A Genuine Review of the 2025 ‘Sun Rise Desert Safari & Sandboarding’ in a Private Vehicle

That Super Early Morning Start in Your Own Car

Okay, so that alarm clock going off when it’s still pitch black outside is, you know, a bit of a shock to the system. You almost question your life choices for a second. Still, you pull on some comfy clothes because, frankly, you are about to sit in a car and then play in the sand. Comfort is pretty much key. The best part of this whole private vehicle thing is that, like, you don’t have to wait for other people at other hotels. As a matter of fact, the roomy 4×4 pulls up right to your door, just for you. So, the guide, or driver, was a really welcoming person, which at that hour, is honestly a blessing. We basically just settled into the very clean, very air-conditioned car. It’s almost too easy, you just sit back as the city lights begin to thin out. In a way, watching the streetlights get replaced by just, well, darkness is part of the whole buildup.

The ride out to the Lahbab Desert is, frankly, smoother than you might think. On the other hand, it’s pretty much a straight shot on good roads for a while. Our guide sort of gave us a little bit of information about what the morning would be like, but not in a boring, rehearsed way. Actually, it felt more like a friend giving you the inside scoop. You could, sort of, tell he’d done this a million times but still got a kick out of it. Honestly, this relaxed vibe is probably what you pay for with a private trip. There’s really no pressure, and you can, you know, ask any question you want without feeling silly. We apparently made good time, arriving at the edge of the desert reserve just as the sky was beginning to show the first, faintest hint of blue. So yeah, that early alarm was, at the end of the day, completely worth it.

Watching the Desert Wake Up: The Sun Appears

Now, this is what you really came for. Your guide, more or less, finds the perfect spot, a high dune that gives you a completely open view of the eastern horizon. So, getting out of the car, you’re hit with two things: the surprising cool of the morning air and the incredible, deep silence. It’s a very different kind of quiet from the city, you know? It’s almost a sound in itself. Then, you just wait. Honestly, it doesn’t take long. First, there’s a soft, purple-grey line that just appears. Next, that line turns a fiery orange, and pretty soon, the whole sky is on fire. It’s frankly one of those things a camera can’t fully capture.

You know, you can see pictures of a desert sunrise a hundred times, but actually feeling the cool sand under your feet as the sun’s warmth hits your face for the first time… well, that’s something completely different, right?

The colors, like, just keep changing from deep reds to bright golds. The sun itself, when it finally peeks over the distant dunes, looks enormous. It literally paints these long, dramatic shadows across the sand, defining every ripple and curve. It’s pretty much a photographer’s dream, but I actually found myself just putting my phone away. In that case, you just want to soak it all in. The world feels completely new and very peaceful for a few minutes. We were offered some cool water, which was a nice touch. Clearly, it’s those little details that make a private tour feel a bit more special. You have this gigantic, stunning view all to yourself, which is absolutely the point.

See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now for a Private Sunrise Tour

Going Wild on the Dunes: That Dune Bashing Bit

Alright, so once the sun is properly up and you’ve had your peaceful moment, it’s time for some noise. Our guide, with a bit of a grin, tells us to buckle up tightly. As a matter of fact, he wasn’t kidding. First, he lets some air out of the tires, which apparently gives the 4×4 better grip on the soft sand. Then, well, you’re off. Dune bashing is kind of like a rollercoaster, but, you know, with a lot more sand. You’re basically charging up the side of these massive red dunes, the engine roaring. For instance, you get that stomach-lurching feeling when you’re just about to go over the crest.

You slide, you skid, you drift down the steep sides of these sand mountains. It’s totally controlled chaos, you know? The driver is clearly an expert, and you feel surprisingly safe the whole time, even when sand is spraying up past the windows. What’s great about a private car here is that, you know, you can tell the driver what you like. Want it wilder? Just ask. A little too much for you? He can seriously tone it down. We sort of found a happy middle ground. It was thrilling and a bit wild, but not so much that you felt sick. You’re just laughing and holding on, and the views you get from the tops of the highest dunes are absolutely incredible. To be honest, it’s just pure, simple fun.

Sliding Down a Sand Hill: Trying Sandboarding

Okay, so after the car-based thrills, it’s time for some D.I.Y. adrenaline. The guide pulls out what looks a lot like a snowboard, but without the complicated bindings. It’s basically just a smooth board with two simple straps for your feet. He picks out a nice, steep-looking dune that’s, you know, not *too* scary. Frankly, standing at the top of a big hill of sand with just a board is a little intimidating. He gives some very simple instructions: just lean back a bit and go for it. Easier said than done, right?

My first attempt was, basically, a complete failure. I stood up, wobbled, and more or less just fell over onto the soft sand. But, you know, falling in the sand doesn’t hurt at all. It’s actually kind of funny. By the third try, I was getting the hang of it and managed to slide a good way down before, you know, face-planting again. The key is to just relax and accept you’re probably going to fall. It’s pretty much less about skill and more about just having a laugh. The climb back up the dune is a workout, though! At the end of the day, it’s a really fun and unique thing to try. You feel like a kid again, just playing in a giant, red sandbox. Seriously, even if you’re not an athletic person, you should definitely give it a go.

Read our full review: Sun Rise Desert Safari & Sandboarding Full Review and Details

Quiet Moments and Camel Rides After the Rush

After all that action, the change of pace is really welcome. Usually, the experience includes a short stop for some light refreshments. For us, it was basically just some cold drinks and some dates, which tasted amazing out there in the fresh air. You know, you get to just sit and look out over the endless ocean of sand, which is now glowing a soft orange in the morning light. It’s incredibly peaceful. By the way, this is often when the optional camel ride happens. Of course, you should do it. These animals are, you know, such a big part of the local heritage. Getting on a camel is a bit of an awkward, rocking motion, but once you’re up there, it’s a completely different perspective.

The camel moves at a very slow, swaying pace. You’re higher up than you think, and you can see for miles. It’s not about speed; it’s just about the experience of plodding quietly through the dunes in a very traditional way. It’s just a short ride, maybe 10 or 15 minutes, but it’s an iconic photo opportunity and, frankly, a very calming way to wind down the morning’s activities. After that, you are pretty much ready to head back. The guide cleans the sand off your feet with a little air compressor, another one of those small details, and you hop back into the blessedly cool car for the drive back to the city. You get back to your hotel pretty early, with the whole rest of the day ahead of you.