Abu Dhabi Guide

Abu Dhabi Desert Safaris

Experience the magic of the Arabian Desert with thrilling dune bashing, camel rides, traditional entertainment, and spectacular sunset views

40+ tours
From $35
4-8 hours
Abu Dhabi Desert Safaris

The vast Arabian Desert surrounding Abu Dhabi offers an authentic escape into a world of golden dunes, endless horizons, and traditional Bedouin culture. Abu Dhabi desert safaris provide the perfect blend of adventure and cultural immersion, taking you from the modern city into the timeless beauty of the desert. Whether you're seeking the thrill of dune bashing in powerful 4x4 vehicles, the tranquility of a camel ride at sunset, or the warmth of traditional Emirati hospitality under starlit skies, these safaris offer unforgettable experiences that connect you with the region's heritage. Experience the desert as the Bedouins have for centuries, while enjoying modern comforts and world-class service.

Featured Desert Safaris Tours

Discover our top picks for desert safaris in Abu Dhabi

Half-Day Desert Safari from Abu Dhabi
From $64
Free Cancellation

Get ready for Abu Dhabi Desert Safari,Our marshals will pickup you from the Abu Dhabi Hotels,Abu Dhabi Shopping Mall, And Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal. Start your tour with a short drive to the desert, experience the thrill of sand bashing and watch the colors of the sand and the sky change as the sun sets. Then head to the desert camp to enjoy the Camel Riding,Sand Boarding,Falcon For taking picture.an evening of entertainment like Belly Dance show and dinner.

4.9(2,714)
6h
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Abu Dhabi: Sunrise Desert Safari Experience
From $59
Free Cancellation

Wake up early to escape Abu Dhabi to witness a desert sunrise. Relax with round-trip transportation to the middle of the desert, where you will watch the sunrise over the dunes and taste Arabic coffee while seating in the carpet in the high dunes. End your experience with a short camel ride before heading back to the city.

4.9(217)
3h
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Desert Safari Abu Dhabi
From $59
Free Cancellation

Leave the concrete jungle with glass high-rises and planned roads for the rugged terrain of the desert with one of the best Abu Dhabi desert safari tours. Experience the peace of the desert as you enjoy its many colors that add to its personality. Your Evening Desert Safari in Abu Dhabi starts the minute you will be picked up from your hotel lobby. Your driver-guide will take you to the desert for a bit of thrill, serenity and a good experience of some Bedouin activities. Once you reach the desert, your driver will initiate a thrilling drive across the dunes. The bumps and drops might come as a surprise, but they are definitely fun and make your dune riding memorable.

4.5(121)
6h
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Abu Dhabi Half Day Desert Safari
From $74
Free Cancellation

Abu Dhabi Evening Desert Safari is the most chosen tour of Abu Dhabi where it includes many fun things for first time visitors to Abu Dhabi. Visiting the Desert with amazing activities always will be a great opportunity to experience desert life. As soon as you been pick-up from any locations in Abu Dhabi, journey by roller protected & insured Land Cruiser to the desert & its take about 45 – 50 minutes from the Abu Dhabi City to the desert point where you can see the herds of camel. Take a ride across the sands on a dune-bashing adventures with Extreme Arabia Safari marshals, experience what it is like to surf on sand with a sand-skiing activity. Watch the sunset, and then go to a traditional camp to get a welcome coffee and dates. Ride on the back of a camel and avail of entertainments such as henna painting, shisha smoking or posing with a falcon in traditional costume, Tanoura Dance &Belly Dance that we make sure all of you happy and smile.

4.8(173)
6h
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Morning Desert Safari From Abu Dhabi
From $55.54
Free Cancellation

Abu Dhabi Desert Safari is an adventurous trip through the zig zag sands of Abu Dhabi desert in the morning, for tourists who don’t have time to spare in the evening. It lasts for about 4 hours in the morning giving you ample time to relax and enjoy. The tour start at 08:00 with pickup from Abu Dhabi Hotels,Cruise Terminals or Private residence .After the 60 minutes drive to the Al Khazna desert You will start the Dune Bashing Session with photo stop of the Camel Farm . In the camp site you can experience the Camel Riding,Sand Boarding,Falcon for taking photos.Soft drinks and water provided in the 4 hours tour. The drop off time will be around 12:00 pm .

4.9(330)
4h
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Dubai Desert Safari With Buffet Dinner Tour
From $68
Free Cancellation

Book this adventure and entertainment tour with us if you want to have a thrill with local, certified desert safari guides. We will take you off the beaten track to breath-taking adventure and scenery in the middle of the beautiful desert of Arabia. Get fascinated with the countryside of Dubai and experience the local culture along with unique adventures.

5.0(115)
6h
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Abu Dhabi Morning Desert Safari
From $70
Free Cancellation

If you are on a brief visit to Abu Dhabi and don't have much time to spare or you have some time during your layover, the Abu Dhabi morning desert safari is the perfect option for you to enjoy the famed Abu Dhabi desert. Your safari marshal will pick you from your hotel and drive you to your desert location. The drive will take approximately an hour. Once there, your safari marshal will stop the 4×4 vehicle to prepare it for the dune drive. The dune drive is a thrilling desert activity that has become famous because of the excitement and thrill you feel while being maneuvered through the desert dunes. You will also have the chance to enjoy quad biking across the dunes. There will be loads of photo opportunities and the chance to observe a herd of camels roaming about.

4.4(27)
4h
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Abu Dhabi Evening Desert Safari Adventure
From $75
Free Cancellation

Experience the enchanting allure of the Arabian desert as the sun sets over Abu Dhabi on our Evening Desert Safari. Glide over golden dunes in a 4x4 vehicle, feeling the thrill of exhilarating dune bashing. Then, as twilight descends, unwind in a traditional Bedouin-style camp nestled in the heart of the desert. Delight in amazing performances, including mesmerizing belly dancing and Tanoura shows, while savoring a sumptuous barbecue dinner under the starlit sky. With camel rides, henna painting, and shisha smoking adding to the ambiance, this unforgettable safari promises an evening of magic and adventure in the desert.

5.0(29)
6h
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Sunrise Desert Safari from Abu Dhabi
From $79
Free Cancellation

"Rise with the Sun" Rise a bit early to experience a colorful Abu Dhabi sunrise in the desert. Travel in comfort with around transportation from the hotel to the desert and vice versa. Get to know the camels with a visit to the camel farm, awaken your mind with sand boarding and dune bashing. Have a delicious breakfast before riding a camel and returning back to Abu Dhabi. The 5-hour desert safari starts early in the morning when your safari marshal picks you up from your Abu Dhabi hotel and drives you to the desert. Observe the sun rising as you drive to the summit of a dune to take in the full glory of the view. Don’t forget to bring along your camera to capture the panoramic views of the desert bathed in the golden light of the sun. Continue the safari with a visit to a Camel farm. Observe camels going on with their usual tasks and interacting with their owners. Your safari marshal will drop you back at your Abu Dhabi hotel or any other preferred location at the end of the tour.

4.7(10)
5h
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Evening Desert Safari Abu Dhabi
From $55
Free Cancellation

Offering you a myriad of unforgettable adventures, our evening desert safari in Abu Dhabi desert let you experience the magical moments of the desert life. Picking you up from your location our driver will take you to the golden desert of Abu Dhabi where all your desert adventures await. Once you enter the desert, there will be all shades of yellows, mind-blowing textures and sand dunes which will explode your mind with thrill and excitement. First on the agenda of our Abu Dhabi Evening desert safari is a wild dune drive where you can drive into majestic dunes bashing sand and creating sand clouds. If your soul longing for a more heart-pounding adventure, you can go sandboarding so you can surf through the silky smooth sand starting from a top of a sand dune. Admire the beauty of these majestic creatures and pet them before you get on one of them to enjoy a camel ride across the desert like a real Bedouin.

4.3(46)
6h
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Desert Safari In Abu Dhabi With BBQ Dinner
From $57.53
Free Cancellation

Discover authentic Arabian culture with a 6-hour Abu Dhabi group desert safari. Experience thrilling activities like dune bashing, camel rides, and optional sandboarding. Get adorned with henna tattoos and enjoy a photo shoot in traditional Arabic attire. Visit a campsite to learn about Bedouin lifestyle, sip on Arabian coffee, and indulge in dates. Feast on a delicious BBQ dinner with diverse cuisines. Tour includes pickup and drop-off from your hotel in Sadiyat Island, Yas Islands, Khalifa City, or Abu Dhabi city center.

4.9(1,461)
6h
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The Sunrise Desert Safari in Abu Dhabi
From $79
Free Cancellation

Even if you don’t have that much time to go for a big desert safari in Abu Dhabi, still you have a chance to fill your heart with a best desert experience with the sunrise. Mostly during your Abu Dhabi stopover, a Sunrise Desert Safari at Abu Dhabi will be an ideal. The safari marshal will pick you by an A/C 4×4 and rush towards desert in Abu Dhabi. This will be a completely different experience that you can feel the calmness of the desert during the sunrise. When the dune sands are colored by the sunshine, you can capture the picturesque scenery from the middle of the desert. You will be served Arabic coffee, Tea at the desert camp. Dune bashing adventure and camel riding photo shoot will be the most memorable time at this tour apart from the magnificent views of morning sun in the sky.

4.9(353)
3h
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Abu Dhabi Desert Safari with BBQ Dinner & Shows
From $80
Free Cancellation

Revel in the exhilarating experience of touring one of the most exotic deserts of the world in Abu Dhabi. Take part in the Abu Dhabi Desert Safari tour of 6 hours that will sweep you across the desert in a euphoric and exciting round trip. Visit the Bedouin-themed camps nestled amid the raging sand dunes, and savor the sweet delicacy of the traditional Emirati food and activities. Luxuriate the wild ecstasy of the dune-bashing adventures, try out the exciting sand boarding, ride the lofty ship of the desert in the camel riding, take part in Henna Painting, luxuriate the delicious aroma of Arabic dates and coffee, and indulge your daring streaks with a spot of Sheesha Smoking. Don’t miss out on the thrilling and erotic Belly Dance & Tannura dance show, and join in a plethora of activities and fun. Have a fantastic view of the desert sunset and a delectable barbeque dinner complimented with fancy drinks that are included in the safari tour package.

4.8(98)
6h
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Evening Desert Safari with Quad Bike Tours
From $79
Free Cancellation

The Evening Desert Safari in Abu Dhabi offers a thrilling adventure against the UAE's desert backdrop, starting in the late afternoon and continuing into the evening for a mesmerizing sunset experience. Activities include heart-pounding Dune Bashing, camel rides, and exhilarating sandboarding. Cultural activities like henna painting and traditional dress, along with live entertainment such as belly dancing and Tanura shows, immerse participants in the region's rich culture. The evening concludes with a delightful barbecue dinner under the starlit desert sky, providing a perfect blend of adventure, culture, and natural beauty.

4.9(16)
6h
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Evening Desert Safari Abu Dhabi with Dinner
From $150
Free Cancellation

Get a taste of Bedouin life and desert adventure with the dune bashing, Desert Drive, traditional camel riding. An opportunity to try the sand boarding over the dunes, a fantastic belly dance with its live entertainment Tandoora show and a delicious desert BBQ Dinner with unlimited soft drinks in a desert camp.

4.9(12)
6h
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Why Choose Desert Safaris in Abu Dhabi?

Authentic Desert Experience

Explore the pristine Arabian Desert with its endless golden dunes and stunning natural beauty just outside Abu Dhabi.

Thrilling Adventures

Experience heart-pounding dune bashing, sandboarding, and quad biking in the desert landscape.

Traditional Bedouin Culture

Immerse yourself in authentic Emirati hospitality with camel rides, henna painting, shisha, and cultural performances.

Perfect for All Ages

From family-friendly experiences to romantic sunset dinners, there's a safari option for everyone.

Spectacular Sunsets

Witness breathtaking sunsets over the desert with golden hour lighting perfect for photography.

Delicious BBQ Dinners

Enjoy authentic Middle Eastern cuisine with live cooking stations and unlimited refreshments at desert camps.

Types of Desert Safaris in Abu Dhabi

Evening Desert Safaris

The most popular option featuring dune bashing, camel rides, sunset views, BBQ dinner, and traditional entertainment.

4-6 hoursDune bashingCamel ridesBBQ dinnerBelly dancingTanoura show

Morning Desert Safaris

Early morning adventures with cooler temperatures, dune bashing, sandboarding, and camel rides.

3-4 hoursCooler weatherSandboardingCamel ridesDesert photographyLess crowded

Overnight Desert Experiences

Complete desert immersion with camping under the stars, traditional entertainment, and sunrise views.

Overnight stayDesert campStargazingSunrise viewsTraditional breakfastPrivate tents

Luxury Desert Experiences

Premium safaris with private vehicles, gourmet dining, exclusive camps, and personalized service.

Private vehicleGourmet diningPremium campPersonalized serviceVIP treatmentChampagne service

What to Expect on Your Desert Safari

Duration

Evening safaris typically last 4-6 hours, morning safaris 3-4 hours, and overnight experiences include camping until sunrise.

Activities

Dune bashing in 4x4 vehicles, camel rides, sandboarding, quad biking (optional), henna painting, shisha smoking, and traditional entertainment.

Dining

BBQ dinner with Middle Eastern dishes, live cooking stations, unlimited soft drinks, and traditional Arabic coffee and dates.

Entertainment

Belly dancing performances, Tanoura (whirling dervish) shows, fire shows, and traditional music under the stars.

Expert Tips for the Best Experience

1

Book at least 2-3 days in advance, especially during peak season (November-March)

2

Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing and closed-toe shoes for dune bashing

3

Bring sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen - the desert sun is intense even in winter

4

Dress in layers as temperatures drop significantly after sunset

5

Avoid heavy meals before dune bashing if you're prone to motion sickness

6

Bring a camera with extra batteries - you'll want to capture every moment

7

Tip your driver and camp staff 10-15% if service is excellent

8

For the best photos, arrive at the camp 30 minutes before sunset

9

Respect local customs - dress modestly and ask permission before photographing people

10

Stay hydrated throughout the experience, especially during summer months

Frequently Asked Questions

Q:What is the best time of year for desert safaris in Abu Dhabi?

A: November to March offers the most comfortable weather with pleasant temperatures (70-80°F). Summer months (May-September) are extremely hot but safaris still operate with early morning or evening departures.

Q:How much do desert safaris cost in Abu Dhabi?

A: Prices range from $35-$75 per person for standard evening safaris, $25-$50 for morning safaris, and $150-$400+ for luxury or overnight experiences depending on inclusions and group size.

Q:Is dune bashing safe?

A: Yes, when conducted by licensed operators with experienced drivers. All vehicles are equipped with safety features, and drivers are trained professionals. However, it can be intense - those with back problems, heart conditions, or who are pregnant should avoid it.

Q:What should I wear on a desert safari?

A: Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing (long pants recommended), closed-toe shoes, sunglasses, and a hat. Bring a light jacket or shawl for the evening as temperatures drop. Avoid white clothing as it will get dusty.

Q:Are desert safaris suitable for children?

A: Yes, most safaris welcome families. However, dune bashing may not be suitable for very young children or those prone to motion sickness. Many operators offer family-friendly options with gentler activities.

Q:What is included in a desert safari?

A: Typically includes hotel pickup/drop-off, dune bashing, camel rides, sandboarding, BBQ dinner, unlimited soft drinks, traditional entertainment (belly dancing, Tanoura show), henna painting, and shisha smoking.

Q:Can I do a desert safari if I have mobility issues?

A: Many operators can accommodate guests with mobility issues. Contact the tour operator in advance to discuss your needs. Some activities like dune bashing and camel rides may have limitations.

Q:What happens if there is bad weather?

A: Desert safaris operate year-round. In rare cases of severe weather (sandstorms), tours may be rescheduled or refunded. Light rain doesn't typically cancel tours.

Don't Miss the Perfect Abu Dhabi Experience

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Why Visit Abu Dhabi?

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque - One of the world's most beautiful mosques

Rich cultural heritage with world-class museums and heritage sites

Pristine beaches and luxurious beachfront resorts

Thrilling theme parks on Yas Island including Ferrari World and Warner Bros. World

Authentic Emirati culture and traditional experiences

Sophisticated dining scene and world-class shopping

Best Time to Visit

Weather

Abu Dhabi enjoys year-round sunshine with hot summers (May-September) averaging 95-105°F (35-41°C) and pleasant winters (November-March) with temperatures of 70-80°F (21-27°C).

Best Months

November to March offers the most comfortable weather for outdoor activities and sightseeing.

Peak Season

December to February brings peak tourist season with perfect weather, but higher prices and larger crowds at popular attractions.

Off Season

May to September offers lower prices but extremely hot weather, making indoor attractions and early morning/evening activities more appealing.

Plan Your Abu Dhabi Trip

Transportation Tips

Abu Dhabi has an efficient public bus system, taxis, and ride-sharing services. Many tours include hotel pickup. Renting a car provides flexibility for exploring at your own pace.

Car Rental Deals in Abu Dhabi

Rent a car for maximum flexibility and explore at your own pace on Expedia USA.

Where to Stay

Find the perfect accommodation for your Abu Dhabi adventure. From luxury resorts to cozy hotels, we've got you covered.

Best Hotel Deals in Abu Dhabi

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