Morning Desert Safari & Quad Biking in Abu Dhabi

Summary

Abu Dhabi Desert Adventure: Quad Biking, Camels & Sandboarding

If you want real desert adventure close to Abu Dhabi—quad biking, camels, dune bashing—this morning tour packs it all in without eating up your whole day. You’ll come back with sand in your shoes and plenty of stories.

What’s the experience like?

The desert’s got its own kind of quiet in the early hours. We left the city just after sunrise—Abu Dhabi still waking up behind us—and soon the buildings faded into endless sand. Our driver, Khalid, had that easy confidence you want when you’re about to tackle dunes in a Land Cruiser. The first thing I noticed stepping out was how cool the air felt, even though you could already smell the sun warming up the sand.

Before anything else, we hopped onto quad bikes for a quick spin. It’s only 15 minutes but honestly, it’s enough to get your heart going—especially when you hit those little dips and feel the grit flying up. There’s something about steering through open desert that makes you forget about everything else for a bit.

Khalid took us over to a small camel farm next. The camels were surprisingly chill—one kept chewing on my backpack strap while I tried to snap a photo. You get a short ride (just long enough for some awkward grins and sandy shoes), then it’s back in the 4x4 for dune bashing. That part? Wild. It’s like being on a rollercoaster with no tracks—sand spraying everywhere, everyone laughing or yelling as we slid down steep slopes.

We stopped at one of those high dunes for photos—the view goes on forever out there. Tried sandboarding too; it looks easy until you realize how slippery that stuff is under your feet. By mid-morning, the sun was getting serious so cold water and soft drinks tasted extra good before heading back to town.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Morning Desert Safari and Activities

• Drive to desert
• Quad Bike tour
• 4x4 Land Cruiser dune bashing
• Visit Camel farm
• Sandboarding
• Photo opportunities
• Quad Bike driving
• Short camel ride

Top questions

Is this morning safari suitable for kids?

Kids can join but should be comfortable with bumpy rides and supervised during quad biking and sandboarding. Check age restrictions before booking.

What should I wear for this tour?

Light clothes, closed shoes (sand gets everywhere), sunglasses, and maybe a scarf for wind or sun protection work best.

How long does the whole experience last?

The tour takes around four hours including pickup and drop-off from your hotel in Abu Dhabi.

Can I skip any activities if I don’t want to participate?

You can opt out of any activity—just let your guide know on the day.

What’s included

You’ll get picked up from your hotel in a 4x4 vehicle, enjoy 15 minutes of quad biking, visit a camel farm (with a short camel ride), go dune bashing for about half an hour, try sandboarding if you’re up for it, plus water and soft drinks along the way. All rides are included; just bring your sense of adventure!