Guides pick the place
On the day of Al Khatim or Al Khazna our guides drive us to where the dunes and light are best, not a fixed tourist spot.
In detail
This Classic Abu Dhabi Evening Desert Safari (Approx 7 hours) Hotel pickup at 2:30pm, dune bashing, camel ride, sandboarding, sunset, live BBQ buffet dinner & live shows, back at 9:30pm. Shared 4x4 from 189 AED per adult (169 child, infant free) or private 4x4 for your group from 790 AED.
It is the evening choice of our full range of desert activities and the most booked by first-time visitors, as it combines the whole desert experience into one afternoon and evening. The big operators and us differ in the details. Our guides choose the dunes of the day for best drive and light. The camp is mid-size, not a several hundred person site. And we tell you exactly what is and is not included, no surprises when you arrive.
Your itinerary
Timings are indicative and can vary with traffic, sunset and desert conditions.
Hotel pickup
Collected from your Abu Dhabi hotel, residence or mall.
Drive to the desert
Out to the Al Khatim or Al Khazna dunes.
Dune bashing
Ride the ridges; intensity flows with the group or your choice on private.
Camel farm, short camel ride & sandboarding
Meet the camels, take one short ride and sandboard the slopes.
Sunset viewing
Watch the sun set over the dunes.
Dinner and live shows
Tanoura dance, live BBQ buffet, belly dance and fire show.
Shisha and stargazing
Relax in the designated shisha area and enjoy the desert sky.
Return to hotel
Drive back to Abu Dhabi.
The BBQ dinner
Live outdoor BBQ buffet · all halal
Chicken botti
Seekh kebab (lamb)
Fish pakoda
Veg biryani & rice
Mixed veg curry, daal
Pasta, red beans
Green & cabbage salad
Hummus, fresh roti
Samosa, falafel
Arabic custard
Tea, coffee
Water, soft drinks
A live outdoor BBQ buffet at the desert camp, all halal, with clearly labelled vegetarian options. A typical spread includes:
The menu is seasonal, so not every item is available each day, and it is served outdoors in the desert. Vegan or Jain meals can be arranged for group bookings on request.
What's included, and what's not
Included
- Return hotel pick-up and drop-off (shared 4x4)
- Bottled water on board
- Dune bashing
- Camel farm visit and a short camel ride
- Sandboarding
- Sunset viewing over the dunes
- Live BBQ buffet dinner (halal)
- Live shows: tanoura, belly dance and fire show
- Henna tattoos
- Arabic costume photos
- Falcon photo (falcons available in winter)
- Shisha in the designated area
- Soft drinks, Arabic coffee, dates and tea at the camp
- Stargazing
Not included
- Quad bike and dune buggy add-ons
- Alcohol
- Private transfer and seat selection on the shared tour
- Shisha served at your table
Straight talk: the camel ride is one short round. We would rather tell you exactly what you get.
Go private
Want the desert to yourselves? A private 4x4 (up to 6 guests) means no sharing, your own guide, and dune bashing at the intensity you choose, gentle for kids and grandparents, or as wild as you like.
Private 4x4 · 2 guests
790 AEDPrivate vehicle & guide, same evening itinerary.
Private 4x4 · 4 guests
890 AEDUp to 4 guests, private throughout.
Private 4x4 · 5 guests
1050 AEDUp to 5 (vehicle holds 6).
For a fully private setup, a sunset dune majlis or royal red carpet majlis dinner, from 1690 AED per couple. See private desert dinner options →
Evening, morning, sunrise or overnight: how they differ
| Experience | Starts | Duration | Vehicle | Meal & shows | From | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Evening Desert Safari (this tour) | 2:30 PM | ~7 hrs | Shared or private | BBQ dinner + live shows | 189 AED | |
| Sunrise Desert Safari | 5:00 AM | ~4 hrs | Private 4x4 | Golden-hour, refreshments | 390 AED | View → |
| Morning Desert Safari | 8:00 AM | ~4 hrs | Private 4x4 | Refreshments only, no shows | 360 AED | View → |
| Overnight Desert Safari | 2:30 PM → next AM | ~18 hrs | Private 4x4 | Dinner, breakfast, camp | 780 AED | View → |
Want to weigh up every option? Compare all four Abu Dhabi safaris →
Is this experience right for you?
We would rather you book the right trip than the wrong one. Here is the honest picture.
Perfect if you...
- Want dunes, sunset, dinner and shows in one tour
- Are visiting Abu Dhabi for the first time
- Want strong value on a shared 4x4
- Are a family or group planning an evening out
- Would consider going private for your own pace
Maybe not, if you...
- Want the quiet, cooler desert at dawn
- Prefer a completely private camp
- Want to camp overnight and stargaze late
- Do not want dinner or shows
Questions before you book?
Ask about shared vs private, pickup from Yas, Saadiyat or the cruise port, group rates or dietary needs and our Abu Dhabi team will reply shortly.
Frequently asked questions
From AED 189 per adult on a shared 4x4 Children AED 169 Infants free of charge Private 4x4 for your group only from 790 AED for 2 guests, 890 AED for 4 and 1050 AED for 5 (up to 6 guests). inclusive of VAT.
Dune bashing. Camel farm visit. Camel ride. Sandboarding. Sunset view. Live BBQ buffet dinner. Live shows (tanoura, belly dance, fire show). Shisha in the designated area. Stargazing. Return hotel pick up and drop off. Optional extras are quad bike and dune buggy. Alcohol, private transfers and seat selection not included.
It is one short round on the camel. Some operators will advertize a full camel ride when it isn’t, so we prefer to tell you exactly what you’re getting – a short camel ride + the camel farm visit. If you need longer camel riding experience you need a private tours as limited camels available in Abu Dhabi Desert for camel riding tours, book our private camel ride tour in Abu Dhabi if you are dreaming about riding camels on dunes
The full experience is the evening safari, about 7 hours long, a shared 4x4 (or private), sunset, a BBQ dinner and live shows. The morning and sunrise safaris are short, private 4x4 tours with refreshments only. No dinner or shows.
Yes. 790 AED for a private 4x4 (up to 2 guests) and you can tailor the dune-bashing intensity to suit your group on a private tour. For a totally private experience, a sunset dune majlis or royal red carpet majlis dinner is available from 1690 AED per couple.
On a shared tour the drive is with the group. The guide will set the intensity to your choice on a private tour, gentle for children or older guests, or more thrilling on request. Vehicles are roll protected Toyota Land Cruisers driven by desert trained guides.
All halal live outdoor BBQ buffet at the desert camp, with grills like chicken and seekh kebab, hot dishes, salads, starters and dessert, plus tea, coffee, water and soft drinks. There are clearly labeled vegetarian options. The menu is seasonal so not all items are on the menu every day. And served outdoors in the desert.
The most comfortable months are the cooler months, October-April. The tour is open all year and in summer the camp is quieter and smaller, which some guests prefer.
All hotels, residences and malls in Abu Dhabi and on Yas Island, Saadiyat and the cruise port. Pickup Dubai on Request.
Safety & peace of mind
Vehicles are Toyota Land Cruiser 4x4s, roll-protected, driven by desert-trained guides. They are comprehensively insured, with passenger personal-accident cover up to AED 200,000 per person, unlimited third-party liability for bodily injury, emergency medical expenses, cover for belongings in the vehicle, 24-hour roadside assistance and National Ambulance access. Arabiers Travel and Tourism LLC is a licensed operator under licence number 1176592. Guests should also hold their own travel insurance.
