In detail
The short answer: a private, 4-hour morning desert safari in Abu Dhabi with dune bashing, a camel farm visit and sandboarding. Pickup 8:00–8:30 AM, back at your hotel by 12:30 PM. From 360 AED per person, children up to 12 at 290 AED, infants free.
This is the daytime, private counterpart to our evening safari. A private 4x4 collects you from any Abu Dhabi hotel around 8 AM and drives to the Al Khatim dunes. After the drive out you go dune bashing across the ridges, try sandboarding, visit a camel farm for photos, and take Arabic coffee, tea and dates at a desert camp before heading back. Because it runs on a private vehicle it's yours to pace, good for families with children and for anyone who'd rather see the desert in cool morning light than the evening rush.
Prefer to be out for the golden hour? See our Sunrise Desert Safari (5 AM). Want the BBQ dinner and live shows? That's the Evening Desert Safari.
Morning, sunrise, evening or overnight: how they differ
| Experience | Starts | Duration | Vehicle | Meal & shows | From | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunrise Desert Safari | 5:00 AM | ~4 hrs | Private 4x4 | Golden-hour, refreshments | 390 AED | View → |
| Morning Desert Safari (this tour) | 8:00 AM | ~4 hrs | Private 4x4 | Refreshments only, no shows | 360 AED | |
| Evening Desert Safari | 2:30 PM | ~6 hrs | Shared 4x4 | BBQ dinner + live shows | 189 AED | View → |
| Overnight Desert Safari | 2:30 PM → next AM | ~18 hrs | Private 4x4 | Dinner, breakfast, camp | 780 AED | View → |
Not sure which suits you? Compare all four safaris on our main Abu Dhabi Desert Safari page →
Your itinerary
Timings are indicative and may vary slightly with traffic and desert conditions.
Hotel pickup
Private 4x4 collects your group from any Abu Dhabi hotel.
Arrive at the desert
Reach the Al Khatim dunes and lower the tyre pressure for the drive.
Dune bashing & sandboarding
Ride the ridges, then sandboard the slopes.
Camel farm & camp
Visit a working camel farm; enjoy Arabic coffee, tea and dates at camp.
Final photos & freshen up
Take your last desert photos before the drive back.
Hotel drop-off
Return to Abu Dhabi with the afternoon still free.
What's included, and what's not
Included
- Private 4x4 with an experienced Abu Dhabi dune driver
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off within Abu Dhabi
- Bottled water on board
- Dune bashing on the Al Khatim dunes
- Sandboarding
- Camel farm visit and a short camel photo stop
- Desert walk and camp entry
- Soft drinks, Arabic coffee, dates and tea at the camp
- 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
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 a private 4x4 for just your group
- Are travelling with children or prefer cooler air
- Have a flight or plans later the same day
- Want dune bashing and photos without a late night
- Prefer a calmer, less crowded desert
Maybe not, if you...
- Want a BBQ dinner and live shows (choose the evening safari)
- Are here mainly for golden-hour photos (choose sunrise)
- Want to camp and stargaze (choose overnight)
- Are on the tightest budget (the shared evening tour is lower)
Tell us your group size, child-seat needs and pickup location when you book.
Questions before you book?
Ask us about dates, private set-ups, family groups or child seats and our Abu Dhabi team will reply shortly.
Contact us
Frequently asked questions
Hotel pickup is between 8:00 and 8:30 AM. You reach the desert by 9:00 AM and are back at your hotel by 12:30 PM, about a 4-hour tour.
The morning safari is private, cooler and about 4 hours with no meal or shows, just dune bashing, camel farm, sandboarding and refreshments. The evening safari is shared, about 6 hours, and includes a BBQ buffet dinner and live shows.
Neither is better overall; they suit different travellers. Pick morning for cooler air, a private vehicle, families and same-day flights. Pick evening for a BBQ dinner, live shows and the lowest price on a shared 4x4.
Yes. Cooler morning temperatures, a private 4x4 for your group only, and a finish before lunch make it well suited to families with children and to anyone who prefers not to be out late.
From 360 AED per person on a private 4x4. Children up to 12 are 290 AED and infants are free. VAT is included.
Choose the sunrise safari (5:00 AM pickup) if golden-hour photography is the priority. Choose the morning safari (8:00 AM pickup) for a more relaxed, family-friendly start that still finishes by midday.
In the Al Khatim desert, about 45 minutes from Abu Dhabi city. It is a genuine dune area, not a roadside stop, so you get real dune bashing and open desert scenery.
It is private. The 4x4 is for your group only, so you can enjoy the experience at your own pace.
A private 4x4 with driver, hotel pickup and drop-off in Abu Dhabi, dune bashing, sandboarding, a camel farm visit, and a desert camp stop with Arabic coffee, tea and dates, plus insurance and VAT. Meals, live shows, quad or buggy add-ons and alcohol are not included.
Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included from hotels and residences within Abu Dhabi city limits. Pickups outside the city can be arranged for an additional fee.
Wear light, comfortable clothing and closed shoes, and bring sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat. In winter, bring a light layer for the early start. Water and refreshments are provided at camp.
Yes. A self-drive dune buggy can be added by booking the Private Morning Desert Tour with Buggy, which includes a 30-minute buggy ride on the morning route.
