Guides pick the spot
Al Khatim or Al Khazna on the day, our guides drive to where the dunes and light are best, not a fixed tourist lot.
In detail
The short answer: Abu Dhabi's classic evening desert safari, about 7 hours, hotel pickup around 2:30 PM, dune bashing, a camel ride, sandboarding, sunset, a live BBQ buffet dinner and live shows, back by around 9:30 PM. Shared 4x4 from 189 AED per adult (169 child, infant free), or a private 4x4 for your group from 790 AED.
It is the evening option in our full Abu Dhabi desert safari range and the one most first-time visitors book, because it packs the whole desert experience into one afternoon and evening. Where we differ from the big operators is in the details: our guides choose the dunes on the day for the best drive and light, the camp is mid-sized rather than 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 189 AED per adult on a shared 4x4, with children at 169 AED and infants free. A private 4x4 for your group only is from 790 AED for 2 guests, 890 AED for 4 and 1050 AED for 5 (up to 6 guests). VAT is included.
Return hotel pickup and drop-off, dune bashing, a camel farm visit, a camel ride, sandboarding, sunset viewing, a live BBQ buffet dinner, live shows (tanoura, belly dance, fire show), shisha in the designated area and stargazing. Quad bike and dune buggy are optional paid add-ons; alcohol, private transfers and seat selection are not included.
It is one short round on the camel. Some operators advertise a full camel ride when it is not, so we would rather tell you exactly what is included: a short camel ride plus the camel farm visit.
The evening safari is the full experience: about 7 hours, a shared 4x4 (or private), sunset, a BBQ dinner and live shows. The morning and sunrise safaris are shorter, private 4x4 tours with refreshments only and no dinner or shows.
Yes. A private 4x4 (up to 6 guests) is from 790 AED, and on a private tour you can set the dune-bashing intensity to suit your group. For a fully private setup, a sunset dune majlis or royal red carpet majlis dinner is available from 1690 AED per couple.
On a shared tour the drive flows with the group. On a private tour the guide sets the intensity to your choice, gentle for children or older guests, or more thrilling on request. Vehicles are roll-protected Toyota Land Cruisers driven by desert-trained guides.
A live outdoor BBQ buffet at the desert camp, all halal, with grills such as chicken botti and seekh kebab, hot dishes, salads, starters and dessert, plus tea, coffee, water and soft drinks. Clearly labelled vegetarian options are available. The menu is seasonal, so not every item is available each day, and it is served outdoors in the desert.
October to April, the cooler months, are the most comfortable. The tour runs year-round; in summer the camp is quieter and smaller, which some guests prefer.
All Abu Dhabi hotels, residences and malls, plus Yas Island, Saadiyat and the cruise port. Dubai pickup is available 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.
