Abu Dhabi: Evening Desert Safari, Camel Ride & BBQ Dinner

Summary

Evening desert safari with BBQ camel ride sandboarding & shows

You’ll sip cardamom coffee as you head out from Abu Dhabi for an evening desert safari full of wild dune bashing, camel rides, sandboarding fun, henna painting, local BBQ flavors, and live dance shows. Expect laughter, good food, unexpected moments with locals—and maybe even silence under desert stars before heading back to your hotel.

What’s the experience like?

It started with Khalid handing me a tiny cup of cardamom coffee at the edge of Abu Dhabi — I almost spilled it climbing into the Land Cruiser, but he just grinned and said, “Desert’s forgiving.” The city faded fast behind us and suddenly there was just sand everywhere, this endless orange sea. Dune bashing was wilder than I expected; one moment we were sideways on a slope and everyone in the car was laughing or holding their breath. The wind outside tasted dry and sharp, and I got red dust in my shoes right away (should’ve worn socks). We stopped at a camel farm where a baby tried to nibble my sleeve — honestly, that was my favorite photo from the whole trip.

Later at camp, someone handed out dates and sweet tea while the sun dropped behind the dunes. I tried on a dishdasha for a picture (Li laughed when I tried to say it in Arabic — probably butchered it), then gave sandboarding a go. It’s harder than it looks; I fell twice but didn’t really care because everyone else did too. There was this quiet moment before dinner when you could hear nothing but distant voices and the soft hiss of shisha smoke curling up into the cooling air. The main keyword here is evening desert safari Abu Dhabi — but honestly, it felt less like a tour and more like being let in on something locals actually enjoy.

The BBQ buffet had everything from smoky chicken kebabs to creamy hummus — I piled my plate high and went back for seconds on the Umm Ali dessert (still think about that cinnamon smell). After dark, dancers spun under colored lights and there was this fire show that made everyone gasp. On the drive back to Abu Dhabi, I watched stars flicker through the window. It’s strange how quiet you feel after so much noise and color out there.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Desert safari with activities and BBQ

• Pick up from Abu Dhabi
• Travel to Bedouin-inspired desert camp
• 4x4 dune bashing adventure
• Try sandboarding
• Short camel ride
• Visit camel farm and photo stop
• Henna painting
• Photo with falcon (if available)
• Try traditional Arabian attire
• Enjoy BBQ buffet dinner
• Watch belly dance show (except Ramadan)
• Watch Tanoura dance performance
• Watch fire show
• Shisha smoking and star gazing
• Return to Abu Dhabi

Top questions

What activities are included in the Abu Dhabi evening desert safari?

The tour includes dune bashing in a 4x4 vehicle, short camel riding, sandboarding, henna painting, photo opportunities with a falcon (if available), trying traditional Arabian attire, shisha smoking session, live dance performances (Tanoura dance, belly dancing except during Ramadan), fire show, stargazing, plus time at a Bedouin-style camp.

Is hotel pickup included in the Abu Dhabi desert safari?

Yes, round-trip transport with pickup and drop-off is included for all guests.

What food is served during the BBQ buffet dinner?

The buffet includes hummus, mutabbal, taboulah, fatoush, coleslaw, French fries, pasta arabiata, chicken shish kebab/grills, chicken grill pieces, Arabic kofta kebab/grill, white rice with vegetable gravy, Umm Ali dessert and mixed fruit salad.

Are vegetarian options available on this tour?

Vegetarian options are limited but available based on the buffet menu provided.

Can children join the Abu Dhabi evening desert safari?

Yes; children under 4 must be supervised by parents at all times. Infant seats are available if requested at booking (child rate applies).

Is quad biking included in this tour?

No; quad bikes can be rented separately for an additional cost at camp.

Is belly dancing performed during Ramadan?

No; belly dancing is not performed during Ramadan and alcohol is not served during this period.

What should I wear for the evening desert safari?

Comfortable clothing is advised—closed shoes and trousers for quad biking; bring warm layers if traveling between October–March as evenings can be cool.

What’s included

Your evening includes hotel pickup and drop-off from Abu Dhabi by 4x4 Land Cruiser (shared basis), wild dune bashing across golden sands with your local guide behind the wheel, visits to a camel farm plus short camel rides and sandboarding fun at camp. Enjoy henna painting sessions or try on traditional clothes for photos. Relax over sweet tea or coffee with dates before tucking into a full BBQ buffet dinner featuring grilled meats and local salads. Watch Tanoura dance spinning or fire shows under open skies—belly dancing when not Ramadan—and finish with stargazing before heading back to your hotel late evening.