Liwa Oasis desert drive from Abu Dhabi: 2-hour dune safari

Two hours driving through the world's largest sand desert, watching for Arabian gazelle among dunes that tower red and orange.

A full-day desert safari from Abu Dhabi to Liwa Oasis in the Rub al Khali (Empty Quarter), one of the world's largest continuous sand deserts. You travel by air-conditioned 4x4 with hotel pickup included, spend two hours driving past towering dunes, stop at a camel farm to see traditional Bedouin life, and eat a picnic lunch in a palm-shaded oasis before returning to Abu Dhabi. The tour runs nine hours total and is private, accommodating up to four people per vehicle with a professional driver-guide who speaks English.

Step-by-step itinerary

Full-day Liwa Oasis desert safari

• Travel from Abu Dhabi by 4x4
• Explore Rub' al Khali desert dunes
• Visit lush palm oasis
• See panoramic views from tall sand dunes
• Experience Liwa Camel Farm
• Enjoy picnic lunch in palm-shaded oasis
• Return to Abu Dhabi

The experience

Nine hours from Abu Dhabi gets you into the Rub al Khali, the vast sand desert that covers much of the Arabian Peninsula. The drive itself takes two hours through dunes that shift between red and orange, and the scale of the Empty Quarter is the point: endless horizons, minimal traffic, the kind of silence that makes the landscape feel even larger. You'll watch for Arabian gazelle moving across the sand and stop at a Liwa camel farm where you can see how Bedouin herders work with the animals that have crossed these dunes for centuries.

Lunch happens in the oasis itself, a pocket of date palms and shade in the middle of the desert. The picnic includes soda and mineral water, and the contrast between the open dunes and the cool of the palms is the reason the route exists. The air-conditioned 4x4 means you're not fighting heat during the drive, and the pickup from your Abu Dhabi hotel eliminates the logistics of getting to the trailhead yourself.

What’s included

• Transport by air-conditioned 4x4.
• hotel pickup and drop-off.
• a professional driver-guide who speaks English.
• a picnic lunch with soda and mineral water served in the oasis.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:30

Book up to8h before

AgesAdult (12 to 65 years) · Child (under 12)

GroupUp to 4

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortInfant seats availableNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Emirates Tours and Safaris

Is this one for you?This is a private tour for up to four people, so your group stays together in one vehicle with a dedicated driver-guide rather than joining a shared safari. That setup works well if you want to set the pace, ask questions without a crowd, or prefer to travel with people you know.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 12).

How long is the actual driving through the dunes?

The desert drive lasts two hours, moving through the towering dunes of the Rub al Khali with stops to watch for wildlife and take in the landscape.

What is the Liwa Oasis like when we get there?

Liwa Oasis is a lush pocket of date palm plantations surrounded by some of the world's tallest sand dunes, famous for its rich Bedouin cultural heritage and the stark contrast between green and sand.

Does the tour include lunch?

Yes, a picnic lunch is included and served in the cool of the palm-shaded oasis, with soda and mineral water provided.

What happens at the camel farm?

At Liwa Camel Farm, you see Arabian camels up close and experience a glimpse of traditional Bedouin lifestyle and how the animals are used in desert life.

Is hotel pickup included in the price?

Yes, pickup and drop-off from your Abu Dhabi hotel are included, and the tour departs and returns to your accommodation.

How many people can go in one booking?

The tour is private and accommodates up to four people per vehicle, so your group travels together in one air-conditioned 4x4.