Abu Dhabi Desert Safari: Dune Bashing, Camel Ride & BBQ Dinner
Race over dunes, ride camels, and savor BBQ as desert stars ignite the night
A 6-hour Abu Dhabi desert safari tour takes you across sand dunes in an air-conditioned vehicle for dune bashing, sandboarding and camel riding, then into a Bedouin-themed camp for henna painting, sheesha smoking, traditional dance performances and a barbecue dinner with drinks. Hotel pickup is included.
What’s included
- Air-conditioned 4x4 vehicle for dune bashing.
- sandboarding on the dunes.
- camel ride through the desert.
- visit to a Bedouin-themed camp.
- henna painting.
- Arabic coffee and dates.
- sheesha smoking.
- belly dance and tanoura dance performances.
- barbecue dinner with grilled meat and sides.
- soft drinks and bottled water throughout the day.
- hotel pickup and return.
Times
- Every day 15:00
Before you book
Operated by VooTours Tourism
Prices and times updated 4 days ago
Need assistance?Message us on WhatsApp or by emailTraveler reviews
The experience
What makes a desert safari worth the time is the mix of speed and stillness: the adrenaline of dune bashing followed by the quiet of a camel ride across the same landscape. This tour strings together both. You start with dune bashing in a 4x4 vehicle, then move to sandboarding on the golden dunes, a camel ride through the Arabian desert, and a visit to a traditional Bedouin camp nestled in the sand. The whole loop runs 6 hours from pickup at your hotel.
At the camp, the pace slows. You'll try henna painting on your hands, sip Arabic coffee and dates, and smoke sheesha if you want to. The barbecue dinner arrives as the sun drops (grilled meat, sides and soft drinks included), and two live performances follow: a belly dance show and a tanoura (spinning skirt) dance. These are the moments most people come back to. An optional quad bike ride across the desert is available for an extra charge if you want more speed after the camel ride.
The vehicle is air-conditioned and the driver handles the route, so you're free to focus on the dunes, the camp and the food. Bottled water comes with you throughout the day. The tour wraps before dark, and you're back at your hotel by evening.
Is this one for you?The tour moves at a steady clip (dune bashing and camel riding take up the first half, then the camp and dinner fill the second), so it suits travelers who want action and culture in one afternoon without building the day themselves. The vehicle and guide handle the route and timing, which is what keeps all the stops inside 6 hours.
Compare the 12 alternatives
Top questions
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 12).
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 exactly happens during the dune bashing part of the Abu Dhabi desert safari?
Dune bashing is the high-speed drive across the sand dunes in a 4x4 vehicle: the driver navigates steep slopes and valleys, which is what gives the ride its adrenaline rush. It's the opening act of the tour, before you move to sandboarding and the camel ride.
Is the camel ride a long trek or just a short ride around the camp?
The camel ride is a scenic journey through the Arabian desert as part of the tour's route, not a brief loop around the camp. It's one of the main activities and gives you time to see the landscape from a different pace than the vehicle.
What's included in the barbecue dinner at the Bedouin camp?
The barbecue dinner includes grilled meat, sides and soft drinks: coffee, tea, bottled water and soda are all part of the package. Alcoholic beverages are not included and can be purchased separately if available.
Does the tour include hotel pickup, or do I need to get to a meeting point?
Hotel pickup is included in the tour price, so the driver collects you from your Abu Dhabi hotel at the start and returns you at the end.
Can I do the quad biking, or is it only for experienced riders?
Quad biking is optional and available for an additional charge beyond the tour price. It's offered as an extra activity for anyone who wants more desert riding after the camel experience.
How much walking or physical activity is involved in this safari?
Most of the tour is spent in the vehicle or on a camel, so walking is minimal. Sandboarding, henna painting and the camp activities require you to be on your feet, but the pace is relaxed. The tour is suitable for all fitness levels, though it's not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnancy or poor cardiovascular health.
Abu Dhabi Desert Safari: Dune Bashing, Camel Ride & BBQ Dinner
6h · at your hotel
from AED 301 per person
≈ US$ 80 in your currency
Next, you choose your date and number of travelers and see the final price.