Ultimate Guide to Abu Dhabi Desert Safaris:
All You Need to Know (2023)
Page last modified: September 2023
What you need to know about Abu Dhabi Desert Safari
The desert played an important role in the UAE's history and continues to do so in its development. This doesn't come as a surprise, given that more than 80% percent of the UAE's landmass is desert. It is undoubtedly a place you should definitely explore when planning a trip to the UAE. Here are some important things you should know before visiting Abu Dhabi and planning for a desert safari.
Is it possible to have fun in the desert?
Whenever we hear the words "desert" we quickly conjure up images of a barren land with a rare oasis that is most probably a mirage combined with eerie silence. Your thoughts and beliefs are going to be challenged with the Abu Dhabi desert safari. Once deemed a no-entry zone, the Abu Dhabi desert has become a popular location for tourists to get to know what the desert looks like, see the way in which the Bedouin people lived here and experience various entertainment options that are popular in the desert. If you are skeptical about having fun in the Abu Dhabi desert, take a chance by booking an Abu Dhabi desert safari, and you won't be disappointed.
What happens in an Abu Dhabi desert safari?
The desert was home to the nomadic people of UAE, the Bedouins. An Abu Dhabi desert safari is an excursion to the desert where you can experience how the Bedouins enjoyed the desert. One of the highlights for adventure lovers is the dune bashing that is done on a 4 wheel drive like land cruiser or hummer for VIP safaris. Travelers have a wonderful time as the vehicle climbs and descends the lofty sand dunes. Depending on the safari you choose you might be taken to a camel farm where you can see these magnificent creatures up close. Some other thrilling activities include quad biking, sandboarding and camel riding. Upon reaching the campsite you will get to experience many types of Emirati entertainment and even enjoy an Emirati meal depending on the safari you have chosen.
Which desert do we visit when going on an Abu Dhabi Desert safari?
The most popular desert names you will hear and visit are the Al Khatim desert, Rub Al Khali or Empty quarter, and the Liwa oasis.
What are the different types of desert safari tours available to book?
The desert has varying personalities and you can enjoy whichever you prefer depending on your schedule. You can choose between a sunrise desert safari, evening desert safari and an overnight desert safari.
When is the best time to book an Abu Dhabi desert safari?
The best time depends on what you want. If you are the type who cannot stand high temperatures, then the ideal time to experience a desert safari will be between October and April. Since this is the peak season you will also have to deal with fully-booked slots and crowds. If you can withstand the heat but don't want to deal with crowds then you should visit during the off season (May to September).
What to pack for a desert safari?
The desert climate is different during the day and night. In the daytime the temperatures are high and you will feel the heat. The nights on the other hand are very chilly with no trace of the daytime heat. If you want to properly enjoy the desert safari without the climate disturbing you, here are somethings you should keep in mind:
What to Wear for Abu Dhabi Desert Safari
- Pack clothes made of lightweight natural fabrics like cotton and linen. (Daytime safaris)
- Pack thick layering pieces like cardigans or sweaters and a blanket. (Night Safaris)
- Pack open-toed slippers and sandals to wear. Avoid any sports shoes or closed shoes. This is because the fine sand can get into your shoes and be really annoying.
- Avoid clothing made from synthetic material.
Tips to keep in mind before going for a desert safari in Abu Dhabi
- Don't have a heavy meal at least 2 hours before your desert safari to prevent yourself from feeling nauseous during the dune bashing session.
- Pregnant women are prevented from experiencing dune bashing.
- Don't overdress or wear tight clothes.
- Bring sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat.
- Don't leave children unattended during dune bashing or in the desert as there are reptiles and poisonous plants.
- Always follow the safety instructions of your guide.
What to expect from your desert safari in Abu Dhabi?
Morning or Sunrise desert safari
A perfect time to go on a desert safari because of the cool climate and the serene ambience. If you like to begin your day with a relaxing vibe, the sunrise desert safari is the perfect option because you get to witness a desert sunrise. You can also experience dune bashing, sand boarding and camel rides. This is good for people who can't stand high temperatures because the mornings in the desert are not as hot as the midmornings and afternoons.
Evening desert safari
The evening desert safari starts after noon and ends with a dinner buffet. You can witness a desert sunset with this excursion, explore the thriving Liwa Oasis and get really friendly with the camels at the Liwa Camel farm. The entertainment on offer include dune bashing, camel ride and sandboarding. At camp you will get to experience Bedouin hospitality and Emirati entertainment like belly dancing followed by a delicious BBQ dinner buffet.
Overnight desert safari
Suitable for families, couples, groups and even solo travelers, the overnight desert safari gives you more time to make memories in the desert. Get the chance to sleep under the unpolluted desert sky and wake up to a refreshing desert sunrise. Adventurous activities include dune bashing, sandboarding and camel trekking to name a few. You will also get a unique memento where you have to dress up like Bedouins and pose for a photograph. You will also get to see a live belly dancing performance, smoke a shisha pipe and eat from a BBQ dinner spread. The Bedouin style tents are well equipped for a comfortable night in the desert.
Price List for Tour (AED and USD)
The rates mentioned below are just an estimate. The exact price may vary from operator to operator.
How much does a Desert Safari cost in Abu Dhabi?
| Budget Safari Tours | Adult | Child |
|---|---|---|
| Evening Safari by bus | 90 AED / 24 USD | 70 AED / 20 USD |
| Driving to camp directly - Shows & Dinner | 70 AED / 20 USD | 50 AED / 13 USD |
| Standard Tours | Adult | Child |
|---|---|---|
| Standard evening safari - 4x4 | 190 AED / 52 USD | 150 AED / 40 USD |
| Standard morning safari - 4x4 | 150 AED / 40 USD | 120 AED / 32 USD |
| Standard overnight safari - 4x4 | 350 AED / 95 USD | 300 AED / 81 USD |
| Standard camel trekking - 4x4 | 270 AED / 74 USD | 220 AED / 54 USD |
| Standard ATV (Quad bike) tour | 350 AED / 95 USD | 300 AED / 81 USD |
| Standard Desert Safari without Dune Bashing - 4x4 | 190 AED / 52 USD | 150 AED / 40 USD |
Tour Operators and Desert Camps in Abu Dhabi
The desert safari company you choose and the camp where they hold their safari experience will have a complete impact on the quality of your experience. While more experienced operators will run their safaris from their own camps in the desert, newbie operators will do so from another operator's campsite. Look through this list of desert camps in Abu Dhabi, online tour providers offering desert safari tours, and destination management organizations providing desert safari experiences.
| Online tour operators | DMC operating 4x4 tours | Desert Camps in Abu Dhabi |
|---|---|---|
| Viator | Emirates tours and safaris | Emirates Tours Camp – Traditional camp |
| Trip Advisor Experience | Desert Rose Tourism LLC | Al Badeyah Eyes Tourism |
| Groupon | Ocean Air Abu Dhabi | Desert Gate Tourism |
| Cobone | Extreme Tourism LLC | Desert Rose Bedouin Desert Camp |
| GetYourGuide | Capital Experience | Arabian Nights Village |
| Yella Banana | Rayna Tours | Off Road Adventure Tours |
Abu Dhabi Desert Safari Map
Inclusions of Abu Dhabi Desert Safari Packages
Round transfers
Abu Dhabi Desert Safari includes pick-up and drop-offs from and to Hotels and Malls in Abu Dhabi
Dune Bashing in 4x4 SUV Land Cruiser
Climb the dunes by a 4WD jeep - Travellers will be touring in a fully insured and fully-equipped off-road vehicle accompanied by a professional driver to ensure maximum safety.
Camel Ride
Enjoy a short camel ride as you pass the sand-stretched floors of Abu Dhabi.
Sandboarding
Fasten your feet to the board and slide over sand
Sunset Photography
Get the maximum out of this golden opportunity to capture the stunning sunset moments in the desert.
Refreshment & Drinks
Ease yourself with a cup of hot tea, coffee, soft drinks and bottled water at the Bedouin camp.
Campsite BBQ / Dinner Buffet
Free BBQ dinner buffet inclusive of vegetarian & non-vegetarian food options and traditional sweets.
Henna Tattoo
Free Henna design by a professional Mehendi artist (single hand)
Belly Dance and Tanoura Dance
Live performance of traditional Arabic belly dance and Tanoura
Photography
Capture the stunning sunset / Dress up in Arabic outfits & take pictures
Quad Bike Tour
Climb up on a quad bike and ride over the dunes
VIP Services
Special attention to VIP reservations. No more long waiting times or queues; just unwind and enjoy our table service.
Falcon Photoshoot
Pose for a photo with a falcon perched on your forearm.
Bathroom Amenities
Separate restrooms for men and women at the campsite
Abu Dhabi Desert Safari Insider Guide By Local Guides
Sunset timing
Sunset timings are subject to change on a daily basis so confirm the sunset timing for the day before going on your sunset safari.
Desert Safari without dune bashing
Certain people, like the elderly, pregnant mothers, people with heart ailments, etc, might want to omit the dune bashing activity from their experience. Fortunately, all desert tour companies in Abu Dhabi let you skip dune-bashing for a more pleasant experience.
Desert rains and sandstorms
There is only a 5% chance that torrential rain will force an Abu Dhabi desert safari to be canceled as rain is a very uncommon occurrence in the desert of Abu Dhabi. However, there is a chance of encountering sandstorms that are unfavorable to off-roading activities, in which case the tour companies will reschedule your safari excursion.
Riding a camel
Most desert safaris only allow guests to ride a camel for about three to five minutes. After your picture has been taken, you must make way for the next person in line, especially during peak season. Beware of desert safaris that include camel rides on their itineraries. It is a camel sitting and photo opportunity, not a camel ride. Many websites claim to offer desert safaris with camel rides, but they lack the courage to be honest with their visitors.Plan ahead and reserve a camel trek if you want to take a leisurely ride through the desert. Now that you can actually ride a camel, you can carry the experience and that photo around with you.
Dinner buffet
Similar to camel rides, there will be another line for the BBQ dinner. When you see a safari price for a cheap rate, you can probably guess how long the line will be and what kind of food you'll get. If you want resort-quality food, always look for a premium tour. If you choose a standard tour, expect the standard quality of the food. The majority of tours, even premium tours, offer buffet meals, but you have to wait in line to get them. You must reserve a private dune dinner experience if you're looking for something more deluxe and private.
Cancellation policy
Most tour companies offer a 24-hour cancellation policy, but some premium experiences do not allow any cancellation. Carefully read your voucher to know about the cancellation policy.
Free overnight desert stays
There aren't many places in the Abu Dhabi desert that are declared as camping spots. Camping in Al Khatim is not prohibited but you can do that at your own risk. Refrain from making any plans based on online articles because the majority of them publish fake information. If you want to reduce the cost and dont want to book an overnight desert safari tour, it is preferable to negotiate a deal with the local tour operator and make a deal nearby their camp to do a desert stay.
Picture perfect locations
Click Instagram Worthy Photos
If you enjoy documenting your vacations and love to spruce up your Instagram feed with gorgeous photos, our list of places for that picturesque shot will prove helpful to you. The desert is picturesque in itself, but if you want more than the stark contrast of gold and blue, keep reading.
Best instances and locations for mind blowing pictures
- The tallest sand dune in the world, Tel Moreeb in the Liwa desert
- Tall mega dunes in the Al Khatim desert
- When riding a camel
- With a falcon perched on your arm during a falconry demonstration
- During belly dancing
- At the time of sandboarding
Insurance and Safety Policies
When choosing a desert safari provider, bear the following in mind:
- All companies offering desert safaris obtain third-party liability insurance, and rollover protection of their vehicles. This is a necessary precaution, particularly when driving over dunes because the 4x4 may topple over due to the dunes' steepness. Numerous serious vehicle roll-over accidents have resulted in serious injuries to guests with occasional fatalities.
- The more established the desert safari company, the more consideration they will show for their customers.
- When booking the Abu Dhabi desert safari, be sure to enquire about their safety policies and procedures. Then, book your safari with a company that has a strong set of safety guidelines.
- Keep an eye on the car's condition even after you meet the guide. Ask your tour guide if it is rollover protected if it appears to be in good condition. Accidents may occur occasionally, even when all safety precautions are taken. Call your operator if you believe your safari guide is not as skilled as you believe he needs to be to traverse the dunes.
Planning to Take Souvenirs from
Abu Dhabi Desert?
Traditional camps, where Standard Safaris are held, have stores that might be a good place to consider buying souvenirs. The beauty and intrigue of Abu Dhabi's Arabian heritage are reflected in ornate wooden carvings, regional art, gold jewelry, and carpets. Souvenirs come in all sizes and shapes, from the smallest silver pillbox to the largest hand-woven carpet, and are frequently cheaper in Abu Dhabi than they would be elsewhere. The key is to steer clear of tourist traps and know where to find genuine goods that you will cherish for a lifetime. Prices in desert shops may also be higher than those in cities like The Mall Souq or the Iranian market Abu Dhabi.
Animals Encountered at Al Khatim Desert
There is an abundance of wildlife in the desert, but we aren't observant enough to see every lizard that creeps by. Undoubtedly while exploring the Al Khatim desert in Abu Dhabi you will see many desert animals.
Frequently Asked Questions by Travelers
- Avoid eating anything heavy before the desert safari because the dune bashing can make you feel nauseous. If you are eating anything, eat at least 2 hours before your experience.
- Wear clothes that are both comfortable and appropriate. It's fine to wear shorts, t-shirts, or lightweight tops. Extra shawls or jackets can be brought in case the weather cools down at night.
- It is better to wear open shoes, flip flops, or sandals because you will have the option to wander in the dunes. Sand can get into your shoes in a variety of ways.
- Remember to bring sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses.
- Bring a camera or a video camera to record the thrill of the adventure and the desert's spellbinding splendour.