Abu Dhabi: Private Desert Safari with Dinner & Guide

Summary

Private Abu Dhabi desert safari with dinner and local guide

You’ll ride across Abu Dhabi’s dunes in a private 4x4 with a local guide who shares stories along the way. Try dune bashing, visit a camel farm, then relax in your own seating area for a BBQ dinner under lanterns. Enjoy live dance shows, shisha, henna tattoos, and finish by stargazing on cool desert sand—a night you’ll remember long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll be honest — I almost missed the start because I couldn’t find my sunglasses (sand in the car, classic). Our driver, Khaled, just grinned and waved me over anyway. The 4x4 felt way fancier than I expected. We left Abu Dhabi behind so fast it was like the city just fell away — suddenly it was all gold sand and that weird quiet you only get in the desert. Khaled kept pointing out things I’d never have noticed: a falconer’s truck here, some wild camels way off in the haze. He told us stories about growing up nearby — his laugh was big enough to fill the whole car.

The dune bashing part? Wild. I thought I’d hate it (motion sickness is real), but honestly it was more fun than scary. Sand everywhere, sun slipping lower — at one point we stopped on this ridge where the wind made the sand feel cool on my ankles. There was this smell of cardamom from someone brewing coffee nearby (I think another group?), and for a second everything went really still except for some distant laughter and the crunch of sand under boots.

Dinner was set up in this private seating area — low tables, lanterns flickering, cushions that made me sink right in. The food came out hot: grilled lamb, smoky eggplant stuff whose name I can’t pronounce (Li laughed when I tried to say it in Arabic — probably butchered it). There were dancers swirling around us later; one little kid got up to try spinning too and nearly toppled into his dad’s lap. We tried shisha for the first time (minty-sweet) while someone painted a henna tattoo on my hand — she hummed quietly as she worked.

After all that noise and color, there was this moment after dinner when everyone wandered off to look at stars. It’s hard to explain how dark it gets out there — you sort of lose your sense of direction. Khaled pointed out Orion’s Belt with his phone flashlight; I still think about that silence sometimes when things get loud back home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — VIP Evening Desert Safari

• Luxury desert safari with 4x4 transport
• Exclusive sunset views from secluded dunes
• Guided personalized desert experience
• Starry night immersion in the desert
• Gourmet dining under the stars

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for this Abu Dhabi desert safari?

Yes, transport in a 4x4 vehicle with pickup is included.

What kind of food is served during the dinner?

A hot BBQ dinner is served at your table with starters and soft drinks.

Are there live performances during the evening?

Yes, there are belly dance shows, Tanoura dancing, and a fire show included.

Can I try camel riding on this tour?

Yes, there is a camel riding session plus a visit to a camel farm.

Is stargazing part of this desert safari experience?

Yes, you’ll have time for stargazing while sitting on the dark desert sand.

Are vegetarian options available for dinner?

The menu includes starters and BBQ; specific dietary needs should be requested ahead.

How long does the tour last?

The experience covers an evening from pickup until after dinner and stargazing.

Is this tour suitable for young children or infants?

Specialized infant seats are available but not recommended for pregnant travelers or those with spinal injuries.

What’s included

Your evening includes transport in a private 4x4 vehicle with hotel pickup and drop-off from Abu Dhabi; visits to a camel farm; dune bashing; sand boarding; camel riding session; falcon photoshoot; Arabic coffee, tea and dates; hot BBQ dinner served at your table with water and soft drinks; shisha smoking; belly dance show; Tanoura dancing; fire show; henna tattoo art; Arabic costume photoshoot; plus plenty of time for stargazing under the desert sky before heading back.