Can you ride camels in Abu Dhabi?
Yes. You can ride camels in the Abu Dhabi desert on a guided camel trek. With Arabiers this is a dedicated camel ride: a proper trek across the dunes, led on foot by a handler, offered as a morning tour or a sunset tour, from 390 AED per person. No experience is needed and the camels are calm and well cared for.
Camel trekking in Abu Dhabi is one of the oldest ways to see the desert, and still one of the best. A camel safari in Abu Dhabi is not about speed; a camel tour here is about slowing down and letting the desert come to you. A camel's slow, rolling walk lets you take in the dunes at a human pace, which is why a camel ride in Abu Dhabi stays near the top of most first-time visitors' lists.
Morning trek or sunset trek
The same guided camel trek, at the time that suits you best.
Ride out as the light turns gold over the dunes: an evening trek and a sunset camel ride, cooler than midday and the favourite for photos.
Head out in the cool of the morning, when the desert is quiet and the sand still holds the night's chill.
How this differs from the camel ride on a safari
Our desert safaris do include a camel ride, but honestly it is one short round at the camel farm, a taster as part of a busy day. This tour is the real thing. It is longer, it is the focus of the trip rather than a stop along the way, and it gives you proper time on the camel across the dunes. If a camel ride is the main thing you want, book this. If you would rather have the short ride as part of a full evening with dune bashing and dinner, take the evening desert safari with a BBQ, camel ride and sandboarding instead.
What's included, and what's not
Included
- A guided camel trek across the dunes (morning or sunset)
- A calm, well-cared-for camel led on foot by a handler
- Time to ride and take photos
- Bottled water on board
- Soft drinks, Arabic coffee, dates and tea
- Your desert guide throughout
Not included
- 4x4 dune bashing (this is a camel tour, not a safari)
- BBQ dinner and live shows (part of the evening safari)
- Quad bike or dune buggy
- Hotel transfer, unless arranged when you book
Prefer everything in one evening? The camel ride also comes bundled into our safaris, dinners and camps. This page is for when the camels are the reason you are going.
Where a camel ride fits in your desert plans
Here is how a dedicated camel trek sits alongside the other ways to enjoy the Abu Dhabi desert.
| Experience | Camel time | Also includes | From | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camel Trekking Tour (this page) | A full guided trek | Camels are the focus | Evening 390 / Morning 490 AED per person | |
| Evening desert safari with a BBQ, camel ride and sandboarding | One short round | Dune bashing, BBQ and shows | 189 AED per person | View → |
| Private desert dinner at your own majlis | Optional at the farm | Private BBQ dinner and sunset | 1,690 AED per couple | View → |
See how it all fits together in our complete Abu Dhabi desert safari guide.
Is this experience right for you?
We would rather you book the right tour than the wrong one. Here is the honest picture.
Perfect if you...
- Want a proper camel ride as the main event
- Love the idea of the desert at a slow, calm pace
- Are after great photos in morning or sunset light
- Are travelling with children or first-time riders
Maybe not, if you...
- Want dune bashing and a BBQ too (take the evening safari)
- Only want a quick sit on a camel (that comes with any safari)
- Are looking for a private couples' dinner (see the private desert dinner)
- Want quad bikes or buggies
Fancy a camel trek?
Tell us your date, group size and whether you prefer morning or sunset, and we will set it up.
Contact us
Frequently asked questions
Yes. You can ride camels in the Abu Dhabi desert on a guided camel trek. With Arabiers this is a dedicated camel ride, a proper trek across the dunes led on foot by a handler, available as a morning or a sunset tour, from 390 AED per person.
Our dedicated camel trek is from 390 AED per person for the sunset slot and 490 AED per person for the morning slot. This is a full guided trek, not the short single camel round that comes as part of a desert safari.
On our desert safaris, the camel ride is one short round at the camel farm, included as part of the day. This tour is a standalone camel trek: a longer, guided ride across the dunes with time for photos, focused only on the camels.
Both are good. The morning trek is cooler and quieter, ideal in the warmer months. The sunset trek gives you golden light over the dunes and is the favourite for photos. Choose the time that suits your day.
Yes. The camels are calm and well cared for, and each is led on foot by a handler, so no experience is needed. It suits families, couples and first-time riders. Very young children ride with an adult.
The trek runs for roughly an hour of desert time, held on the dunes near Al Khatim in the Abu Dhabi desert. Tell us your hotel and we will confirm the meeting or pick-up details when you book.
Yes. Our camels are working desert camels that are well fed, rested and handled calmly. Rides are kept comfortable for both the rider and the animal, and a handler stays with each camel throughout.
