Liwa Desert Safari: Dune Bashing & Rub Al Khali Tour

Dune bashing, a camel farm, lunch in the desert, and the Rub Al Khali at sunset

A full-day desert safari from Abu Dhabi takes you into Liwa and the Rub Al Khali (the Arabian Peninsula's largest contiguous sand desert) with a guide, a 4×4 vehicle, dune bashing, a camel farm visit and lunch at the Green Oasis. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included. The drive to the desert takes roughly 30 minutes from the city.

Step-by-step itinerary

Full day desert safari experience

• Pickup from Abu Dhabi location
• Drive to Liwa desert interiors
• Enjoy thrilling dune drive
• View legendary Rub Al Khali desert
• Visit Liwa Board landmark
• Lunch at local Green Oasis restaurant
• Watch sunset over desert
• Return from desert to Abu Dhabi

The experience

The guide picks you up from your Abu Dhabi hotel in an air-conditioned 4×4 and drives into the Liwa desert interior. Once there, you experience dune bashing (the thrilling sport of driving over sand dunes), led by an expert guide who knows the terrain. The route passes through the Rub Al Khali, also called the Empty Quarter, the legendary sand desert that dominates the Arabian Peninsula. You'll also see the Liwa Board, the Guinness World Record holder for the world's longest landmark sign, a 221-metre-high metal structure that stands as a symbol of the Al Dhafra Region.

After the dune drive, you visit a camel farm to see black and white camels before heading to the Green Oasis for a complimentary Arabic lunch. The day ends as the sun sets over the desert. The guide positions you to watch the light turn the golden sand red and glittering. Water and soft drinks are provided throughout.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from anywhere in Abu Dhabi.
• dune bashing in a 4×4 with an expert guide.
• camel farm visit.
• lunch at the Green Oasis.
• water and soft drinks throughout the day.
• photoshoot opportunities in the desert.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to1d before

GroupPrivate

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Desert Rose Tourism

Is this one for you?You sit as a passenger while the guide drives the dunes, so this suits anyone who wants the thrill of dune bashing without handling the vehicle themselves. The full-day format with multiple stops (dune drive, camel farm, lunch, sunset) works for travelers who want a complete desert experience in one outing rather than a quick half-day run.

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Top questions

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 is the Rub Al Khali and why is it part of this tour?

The Rub Al Khali, known as the Empty Quarter, is the largest contiguous sand desert in the Arabian Peninsula. It's the centerpiece of the Liwa landscape, and the dune-bashing portion of the tour takes you through it so you experience its scale and legendary status firsthand.

Do I drive the dunes myself or does the guide do the driving?

The guide drives the 4×4 through the dunes. You sit as a passenger and experience the dune bashing as the vehicle navigates the terrain. It's thrilling but you're not operating the vehicle.

What happens at the Green Oasis?

The Green Oasis is a local restaurant in the desert where you stop for a complimentary Arabic lunch. It's the midpoint of the day before you continue to the sunset viewing.

Is the camel farm visit hands-on or do I just look?

The tour includes a visit to a camel farm where you see black and white camels. The reference material describes it as a visit. The specific activities at the farm are not detailed, so confirm the level of interaction when you book.

How long is the drive from Abu Dhabi to the Liwa desert?

The drive from Abu Dhabi city to the Liwa desert takes roughly 30 minutes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, so the guide collects you from your accommodation and returns you at the end of the day.