No trip to Dubai would be complete without a camel ride experience – the two are practically synonymous.
Half-day Desert Adventure (Photo: GetYourGuide.com
Dubai might be famous for its soaring steel skyscrapers, fine dining and luxury boutiques, but to really get under the skin of this emirate you need to get out into the Arabian Desert. Unsurprisingly, one of the best ways to experience this ethereal landscape is atop a camel or “Ship of the Desert”. Most tours combine a camel ride with other desert-based experiences, such as quad biking across sand dunes, star-lit Bedouin barbecues and belly dancing. With so many to choose from, we’ve rounded up five of the best came ride tours in Dubai based on customer feedback, value for money and itinerary.
Half-day Desert Adventure
This cheap and cheerful camel ride tour is ideal for adrenaline junkies and thrill seekers. The experience begins with a one-hour drive into the desert on a 4×4 from your hotel, with jaw-dropping views of the Hajjar Mountains. Then, it’s onto the quad biking adventure across wind-whipped sand dunes and a thrilling camel ride. This tour is best suited to those who would like to flex their camel riding skills, but don’t necessarily want to be strapped onto one all afternoon. From £20.44 per person.
Book at GetYourGuide.com
Sunset Camel Trekking Safari
Sunset Camel Trekking Safari (Photo: Viator.com)
This highly rated camel trekking safari has more than 300 five-star reviews, so you know you’re in safe hands. The tour involves hopping on a camel to travel through the desert to a Bedouin camp where a tasty barbecue dinner awaits. Participants can enjoy henna painting, traditional Tanoura dancing, falconry, and more. Tours include pickup and drop-off from your hotel too.
Book at Viator.com
6-Hour Evening Camel Safari Tour with BBQ Dinner
This six-hour camel ride tour serves up one of the best sunsets in Dubai – and in a region boasting some of the tallest skyscrapers, that’s really saying something. The experience offers a more laid-back introduction to Dubai’s desert landscapes than some of the other entries on our list. As well as a one-hour camel ride, participants can take part in traditional activities such as smoking a shisha pipe, getting henna tattoos and enjoying a cup of tea or coffee in a Bedouin camp. The trip culminates in a barbecue banquet under the stars, accompanied by entertainment. From £65.50 per person.
Book at GetYourGuide.com
Red Dune Safari and Camel Ride in Al Marmoon Conservation Reserve
Red Dune Safari and Camel Ride in Al Marmoon Conservation Reserve (Photo: GetYourGuide.com)
This seven-hour camel experience is one of the highest ratest camel ride tours in Dubai. It takes place in the Al Marmoon Desert Conservation Reserve, the first unfenced nature reserve in the UAE. Participants get to explore the site in a 4×4 with a knowledgeable guide, then join a camel caravan to an authentic Bedouin village. Here, guests get to soak up the traditional desert ambience, tuck into a traditional barbecue and enjoy evening entertainment, including belly dancing. Previous guests have highlighted the length of the camel ride and the professionalism of guides as positives too. From £74.18.
Book at GetYourGuide.com
Hot Air Balloon with Camel Ride and Breakfast
Those looking to elevate their experience or mark a special occasion will be hard-pressed to find better than this five-star tour. The experience kicks off with a steaming up of coffee or tea in the middle of the desert, followed by an exhilarating hot air balloon ride 4,000 feet above the ground as the sun rises. This is followed by a camel ride through the desert and breakfast at a Bedouin camp. To top off the experience, you can have your photograph taken with a falcon. Tour prices include transportation too. From £269.98 per person.
Book at GetYourGuide.com