The golden deserts around Dubai attract adrenaline junkies from across the world, with adventure lying at the top of each perfectly formed dune. An endless sea of sand makes for the perfect playground!

Buggy tours in Dubai are the ultimate way to explore, offering an up close and personal encounter with the desert.

Check out our comprehensive guide on desert dune buggy tours, one of the most exciting and action-packed outdoor activities in Dubai.

What are the best buggy tours in Dubai?

Moonlight buggy tours

Power over moonlit dunes on this thrilling night adventure – it’s one of Dubai’s most epic buggy excursions! You will bounce along the rugged desert, stopping for campfire snacks beneath the starry night sky.

Price: From US$89 per person (depending on group size)
Duration: 2 hours
Includes: Buggy ride, refreshments

Buggy tour with camel ride

Combine the best of both worlds with a camel trek after your buggy experience. Feel like an explorer as you plod silently across the sand on your trusty ship of the desert. You can feed the camels afterwards as a reward for their efforts!

Price: From US$137 per person
Duration: 3 to 4 hours
Includes: Buggy ride, sandboarding, camel ride, water

Desert safari buggy tour in Dubai

Get behind the wheel of a buggy and zoom about the desert like a pro. You’ll climb enormous dunes and slide down the other side in your powerful machine.

Participants will travel in convoy on this group tour while your guide shows you the best routes. Some excursions offer complimentary sandboarding too.

Price: From US$138 per person
Duration: 6 hours and 30 minutes
Includes: Buggy ride, water

Buggy tour with dune bashing

Enjoy a special desert roller-coaster ride as you are driven over the golden peaks on an epic dune bashing adventure. Then hop in a buggy and have a go yourself! These combo tours are designed with thrill-seekers in mind.

Price: From US$199 per person
Duration: 4 hours
Includes: Buggy ride, dune bashing, sandboarding, refreshments

Dune buggy tour with barbecue and live entertainment

This is one of the most atmospheric buggy tours in Dubai. You’ll enjoy a thrilling ride among the dunes, before having a go at sand surfing if you dare!

Then it’s time for a buffet dinner at a traditional desert camp, with a live show to keep you entertained.

Price: From US$199 per person
Duration: 7 hours
Includes: Dune bashing, buggy ride, camel ride, desert camp with falconry, henna painting, dinner and live show

Buggy safari with private dinner

After your rip-roaring Dubai buggy tour, you’ll be treated to an exclusive dinner in the middle of the desert.

Settle down on your blanket and watch the sun setting behind the dunes. Then tuck into Arabic barbecue delicacies and maybe some shisha.

Price: From US$268 per person
Duration: 7 hours
Includes: Buggy ride, private camp dinner

Private Dubai buggy tour

These exclusive Dubai buggy tours are a luxurious way to explore the desert. You will have your own private guide and buggies, as well as dinner and a show in the evening after your adventure.

Price: From US$272 per person
Duration: 3 to 4 hours
Includes: Buggy ride, sandboarding, refreshments

How much will I pay?

Desert buggy rides in Dubai start at US$89 per person for 2 hours, rising in price depending on how long you wish to spend in the desert and what other activities you wish to include on your experience.

Dubai buggy safaris with barbecue and a live show cost upwards of US$199 per participant.

Private Dubai buggy tours cost at least US$272 per person and include luxury transfers and your own personal guide.

Transfers are usually included, although a few excursions ask you to make your own way to the departure point.

Which places will I visit?

Buggy rides in Dubai are a fun way to discover the delights of the Arabian desert, which lies just outside the glittering city. Here’s what you can expect to see during your tour.

Lahab Desert

The Lahab Desert is one of the most stunning landscapes surrounding Dubai. The dunes glow red in the sun, towering high with some incredible views from the top. The sea of sand stretches as far as the eye can see, giving a real sense of wilderness and adventure.

Thanks to its accessibility, this is one of the most popular locations in the country for camel treks, dune bashing, and sand boarding, as well as Dubai buggy tours.

Mleiha Desert

Next door to Lahab is the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Mleiha, which is home to several internationally renowned archaeological sites. If you look hard enough, you’ll see Bronze Age tombs and pre-Islamic fortresses.

Mleiha is a popular hang-out with locals, and little-visited by foreign tourists, which gives it a thrilling “unexplored” feel. The vast tracts of soft sand sit in the shadow of the Jebel Faya mountains, with highlights including the humorously shaped Camel Rock.

Fossil Rock

Keep an eye out for Fossil Rock as you take a spin around the Mleiha Desert. You can spot this iconic landform from 25 kilometers away.

The fossils found in the crevices here reveal the intriguing story of early marine life from long ago when this area was beneath the sea.

How long does a buggy ride in Dubai last?

Dubai buggy excursions are between 1-7 hours long, depending on which other activities you want to include on your tour.

Most trips that focus solely on buggy rides tend to be 2-3 hours in length, while the combination tours with camel rides, camp dinners, and live shows are longer.

Where do buggy tours in Dubai leave from?

Most buggy tours in Dubai offer hotel transfers. Check with your provider to ensure your hotel is on the list.

Some excursions ask you to make your own way to the meeting point on the edge of the desert, which is usually the operator’s office. You can easily take a taxi here from your hotel.

When is the best time to join a desert dune buggy tour?

You can sign up for buggy rides in Dubai at any time of year. However, we strongly recommend avoiding the summer when scorching temperatures make visiting the desert uncomfortable.

Most people travel to Dubai between November and March when temperatures are glorious, and skies are sunny. Make sure you book well ahead as this is peak season.

The buggy tours take place throughout the day, with the mornings and evenings being the coolest times to explore.

Note that during the month of Ramadan, live entertainment and alcohol will not be available on the evening excursions.

Which other outdoor activities can be done in Dubai's desert?

Camel riding
Quad & ATV tours
Sandboarding
Jeep excursions
Dune bashing
Desert safaris

Travel tips

It’s always a good idea to book your Dubai buggy tour online so you can compare prices. Do this in advance as places can fill up fast.
The minimum age for buggy drivers ranges from 10 – 16 years, and all under 18s must be accompanied by an adult. Drivers should take their passports with them for ID.
Dress in lightweight, comfortable clothing suitable for a hot day out in the desert. Sunglasses and hats are recommended.
Keep your camera in a protective case or bag to shield it from the sand during your buggy ride.

Desert Dune Buggy Tours in Dubai