Abu Dhabi Evening Desert Safari: Dune Bashing & ATV Rides
Sand dunes at sunset, then fire and music under stars in Abu Dhabi
You get picked up from your hotel, spend the late afternoon in a 4x4 doing dune bashing and riding a camel, then take a thirty-minute ATV ride across the sand. At the desert camp, you eat barbecue dinner, watch fire and belly dance performances, get henna applied, and photograph yourself with a falcon. Transport, all activities, food and entertainment are included. You just show up ready to move.
Step-by-step itinerary
Evening Desert Safari Adventure
- Depart for desert safari
- Experience dune bashing in 4x4
- Ride a camel
- Try sandboarding on dunes
- Visit desert camp
- Enjoy live entertainment shows
- Savor barbecue dinner under stars
What’s included
Hotel pickup and drop-off in Abu Dhabi, transport in a 4x4 vehicle, dune bashing session, thirty-minute ATV or quad bike ride, camel farm visit and camel riding, sandboarding, barbecue dinner with grilled meat and bread, soft drinks and water, Arabic coffee and tea with dates, shisha, live entertainment including fire show and belly dance performance, Tanoura dancing show, henna tattoo application, Arabic costume photoshoot with a falcon, stargazing time at the desert camp, and a sunset photo stop.
Times
- Every day 14:30 15:00
Before you book
Operated by Desert Holidays Abu Dhabi
Prices and times updated 8 days ago
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The experience
A 4x4 vehicle pulls away from the city as the light turns gold across the dunes. You're heading into the desert outside Abu Dhabi for the next few hours, and the first thing that hits you is how fast the landscape changes once you leave the roads behind. The driver knows the dunes. They accelerate into the slopes, drop down the other side, and your stomach does the thing it does on a steep hill. That's dune bashing, and it's the reason most people book this evening safari. You get maybe thirty to forty minutes of it, which is enough to feel the rhythm of it, to stop gripping the handle quite so hard.
After the driving settles down, there's the camel farm stop, where you can walk around and then actually ride one of the animals across the sand. It's slower than you'd think, and the camel's gait is nothing like a horse. You feel every step. Then comes the ATV section: thirty minutes on a quad bike if you want it, which means you're steering your own machine across the dunes instead of sitting in a passenger seat. Some people skip it. Most don't. The sand is soft enough that you can't really hurt yourself, and the guides keep the pace manageable. After that, sandboarding happens: basically a snowboard on sand, which works better than it sounds, especially if the slope is steep enough.
By the time you reach the desert camp, the sun is down and the sky has that deep blue color it gets just after sunset. The camp is set up with cushions and low tables, and the food starts arriving: grilled meat, rice, bread, soft drinks. There's Arabic coffee and dates, shisha if you want it. Then the entertainment begins. A fire show first, which is exactly what it sounds like, followed by belly dancing and the Tanoura show, which is a spinning dancer in a massive skirt that lights up. It's not subtle, but it's not trying to be. You can get henna done on your hands, wear an Arabic costume for photos with a falcon, and just sit there watching the stars come out properly. The whole thing, from pickup to drop-off, runs about five to six hours.
What makes this different from other desert tours is the ATV piece. Most evening safaris stick to camel rides and dune bashing in a vehicle. The thirty minutes on a quad bike gives you something to do with your hands and your own sense of control, which changes how the evening feels. The camp itself is standard (you'll see similar setups on other tours), but the combination of activities and the timing around sunset means you're not sitting around waiting for dark. Things move.
Is this one for you?Pick this if you want more than just a camel ride and dune bashing: the ATV section and the camp activities give you something to do with your hands and keep the evening moving instead of waiting for dark.
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Top questions
What languages is the tour guided in?
Live guide in English and Arabic.
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 10 years).
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 time does the safari start and when does it end?
Pickup is typically in late afternoon (around 3–4 PM depending on the season), and you're back at your hotel by around 9–10 PM. The exact times shift with sunset.
Is the ATV ride included or is it extra?
The thirty-minute ATV ride is included in the tour price. You don't have to do it, but it's part of what you've paid for.
Do I need experience to ride an ATV?
No. The guides brief you on the basics, and the pace is controlled. Most people with no prior experience complete it without issue.
What's included in the barbecue dinner?
Grilled meat, rice, bread, starter food, soft drinks, Arabic coffee, tea, dates and shisha. Alcohol is not served.
Can I skip activities like camel riding or sandboarding?
Yes. You can opt out of any activity without penalty. The guide will let you rest at the camp instead.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes. Pickup and drop-off from Abu Dhabi hotels are included in the tour price.
What should I wear?
Comfortable clothes you don't mind getting sandy, closed-toe shoes for the ATV, and a light layer for the evening when it cools down. Sunscreen and sunglasses are recommended.
Abu Dhabi Evening Desert Safari: Dune Bashing & ATV Rides
6h · EN +1 · at your hotel
from AED 373 per person
≈ US$ 99 in your currency
Next, you choose your date and number of travelers and see the final price.