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

The unusual part of this Dubai safari is that it gives you more than the standard dune-bashing package. You get a 30-minute self-drive ATV ride, a 4WD run over Lahbab’s red dunes, sandboarding, a horse ride, and a camel ride before dinner at a desert camp.

I like the strong mix of action and culture, especially the chance to try both an ATV and a horse, activities often left out of cheaper safari tours. I also like the practical setup: hotel transfers from Dubai, Sharjah, and Ajman, an English-speaking driver-guide, sunset photography, food, and evening entertainment are included.

The main drawback is the busy schedule. Six hours sounds generous, but the safari combines several rides, a camp visit, dinner, and shows, with groups of up to 150 people. If you want a quiet desert outing, this is not the right fit.

Key points before you book

• Lahbab red dunes: The safari heads to one of Dubai’s best-known desert areas for dune bashing, photos, and sandboarding.
• 30-minute ATV ride: You drive your own quad bike after a safety briefing and stop for photographs along the ATV trail.
• Horse and camel rides included: This package adds both activities, though the camel ride is described as a short circuit around camp and no duration is given for the horse ride.
• Three hours at the Al Awir camp: Expect Arabic coffee, sweets, henna, shisha, falcon photos, local clothing, dinner, and live shows.
• Dinner and entertainment: The buffet includes vegetarian and non-vegetarian choices, with Tanoura dancing, a fire show, and belly dancing except during listed dry days and Ramadan.
• Useful cancellation terms: You receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before departure, subject to the tour’s weather and minimum-group conditions.

Why this safari feels different from the usual Dubai package

Many Dubai desert outings follow a familiar pattern: 4WD transfer, dune bashing, a few minutes on a camel, then dinner and entertainment. This one piles on extra activities. You ride an ATV, try sandboarding, get on a horse, and still have the more familiar camel stop and camp program.

I see the value in that format if you want one busy afternoon to cover the desert activities on your wish list. You do not need to arrange a separate quad-bike session or horse ride. The $164.50 price is not the cheapest way to see the desert, but it covers transport, a 4WD vehicle, the ATV session, food, shows, and several small camp activities.

The tradeoff is pace. This is an activity-heavy outing, not a slow nature tour. You should expect transitions, waiting while equipment or vehicles are prepared, and a camp shared by other groups. The maximum group size is 150 people, so the atmosphere may feel more like a large evening program than a private Bedouin gathering.

Leaving Dubai for the Lahbab red dunes

Pickup begins at about 2 pm from your selected hotel or location. Transfers are offered from Dubai, Sharjah, and Ajman, which makes this easier to arrange if you are staying outside central Dubai. The drive to Lahbab is in an air-conditioned 4WD vehicle with an English-speaking driver-guide.

The Lahbab stop is the action center of the afternoon. On arrival, the driver prepares the vehicle for dune bashing while you have time to rest and use the restroom. This pause matters because the next part is active, and it gives you a chance to organize your phone, water, and anything you do not want bouncing around during the ride.

The safari vehicles are Land Cruisers with seat belts, roll bars, insurance, and safety equipment. The drivers are described as trained and licensed for safari driving. You still need to take the safety advice seriously, especially if you are not used to rough vehicle movement or open desert heat.

A 30-minute ATV ride across the desert

Before riding, you receive a quad-bike safety briefing. The ATV section lasts 30 minutes, and you drive the bike yourself rather than simply sitting as a passenger. The route includes photo pauses, then returns to the starting point before the main dune-bashing run.

That distinction is important. The ATV ride gives you control over your own pace within the organized route, while dune bashing puts you in the hands of a professional driver. If you have always wanted to try a quad bike but do not want to book a full off-road excursion, 30 minutes is a reasonable introduction.

It is also a short session. Do not book this expecting a long independent desert ride. The activity is one part of a packed day, and the focus is on variety rather than extended time behind the handlebars.

You should wear loose, casual clothes that allow easy movement. Summer calls for light clothing, while winter can be cool enough for a jacket. Closed shoes are a sensible choice for ATV riding, horse riding, and sandboarding, though the tour information does not set a formal footwear rule.

Dune bashing and sandboarding at Lahbab

After the ATV ride, you return to the vehicle for dune bashing. Lahbab is known for its red dunes, which give the photo stops a stronger color than the pale sand often seen closer to the city. The exact driving route depends on the guide and conditions, but the point is a 4WD ride over and around the dunes rather than a simple desert transfer.

If you enjoy fast, jolting motion, this is likely to be one of the afternoon’s highlights. If you are prone to motion sickness, pregnant, or managing a condition affected by rough driving, think carefully before booking. The operator advises you to be mentally and physically able to take part and recommends travel health insurance because desert activities carry possible risks.

Sandboarding is also included. It is a simple addition, but a useful one: you get a chance to interact with the dunes instead of viewing them only through a vehicle window. The supplied details do not state how long you have on the board, so treat it as a short activity within the dune-bashing stop rather than a full lesson.

A sunset photo stop is part of the program. This is when you should have your phone or camera ready. The desert light changes quickly, and the pause gives you a calmer moment after the ATV and 4WD activities.

From open dunes to the Al Awir camp

After Lahbab, the group continues to the desert camp in Al Awir. The mood shifts from motors and sand to an evening built around food, small cultural activities, and stage entertainment. You are welcomed with Arabic coffee and sweets, a pleasant first taste of the camp experience.

You can try henna painting, smoke shisha, and wear local Arabic clothing for a makeover. Henna is listed for ladies, and the clothing activity is meant to let you dress in Arabian attire for photographs. These are optional camp activities, so you can join in or simply sit with your coffee and watch the flow of the evening.

A falcon expert is also present for photographs with the bird. This is a photo opportunity rather than a full falconry presentation, so keep your expectations in line with the information provided. Still, it adds a distinctly regional element to a program otherwise centered on rides and dinner.

The camp portion is scheduled for about three hours. That sounds like plenty of time, but the evening includes several activities, food, and shows. You will probably want to choose what matters most to you rather than trying to do every small activity in sequence.

Horse riding, camel riding, and the question of time

The inclusion of a horse ride is one of the most useful reasons to consider this package. Horse riding is not always part of a standard Dubai safari, and it gives the outing a different feel from the usual quad bike, camel, and dune-bashing combination.

The information confirms that horse riding is included, but it does not give a ride length or explain the exact route. I would treat it as a scheduled camp activity, not a long horseback excursion through the dunes. If horse riding is your main reason for booking, confirm the expected duration with Desert Thrill before paying.

The camel ride is described as a short trip around the camp. That makes it suitable for trying the traditional mode of desert transport and taking photographs, but it is not a long camel trek. You should also expect some waiting if several people are taking turns.

Together, the two rides add variety. The horse gives you a more active experience, while the camel ride connects with the older travel traditions of the Arabian desert. Neither should be confused with a private or extended riding tour.

Dinner, coffee, and evening shows

The included meal is an Arabian barbecue buffet with vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. That is helpful for mixed groups, since you do not need to arrange separate meals for different diets. Alcohol is not included, though alcoholic drinks can be purchased at the camp.

Entertainment includes Tanoura dancing, a fire show, and belly dancing. A Ladies Khaliji Dance performance and other shows are also listed. During Ramadan and certain official dry days or special Islamic dates, Tanoura and belly dancing will not be available under UAE rules. The listed dates can change with UAE law and the season, so check the schedule if these performances are important to you.

The shows are designed for a large camp setting. I would go for the combination of music, movement, fire, and dinner rather than expecting a small theatrical production or a quiet cultural talk. The fire show is likely to be the visual high point, while Tanoura offers a traditional dance style built around spinning movement.

After dinner, you can relax or meditate before returning to the city. That final pause is welcome after an active afternoon, although the group schedule means the departure time may not feel entirely your own.

What $164.50 buys you

At $164.50 per person, this tour earns its price through the number of included pieces. You receive hotel pickup and drop-off, air-conditioned 4WD transport, a licensed safari driver-guide, dune bashing, 30 minutes on an ATV, sandboarding, a horse ride, a camel ride, the sunset stop, camp refreshments, dinner, and several forms of entertainment.

If you were to book the ATV and desert safari separately, the total could become less convenient and possibly more expensive. This package also removes the hassle of coordinating transport between Dubai and the desert. Group discounts may help if you are booking for several people, and private transfers are available as an option.

The value is weaker if you plan to skip most camp activities or dislike group entertainment. You are paying for breadth. Someone interested only in dune bashing may find a simpler safari better suited to the budget.

The tour is booked, on average, about seven days ahead. That is a useful planning clue. I would not leave it until the final day if your Dubai dates are fixed, especially if you need a particular pickup arrangement or want to travel with a group.

Who should choose this six-hour outing

I would recommend this safari to you if you want a full afternoon of desert activities without managing several bookings. Families with older children, couples who want photos and dinner, and first-time Dubai visitors who want to sample many classic activities are the best match.

It also suits active people who like the idea of trying an ATV, dune bashing, sandboarding, horse riding, and camel riding in one day. The broad program gives you several chances to find a favorite activity.

You may want a different tour if you prefer small groups, extended horse riding, long camel treks, or a quiet sunset in an empty desert. The group capacity can reach 150 people, and the camp includes stage shows, shared facilities, and a set meal period.

Most people can participate, but you should be honest about your physical limits. The operator warns of possible accidents, sickness, and injury, and advises travel health insurance. This is not a reason to avoid the tour, but it is a reason to treat the ATV and dune bashing as real activities rather than harmless photo stops.

Booking, clothing, and cancellation details

The start time is 2 pm, and the experience lasts about six hours. Pickup and drop-off are offered at your selected hotel or location, with coverage for Dubai, Sharjah, and Ajman. Confirmation is provided when you book, and the experience is available with a mobile ticket.

Wear loose, comfortable clothing. In summer, light casual clothes make sense. In winter, bring a jacket. You will want sun protection and a phone or camera for the sunset, ATV, falcon, camel, and local-clothing photographs, though the supplied tour details do not list specific personal items.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes inside that 24-hour window are not refunded or accepted. The provider can also cancel for poor weather or because the minimum number of participants is not reached, offering another date, another experience, or a full refund.

Should you book Desert Thrill’s all-inclusive safari?

Book it if you want the widest range of activities in one Dubai desert day, especially if the ATV and horse ride are important to you. The excellent rating of 4.8 from 20 ratings and a 95 percent recommendation rate fit the tour’s main strength: it gives you a lot for one organized outing, with a guide handling the driving and transfers.

I would not book it for solitude or a long, specialist riding experience. The group can be large, the camp program is busy, and the rides may be shorter than you imagine. For an active first visit to the desert, though, the combination of Lahbab’s red dunes, a 30-minute ATV session, dune bashing, sunset, camp dinner, and live shows makes the $164.50 fare a fair choice.

FAQ

Where does the safari go?

The safari visits the Lahbab Desert for ATV riding, dune bashing, sandboarding, and a sunset photo stop. The evening camp program takes place in Al Awir.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 2 pm.

How long does the experience last?

The full experience lasts approximately six hours. The Lahbab portion takes about three hours, followed by about three hours at the Al Awir camp.

Is hotel pickup included?

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

How long is the ATV ride?

The included quad-bike session lasts 30 minutes.

Are food and drinks included?

An Arabic barbecue buffet dinner is included, with vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. Arabic coffee and sweets are also provided. Alcoholic drinks are not included but are available to purchase at the camp.

Are the shows available every day?

No. Tanoura and belly dancing are not available during Ramadan or on certain dry days and special Islamic dates under UAE law. The dates may change according to UAE regulations and the season.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations and changes made within 24 hours are not accepted and are not refunded. If poor weather or insufficient numbers cause the provider to cancel, you will be offered another date, another experience, or a full refund.