Abu Dhabi Desert Safari: Private 4x4, BBQ Dinner & Live Shows

★★★★★★★★★★ 4.86 (152 reviews) 93% rated it 5 stars

Free cancellationExcellent quality

1/7

Duration7h

GroupUp to 100

LanguagesEN

PickupAt your hotel

Private 4x4 ride across Abu Dhabi dunes with sunset camp & BBQ

You’ll race across golden Abu Dhabi dunes in your own 4x4, try sandboarding (wipeouts welcome), and ride camels as the sun sets over endless sand. At a Bedouin-style camp, share Arabic coffee and dates before digging into a BBQ buffet with live belly dance and fire shows. The desert feels different at night—quiet but somehow full of life.

Step-by-step itinerary

Desert safari with dinner and shows

Drive 4x4 across golden dunes
Carve down sand slopes on board
Ride camel at sunset
Arrive at Bedouin-style camp
Drink Arabic coffee and eat dates
Enjoy BBQ buffet dinner
Watch belly-dance, Tanoura, fire shows

The Experience

I didn’t expect the sand to feel cold under my fingers when we stopped the 4x4 for photos — but it was, just a bit, even though the sun was still hanging on. Our driver, Khalid, grinned when he caught me brushing it off my jeans. He told us these dunes outside Abu Dhabi shift every year, like they’re alive. The drive itself? Let’s just say I laughed so hard during dune bashing I probably startled a few lizards (and maybe myself). It’s wilder than it looks in videos.

Sandboarding was next — way harder than snow, by the way. I wiped out twice but honestly didn’t care; there’s something about falling in soft sand that makes you want to try again. The camel ride at sunset felt almost too quiet after all that noise and bouncing around. The camels moved slow and steady, their feet making these soft thuds I can still hear if I close my eyes. Khalid showed us how to greet them properly (I think mine liked me — or at least tolerated me).

The Bedouin-style camp was already glowing with lanterns when we arrived. There was this sweet smell from the shisha pipes mixing with grilled meat from the BBQ buffet. Arabic coffee tasted earthy and strong — not what I’m used to at home — and the dates were sticky and rich. People chatted quietly until the music started up for the belly dance and Tanoura show; suddenly everyone was clapping along or just staring at the fire dancer spinning sparks into the night air. It felt like time slowed down a little out there, you know?

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Abu Dhabi by private 4x4 vehicle, dune bashing over golden sands, sandboarding fun (even if you fall!), a gentle camel ride at sunset, plus water and soft drinks to keep cool. At camp you’ll have Arabic coffee with dates before enjoying a BBQ buffet dinner alongside live belly dance, Tanoura show, fire performance—and even shisha if you want to try it—before heading back under starry skies.

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Adventure Destination Tourism L.L.C