Camel Riding in Abu Dhabi: 4-hour morning safari
Desert at dawn: three rides, one morning, no planning needed
You get picked up from your Abu Dhabi hotel, driven 45 minutes into the Al Khatim Desert, and spend the morning in a 4x4 dune bash, a short camel ride, and sandboarding down steep slopes. Arabic refreshments are served at the Bedouin camp between activities. The whole thing wraps by early afternoon, which is what makes the morning timing work. You avoid the worst heat and still fit three separate experiences into one outing.
Options for this experience
2 optionsStep-by-step itinerary
Morning desert safari activities
- Pick up from Abu Dhabi hotels
- Drive to Al Khatim Desert
- Dune bashing and camel farm visit
- Refreshments at desert camp
- Short camel ride
- Sandboarding on dunes
- Leave desert camp
- Drop off at hotel
What’s included
Your morning includes hotel or mall pickup from Abu Dhabi, a 45-minute drive to Al Khatim Desert, a full dune-bashing session in a 4x4 vehicle, a short camel ride at the Bedouin camp, a sandboarding run down the dunes, Arabic tea and coffee with dates and soft drinks at camp, and hotel drop-off by early afternoon.
Times
- Every day 07:00
Before you book
Operated by Emirates Tours and Safaris
Prices and times updated 3 days ago
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The experience
The 4x4 hits the first dune and the wheels spin sideways into the sand. That's the dune bash: forty-five minutes from Abu Dhabi city, the driver finds the steepest slopes and leans into them while you grip the door handle and watch the desert tilt. It's not smooth. It's not meant to be. The vehicle climbs, drops, climbs again, and the whole thing takes about an hour before you roll into the Bedouin-style camp where the air is still cool and the sand hasn't yet turned into something that burns through your shoes.
At the camp you get Arabic tea, coffee, dates, and water (the real stuff, not the tourist version), and then it's time for the camel. The ride is short, maybe ten or fifteen minutes, but long enough to feel the animal's rhythm and understand why people crossed deserts on these things for centuries. After that comes the sandboard. It looks like a snowboard, feels like one too, and the idea is simple: climb a dune and slide down it. The sand is steep enough that you actually move, and steep enough that you'll probably fall at least once. That's the point. By the time the driver drops you back at your hotel, you've done three separate desert things in one morning, and the heat hasn't even arrived yet.
The whole day runs about four hours from pickup to drop-off, which is why they start early. The desert in Abu Dhabi gets serious by midday, and this tour is built around beating that. You're back at your hotel by early afternoon, still covered in sand, still buzzing from the dune bash.
Is this one for you?Right for travelers staying in Abu Dhabi who want three desert activities without arranging transport or timing. The early start is what keeps all three fits inside one cool morning before the heat peaks.
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Top questions
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 13).
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.
How long is the camel ride?
It's a short ride, roughly ten to fifteen minutes, included as one of three activities during the morning.
What's included in the refreshments at camp?
Arabic tea, coffee, dates, soft drinks, and mineral water. No meals, just light refreshments between activities.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, pickup and drop-off from any hotel or mall within Abu Dhabi city limits are included.
How far is the desert from Abu Dhabi?
The drive to Al Khatim Desert takes about 45 minutes from the city.
What is dune bashing?
It's a high-energy 4x4 drive across steep sand dunes where the driver navigates slopes and drops. Expect a bumpy, thrilling ride.
Is sandboarding difficult?
No experience needed. You climb a dune and slide down on a board. It's beginner-friendly, though falling is part of the experience.
How long does the whole tour take?
The tour is four hours total, including hotel pickup and drop-off.
Who should not do this tour?
It's not recommended for pregnant travelers, people with spinal injuries, back problems, or poor cardiovascular health due to the bumpy dune bashing.
What time does the tour start?
It's a morning safari timed to beat the desert heat. Exact pickup time depends on your hotel location.
Can I bring my infant?
Yes, specialized infant seats are available. Check with the operator about age requirements.
Camel Riding in Abu Dhabi: 4-hour morning safari
4h · EN · at your hotel
from AED 248 per person
≈ US$ 66 in your currency
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