Is the Desert Safari Better in Abu Dhabi or Dubai? A Complete Comparison

Which is Better: Desert Safari in Dubai or Abu Dhabi?

For any avid traveller, a desert safari in the UAE should be a must-have experience on their bucket list. It offers the thrill of exploring vast sand dunes, exhilarating activities, and immersion in rich Emirati culture.

Once you’ve committed to this adventure, the next step is choosing between Dubai and Abu Dhabi—each delivering a distinct desert experience. Your decision will depend on personal preferences and the type of journey you seek. In this guide, we’ll compare both destinations, covering landscapes, pricing, activities, and more, to help you select the perfect safari for your travel style.

Desert Landscape

The key difference between a desert safari in Dubai and Abu Dhabi lies in their landscapes, each offering a distinct experience.

Dubai’s Lahbab Desert (Red Dunes)

Dubai’s Lahbab Desert, famous for its stunning red sand dunes, draws adrenaline junkies eager to indulge in dune bashing, sandboarding, and quad biking. These towering dunes, reaching up to 300 feet, provide a dramatic backdrop, especially during sunrise and sunset, making them a must-see for travellers.

Designed with a tourist-oriented approach, the Lahbab Desert is perfect for adrenaline seekers, offering high-intensity dune bashing, sandboarding, quad biking, and camel rides. The prevailing atmosphere and vibrant entertainment options make it ideal for those seeking an action-packed adventure

Abu Dhabi’s Liwa Desert (Empty Quarter)

The Liwa Desert in Abu Dhabi is the perfect choice for a more serene and immersive desert experience. As part of the Rub’ al Khali (Empty Quarter), the world’s largest sand desert, Liwa is home to some of the tallest dunes in the world, such as Moreeb Dune, which reaches nearly 1,000 feet.

The calmness and vastness of the Liwa Desert create a more exclusive and nature-focused experience, making it ideal for photographers, wildlife enthusiasts, and travellers seeking tranquillity. This location is best suited for those who want a deeper connection with the desert, away from the noise, with options for camel treks, stargazing, and luxury desert retreats.

Key Differences in Activities

Dubai and Abu Dhabi desert safaris offer similar activities in line with their intended appeal, but there are a few distinct differences that set them apart.

• Dune Bashing: Dubai is designed for extreme, high-energy dune adventure, making it ideal for adventure seekers. In contrast, Abu Dhabi offers a serene, immersive desert drive, focusing on a relaxed and immersive desert experience.
• Sandboarding & Quad Biking: Both destinations offer these activities, but Dubai has a wide range of service providers leading to more competitive pricing.
• Camel Riding: While Dubai offers short, tourist-friendly Camel rides, Abu Dhabi provides longer, more immersive treks. The Liwa Desert in Abu Dhabi offers a truly authentic experience, allowing visitors to connect with the region’s rich Bedouin culture and traditions. There are also family-friendly and beginner-friendly options, making it accessible to all travellers.
• Wildlife Viewing: Abu Dhabi offers a superior wildlife viewing experience, with opportunities to spot majestic Arabian oryx, sand gazelles and various bird species, especially near oases. A haven for nature enthusiasts, it is home to the Liwa Desert, part of the vast Empty Quarter (Rub’ al Khali), providing a more authentic and untouched environment for observing desert wildlife.

Cultural Experiences

Dubai delivers a vibrant, entertainment-driven cultural experience, seamlessly blending tradition and modernity. A warm welcome with Arabic coffee, dates, and traditional hospitality is followed by an exploration of Bedouin-style camps featuring Majlis seating and authentic décor. The atmosphere comes to life with belly dancing, Tanoura performances, fire shows, and drumming. Visitors can also dress in Emirati attire for memorable photos. As the evening sets in, a delicious BBQ buffet awaits, featuring local specialties like grilled meats, hummus, and luqaimat (sweet dumplings), making it a truly immersive and entertaining experience.

Abu Dhabi offers a serene and heritage-rich cultural experience, where tradition takes centre stage. The focus here is on heritage immersion, with activities like storytelling, Bedouin traditions, and stargazing, allowing guests to connect deeply with the desert’s history and natural beauty. Visitors can also enjoy longer camel treks, traditional falconry demonstrations, and private dining under the stars, making for a truly authentic and immersive experience.

Luxury Options

For travellers in pursuit of luxury, both destinations offer a premium desert experience, featuring exclusive camps, private dune drives, etc., ensuring an opulent adventure.

• In Dubai: A range of luxury options blends adventure and exclusivity including private 4×4 tours, vintage Land Rover safaris and personalized guides. Enjoy lavish Bedouin-style camps, VIP lounges and gourmet dining under the stars with live entertainment to elevate your experience. Additionally, helicopter tours and hot air balloon rides provide breathtaking aerial views.
• Abu Dhabi: For discerning travellers, exclusive luxury options include private desert camps, gourmet dining under the stars, personalized falconry displays and extended camel treks in the serene Liwa Desert. Enhance your experience with 5-star amenities, chauffeured transfers and tailored itineraries ensuing a luxurious desert adventure from start to finish.

Desert Safari Duration

The duration of a desert safari varies based on the package, ranging from a few hours to an overnight stay.

• Dubai: The safaris here usually last 4-6 hours, but overnight options are available for those who want to sleep under the desert sky.
• Abu Dhabi: Standard tours range from 6-8 hours, with some longer expeditions into the Liwa Desert can last a full day.

Best Time for Desert Safari

For the most enjoyable experience, plan your desert safari between October and April, when the weather is cooler and more pleasant. Avoid visiting these places during the scorching summer months (June to September), as temperatures can exceed 40°C (104°F).

Family-Friendly Desert Safari Options

Both the cities offer family-friendly desert safaris, but Dubai provides more options tailored to children, making it a slightly better choice over Abu Dhabi.

• Dubai: Many tour operators provide safaris with a relaxed pace, featuring camel rides, wildlife encounters and interactive cultural experiences. Kids-friendly meal options and shorter dune bashing sessions are also available.
• Abu Dhabi: More focused on educational experiences and wildlife spotting, making them ideal for families looking for a quieter, nature-focused outing.

Cost Comparison: Which One is Cheaper?

• Dubai: Offers a wide range of desert safari experiences at different price points, from budget-friendly group tours starting at $50 per person to high-end luxury safaris exceeding $500 per person.
• Abu Dhabi: Slightly more expensive, with premium experiences in the Liwa Desert costing between $80 and $600 per person. The fewer number of operators here means there’s less competition, leading to higher prices.

Conclusion

Both Abu Dhabi and Dubai offer incredible desert safari experiences, but the best choice depends on your personal preferences. If you’re looking for adventure and entertainment together, Dubai is the place to go. However, if you prefer a quiet, luxurious and immersive desert escape, Abu Dhabi’s Liwa Desert is the perfect choice.

No matter which destination you choose, a desert safari in the UAE promises an unforgettable adventure through some of the world’s most stunning sand dunes.