camp, you may have to stay for an hour before the shows begin. Therefore, this is the time to try out the various activities involved in a desert safari. You can sip on a cup of tea, go on a camel ride, or choose to get henna painted on your hands. You can opt for a simple henna pattern or choose a more complex one at an additional charge. Shisha is also included in the tour package, which you can enjoy while relaxing at the Bedouin camp.

Desert Safari Deluxe: Belly Dance, Tanoura Show, Fire Show, and BBQ Dinner

Belly Dance,

Belly Dance,

The night kicks off with a fire show, typically the first performance of the evening. It is an excellent fire show, similar to other fire shows around the world. Following the fire show is the belly dance, which is another interesting show for everyone. The belly dancers are fun and engage the audience throughout the performance, which leads to a few laughs from the spectators. Next is the buffet, which is another thing that most guests look forward to. The buffet features a variety of delicious Arabian dishes that all guests enjoy. The final live show of the evening is the tanoura show, an interesting performance that features Egyptian folk dance.

Desert Safari Deluxe: Stargazing

Stargazing

Stargazing

The vastness of the desert makes it one of the best places for stargazing. Moreover, you can opt for a private safari to learn more about the Arabian night sky. An immersive astronomy session generally follows this private night safari. Explore the desert after dark in a private Land Rover and also go on a nocturnal eco-walk. After the nature safari, you can enjoy a delicious Arabic meal consisting of Emirati dishes. Additionally, you can enhance your experience with a sunrise hot air balloon ride after staying overnight in an authentic stone dwelling room.

Overview of a Typical Dubai Desert Safari

Here is an overview of what you would be doing on a typical Dubai desert safari.

What to Expect?

The tour starts with picking you up from your hotel—the tour operators typically pick up from most major hotels in the city. However, apartments and residences may not be in the pickup list. You will be taken to the desert, where you can choose to participate in activities such as quad biking, sandboarding, and dune bashing. You’ll be visiting a Bedouin-style camp, where you can enjoy Arabic coffee and dates. Furthermore, you can go on a camel ride or paint henna on your hands. At night, you can enjoy brilliant performances, including fire shows, belly dancing, and tanoura shows. You can end the night with a delicious Arabic-style buffet.

Desert Safari

Desert Safari

What is included?

A typical desert safari tour includes the following:

  • Quad biking, sandboarding, and dune bashing
  • A ride on a 4X4 vehicle
  • Stay at a Bedouin-style camp with Arabic coffee and dates
  • Camel riding
  • Henna tattoos
  • BBQ dinner
  • Fire show
  • Belly dancing performance
  • Tanoura show

Meeting and Pickup

Tour operators typically pick up guests from most of the city’s prominent hotels. Please verify the list of pickup points to ensure your location is included. If not, you must go to the nearest pickup point at least 5 minutes before the allocated vehicle arrival time. If you live in an apartment or residence, please note that the vehicle will not come to your location; you must go to the pickup location nearest to you.

Additional Information

Here are some things that you need to know before you go on your desert safari:

  • This tour is not for heart patients, pregnant women, or people with medical conditions.
  • Activities like sandboarding and dune bashing require a certain level of physical activity, so be prepared for it.
  • Ensure to wear safety gear and follow the safety instructions for quad biking.
  • The tour is subject to change at any time due to weather conditions.
  • Always notify your tour operator about any dietary restrictions.

Conclusion

Desert Safari is something that every traveller must experience when in Dubai. It will be an experience that will leave lasting memories in every traveller. You can use the above as a guide to make your desert tour an adventure to remember.