Reviewed · DUNE BUGGY TOURS
Can am Maverick X3 Rs Turbo
The main draw here is simple: you get behind the wheel of a 195-horsepower Can-Am Maverick X3 RS Turbo and head into the red dunes of Lahbab. This is not a quiet desert photo stop. It is a high-energy off-road ride built for people who want speed, sand, and a real sense of control.
I like the powerful, fully customized buggy, and I like that experienced guides such as Aftab and Naveed stay closely involved. Their role matters in a desert, where reading a dune and choosing the right line is part of the fun. The main consideration is the price: at $777 per person, this is a premium outing, so you should confirm exactly how much personal driving time and which extras are included before booking.
Key points to know
- 195-horsepower Can-Am Maverick X3 RS Turbo: One of the fastest and most serious vehicles in this company’s desert fleet.
- Lahbab’s red dunes: You get the striking red-sand setting that makes this part of Dubai popular for off-road trips.
- Experienced named guides: Aftab and Naveed receive especially strong praise for safe driving, clear explanations, friendliness, and care.
- Four-hour afternoon schedule: The tour begins at 3 pm, giving you a useful window for changing light and possible sunset views.
- Pickup and mobile ticket: Pickup is offered, and the booking can be carried on your phone.
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead: Poor weather may lead to a new date or a full refund.
Taking a 195-horsepower Can-Am into Lahbab

Lahbab is where this experience earns its keep. The desert here is known for red sand and tall dunes, giving the ride a more dramatic setting than a flat stretch of pale desert. The supplied schedule lists Lahbab as the tour stop, with about five minutes shown for admission, but the real point is the off-road route rather than a formal attraction or museum-style visit.
You should expect the desert itself to be the stage. The buggy carries you across open sand, up dune faces, and along ridgelines under the direction of your guide. The precise route can change with conditions, group timing, and the guide’s judgment, so do not expect a fixed sightseeing circuit with a long list of stops.
The Can-Am Maverick X3 RS Turbo is the headline feature. With 195 horsepower, it has far more punch than a basic recreational buggy. That power can make climbs and fast sections exciting, but it also means you need to listen carefully during the safety briefing and follow the guide’s instructions. A powerful machine is fun only when it is handled with care.
The vehicle is described as fully customized and built with safety as a priority. That is encouraging, but it does not make the outing risk-free. Sand driving involves bumps, sharp slopes, heat, and sudden changes in traction. If you want a gentle sightseeing trip, this is probably the wrong choice. If you enjoy motorsports and off-road driving, the vehicle is the reason to consider it.
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What the four-hour afternoon schedule means
The stated start time is 3 pm, and the experience lasts about four hours. That places the main activity in the late afternoon, when the desert light generally becomes more attractive and temperatures may be easier to handle than at midday. The timing also gives you a chance of seeing sunset colors, although the schedule does not promise a dedicated sunset stop.
One especially useful detail comes from the way the guides handle the outing. Naveed is praised for explaining each stage of the trip, checking that people are comfortable, and allowing time to enjoy the desert without constant chatter. Aftab is repeatedly described as both funny and professional, with particular attention to safe driving and a comfortable vehicle.
That combination is important. A dune buggy tour can become a blur of engine noise and jolts if the guide simply leads the convoy from one point to another. A good guide explains what is happening, watches the group, and knows when to let you enjoy the view. The comments about Aftab and Naveed suggest that the human side of the trip is one of its strongest features.
Still, four hours does not mean four uninterrupted hours at the wheel. Desert excursions often include transfers, preparation, pauses, and regrouping, and the supplied details do not state the exact driving time. I would ask before paying whether the $777 rate includes a private buggy, shared driving, passenger time, or a set amount of hands-on driving.
The driving itself: fast, physical, and guide-led

The appeal of this outing is the sensation of moving through sand under your own control. You are not simply sitting in a standard four-wheel-drive vehicle while someone else handles every turn. The Can-Am gives the activity a more direct, sporty character.
At the same time, you should not treat the desert like an open racecourse. Your guide decides how the group moves through the dunes and can adapt the pace to conditions and ability. The most useful praise for Aftab and Naveed focuses on professionalism, safety, and their ability to read the desert, not just on speed.
That is the right balance. You want enough excitement to make the price worthwhile, but you also want a guide who notices when someone needs help or a pause. One account specifically praises the driver for analyzing the environment and explaining what action to take. That tells me this is not meant to be a completely unsupervised rental.
The buggy’s comfort also receives positive attention. Comfort matters more than it may sound. Four hours in a rough vehicle can leave you tired, especially in heat and blowing sand. The supplied information does not list the exact seating layout or protective equipment, so ask about those points before booking. You should also confirm the minimum driving age and license requirements, since they are not provided here.
The red dunes are more than a backdrop

Lahbab’s red sand gives the experience much of its visual appeal. Against the deep color of the dunes, the Can-Am looks made for the setting, and the changing afternoon light can create excellent photographs during a pause. The desert is wide and open, with no city towers in sight once you are properly among the dunes.
I like that the outing appears to leave room for the guide to take you farther into the desert rather than keeping you beside the main road. One description of Naveed’s guiding notes that he took the group to a distant place where they had time to enjoy the sunset. That kind of pause can be as valuable as the driving itself, especially if you want more than a quick burst of engine noise.
Do not book this expecting a cultural program centered on Bedouin life, wildlife, or desert ecology. The information provided focuses on the buggy, dune driving, and the Lahbab setting. The experience is primarily an adventure activity, not a broad introduction to the United Arab Emirates.
Some feedback also refers to dinner, food, and an evening show after the desert ride. Those comments suggest that certain bookings or versions of the wider safari program may include those elements. However, the stated tour information does not clearly list dinner or entertainment in this specific Can-Am product, so confirm before counting them as part of your package.
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Pickup, meeting time, and group size

Pickup is offered, which can make a big difference in Dubai. Lahbab is outside the central city, and arranging your own transport can add cost and planning. The experience is also listed as being near public transportation, though the supplied details do not identify a station or explain how close it is. If you plan to rely on public transport, verify the final transfer rather than assuming it will be simple.
The listed start time is 3 pm. Have your phone ready with the mobile ticket and keep your pickup details accessible. Confirmation is provided at booking, which is useful for an afternoon excursion where a missed vehicle could cost you the entire activity.
The maximum group size is listed as 100 people. That is a large possible capacity, even if the Can-Am portion operates in smaller units. The size of your actual buggy group, convoy, and personal driving arrangement are not stated. This is one of the most important questions to ask, especially at $777 per person.
A small group would usually mean more attention from the guide and less waiting at pauses. A large operation may offer stronger logistics and backup support, but it can also feel less personal. The individual praise for Aftab, Naveed, and customer-service representative Maria suggests attentive staff, but it does not guarantee a private or small-group departure.
The people make a costly outing easier

A tour vehicle can be impressive, but the guide determines much of the experience. Aftab is repeatedly described as friendly, funny, polite, and highly skilled. One person says they always felt safe with him and would repeat the activity. Another highlights the comfortable, safety-focused vehicle under his care.
Naveed receives similar praise for his driving, explanations, attention to the group, and warm manner with families. His strength appears to be more than technical driving. He checks what people need, explains the stages of the trip, and creates space for quiet enjoyment of the desert.
Maria is singled out for follow-up and attention to detail. That matters because premium adventure tours can become frustrating when pickup times, vehicle arrangements, and add-ons are unclear. Good communication before the trip is part of the value, not a minor extra.
Guide assignments can change, so you should not book on the assumption that a particular person will definitely lead your outing. But the pattern is clear: staff service is a central strength of this operation. If you have concerns about safety, driving experience, or the format of the buggy session, ask those questions before departure.
Is $777 per person good value?

At $777 per person, this is expensive for a four-hour desert activity. You are paying for a high-performance Can-Am, specialized desert operation, staff support, and the convenience of pickup. The price may make sense for someone who specifically wants a serious buggy rather than a standard desert safari.
It makes less sense if you mainly want red-dune photographs, a short camel ride, or dinner under the stars. Less costly Dubai desert outings can provide those broad experiences, while this product puts its money into horsepower and off-road action.
The value also depends on what you receive in practice. Before booking, ask these direct questions:
- Is the Can-Am shared or private?
- How much time will I drive?
- Are pickup, safety equipment, food, dinner, or a show included?
- Will the guide drive part of the route, or will I control the buggy throughout?
- What happens if the group is large?
The strong service record improves the value, especially for first-time desert drivers who want help rather than a bare vehicle rental. But the listed details do not answer every pricing question. Get the inclusions in writing.
Who should book this Can-Am adventure?

I would recommend it most strongly to confident adults who enjoy motorsports, fast vehicles, and rough outdoor activities. Friends traveling together may get the most from the shared excitement, while couples and families should first confirm age, participation, and seating rules.
It could also suit someone who has already done a standard Dubai desert safari and wants a more powerful, hands-on option. The Lahbab setting gives you the red dunes, but the Can-Am is the real upgrade.
I would be cautious about booking it for young children, anyone with mobility concerns, or people who dislike heat, dust, jolts, and engine noise. The supplied information says most people can participate, but it does not provide detailed medical, age, or accessibility rules. Contact Emirates Trips if any member of your party has a specific concern.
The tour depends on good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the 3 pm start time. Changes or cancellations within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund.
My verdict on the Lahbab buggy ride

I would choose this tour for the machine and the guide support, not simply because it is called a desert safari. The 195-horsepower Can-Am offers a more serious ride than a basic dune excursion, and Aftab and Naveed appear to bring the calm, friendly handling you want in an unpredictable setting.
The price is the sticking point. At $777, you should insist on clear answers about driving time, buggy sharing, group size, and included extras. If you receive substantial personal time in the Can-Am and want a high-performance desert experience, it may be worth the splurge. If you mainly want a scenic afternoon and dinner, compare other Dubai options first.
FAQ
Where does the Can-Am tour take place?
The tour takes place in Lahbab, an area of Dubai known for its red desert dunes.
What time does the experience start?
The stated start time is 3 pm.
How long does the tour last?
The experience lasts approximately four hours.
How much does the tour cost?
The listed price is $777 per person.
Is pickup available?
Yes. Pickup is offered, though the supplied details do not specify the pickup areas or schedule.
Can I use a mobile ticket?
Yes. A mobile ticket is available.
What vehicle is used?
The experience uses a customized Can-Am Maverick X3 RS Turbo with 195 horsepower.
Is the tour suitable for most people?
The supplied information says most people can participate. Specific age, driving, medical, and accessibility requirements are not provided, so ask Emirates Trips before booking if you have a particular concern.
What happens if I need to cancel?
You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted. If poor weather forces the company to cancel, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
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