Romantic Private Dune Dinner Abu Dhabi: Sunset & Stargazing

Drive the dunes yourself, then dine by candlelight as the desert darkens

A private desert safari in Abu Dhabi combines dune bashing in a 4x4, a camel farm visit, and a candlelit barbecue dinner in the Al Khatim Desert, with hotel pickup included. The evening spans five hours from pickup through stargazing after dinner, with welcome refreshments at sunset and a full buffet of Arabic and Western dishes.

The experience

The evening starts with a 4x4 pickup from your Abu Dhabi hotel or mall, then a 45-minute drive out to the Al Khatim Desert on the Al Ain Road. Your safari marshal shares stories about Abu Dhabi's customs and traditions along the way. Once you reach the desert, you'll experience dune bashing (the vehicle crests and drops over the sand dunes while you hold on), followed by a photo stop to capture the landscape before sunset arrives.

As light fades, you move to a cushioned seating area for Arabic coffee, dates, and soft drinks while you watch the sun disappear. Dinner follows: a buffet of hummus, muttabel, tabbouleh, fattoush, lentil soup, lamb kebab, shish tawouk, tikka kebab, mixed vegetable curry, pasta, flatbreads, and mixed fruit or um ali for dessert. The meal comes with shisha if you want it. After eating, the sky clears enough for stargazing before the drive back to your hotel ends the evening.

What’s included

• Hotel or mall pickup and drop-off by 4x4 vehicle.
• dune bashing in a 4x4 Land Cruiser.
• camel farm visit.
• welcome refreshments of Arabic coffee, dates, tea, water, and soda at sunset.
• candlelit buffet barbecue dinner with hummus, muttabel, tabbouleh, kebabs, lentil soup, mixed vegetable curry, pasta, flatbreads, and dessert.
• shisha experience.
• stargazing time under the desert sky.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 15:00

Book up to6h 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 or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 12 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availableNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Emirates Tours and Safaris

Is this one for you?At five hours, the safari fits neatly into an evening without consuming your full day, leaving your morning and early afternoon free for other Abu Dhabi activities. The private format means the pacing and timing work around your schedule, not a group's.

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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.

How long does the whole experience take from pickup to drop-off?

The safari and dinner span five hours total, starting with hotel pickup and ending when you return to your hotel after stargazing.

What happens during the dune bashing part?

You ride in a 4x4 Land Cruiser over the sand dunes in the Al Khatim Desert, experiencing the vehicle's motion as it crests and drops across the landscape. A photo stop follows so you can capture the desert before sunset.

What's included in the dinner?

A buffet barbecue with Arabic dishes (hummus, muttabel, tabbouleh, kebabs, lentil soup, mixed vegetable curry) and Western options (pasta, flatbreads), plus mixed fruit or um ali for dessert. Welcome refreshments of Arabic coffee, dates, tea, water, and soda are served at sunset. Shisha is available during dinner.

Is the camel farm visit a hands-on experience?

The itinerary mentions visiting a camel farm to learn about these animals, though the specific activities at the farm are not detailed in the booking information.

Does pickup from my hotel cost extra?

Hotel or mall pickup in Abu Dhabi is included in the price. Your driver will collect you and return you at the end of the evening.

Can I stargaze after dinner?

Yes, after the meal you have time to stargaze under the clear desert sky before heading back to your hotel.