Abu Dhabi Evening Desert Safari: Dune Bashing & Camel Ride
What happens when you trade the city for sand dunes at sunset?
You're picked up from your Abu Dhabi location and driven 45-50 minutes into the desert for dune bashing, sand boarding, and a sunset stop. At a traditional camp, you ride a camel, get henna painted, watch belly dance and Tanoura performances, and eat a BBQ dinner with coffee and dates. The return drive gets you back by evening, with all transport and activities included in one booking.
Options for this experience
2 optionsStep-by-step itinerary
Abu Dhabi Evening Desert Safari
- Pick up from Abu Dhabi location
- Drive 45-50 minutes to desert
- See herds of camels
- Enjoy dune-bashing adventure
- Try sand-boarding activity
- Watch the desert sunset
- Arrive at traditional camp
- Have welcome coffee and dates
- Take short camel ride for photos
- Enjoy henna painting and shisha
- Pose with falcon in costume
- Watch Tanoura and Belly Dance
What’s included
- Your day includes hotel, cruise terminal, or airport pickup and drop-off in an air-conditioned Land Cruiser.
- dune bashing and sand boarding in the desert.
- a sunset stop.
- a short camel ride at the traditional camp.
- henna painting and shisha smoking.
- a photo with a falcon in traditional costume.
- Tanoura and belly dance performances.
- a BBQ dinner.
- and Arabic coffee, tea, soft drinks, and dates throughout the evening.
Times
- Every day 14:30 15:00 15:30
Before you book
Operated by Extreme Arabia
Prices and times updated 2 days ago
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The experience
You get picked up from your hotel, the cruise terminal, or the airport (wherever you are in Abu Dhabi), and climb into an air-conditioned Land Cruiser for a 45 to 50 minute drive out to the desert. The road out gets quieter, the buildings drop away, and then suddenly there's nothing but sand in every direction. Your driver knows the terrain. The vehicle is insured and built for this. You're heading toward the dunes where herds of camels actually roam, and the sun is already starting its angle toward the horizon.
Once you hit the sand, the dune bashing starts. The driver takes the Land Cruiser up and down the dunes in a way that feels like surfing on land: your stomach lifts, the angle shifts, and you understand why people come back for this part alone. After that rush settles, you try sand boarding, which is exactly what it sounds like: a board, a slope of sand, gravity. Then you stop for the sunset. There's no filter needed. The light turns the dunes gold and orange, and you're standing in the middle of it with nothing around you but sand and sky.
The traditional camp is where the evening slows down. You get welcomed with Arabic coffee and dates (the real thing, not a photo moment), and then the activities start rolling. Henna painting on your hands, shisha smoking if you want it, a photo with a falcon in traditional dress (yes, that's a thing). The Tanoura dancer spins in his tall hat, and then the belly dancer takes the floor. A short camel ride happens here too, more for pictures than distance, but you're actually on a camel in the desert at dusk. Dinner is a BBQ spread, and soft drinks and tea keep coming. The whole evening runs until late, and your driver brings you back to wherever you started.
The Abu Dhabi evening desert safari works because it stacks different things (the adrenaline of dune bashing, the calm of sunset, the novelty of camel riding, the entertainment of the camp) into one trip. You don't arrange transport separately, you don't hunt for the desert on your own, and you don't miss the sunset trying to figure out timing. The pickup and drop-off are included, which means you show up at your hotel or terminal and the day unfolds from there.
Is this one for you?Book this if you want the main Abu Dhabi desert experience (dunes, camel, sunset, entertainment) without arranging your own transport or timing the camp activities. The pickup and fixed schedule handle both, which is what makes an evening in the desert fit into a single outing.
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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 (4 to 12 years); Infant (under 4).
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.
How long is the whole Abu Dhabi desert safari?
The drive out takes 45-50 minutes from the city. The full experience, including dune bashing, camp activities, dinner, and the return drive, runs several hours into the evening.
Is the camel ride included?
Yes. It's a short ride at the traditional camp, mainly for photos, and it's part of the package.
What's included in the price?
Pickup and drop-off from your hotel, cruise terminal, or airport; the air-conditioned Land Cruiser; dune bashing; sand boarding; camel ride; henna painting; shisha smoking; falcon photo; Tanoura and belly dance performances; BBQ dinner; and Arabic coffee, tea, soft drinks, and dates.
Is dune bashing safe?
The vehicles are insured and driven by experienced marshals from Extreme Arabia Safari. The tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnant travelers, or those with poor cardiovascular health.
Can I do this if I'm staying at the airport or a cruise port?
Yes. Pickup is available from hotels, the cruise terminal, or the airport, so you don't need separate transport to start the tour.
What if I don't want to do all the activities?
Most activities at the camp (henna, shisha, falcon photos, dances) are optional. You can watch or participate as you prefer. The camel ride and BBQ dinner are part of the experience.
Is there a best time to book this tour?
The tour is built around the sunset, so it runs in the evening. Booking in advance ensures your pickup slot is confirmed.
Abu Dhabi Evening Desert Safari: Dune Bashing & Camel Ride
6h · EN +1 · at your hotel
from AED 279 per person
≈ US$ 74 in your currency
Next, you choose your date and number of travelers and see the final price.