Sunrise Desert Tour
First light over empty dunes, the best photos of your trip.
Early Morning
AED 390
child AED 290
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Abu Dhabi Desert
Safari Tours
Every Arabiers Abu Dhabi Desert safaris in one place. Pick the time of day, pick the comfort level and you’re done. Transparent prices, honest inclusions, no surprises at camp.
Written by
Mujeeb Rahman
Senior Manager, Desert Ground Operations
TOURS FROM
189 AED
/ per person
Move the sun. See what the desert has for you.
Every safari happens at its own hour. Drag the sun and watch. Every safari takes place at its own hour. Drag the sun. See what happens.
Sunrise Morning Evening Night
Standard
Premium
Premium Sunrise Tour with Breakfast
Watch the sun come up, then eat breakfast in the desert.
Early Morning
See tour
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Bedouin Desert Breakfast Experience
A traditional breakfast in the quiet early desert.
Morning
See tour
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Abu Dhabi desert safari
At a Glance
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Starting price
From AED 189 per person for a shared evening safari
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Tour types
Morning, evening, sunrise, overnight, private buggy and quad bike
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Duration
Evening safari about 6 hours; overnight up to 24 hours
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Main location
Al Khatim desert, Abu Dhabi; Liwa for premium desert tours
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Distance from city
Most desert camps are around 50 minutes from Abu Dhabi city
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Best time
October to March, when the weather is cooler
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Includes
Return 4x4 transfer, dune bashing, camel ride, BBQ dinner and live shows
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Cancellation
Free cancellation on most tours up to 24 hours before departure
The honest comparison
Standard, Premium or VIP: exactly what changes
Most companies keep this one vague. We publish it so that you know exactly what you are paying for before you book and not after you arrive at the camp.
| What you get | Standard | Premium | VIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle | Toyota Land Cruiser | Mercedes G Class | Mercedes G Class |
| Guide | Safari Guide | Safari Guide | Safari Guide plus Emirati Historian |
| Washroom | Shared in camp | Taken to camp if needed | VIP mobile washroom |
| Dining | Shared BBQ buffet | Live private BBQ | Live private BBQ plus food and fruit platters |
| Seating | In the camp | Sunset Dune Majlis | Royal Red Carpet Majlis |
The fourth level is private tours which means your own vehicle, your own dune and your own setup. Any private tour can be arranged at Premium or VIP standard on request. Sunrise and morning tours are daylight tours, with refreshments and no-shows. Evening Tours include BBQ and all 3 live shows. Overnight includes a pop up tent or Arabic tent, sunrise and breakfast.
Prices
How much does an Abu Dhabi desert safari cost?
An Abu Dhabi desert safari starts at approximately AED 189 per person for a shared evening tour with 4x4 transfers, BBQ dinner and live shows. Morning and sunrise safaris start at around AED 360 to 390, camel trekking from AED 390 and private buggy tours or a romantic desert dinner range from about AED 550 to 1690.
| Standard tour | Adult | Child |
|---|---|---|
| Standard evening safari (4x4) | 210 AED / 58 USD | 190 AED / 52 USD |
| Standard morning safari (4x4) | 360 AED / 99 USD | 290 AED / 79 USD |
| Standard overnight safari (4x4) | 390 AED / 107 USD | 330 AED / 90 USD |
| Camel trekking (4x4), morning | 490 AED / 134 USD | 390 AED / 107 USD |
| Camel trekking (4x4), evening | 390 AED / 107 USD | 290 AED / 79 USD |
| ATV (quad bike) tour | 390 AED / 95 USD | 290 AED / 81 USD |
| Sunrise desert safari | 390 AED / 107 USD | 290 AED / 79 USD |
Know before you go
Which desert will you actually go to ?
Most tour pages don’t tell you that. There are three main safari areas in Abu Dhabi. They are all at different distances from the city and offer different experiences. Your tour will take you to the safari area that matches its style.
Al Khatim or Al Kazna
About 45 to 60 minutes from the cityThe classic safari deserts. Rolling golden dunes and the camps where most evening safaris, BBQ dinners and live shows take place.
Al Wathba
About 40 to 50 minutes from the cityHome of the famous fossilized sand dunes, some 120,000 years old and camel race track. Our 4x4 tours here are to scenery no other desert has.
Liwa
About 2.5 hours south, edge of the Empty QuarterGiant dunes including the Moreeb Dune at nearly 300 m. Full day or overnight trip instead of an evening outing. Dreaming of the giant dunes? Our Liwa desert safari into the Empty Quarter takes you to Moreeb Dune and the world’s tallest sands as a full expedition of its own.
Which desert will you actually visit?
Honest answer: the desert experience itself is similar, because both cities run 4x4 safaris to golden dunes with BBQ camps. The differences are practical.
| Feature | Abu Dhabi desert safari | Dubai desert safari |
|---|---|---|
| Crowd level | Quieter, more space per camp | Busier, more tourists |
| Scenery | Al Khatim and Liwa mega dunes | Red dunes near the city |
| Atmosphere | Heritage, stargazing, sunrise | High energy, show focused |
| Best for | Layovers, couples, overnight | First time, quick city add on |
| Drive from city | About 50 to 70 minutes | About 30 to 45 minutes |
Morning, evening or overnight: which to choose?
| Safari | Best for | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Morning and sunrise | Cooler weather, photography, fewer crowds | Dune bashing, camel ride, calm light, no dinner |
| Evening | Best value, full experience, layovers | Dune bashing, BBQ dinner, live shows, stargazing |
| Overnight | Sunset and sunrise, stargazing, couples | Camp stay, campfire, dinner and breakfast in the desert |
Most travellers on a layover or short visit choose the evening safari for the best mix of price and inclusions. With a full day free, an overnight tour gives you both the sunset and the sunrise.
Guided safari or self-drive?
Desert driving looks easy, and it isn’t. Tyre deflation, a momentum reading and recovery equipment are required for dune bashing. A guided safari puts you in a 4x4 with a driver who crosses these dunes daily so you get the thrill without the risk.
What should you wear?
Light, loose clothing works all year round. Shorts are acceptable on safari, but many guests choose to wear light trousers for camel rides and the evening camp. Bring a cozy layer from November to March.
You're bringing kids?
Yes, safaris are family friendly. Drivers soften dune bashing on request for young or nervous passengers, and baby seats are available when requested at booking.
Thinking of a honeymoon or a proposal?
The sunset hour is for this in private: your own dune, candle-lit table and live BBQ with no one else around. Say the occasion, the team takes care of the rest quietly.
From the ground team
Insider tips from Abu Dhabi safari guides
Sunset timing
Sunset shifts through the year. Check the current time before you head out for a sunset safari.
Safari without dune bashing
You do not have to do dune bashing. It is not ideal for pregnant women or older travellers, and gentler activities are available.
Rain and sandstorms
It rarely rains in the Abu Dhabi desert, so weather cancellations are rare. If a sandstorm occurs, the safari is rescheduled.
Dinner buffet quality
On group tours you may queue for dinner, and food quality depends on the package. Premium and private tours offer a higher standard and table service.
Cancellation policy
Submit cancellations at least 24 hours before the tour. Premium tours may be non-refundable, so read your voucher carefully.
Frequently asked questions
On clear, moonless nights, yes. The best views are at Al Quaa, the darkest accessible sky in the emirate, where our overnight desert camping is designed around stargazing.
Shared Abu Dhabi desert safaris start from about AED 189 per person. The final cost depends on the tour time, vehicle type and included activities.
It depends on the time of day, and we publish it per tour. Evening safaris include dune bashing, a camel ride, sandboarding, sunset watching, a BBQ dinner and three live shows. Morning and sunrise tours include desert activities with refreshments and no shows. Overnight trips add a pop tent, sunrise and breakfast.
An evening safari is usually about six hours. Overnight tours can run for up to 24 hours.
No. Morning and sunrise tours focus on desert activities and refreshments. Live shows are normally part of evening safari programmes.
Most standard safaris operate in Al Khatim. Selected scenic tours visit Al Wathba, while premium full-day and overnight expeditions can travel to Liwa.
Yes. Light, comfortable clothing is suitable. Many guests choose light trousers for camel riding and cooler desert evenings.
Yes. Dune bashing can be softened on request, and child seats should be requested during booking.
Yes, when your connection leaves enough time for airport pickup, the safari and return before check-in. Share your flight times with the team before booking.
October to March offers cooler weather. Sunrise and morning departures are also comfortable outside the main winter season.
Most standard tours include return 4x4 transfers from Abu Dhabi hotels. Confirm your exact pickup location when booking.
Ready to book your Abu Dhabi desert safari?
Talk to our local Abu Dhabi team to match the right morning, evening or overnight safari to your dates, group and budget, with hotel or airport pickup arranged.