Abu Dhabi tours
Desert Safari Abu Dhabi with Pickup from the City
Happy Journey books desert safaris in Abu Dhabi with pickup from homes and hotels in the city. The evening safari is the usual choice: a 4x4 dune drive, sunset in the dunes, a camel ride, sandboarding and a BBQ dinner with shows at a desert camp.
- 4.6Google rating, 280 reviews
- 2walk-in offices, Abu Dhabi and Dubai
- Since 2020at Mushrif Mall, Abu Dhabi
- 7 daysopen every day, Sunday from 2pm
01
What happens on an Abu Dhabi desert safari
The evening safari is the usual choice, and it follows the same pattern most days. A 4x4 picks you up from your home or hotel in the afternoon. The car stops on a high dune for sunset photos before heading to the camp.
- 01
Pickup
Afternoon pickup from your address in Abu Dhabi city.
- 02
Dune drive and sunset
The driver takes the car over the dunes, then stops for photos as the sun goes down.
- 03
Drop-off
The car brings you back to your address, usually late in the evening.
02
Evening desert safari: timings and what is included
The evening safari is the full experience. It suits first-time visitors, relatives on a visit and groups of friends.
Pickup and drop-off in Abu Dhabi city
- Extra cost
- Quad bike or dune buggy ride
Dune drive in a shared 4x4
- Extra cost
- Private 4x4 for your group only
Camel ride and sandboarding
- Extra cost
- Professional photos and video
BBQ dinner with vegetarian options
- Extra cost
- Ask us
Shows at the camp
- Extra cost
- Ask us
Evening safari: what is in the price and what costs extra. We confirm the list for your booking in writing.
| Included | Extra cost |
|---|---|
| Pickup and drop-off in Abu Dhabi city | Quad bike or dune buggy ride |
| Dune drive in a shared 4x4 | Private 4x4 for your group only |
| Camel ride and sandboarding | Professional photos and video |
| BBQ dinner with vegetarian options | Ask us |
| Shows at the camp | Ask us |
03
Morning desert safari: dune driving without the dinner
The morning safari is shorter and cooler. It starts early, focuses on the dune drive and sandboarding, and usually includes a camel ride, but there is no dinner or evening show.
In the summer months the morning trip is the more comfortable choice, as the sand heats up fast after midday.
04
Overnight camps and Liwa desert trips
The overnight safari adds a night at the camp to the evening programme, with breakfast the next morning and a quiet sunrise in the dunes.
Liwa is a different trip. It sits on the edge of the Empty Quarter, around three hours' drive from Abu Dhabi each way, with some of the highest dunes in the country. A Liwa trip is a full day, or better with a night in a desert hotel.
Evening
- Duration
- Ask us
- Suits
- First-timers, families, visiting relatives
- Includes
- Dune drive, camel ride, sandboarding, BBQ dinner, shows
- Price from
- On request
Morning
- Duration
- Ask us
- Suits
- Families with young children, summer visits
- Includes
- Dune drive, sandboarding, camel ride
- Price from
- On request
Overnight
- Duration
- Afternoon to next morning
- Suits
- Couples, groups, stargazing
- Includes
- Evening safari, night at camp, breakfast
- Price from
- On request
Liwa
- Duration
- Full day or overnight
- Suits
- Keen photographers, repeat visitors
- Includes
- Private 4x4, high dunes of the Empty Quarter
- Price from
- On request
The four desert safari types compared. Prices are per person, dated and confirmed before you pay.
| Safari | Duration | Suits | Includes | Price from |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Evening | Ask us | First-timers, families, visiting relatives | Dune drive, camel ride, sandboarding, BBQ dinner, shows | On request |
| Morning | Ask us | Families with young children, summer visits | Dune drive, sandboarding, camel ride | On request |
| Overnight | Afternoon to next morning | Couples, groups, stargazing | Evening safari, night at camp, breakfast | On request |
| Liwa | Full day or overnight | Keen photographers, repeat visitors | Private 4x4, high dunes of the Empty Quarter | On request |
05
Where the camps are and how long the drive takes
Most Abu Dhabi evening safaris use the dunes off the Abu Dhabi to Al Ain road, roughly 45 to 60 minutes from the city centre.
Pickup is included from homes and hotels in Abu Dhabi city. Give us your exact address or hotel name when you book, and we confirm the pickup time the day before.
06
Desert safari Abu Dhabi price: shared, private and add-ons
The price depends on three things: the safari type, whether you share the 4x4 with other guests or book it for your group, and the extras you add. A shared evening safari is the lowest cost per person. A private car costs more in total, but your group has the car to itself and you set the pace.
Shared evening safari
- Adult from
- On request
- Child from
- On request
- Valid until
- Ask us
Private evening safari (per car)
- Adult from
- On request
- Child from
- Included in car price
- Valid until
- Ask us
Morning safari
- Adult from
- On request
- Child from
- On request
- Valid until
- Ask us
Overnight safari
- Adult from
- On request
- Child from
- On request
- Valid until
- Ask us
Liwa day trip (per car)
- Adult from
- On request
- Child from
- Included in car price
- Valid until
- Ask us
Quad bike add-on
- Adult from
- On request
- Child from
- Ask us
- Valid until
- Ask us
Desert safari Abu Dhabi prices per person. Dated, and confirmed in writing before you pay.
| Option | Adult from | Child from | Valid until |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared evening safari | On request | On request | Ask us |
| Private evening safari (per car) | On request | Included in car price | Ask us |
| Morning safari | On request | On request | Ask us |
| Overnight safari | On request | On request | Ask us |
| Liwa day trip (per car) | On request | Included in car price | Ask us |
| Quad bike add-on | On request | Ask us | Ask us |
A very low price is worth a question. Ask who runs the trip, what the vehicle has (roll cage, seat belts), and what is left out of the price. Planning more than the desert? Many guests add an Abu Dhabi city tour or a dhow cruise in Abu Dhabi, and we can quote them together. Travelling abroad later in the year? See this week's holiday deals.
07
Who should skip dune driving: age and health rules
Dune driving is bumpy and can feel like a roller coaster.
- Pregnant guests should not take the dune drive.
- Anyone with back, neck or heart problems, or recent surgery, should skip it.
- Guests who get motion sickness should sit in the front and eat lightly before the drive.
Anyone who skips the dune drive can still enjoy the trip: ask for a gentle drive, or for transport straight to the camp for the sunset, dinner and shows. Families planning a longer break can also look at our family holiday packages.
08
What to wear and bring
Checklist
- Light, loose clothes that cover shoulders and knees
- Shoes or sandals you can tip the sand out of
- Sunglasses and a scarf for dust
- A light jacket from December to February, as desert evenings get cool
- Sun cream and a hat for morning trips
- A zipped pocket or small bag for your phone; leave valuables at home
09
How to book and what we confirm before you go
- 01
Send your details
WhatsApp us your date, the number of adults and children, and your pickup address. Mention anyone who should skip the dune drive.
- 02
Get a written quote
We reply with the safari type, what is included, the price for your group and the date the price is valid until.
- 03
Day-before check
We confirm the pickup time, the driver's contact and what to bring.
Hosting relatives? We can arrange the UAE visit visa and hotel booking along with the safari. See all our Abu Dhabi tours, contact our consultants, or visit us at Office 329A, 3rd Floor, Mushrif Mall, Monday to Saturday 9am to 9pm and Sunday 2pm to 9pm.
Starting from elsewhere in the UAE? See our desert safari dubai page. Arabic readers: النسخة العربية: رحلة سفاري الصحراء في أبوظبي.
How much is a desert safari in Abu Dhabi?
Shared evening safaris cost less than private 4x4 trips, and quad bikes or overnight stays are extra. .
Where is the desert safari in Abu Dhabi?
Most Abu Dhabi evening safaris use the dunes off the Abu Dhabi to Al Ain road, roughly 45 to 60 minutes from the city. .
What is the difference between an evening and a morning safari?
The evening safari starts in the afternoon, runs the dune drive around sunset and ends with dinner and shows at the camp. The morning safari is shorter, starts early, centres on dune driving and sandboarding, and has no dinner. Mornings suit families with plans later in the day.
Is a cheap desert safari in Abu Dhabi safe?
The price alone will not tell you. Ask who the operator is, whether drivers are trained for desert driving, whether the vehicles have roll cages and seat belts, and what insurance covers you. .
Can children and older guests go dune driving?
Children above a set age can usually join, and the driver can keep the drive gentle if you ask. .
What should I wear on a desert safari?
Light, loose clothes that cover shoulders and knees, shoes you can tip the sand out of, sunglasses and a scarf for dust. Desert evenings from December to February get cool, so pack a light jacket. Leave valuables at home and keep your phone in a zipped pocket.
It's your smart choice
Let's plan your trip together
Send your dates and travellers on WhatsApp, or walk in at Mushrif Mall, Abu Dhabi or BurJuman, Dubai. We reply with options and today's prices.
Enquiry
Send us your enquiry
Tell us where, when and who is travelling. A consultant replies by phone, WhatsApp or email.
- Abu DhabiOffice 329A, 3rd Floor, Mushrif Mall
- DubaiShop 1041, BurJuman
- Call us02 679 8008