In detail
The short answer: a sunset desert safari in Abu Dhabi with a 30 minute self drive quad. Pickup around 2:00 PM, quad ride, dune bashing and sandboarding into the golden hour, sunset over the dunes, then a BBQ dinner and live shows at camp, back by around 9:30 PM. From 390 AED per adult (290 child, infant free) on a shared 4x4, quad included.
It sits in our full Abu Dhabi desert safari range as the sunset and quad choice. The timing is set so the drive and photos land in the best light of the day, and the quad gives you an active half hour before the sun goes down. Dinner and the shows are included and round off the night, but the reason to book this one is the sunset and the ride, not the buffet.
The quad ride
A 30-minute self-drive quad bike on a marked desert area, after a safety briefing from our team. You drive it yourself, no licence needed for the desert area. It runs at the start of the tour, before dune bashing, so you get the quad while there is still light.
Please note: the quad is self-drive and quad insurance is not included, so you ride at your own responsibility, follow the guide's instructions and stay within the marked area. Ask us about minimum age and height before you book.
Your itinerary
Timings are indicative and may vary slightly with traffic, sunset time and desert conditions.
Hotel pickup
Collected from your Abu Dhabi hotel, residence or mall.
Drive to the desert
Out to the Al Khatim dunes.
Safety briefing
Quad bike area and briefing from the team.
30-minute quad ride
Self-drive quad bike experience.
Dune bashing
Ride the ridges in the 4x4.
Camel farm & sandboarding
Camel farm visit, sandboarding and desert photos.
Sunset viewing
Watch the sun set over the dunes.
Tanoura dance
First live show at the camp.
BBQ buffet dinner
Live outdoor BBQ buffet.
Belly dance & fire show
More live shows, plus shisha in the designated area.
Stargazing
Wind down under the desert sky.
Return to hotel
Drive back to Abu Dhabi.
What's included, and what's not
Included
- Private 4x4 with an experienced Abu Dhabi dune driver
- Hotel pickup and drop-off within Abu Dhabi
- Dune bashing on the Al Khatim dunes
- Sandboarding
- Camel farm visit and short camel photo stop
- Desert walk and camp entry
- Refreshments: Arabic coffee, tea, soft drinks and dates
- Insurance, VAT and service charges
Not included
- Meals (morning tour is refreshments only)
- Live shows (available on the evening safari)
- Quad bike or dune buggy add-ons
- Alcohol
Evening safari: with or without the quad?
Both tours are the same evening experience: dune bashing, sunset, BBQ dinner and shows. This is the only difference:
| Tour | Quad bike | Vehicle | Meal & shows | From | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Evening Desert Safari | Not included | Shared or private | BBQ + live shows | 189 AED | View → |
| Sunset Safari with Quad Bike (this tour) | 30-min self-drive | Shared 4x4 | BBQ + live shows | 390 AED |
Comparing the safari types? See our full desert safari line-up →
Is this experience right for you?
We'd rather you book the right tour than the wrong one. Here's the honest picture.
Perfect if you...
- Want to drive a quad and do the evening safari in one trip
- Like a bit of adrenaline before the camp evening
- Want the full package: dunes, sunset, BBQ and shows
- Are a couple or group up for an active evening
Maybe not, if you...
- Don't want the quad (book the standard Evening Safari from 189)
- Want a private tour only (ask us about a private option)
- Prefer a quiet morning or sunrise experience
- Are not comfortable with a self-drive quad
Tell us your group size, child-seat needs and pickup location when you book.
Questions before you book?
Ask our Abu Dhabi desert team about quad eligibility, private transfers, pickup locations or group bookings.
Contact us
Frequently asked questions
From 390 AED per adult on a shared 4x4, including a 30-minute self-drive quad bike. Children are 290 AED and infants are free. VAT is included.
It is a 30-minute self-drive quad bike experience after a safety briefing from our team. You drive the quad yourself on a marked desert area.
The experience is the same evening safari, dune bashing, sunset, BBQ buffet dinner and live shows. This tour adds a 30-minute self-drive quad bike at the start, which is why it costs more. The standard Evening Desert Safari is from 189 AED without the quad.
A 30-minute self-drive quad bike, hotel pickup and drop-off, dune bashing, a camel farm visit, sandboarding, sunset viewing, a live BBQ buffet dinner, live shows (tanoura, belly dance, fire show), shisha in the designated area and stargazing. Dune buggy, alcohol, private transfer and seat selection, and quad insurance are not included.
The quad ride is self-drive after a safety briefing, and quad insurance is not included, so guests ride at their own responsibility. Please follow the guide's instructions and stay within the marked area. Contact us about age and eligibility before you book.
No driving licence is needed for the self-drive quad on the desert area; our team gives a safety briefing first. Please ask us about minimum age and height requirements when you book.
A live outdoor BBQ buffet at the desert camp, all halal, with grills, hot dishes, salads, starters and dessert, plus tea, coffee, water and soft drinks. Clearly labelled vegetarian options are available. The menu is seasonal and served outdoors, so not every item is available each day.
All Abu Dhabi hotels, residences and malls, plus Yas Island, Saadiyat and the cruise port. Dubai pickup is available on request.
Mujeeb Rahman
Senior Manager, Desert Ground Operations
Operated by Arabiers' Abu Dhabi desert team, led by Mujeeb Rahman, with more than 9 years of experience running Abu Dhabi desert safaris, dune driving, quad activity coordination and desert camp setups.
Last updated: 19 July 2026
