Camel Ride in Desert
20-25 minutes per person · price on request
- 20-25 min
- Guided on foot
- Families
- Bedouin handler, on foot the entire ride
- Help mounting and dismounting
- Photo stop with the red dunes
Rate On request ask on WhatsApp
Camel ride · Al Badayer red dunes
Camel ride Dubai: a slow walk over the red dunes
A camel ride Dubai session with us lasts 20 to 25 minutes on the red sand at Al Badayer. A Bedouin handler walks beside your camel the whole way, so you never steer and need no riding experience. The rate changes from day to day, so we quote it on WhatsApp before you book.
- In the saddle
- 20-25 min
- In the saddle
- Handler beside you
- On foot
- Handler beside you
- Open every day
- 5 AM-8 PM
- Open every day
- Today's rate on WhatsApp
- On request
- Today's rate on WhatsApp
Book the camel ride
What a camel ride in Dubai is like with us
After the noise of a buggy or a quad, a camel feels like a different desert. The animal walks at its own steady pace and you sit high above the sand, with time to take in the view. Our standalone ride gives you 20 to 25 minutes of that, on the red sand at Al Badayer, east of the city.
A Bedouin handler leads your camel on foot from start to finish. You do not hold the reins or control the speed, so the ride works for first-timers, nervous riders and people who simply want to look around. The route crosses the dunes at an easy pace, and there is a stop along the way for photos with the red sand behind you.
Because you are not operating anything, the camel ride Dubai option is the calmest activity we offer. Solo travellers, couples and families all book it, either as a short outing on its own or as a quiet break on a day of louder rides.
Your session, from briefing to photos
Plan on 45 minutes to an hour at the meeting point. The ride itself is 20 to 25 minutes per person; the rest of the time goes on a short briefing, getting on and off, and photos at the end. Here is how it runs.
- Meet your handler: a quick introduction to your camel and a briefing on how to mount, sit and dismount safely.
- Into the saddle: the camel kneels, you climb on, and the handler steadies the animal as it rises. It stands back legs first, so lean back and hold on.
- The ride: 20 to 25 minutes at walking pace across the red dunes, with your handler on foot the whole way.
- Photo stop and wrap-up: the handler helps you down, you take pictures with the dunes behind you, and you walk back to the meeting point.
How the camel ride price works
We do not publish a fixed camel rate. Availability changes the price from one day to the next, so the honest way is to tell you today's figure when you ask. Send us a WhatsApp message with your date, the number of riders and the time you prefer, and we reply with the rate for that booking.
The quoted rate covers the guided ride for each person, the handler, the safety briefing, help getting on and off, and the photo stop. Food and drinks are not part of it, and neither is a professional photographer, although we can try to arrange one if you ask. Hotel pickup is also extra; more on that below.
Once you agree to the rate, you pay online by card in AED and receive a written confirmation that shows your package, time and price. That way the number you agreed on WhatsApp is the number you pay.
The best time of day for a desert camel ride
Rides run every day between 5 AM and 8 PM, but the light is best at the two ends of the day. Aim for the hour that follows sunrise, or the final 90 minutes before the sun sets. In winter that means roughly 6:30-7:30 AM or 4:30-6 PM. Low sun brings out the red in the sand and gives you long shadows, which is when camel photos look their best.
Mornings are cooler and quieter. Late afternoons are warmer in colour and a little busier on the dunes. October to April is the most comfortable season for any desert activity; in the hot summer months, an early start is the kinder choice for riders and camels alike.
If your holiday dates are fixed, send us a message a few days ahead so we can hold the slot you prefer.
Who the ride suits, including children
No experience or special fitness is needed, because the handler manages the camel from the ground. The only moments that ask anything of you are getting on and getting off, when the camel rises and kneels. Hold the saddle, lean back and those few seconds pass quickly.
Most children can share a saddle with an adult. Suitability depends on the child's age, so let us know how old everyone in your party is when you ask for a quote, and we will confirm what works for your family before you pay.
If anyone in your party has a health condition or limited mobility, mention it in your first message so we can talk through the mounting and dismounting with you. It is the one part of the ride that involves a bit of movement.
Getting to Al Badayer and what to bring
Hotel pickup is not part of the camel rate. Plenty of riders come out by car or taxi; the drive from central Dubai to Al Badayer takes roughly 45 to 60 minutes, and the meeting pin arrives with your booking. Need a lift instead? A transfer from Downtown, Business Bay, Dubai Marina, Deira and nearby districts can be added at extra cost.
Dress for open desert. You will spend the whole ride sitting, so no special gear is required.
- Light, comfortable clothes
- Closed-toe shoes, to keep the sand out
- Sunglasses and a high-SPF sunscreen
- A phone or camera, ideally on a wrist strap
Standalone ride or the camel stop on a safari?
Our desert safari packages already include a short camel ride. On the morning safari it comes after the dune bashing and sandboarding; on the evening safaris it is one of the activities at the camp, alongside henna, sunset, dinner and the shows. For many visitors, that brief ride is all they need.
Book the standalone ride when the camel is the main event: you want a full 20 to 25 minutes out on the dunes, your own choice of time for the light, and no long programme around it. It also suits families whose children would struggle with a late evening at the camp.
You can also add a camel ride to a day of driving. Our dune buggy and quad sessions run on the same red dunes at Al Badayer, so ask us to line the times up when you book.
Booking your camel ride
Start with a WhatsApp message or the booking form. Give us the date, your group size, any children's ages and whether you need a transfer, and we come back with the rate. Online booking is open 24 hours a day, and we reply quickly during opening hours.
Card payment in AED confirms your place, and your written confirmation lists the price, the time and the meeting point. We are a licensed operator, and the cancellation policy sets out how changes and refunds work. Still have a question? Our FAQ page covers the wider topics.
Questions, answered
Camel ride: FAQ
What does a camel ride in Dubai cost with you?
A camel ride Dubai booking with us is priced on request, because the rate changes with availability on the day. Message us on WhatsApp with the day, how many will ride and roughly when, and we will reply with today's figure. Once you agree, you pay online by card in AED and receive a written confirmation showing the price.
How long is the camel ride?
You spend 20 to 25 minutes in the saddle, per person. With the briefing, mounting, dismounting and photos, allow about 45 minutes to an hour at the meeting point in total. The handler keeps an easy walking pace the whole time, so there is plenty of time to look around.
Do I need riding experience?
No. A Bedouin handler leads the camel on foot from start to finish, so you never steer or set the speed. You get a short briefing before you start, and the handler helps you on and off. The ride suits complete beginners, and nobody needs special fitness.
Can young children ride a camel?
Kids normally ride in the saddle with an adult. Whether it suits your child depends on their age, so share each person's age with us when you request a quote. We will confirm what works for your family before you pay, so there are no surprises at the meeting point.
Is hotel pickup included?
No, pickup sits outside the camel rate. Most riders make their own way to Al Badayer by car or taxi in around 45 to 60 minutes from the city centre, following the location pin we send after booking. If you prefer to be driven, we can add a paid transfer from Downtown, Business Bay, Dubai Marina, Deira and similar areas.
When is the best time to ride?
Early morning and late afternoon give the best light and the coolest air. In winter, aim for about 6:30-7:30 AM or 4:30-6 PM. We are open from 5 AM to 8 PM every day, so both slots are easy to book. If you have a set day in mind, message us a few days early.
Is this the same as the camel ride on a desert safari?
Not quite. Our safaris include a short camel ride as one stop on a longer programme. The standalone ride gives you a dedicated 20 to 25 minutes on the dunes, at a time you choose, with a photo stop. Pick the safari for a full day or evening out, or the standalone ride if the camel matters most.
What clothes work best on a camel?
Go for loose, light clothing and closed-toe shoes, which stop sand getting in. Bring sunglasses and a high-SPF sunscreen, because there is little shade on the dunes. You stay seated for the whole ride, so you do not need any special gear, and a wrist strap keeps your phone safe for photos.
Open every day · booking 24/7
The dunes at Al Badayer are waiting. Pick a time and drive.
Buggies from AED 600, quads from AED 200 and safaris from AED 225, all with published prices and a written confirmation.
- Open every day, 5 AM to 8 PM
- Guide, fuel and gear included
- Written confirmation by email
From AED 600 per buggy · 30 min