Dinner and Show Excursions in the Dubai Desert

One of the best experiences you can have in Dubai during your trip is a trip to the Dubai desert.

Beyond the modern skyscrapers and shopping malls, there is a whole world to discover just a few kilometres from the city. Seeing the vastness and simplicity of the desert is a beautiful contrast to the opulence of Dubai's monuments and mosques and is not to be missed.

This desert adventure usually concludes in style with an oriental-style dinner and show at a Bedouin camp in the middle of the dunes. If the idea of a magical night in the Dubai desert appeals to you, take a look at this post where I tell you what these dinner shows worthy of "The Thousand and One Nights" are all about.

Dubai desert dinner shows are the culmination of a thrilling, multi-hour excursion through the sea of sand that surrounds the city.

After experiencing the adrenaline rush of driving a quad bike at full speed, riding a 4x4 off-road vehicle to glide over the dunes or sandboarding over the reddish sand dunes, it's time to relax and enjoy the authentic Bedouin lifestyle.

At the end of the adventurous activities on the dunes, you will take a pleasant walk to a Bedouin desert camp where the dinner and show will take place. On the way you will be able to watch the beautiful sunset over the sea of sand that is the Dubai Safari Conservation Reserve, where you will be able to take some wonderful souvenir photographs.

Once at the camp you will be greeted with a traditional welcome ceremony where you will enjoy a small snack of Qawha (Arabic coffee), mint tea, typical Arabic sweets, dates and fruits. At this point you will have some time to rest and experience the art of living the Arabian way.

A wonderful Arabian-style barbecue buffet dinner and a fire and dance show will round off an intense day full of excitement.

The dinner at the Bedouin camp is an Arabian-style barbecue buffet, including hummus and khuboos, tabbouleh and baba ghanoush. In the BBQ section, you will find all kinds of grilled meats.

During dinner, the desserts deserve a special mention. You can enjoy a wide range of typical Arab sweets accompanied by dates and fruits. Enjoy them with a cup of mint tea or Arabic coffee.

As for drinks, dinner and show tours usually have an open bar of drinks, tea and coffee. Alcohol is not included, but if you fancy a cold beer you can pay extra.

After dinner, you will be offered the chance to smoke shisha (the traditional oriental water pipe) which is usually one flavour. If you want to try other flavours, you can also pay extra. If you're still hungry for more after trying Arabian food, I recommend this post on Where to eat in Dubai for you to take note of on your return to the capital.

During the Dubai desert dinner you can enjoy a range of oriental-themed live shows and workshops to liven up the evening. Some of the most popular are as follows.

Dinner Shows

• Belly dancing: An ancient artistic discipline from Middle Eastern and North African countries performed by beautiful hip and belly dancers. Not available during Ramadan.
• Tanoura dance: A traditional dance of Egyptian origin performed by dancers called 'dervishes' who twirl on themselves in a kind of ritual dance that requires great stamina and balance. It has Sufi origins, in other words, from the mystical branch of Islam.
• Fire show: This performance will add a little adrenaline to your dinner. You will see the skill of the actors handling the fire and creating an amazing spectacle with it.

Workshops and activities at dinner

• Falconry falconry show: Watch the falcons fly and even hold one of these beautiful birds in your hand for a souvenir photo.
• Henna workshop: During the excursion you will be able to participate in a henna workshop to decorate your hands in oriental style with beautiful artistic designs.
• Camel ride: This is one of the most popular activities to do during the Dubai desert tour. That's why I advise you to take the camel ride after dinner, when it's less crowded.
• Photography in traditional Arabian costumes: This will be one of the most fun souvenirs of the tour. You can have your photo taken in traditional Arabian costume and feel like a real Bedouin for a night.

From 36 ¤ in Hellotickets you can get a ticket to join an excursion to the desert to enjoy a magical evening under the stars dining like a sultan and having fun watching some typical shows of the Orient.

The only way to live this experience is to hire an operator, as it is not possible to do this excursion on your own. Driving at full speed over the sand dunes is very dangerous for a non-professional driver.

If you would like to know more about the cost of these activities before booking your tickets, I recommend you read the post How much does it cost to visit the dubai desert: excursion prices.

Typically, desert tours in Dubai usually take place around 3 PM to make the most of the afternoon in the desert to do adventure activities, watch the sunset and then dine alfresco at the Bedouin camp.

However, there is also the possibility of choosing a morning tour if it suits your plans in the city. These types of activities usually start between 7 and 10am, depending on the time of day you choose.

Whichever type of Dubai desert tour you opt for (morning or afternoon), the duration of the activity is usually around 6 hours and you will return to the city on a quiet and peaceful route to rest after an intense day in the Dubai Safari Conservation Reserve.

So which day of the week should I choose?

Friday is the day of rest in Islamic culture, so many shops in the city close on this day to rest. It's therefore a good time to head out of Dubai into the desert for a thrilling outdoor adventure.

These excursions are very well organised so you won't find large crowds and you can enjoy a very pleasant experience.

Dubai' s climate is subtropical desert, so whatever time of year you choose to travel to the city it's always going to be hot. However, depending on the season, the heat can be mild or scorching.

When planning your trip to Dubai, and in particular this trip to the desert, I advise you to avoid summer (when temperatures soar and become unbearable) and opt for autumn or winter, when the heat is more bearable and the stay is more pleasant.

If you want to know more about the weather, in the post Best time to travel to Dubai you will find more details about it.

To get the most out of your Dubai desert experience, I recommend taking a look at these tips to help you.

• Book early: Once you know when you are going to Dubai try to book this tour as early as possible as it is very popular and you run the risk of missing out on the date you want to visit.
• Dress comfortably and cool: While the sun is shining in the desert it can get quite hot. It is therefore advisable to protect yourself with cool, comfortable clothing. At night the temperature drops, so don't forget to bring some warm clothing.
• Take your camera and phone fully charged: Before setting off, remember to charge these devices so that you can take plenty of photos during the excursion. There is no signal in the desert, but if your camera battery runs out, your mobile phone will help you take videos and photos.
• Hydrate frequently: It is very hot in the desert. Remember to carry your own water bottle in your backpack and drink frequently so you don't get dehydrated. Also include some sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat to protect yourself from the sun.

In the post Tips for visiting the Dubai desert you can find more useful recommendations for organising your getaway to the Dubai Safari Conservation Reserve.