Abu Dhabi: Morning Desert Safari & Camel Ride with Pickup

Summary

Morning light over Al Khatim dunes camel ride and sand boarding

You’ll feel the desert wake up around you as you cross Al Khatim’s dunes on this Abu Dhabi morning desert safari. With dune bashing thrills, time at a camel farm (yes, you can feed them), a quick camel ride, and sand boarding at a traditional camp — plus hotel pickup to keep things easy — it’s an early adventure that lingers in your memory.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was how quiet it felt when we left Abu Dhabi behind — just the hum of the 4x4 and that pale morning light. Our guide, Khalid, handed out bottled water and joked about his driving skills right before we hit the dunes. The desert looked almost silver at that hour, not what I expected. Dune bashing is more intense than it sounds — my stomach dropped a couple times, but in a good way. There was this one moment where I caught myself laughing out loud, gripping the seat as we slid sideways. You can’t really prepare for that feeling.

We stopped for photos by these huge ripples of sand — honestly, I still have grains in my shoes. The air smelled kind of sweet and dusty, and there was this silence except for someone’s laugh drifting from another car. At the camel farm, I tried to feed one (they’re bigger up close), and the handler grinned when I jumped back as it nudged my hand. He told us their names in Arabic; I forgot most of them except “Habibi,” which means “my dear.”

The camp itself was simple but felt welcoming — carpets on the sand, strong coffee poured into tiny cups. My camel ride was short but weirdly calming; you sway so much more than you think you will. Sand boarding was harder than it looks (I wiped out twice), but Khalid cheered anyway. Someone rented a quad bike and vanished in a cloud of dust for a while. On the drive back toward Abu Dhabi, I watched the dunes fade behind us through smudged windows and thought about how different everything feels before noon out here.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Morning Desert Safari and Activities

• Pick up in 4x4 vehicle
• Drive one hour to Al Khatim Desert
• Dune bashing for one hour
• Photo shoot in desert
• Visit camel farm
• Feed camels and take pictures
• Visit traditional camp
• Camel ride experience
• Sand boarding activity

Top questions

How long does the Abu Dhabi morning desert safari last?

The tour lasts about four hours including transfers from Abu Dhabi to Al Khatim Desert and back.

Is hotel pickup included in this morning desert safari?

Yes, hotel or mall entrance pickup is included in Abu Dhabi city limits.

What activities are part of this morning desert safari?

You’ll do dune bashing, visit a camel farm (with feeding), enjoy a short camel ride, sand boarding, and optional quad biking for extra cost.

Is food provided during the tour?

Bottled water is included along with coffee or tea at camp; no full meal is provided.

Can children join this Abu Dhabi desert safari?

This experience isn’t suitable for infants but is generally suitable for all physical fitness levels otherwise.

Is quad biking included in the price?

No, quad biking is available at extra cost if you want to try it at camp.

Are there wheelchair accessible options?

Yes, transportation options are wheelchair accessible for this tour.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup from your hotel or mall entrance in Abu Dhabi by 4x4 vehicle with space for up to six guests per car. You’ll get bottled water throughout the trip plus coffee or tea at camp. The experience covers dune bashing across Al Khatim Desert, photo stops by the sand dunes, visiting a working camel farm (with feeding), trying out a short camel ride just for fun, and sand boarding down soft slopes before heading back to town.