REVIEW · DUBAI
Sunset Camel Trekking with Falcon Show & VIP BBQ Dinner
Book on Viator →Operated by Oscar Knight Tours · Bookable on Viator
Some rides feel like work. This one feels like a story. You’ll do a sunset camel trek in Dubai’s desert, then settle into a Bedouin-style camp for a VIP BBQ dinner and traditional entertainment. The vibe is part nature calm, part cultural show, and it’s built for easy comfort with air-conditioned pickup and a guided schedule that keeps moving without rushing you too hard.
Two things I really like: the camel ride length is long enough to feel real (about 45 minutes), but not so long that you’re dreading the end; and the dinner experience is set up like a proper evening, not a quick snack stop. One drawback to keep in mind: the falcon experience is included, but the listed falcon show can be marked as not available, so don’t assume you’ll always catch a full staged performance.
Expect a small-ish group (up to 50 people), plus practical extras like tea, coffee, dates while you wait for sunset, and unlimited soft drinks and mineral water during the experience. If you’re visiting in warmer months, plan for it to be hot during the afternoon and cooler after sunset, so bring something light you can layer.
In This Review
- Key things that make this desert evening work
- Price and timing: what $70 buys you in Dubai
- From your hotel to the desert: how the day starts
- The camel caravan: getting on, staying comfy, and watching sunset
- Bedouin camp: falcons, henna, and the entertainment set
- VIP BBQ dinner: how the meal fits the vibe
- The show schedule: Tanura and belly dance in context
- What’s not included (and how that affects your planning)
- Guide quality and group size: how to judge if you’ll enjoy it
- Who should book this sunset camel trek, and who should skip it
- Should you book this Dubai sunset camel trek with VIP BBQ?
- FAQ
- How long is the Sunset Camel Trekking with Falcon Show & VIP BBQ Dinner tour?
- Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?
- How long is the camel ride?
- What shows are included at the camp?
- Is the VIP BBQ dinner vegetarian-friendly?
- Are quad bikes or dunes bashing included?
- Can I cancel for free?
Key things that make this desert evening work

Sunset timing without the chaos: you ride first, then slow down in camp with coffee, sweets, and sunset views.
45-minute camel ride with guidance: instructions for getting on and off, so it feels less intimidating.
Bedouin camp entertainment: Tanura and belly dance shows are part of the evening program.
VIP dinner service style: the BBQ setup is designed to feel special, with vegetarian options included.
Falcon moments (show may vary): you’ll have a falcon experience, even if a full falcon show isn’t always guaranteed.
Drinks and water are handled: unlimited soft drinks and mineral water keep the evening easy.
Price and timing: what $70 buys you in Dubai
At $70 per person (about 6 hours total), this desert evening is priced like a full “do a lot, get picked up, eat well, go back” safari package. What matters is that it’s not only the camel ride. You’re also paying for hotel pickup and drop-off, the camp seating time, drinks, and a proper BBQ dinner with entertainment.
This is also the kind of activity that’s easier to plan because it runs on a set schedule. If you’re the kind of traveler who hates guessing timing in a big city, you’ll like that it moves as a guided block: pick up, desert arrival, camel ride, sunset refreshments, then camp shows and dinner.
One more value point: the group size is capped at 50 travelers. That’s not a tiny private tour, but it’s big enough for a lively atmosphere and still small enough that you’re not getting swallowed by a crowd.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Dubai.
From your hotel to the desert: how the day starts

Your day begins with hotel pickup by an air-conditioned modern car. You’re met by an English-speaking licensed driver, and that matters more than people think. In Dubai, traffic and timing can get messy. Having a driver who keeps the ride smooth helps you actually enjoy the afternoon, not just endure travel.
The desert approach is part of the experience. The tour gives you the peaceful start: once you reach the desert area, you’ll be guided to get ready for the camel portion. The pace here is practical—no long waits, and you’re not just dropped somewhere with a vague meeting point.
If you’re traveling with kids or you just want things to feel organized, look for the kinds of guides who are known for keeping things fun while also staying on schedule. Names like Ashraf and Nasir have come up often with strong customer praise for timing and making the ride feel easy.
The camel caravan: getting on, staying comfy, and watching sunset

The camel segment is the heart of the tour. You’ll do a 45-minute camel ride with a guide who gives instructions on how to get on and get down. That instruction part is worth highlighting. If you’ve never ridden before, it can feel awkward. Here, you’re not left to figure it out by yourself.
You’ll ride in a camel caravan through the desert at a relaxed pace. The point isn’t speed; it’s the calm. I like that this is scheduled before you fully settle into camp, so you’re fresh for the sunset moment rather than tired and cranky.
During the “wait for sunset” phase, you’ll be served Arabic coffee, tea, sweets, and dates. This is a smart way to use time: you get a break, you get warmth from the drinks, and you get the slow shift from bright desert light into evening.
A practical tip: desert evenings get chilly faster than you expect. One review notes that blankets were offered once temperatures dropped. Bring a light layer for the ride and the post-sunset waiting time, even if the afternoon feels warm.
Bedouin camp: falcons, henna, and the entertainment set

After the camel ride and sunset refreshments, you drive to a Bedouin-style base camp. The camp is set up to feel like an Arabian life and culture experience, not just a parking lot with shows.
Here’s what you can expect at camp:
- seating in the desert tent setup
- drinks such as unlimited soft drinks and mineral water
- traditional entertainment including Tanura (spinning dance) and belly dance
You’ll also get falcon interaction, including opportunities such as falcon photos. Important nuance: the falcon show can be listed as not available. In other words, don’t plan your whole evening around catching a specific staged falcon performance. If the falcon show is part of your evening expectation, keep it flexible and focus on the falcon moment itself plus the camp shows.
If you’re into hands-on culture, henna can be a highlight. One traveler report specifically notes that a henna tattoo was available for free in the camp area. Even if your focus is food and views, this is a small memory-maker that doesn’t take long and feels very local.
You may also see shisha being offered, but the included details say shisha is served at your place against extra charge. So think of it as an optional add-on rather than a free included activity.
VIP BBQ dinner: how the meal fits the vibe
At this point in the evening, you’re usually hungry—and the tour plan knows it. The dinner is a VIP BBQ dinner, with vegetarian options included. That’s a big deal if you’re traveling with someone who doesn’t eat meat, because it keeps the meal from turning into a compromise.
The VIP part is more than marketing. One traveler highlighted that the BBQ food was brought to the table and that VIP setup placed them close to the stage for the show. If you care about seeing the performances clearly while eating, this is exactly the kind of detail that makes a difference.
Also, the dinner is timed after you’ve been seated in camp for a couple hours and done the fun bits (camel sunset, falcons, henna). That’s a good flow. You’re not eating immediately after the ride when you might still feel a little “camel fatigue.” You’re eating when you actually feel ready for it.
Alcohol isn’t included. The tour states it can be purchased inside the camp. If that’s part of your plan, budget for it separately.
And if you’re sensitive to cold: eating in the evening after the desert temperature drop can feel extra nice, especially if they provide blankets like one traveler mentioned.
The show schedule: Tanura and belly dance in context

Traditional shows in desert camps can go one of two ways: either they feel like a quick check-box, or they feel like a real performance you can watch without fighting for a view. The VIP option tends to help with the view and timing.
The included shows are:
- Tanura dance show
- belly dance show
Tanura is a strong choice for this setting because it’s visual and rhythmic. It reads well in open camp spaces where you’re watching from your seat. Belly dance adds contrast, and it’s usually the part where families and first-time visitors relax and enjoy.
If you’re the type who gets bored when a show runs too long, don’t worry—you’re not stuck in one place all evening without breaks. The day includes the camel ride and the sunset refreshment stop, so the shows land when you’re settled and in the mood to watch.
What’s not included (and how that affects your planning)
This tour is full, but it’s not a full-throttle action safari. Two things to note:
- Dunes bashing is not included in the package.
- Quad bikes are optional, not included by default.
That matters because if you’re picturing a desert safari packed with off-road thrills, you might need to add another activity. One traveler report credits their guide for helping arrange an extra dune buggy session beyond what’s listed.
If you want to keep this evening focused—camel, sunset, shows, dinner—this package works great as-is. If you want more adrenaline, decide that early so you don’t end up scrambling when you’re already tired from the camel ride.
Guide quality and group size: how to judge if you’ll enjoy it
A desert safari lives or dies on the guide’s tone and timing. You’ll spend hours with the same driver and the camp team. Good guiding means you get a smooth flow: quick pickup, clear instructions, no awkward waiting, and the right pacing for sunset.
Names like Iqbal, Imran, Tariq, Mohamed, and Shabir show up in the guide stories tied to this kind of experience. While your exact guide might be different, those names are a clue: this operator seems to attract people who handle both logistics and the fun side.
Group size also affects how it feels. With a cap of 50 travelers, you should expect a bit of chatter and movement, but you still should be able to follow instructions without losing your place.
If you prefer a calm, organized vibe more than a chaos-and-chaise version of Dubai, this tour should fit your style.
Who should book this sunset camel trek, and who should skip it
This is a great pick if:
- you want a classic Dubai desert experience without needing a crash course in logistics
- you care about sunset timing, not just arriving at camp late
- you want a vegetarian-friendly BBQ dinner with included drinks
- you like cultural shows like Tanura and belly dance
You might want to skip or adjust your expectations if:
- you mainly want adrenaline like dunes bashing as the core experience (it’s not included)
- you’re planning to do lots of extra activities the same day; keep your schedule light so the 6-hour block feels enjoyable
- you’re not comfortable climbing on and off a camel (the tour calls for moderate physical fitness)
Also, this is an evening-focused experience. If you hate cooler night temperatures after a hot afternoon, bring a layer. If you’re fine with that swap, you’ll enjoy the rhythm.
Should you book this Dubai sunset camel trek with VIP BBQ?
I’d book it if your ideal desert night looks like this: pickup done for you, camel time at a comfortable length, sunset refreshments, then camp shows and a real BBQ dinner with vegetarian options. For $70, the value is in the full sequence—ride plus camp plus dinner plus drinks—rather than just the photo moment.
I’d reconsider if you’re counting on a falcon show or nonstop dune thrills. The falcon show can be marked as not available, and dunes bashing isn’t included. If those are deal-breakers, you can still do the camel-and-camp part, but you’ll want to pair it with the right add-on.
FAQ
How long is the Sunset Camel Trekking with Falcon Show & VIP BBQ Dinner tour?
It runs for about 6 hours.
Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?
Yes. You’re picked up and dropped off from your selected hotel or location using an air-conditioned modern car.
How long is the camel ride?
You’ll get a 45-minute camel ride.
What shows are included at the camp?
The tour includes a Tanura and belly dance show. A falcon experience is included, but the falcon show is listed as not available.
Is the VIP BBQ dinner vegetarian-friendly?
Yes. VIP BBQ dinner is included and vegetarian options are available.
Are quad bikes or dunes bashing included?
Dunes bashing is not included. Quad bikes are optional.
Can I cancel for free?
Yes. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.









