About Gulf Tours
Gulf Tours is not a conventional theatre, arena or concert hall. It is a destination-management and tour company whose principal visitor venue in Ras Al Khaimah is Bedouin Oasis Desert Camp. The company’s administrative office is on Al Shohadaa Road, while safaris, dinners, performances, private functions and overnight stays take place at the camp on Bedouin Oasis Camp Road in Al Ashish. Visitors should therefore follow the location supplied with their activity confirmation rather than travelling to the office.
The camp combines an outdoor entertainment venue, desert activity base, restaurant and glamping resort. Official tourism material gives capacities of approximately 350 guests for dinner and shows and 100 overnight guests. This makes it large enough for weddings, company functions and festivals, yet its low tents, rugs, lanterns and open desert setting feel less formal than a purpose-built events complex.
History and Development
Gulf Tours traces its beginnings to Oman in 2009, when it organised traditional rural tours including desert camping, safaris, mountain and wadi excursions and turtle-watching trips. Its Ras Al Khaimah operation subsequently developed under the Gulf Tours FZC licence for tourism, recreation and hotel-management consultancy.
Bedouin Oasis opened in April 2011 as a project operated at the time by Arabian Incentive. Contemporary reports described it as Ras Al Khaimah’s first purpose-created Bedouin-style desert camp and emphasised its goat-hair roofs, traditional materials, firelight and antique gas lamps. Gulf Tours now promotes and manages the camp as the centre of its Ras Al Khaimah experiences.
A current accommodation inventory records 60 units and a renovation in 2025, although a detailed renovation scope has not been published. Gulf Tours remained active through 2026, and it was named Ras Al Khaimah’s leading tour operator for five consecutive years from 2021 to 2025.
Events and Programming
Programming revolves around recurring desert experiences rather than touring artists or ticketed concerts. A typical evening combines Arabic coffee and dates, a short camel ride, sandboarding, henna painting, a barbecue buffet and live belly-dance, tanoura and fire performances. Some packages add approximately 30 minutes of dune bashing, while quad bikes, dune buggies, longer camel treks and overnight accommodation are usually separate upgrades.
The fire show is the most frequently praised performance, while the circular tanoura dance supplies the evening’s folkloric centrepiece. A resident DJ provides background music as the camp is illuminated with candles, lanterns and paraffin lamps. Performers are not generally advertised by name, and there is no conventional annual artist roster.
Documented private and community use since 2021 has included overnight group gatherings, educational camps, environmental programmes, celebrations and corporate retreats. A Ministry of Climate Change and Environment youth camp was held here in February 2023, while a privately booked glamping event planned for March 2024 was cancelled because of severe-weather advice. These examples reflect the venue’s flexible programming rather than a fixed festival calendar.
Research through August 2026 found continued promotion of daily desert dining, safaris, weddings, incentives, team building and bespoke MICE functions. The emirate’s 2026 wedding and business-event material continues to feature the camp, but no named public concerts or artist-led productions have been announced for 2027 or beyond.
Tickets and Booking
Indicative published prices begin around AED 110–150 per adult for dinner or a basic safari, with safari-and-dinner combinations commonly around AED 150–210. Short quad-bike sessions start near AED 135, longer quad tours can reach AED 375, and two- or four-seat buggy options range roughly from AED 350 to AED 900. Prices, inclusions, transfer zones and VAT treatment can vary by package.
Overnight options generally start around AED 400 for a basic couple’s tent and rise through approximately AED 550–850 for couple, family, nature-view and premium chalets. Private gazebo experiences have been advertised from about AED 1,500, while basic private facility hire and customised events start from approximately AED 2,000 and AED 5,000 respectively. Larger weddings and complex productions require individual quotations.
Advance booking is strongly preferable because vehicle transfers, meal numbers, accommodation and activity equipment must be coordinated. Confirm whether your rate includes hotel pickup, dune bashing, dinner, drinks and activities. Cancellation terms depend on the booking type; some experiences allow refunds until 24 hours before departure, whereas other promotional rates are non-refundable.
Seating, Layout and Technical Facilities
The main entertainment area is an open-air central courtyard surrounded by traditional goat-hair tents, Arabian rugs, oversized cushions and majlis-style seating. Dinner and shows use a mixture of seated and standing space rather than numbered theatre seats. Guests wanting a close view of the dancers should sit near the central performance area; families seeking easier movement may prefer an outer table.
Private gazebos occupy more secluded dune positions and suit proposals, romantic dinners and small celebrations. Accommodation includes simple tents and air-conditioned chalets. Published room inventories describe basic tents of about 6 square metres, 21-square-metre couple chalets, 32-square-metre family rooms and premium units of up to 40 square metres, but individual layouts can vary.
No verified public specification is available for stage dimensions, rigging capacity, power distribution, PA models, lighting consoles or production load-in. The standard presentation uses amplified music, a DJ, atmospheric lantern-style lighting and an open performance zone suitable for dance and fire acts. Event organisers requiring concert-level audio, theatrical lighting or staging should treat these as custom production requirements rather than built-in venue guarantees.
Getting There and Parking
The visitor venue is on Bedouin Oasis Camp Road in Al Ashish, close to Emirates Road Exit 119 and the Al Wadi desert area. It is roughly 20 kilometres from central Ras Al Khaimah and about 80 kilometres from Dubai International Airport. Journey estimates are approximately 20–30 minutes from Ras Al Khaimah city and around one hour from Dubai, depending on traffic and departure point.
Free parking is available near the camp gate. Guests report that a standard saloon car can reach the property when driven carefully, although very low-clearance or sports cars are not recommended and the final access road may be uneven. Use the route issued with the reservation because desert tracks and online map pins can be confusing after dark.
There is no confirmed public bus stop within practical walking distance. Ras Al Khaimah’s city buses serve areas such as Al Jazirah Al Hamra and the airport for AED 8, but a taxi or pre-arranged transfer is still required for the desert’s final section. Hotel pickup is included with many safari packages and is normally the simplest option.
Inside the Camp
Most evening arrivals begin with coffee and dates before guests explore the dunes, try included activities or purchase upgrades. The barbecue meal focuses on Middle Eastern food, with halal, Asian and continental breakfast choices for overnight guests. Vegetarian food can be arranged when requested in advance. Alcoholic drinks and shisha may be available for purchase, with smoking and bonfires restricted to allocated areas.
Facilities include family accommodation, en-suite chalet bathrooms, an outdoor pool, children’s play facilities, a bar, dining space and outdoor seating. Some guest rooms have air conditioning, fans, kettles and private patios. Connectivity should not be relied upon: listings and reviews disagree about Wi-Fi availability and quality, so download maps and booking information before leaving the city.
Overnight check-in is commonly listed between 4 pm and 6 pm, with checkout between 9 am and 11 am. Quiet hours run approximately 11 pm to 7 am, and entry may close overnight. Accommodation policies may require an AED 100 refundable cash deposit. Pets are not permitted.
Nearby Amenities
This is an isolated desert property, not a walkable entertainment district. Guests should eat at the camp or bring permitted personal essentials rather than expecting nearby shops. Al Hamra Mall is approximately 15 kilometres away, while nearby accommodation includes Bedouin Oasis itself, Desert Inn Resort and Camp and The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert.
Allow enough time to arrive before sunset, particularly if driving independently. After an evening show, pre-booked transport is preferable to attempting to find a taxi at the gate. Visitors planning dinner elsewhere will find substantially more choice around Al Hamra Village, Al Marjan Island and central Ras Al Khaimah.
What Makes This Place Special
The camp’s defining feature is the way its architecture, landscape and programme work together. Goat-hair tents, low majlis seating, campfires, traditional coffee service and zarb-style underground cooking create a physical interpretation of desert hospitality rather than simply using Bedouin imagery as decoration. The surrounding protected landscape is associated with wild camels, oryx, desert foxes and gerbils.
Its cultural role is also practical: it gives Ras Al Khaimah a desert venue for weddings, incentives and overnight tourism alongside the emirate’s better-known beaches and mountains. No venue-specific economic-impact figures are available, but it forms part of a tourism economy that welcomed 1.35 million overnight visitors in 2025 and recorded 12% growth in tourism revenue that year.
Visitor Tips and Accessibility
Several current activity and accommodation listings identify the camp as wheelchair accessible, and much of the accommodation is at ground level. However, loose sand, dunes, low majlis seating and uneven outdoor routes can present significant barriers. No detailed accessibility audit, accessible-bathroom dimensions or equivalent of United States ADA certification has been published. Arrange a suitable transfer and confirm the route to your assigned room before booking.
Dune bashing, quad biking and buggy driving are generally unsuitable for pregnant guests and people with spinal, back, heart or serious medical conditions. A private transfer that avoids dune bashing may allow guests to attend dinner and performances more comfortably. Infants may travel on an adult’s lap on some shared tours, but child rules differ between activities.
Wear comfortable clothes that tolerate sand, secure footwear for activities and sun protection during the day. Winter evenings can become cool, so bring a light jacket; summer visits remain hot even late in the day. Recent reviews consistently praise the staff, fire show, food and atmosphere, while occasional complaints concern pool cleanliness, water temperature, early checkout, crowded buffets, noise from private groups and variable room condition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gulf Tours itself a performance venue?
No. Gulf Tours is the tour operator and destination-management company. Bedouin Oasis Desert Camp is the physical venue where its main Ras Al Khaimah dinners, shows, private events, safaris and overnight programmes take place. The Gulf Tours office and the desert camp have different addresses, so follow the meeting or pickup instructions attached to the experience you booked.
Is Gulf Tours still operating in Ras Al Khaimah?
Yes. Current 2026 activity inventories, accommodation availability, visitor reviews and official tourism material all show Gulf Tours and Bedouin Oasis operating. The company offers daily or regularly scheduled safaris, desert dinners, quad-bike trips, camel treks and camping, alongside privately arranged weddings and corporate events. Exact availability can change with weather, season and private bookings.
How many people can Bedouin Oasis accommodate?
The most authoritative published venue guide lists capacity for approximately 350 guests attending dinner and shows and 100 people staying overnight. These figures cover different uses of the property and should not be interpreted as one fixed seated capacity. Wedding, banquet, classroom and festival layouts may each accommodate different numbers depending on staging, catering and private-area requirements.
Are the evening shows suitable for children?
Yes. The recurring programme is promoted as family-friendly and commonly includes camel rides, sandboarding, henna, dinner, tanoura dancing and a fire show. Children of all ages are accepted for accommodation, although individual activities can impose age, height or safety restrictions. Adults should supervise children closely near animals, fires, moving vehicles, the swimming pool and open dunes.
Can I attend dinner without doing dune bashing?
Yes. Dinner-only and camp-entry packages are offered, and private transport can be arranged for visitors who want to avoid the rough 4x4 section. This is particularly relevant for pregnant guests and people with back, spinal or heart conditions. Check the inclusion list carefully because some similarly named evening packages automatically combine dune bashing with the barbecue and shows.
What food is served at the camp?
The principal meal is a barbecue buffet featuring Middle Eastern dishes, with some programmes presenting slow-cooked mutton prepared in a traditional underground zarb oven. Tea, coffee, water and soft drinks are commonly included, while alcohol may cost extra. Overnight breakfasts can include continental, Asian and halal choices. Vegetarian requirements should be declared when reserving rather than upon arrival.
Does the camp have assigned seats?
Standard dinner-and-show bookings do not normally use numbered seats. Guests sit at courtyard tables or on majlis-style cushions and rugs around the performance area. Arriving before the entertainment starts provides a better choice. Central positions give the closest view of dance and fire performances, while outer tables offer easier access for families, older visitors and guests who prefer more personal space.
Can the camp be hired for a wedding?
Yes. Bedouin Oasis accepts wedding receptions, proposals, engagements and other private celebrations. Options range from secluded dune gazebos to partial or complete camp hire, with tailored seating, catering, entertainment and sunset photography. Published entry-level private-event prices are only starting points; a wedding involving décor, production equipment, guest transfers and exclusive use requires a bespoke quotation.
Is parking free?
Yes. Free parking is available at or close to the camp entrance, and published visitor information describes sufficient space in front of the gate. Drive slowly on the final approach because the surface may be uneven or sandy. A normal saloon can generally reach the property, but a very low vehicle is a poor choice for this desert access road.
Can I reach Gulf Tours by public transport?
Not conveniently. Public buses can take travellers to major Ras Al Khaimah districts, but no practical direct bus connection to the camp gate has been confirmed. The remaining desert journey requires a taxi or private vehicle. A package with hotel pickup and return transport is usually simpler, especially because the entertainment concludes after dark and taxis may not wait nearby.
What time should I arrive?
For an overnight stay, published check-in is generally between 4 pm and 6 pm. Day visitors should follow their transfer time, which may shift between winter and summer. Arriving around 3:30–4 pm during the cooler season usually allows time for activities and sunset photography before dinner, but the operator’s confirmed schedule should always take priority.
Does Bedouin Oasis have air-conditioned accommodation?
Yes. Couple, family, nature-view and premium chalet categories include air conditioning, while the most basic camping products may provide a simpler tent experience. Premium chalets can contain a king-size bed and built-in bunks for children. Confirm the exact category, bathroom arrangement and maximum occupancy because similarly named tent and chalet products offer noticeably different comfort levels.
Is Wi-Fi available?
Connectivity reports are inconsistent. Some accommodation inventories list Wi-Fi, while recent guests have reported limited or unavailable service. Mobile reception can also vary in the dunes. Treat internet access as a possible convenience rather than a guaranteed facility: save your route, confirmation, identification and transfer details offline before travelling, and expect the camp to function primarily as a digital-detox experience.
Are pets allowed?
No. Current accommodation and event policies state that pets are not permitted. This restriction is particularly understandable given the presence of camels, outdoor food service, live performances and wildlife in the surrounding reserve. Visitors travelling with a service animal should request written clarification before booking because no detailed public policy covering assistance animals or suitable animal-relief areas has been published.
What should I bring for an overnight stay?
Bring identification, comfortable clothing, secure footwear or sandals, sun protection, personal toiletries and a light jacket for cooler desert nights. Basic bedding, towels and drinking water are normally provided according to room category. Sand enters footwear and rooms easily, so avoid delicate luggage. Guests sensitive to limited hot water or rustic bathroom conditions should select a higher chalet category.
Are photography and videos allowed?
Personal photography is generally part of the experience, particularly during sunset stops, camel rides and dune activities. Exercise caution around the fire performance and never enter the performance space. Ask before photographing other guests, performers at close range or private celebrations. Professional shoots, drones, large tripods and commercial filming may require advance approval because the camp also serves as a private-event venue.
What happens during bad weather?
Outdoor programmes can be altered, postponed or cancelled when heavy rain, wind or official safety advice makes desert access unsafe. A private glamping event in March 2024 was cancelled after severe-weather warnings, demonstrating that conditions can affect the entire camp rather than only individual activities. Check messages on the day and do not attempt the access road when instructed to stay away.
