Abu Dhabi: Morning Desert Safari & Dune Bashing with Camel Ride
Desert at dawn beats the heat, and the crowds
You get picked up from your hotel or cruise terminal at 8am, driven an hour into the desert, and spend three hours dune bashing, riding camels, sand boarding, and photographing a falcon. Drinks and water are included. You're back by noon, with the afternoon still yours.
Step-by-step itinerary
Morning desert safari and activities
- Pickup from Abu Dhabi location
- Drive 60 minutes to desert
- Dune bashing with photo stops
- Visit camel farm
- Camel riding and sand boarding
- Photos with falcon
- Enjoy soft drinks and water
- Return to pickup location by noon
What’s included
Your morning includes hotel, cruise terminal, or home pickup by 4x4, a 60-minute drive to the Al Khazna desert, a dune bashing session with photo stops, a visit to the camel farm, camel riding, sand boarding, falcon photos, and soft drinks and water throughout the 4-hour experience. Drop-off is back at your original pickup location around noon.
Times
- Every day 08:00
Before you book
Operated by Desert Rose Tourism
Prices and times updated 5 days ago
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The experience
The 4x4 pulls up ten minutes early, which throws off the whole morning rhythm until you realize that's actually the point. You're heading into the Abu Dhabi desert on a morning safari, and the driver wants to beat the heat and the tour groups that pile in later. After a 60-minute drive from your hotel or cruise terminal, the dunes start to roll, and the dune bashing begins: the vehicle tilts and drops across the sand in a way that feels chaotic until you understand the driver knows exactly what they're doing. There's a photo stop at the camel farm first, where the animals are calm and the light is still soft.
Once you're in the camp, the pace loosens. You can ride a camel if you want, or skip it and try sand boarding instead: basically sledding down a dune, which is harder than it looks and funnier when you fall. The falcon is there for photos, and that part moves fast. People line up, hold the bird, get the shot. Soft drinks and water come around throughout, which matters because even in the morning the desert pulls moisture out of you. The whole thing is built to fit into a morning. You're back at your hotel or cruise terminal by noon, which leaves the afternoon free for whatever else Abu Dhabi has on your list.
The group stays small, which changes how the experience feels. You're not herded. You move at your own pace between activities. If you want to linger with the camels or take extra time on the dunes, nobody's rushing you. The driver handles the route and the timing, so you don't have to think about navigation or logistics. You just show up and get picked up.
Is this one for you?Right for travelers staying in Abu Dhabi without a car who want the desert experience finished by lunchtime. The morning timing and fixed pickup mean you don't arrange transport or timing yourself. You just show up at your hotel.
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Top questions
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 9 years); Infant (1 to 3 years): free.
What time does the morning desert safari start?
Pickup is at 8am from your hotel, cruise terminal, or private residence. The drive to the desert takes about 60 minutes.
How long is the tour?
The total tour is about 4 hours, including the drive. You're back by around noon.
What activities are included?
Dune bashing, camel riding, sand boarding, falcon photos, and a visit to the camel farm. Soft drinks and water are provided throughout.
Is pickup from the cruise terminal available?
Yes. Pickup is available from Abu Dhabi hotels, cruise terminals, airport hotels, shopping malls, or private residences.
What's the minimum group size?
A minimum of 2 people per booking is required.
Can infants go on the tour?
Yes. Infants must sit on an adult's lap, or you can book a specialized infant seat for an additional child rate.
Do I need to be very fit for this tour?
You should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness. The dune bashing and sand boarding require some stability and movement.
Is lunch included?
No. Soft drinks and water are included, but not a meal. You'll be back by noon if you want to eat afterward.
Abu Dhabi: Morning Desert Safari & Dune Bashing with Camel Ride
4h · EN · at your hotel
from AED 199 per person
≈ US$ 56 in your currency
Next, you choose your date and number of travelers and see the final price.