Abu Dhabi Desert Safari & BBQ Dinner with Camel Rides

Sand dunes at sunset, then dinner under stars in a Bedouin camp

You get picked up in Abu Dhabi, spend the afternoon dune-bashing in a 4x4 and watching the sunset from the highest point, then move to a Bedouin camp for camel rides, henna painting, shisha, belly dancing and a full barbecue dinner under the stars. The fixed itinerary and included transport mean you don't arrange any of it yourself. Just show up and the evening unfolds.

Step-by-step itinerary

Desert safari and Bedouin camp experience

• Depart Abu Dhabi city
• Drive over golden sand dunes
• Dune bashing in 4x4 vehicle
• Stop at highest dune for sunset
• Refresh with complimentary mineral water
• Continue to Bedouin desert campsite
• Enjoy henna painting and local costumes
• Ride a camel in the desert
• Smoke flavored shisha (hubbly bubbly)
• Watch belly and folk dance performances
• Dine on barbecue buffet under stars

The experience

The engine sound changes the moment the 4x4 leaves the paved road: a shift from city hum to the crunch of sand beneath tires. You're heading into the Arabian Desert from Abu Dhabi, and the dunes start small before they tower. The drive itself is the first thing: the vehicle tilts and climbs, drops and accelerates across slopes that feel less like a road and more like a test. Your guide handles it, and after the initial jolt, you settle into watching the landscape turn from tan to gold as the afternoon light flattens across the sand.

The safari stops at the highest dune to watch the sunset, and this is where the pace slows. Mineral water appears, and you stand there while the sky shifts from white to orange to deep red, the dunes casting long shadows across themselves. It's the kind of moment that photographs never quite capture: the heat still coming off the sand, the quiet, the sheer size of the place. After that, the drive continues to the Bedouin camp deeper in the desert, where the real evening begins. The camp is set up with low seating, lanterns, and the smell of charcoal and spiced meat already in the air.

Once you arrive, the activities unfold without rush. Henna painting happens at one corner: the artist works quickly, and the paste cools on your skin while you wander. Camel rides leave from another spot. The animal kneels, you climb on, and then it stands and sways as it walks a circuit through the sand. Sandboarding is there if you want it, and you can try on traditional Arabic dress for photos. The shisha pipes come around in different flavors (apple, mint, rose), and people tend to linger over them. A belly dancer performs as the light fades completely, followed by folk dancers in traditional tannora costumes, spinning and stamping while the music builds.

Dinner is a full buffet spread under the stars: grilled meats, rice, salads, bread, all of it served while you sit on cushions and the camp staff keeps the soft drinks, coffee and tea flowing. The whole experience runs about six hours from pickup to return, and by the time you're heading back to Abu Dhabi, the desert has shifted from something you were driving through to something you've actually spent an evening in.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup in Abu Dhabi, a 6-hour 4x4 desert safari with dune-bashing and a sunset stop at the highest dune, entry to the Bedouin camp, camel rides, henna painting, traditional costume photo opportunities, shisha pipes in various flavors, a full buffet dinner with grilled meats and salads, unlimited soft drinks, coffee and tea, a belly dance performance and traditional tannora folk dancing, and return transport to your hotel. An air-conditioned vehicle is used throughout.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 15:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (5 to 11 years) · Infant (under 5)

GroupUp to 40

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 2 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomeNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Events Lab L.L.C

Is this one for you?Book this if you want the core desert experience (dunes, sunset, camp activities and dinner) without arranging transport, timing or camp entry yourself. The fixed schedule packs all of it into one evening and handles the logistics.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 11 years); Infant (under 5).

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 experience?

About 6 hours total, including the drive from Abu Dhabi, dune-bashing, sunset stop, and the camp activities and dinner.

Is hotel pickup included?

The tour departs from Abu Dhabi. Confirm your pickup location and time when you book.

What's included in the dinner?

A full buffet with grilled meats, rice, salads and bread, plus unlimited soft drinks, coffee and tea throughout the evening.

Is the camel ride included?

Yes, camel rides are part of the camp activities and included in the tour price.

What if I'm not comfortable with dune-bashing?

The 4x4 drive is central to the safari. If you have spinal concerns or other health conditions, contact the operator before booking.

Do I need to bring anything?

Bring sunscreen, sunglasses and a light jacket for the evening. The vehicle is air-conditioned, and water is provided.

Is the belly dance show family-friendly?

Yes, it's a traditional performance suitable for all ages.