A longer than expected 1 hour 20 minute drive out from the hotel, in a rather cramped 4 x 4 (4 passengers) and not offered any water on the drive out, we were a little concerned what type of operation this was.
But once we got there, a very friendly gentleman was our lead Buggy with us taking two behind. He was very amenable, gave us a good drive, stopping halfway for a break and some 'sand-boarding' then continued on for approximately an overall drive in the dunes of 50 minutes.
This was followed by a 25 minute drive back towards Dubai thankfully where our 4 x 4 exited the road, went over a few dunes and then lo and behold a raft of other mini-buses/4 x 4's - an oasis of tourists all there for the same thing - a 'desert BBQ' experience.
Sadly 150 other tourists in a place that was basically a sand-dune for sand-boarding, 2 camels taking tourists back and forth, some stalls selling souvenirs (seemed main reason to go there) and a small market-like stall giving out schwarma's and some drinks.
We only spent 15 minutes there and asked our driver to come back and collect us and take us back to the hotel - our Son was feeling sick after eating a mouthful of schwarma!
The Buggy Driving was excellent, but the Desert BBQ Experience for us and anyone that does not like throngs of tourists stuck in one place, absolutely NOT what we expected. We wish we'd taken just the Buggy Driving and that experience we would give 5 Stars for.
