Abu Dhabi City Tour with Evening Desert Safari and BBQ Dinner

City landmarks by day, desert camp under stars by night

An eleven-hour Abu Dhabi tour that pairs the city's major sites (Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Emirates Palace, Heritage Village and the Corniche) with an evening desert safari featuring dune bashing, a camel farm visit, camel ride, desert sunset, and a hot barbecue dinner at a Bedouin camp with live shows. Hotel pickup and an English-speaking guide are included. Children from age one are welcome.

Step-by-step itinerary

Abu Dhabi city tour and desert safari

• Hotel pick-up for city tour
• Visit Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
• See Emirates Palace
• Walk along Abu Dhabi Corniche
• Explore Heritage Village
• Visit Abu Dhabi Museum and Yas Island
• Stop at Ferrari World and Marina Mall
• Hotel pick-up for desert safari
• Dune bashing adventure
• Visit camel farm
• Camel ride experience
• Watch desert sunset
• Enjoy Bedouin camp hospitality
• Barbecue dinner and live entertainment

The experience

The day splits into two halves. The morning and early afternoon take you through Abu Dhabi's landmarks: the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque with its marble domes and stone-inlaid interiors, the opulent Emirates Palace (exterior photography stop), the Heritage Village and Museum, and a drive along the Corniche waterfront. You'll also pass the Date Market and get photo stops at the Louvre Museum and Etihad Towers. A guide leads the city portion, and transport is arranged from your hotel.

As evening approaches, a separate pickup takes you into the desert for the safari half. The dune bashing comes first: a 4x4 vehicle tackles the sand with deliberate bumps and drops that make the ride itself the point. After that intensity, you visit a camel farm and take a camel ride across the landscape. The sunset happens from the desert itself, not from a viewing platform, and the light is part of what makes the moment work.

The Bedouin camp is where the day settles. You'll sit under the stars with Arabic coffee, tea and dates, watch a belly dance show and a Tanoura dance performance, get a henna tattoo applied, try sand boarding or skiing on the dunes, and shoot photos in traditional Arabic costume and with a falcon. The hot barbecue dinner arrives with starter food and soft drinks. Stargazing happens in the dark desert away from city light, and a fire show closes the evening.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off for both the city tour and desert safari.
• English-speaking guide for the city portion.
• entry to Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and Heritage Village.
• exterior photography at Emirates Palace.
• dune bashing in a 4x4 vehicle.
• camel farm visit and camel ride.
• desert sunset viewing.
• Bedouin camp experience with Arabic coffee, tea and dates.
• hot barbecue dinner with starter food.
• belly dance and Tanoura dance performances.
• henna tattoo.
• sand boarding or skiing.
• traditional Arabic costume photoshoot and falcon photography.
• stargazing in the desert.
• fire show.
• water and soft drinks throughout.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:30, 10:00 and 10:30

Book up to5h before

AgesAdult (4 and older) · Infant (1 to 3 years): free

GroupUp to 100

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancy

Operated by Desert Holidays Abu Dhabi

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want both Abu Dhabi's architectural highlights and an authentic desert evening in one day. The eleven-hour span lets you see the city's major sites without rushing, then transition to the Bedouin camp activities after sunset, so the two experiences don't compete for the same hours.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Infant (1 to 3 years): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque like inside?

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque features exquisite marble domes, a grand interior adorned with precious stones, and massive pillars. The grounds include impeccably manicured green lawns. You'll see these details during the city tour portion of the day.

Does the camel ride happen before or after the desert sunset?

The camel ride at the camel farm comes before the sunset. After you dismount, the tour moves toward the Bedouin camp, where you witness the sunset from the desert itself.

What entertainment is included at the Bedouin camp?

The Bedouin camp includes a belly dance show, Tanoura dancing, a fire show, and a henna tattoo application. You'll also have the chance to do sand boarding or skiing on the dunes and take photos in traditional Arabic costume and with a falcon.

Is hotel pickup included, and does it cover both the city tour and the safari?

Hotel pickup is included for both portions of the day. You're picked up from your hotel for the city tour in the morning, and a separate pickup takes you to the desert for the evening safari.