Day Trips to Abu Dhabi Desert

When holidaying in the Middle East, a trip to the desert is an essential part of the experience. Of course, the best way to do this is from the capital of the UAE. From sunrise amidst the dunes to magical sunsets, each experience is designed to take your adventure to the next level. It's no wonder they're among the best things to do in Abu Dhabi. But how do you choose your ideal safari?

In this post you will find a list of available options, prices, advantages, disadvantages and tips to help you choose the type of safari that suits you. Get ready for an unforgettable getaway as you take a stroll through the desert of Abu Dhabi, a natural and cultural gem that will take your breath away.

This is one of the best tours in Abu Dhabi thanks to its immersive experience that combines dune exploration, Bedouin cultural activities, delicious local food, camel riding and sandboarding.

Abu Dhabi Dunes day trips often begin aboard a modern 4x4. The experience also includes a stop at a camel farm, where you can observe these amazing animals up close and learn about their lives and contributions to the surrounding community.

After the camel ride on this day safari in Abu Dhabi, you can embark on a session of dune bashing, the surfing of the dunes. For a thrilling ride through the desert, this activity leads you to conquer dune after dune. Finally, you can add motorbike or 4x4 experiences. You will feel your heart race as you negotiate the dunes. And if you feel like getting your adrenaline pumping, be sure to include a snowboard to enjoy sandboarding.

Details of interest

• Price: from €89 per person.
• Duration: 7-8 hours.
• What you need to know: Desert safari ideal for sharing with family or friends.
• What the tour may include: transport to and from the hotel in an air-conditioned 4x4 vehicle. Local guide service. Camel ride. Dune bashing experience. Bottled water. Sandboarding. Motorbike rental. Lunch. Barbecue dinner. Henna tattoo. Dance show.
• Pros: the perfect way to disconnect from the city and indulge in desert sports.
• Cons: Language. Some activities may incur an additional charge.

Abu Dhabi is described by various media, including Euronews, as the ideal place for an unforgettable holiday, and one of the reasons for this is the capital's dune safaris. But how long does it take? We've got good news, you can explore the dunes in as little as 4 hours.

Booking a half-day dune safari in Abu Dhabi means you leave the city behind you in no time at all as you leap over the dunes at breakneck speed. You can go dune bashing, snowboarding, motorbike or buggy riding through the dunes. These activities allow you to take in the hauntingly serene and undulating desert landscape that is so enchanting.

Interesting details

• Price: from 50 € per person.
• Duration: 4 hours.
• What you need to know: adrenaline and sports lovers will have fun with this type of safari. From the 4x4 in which the tour starts, to surfing the dunes aboard your preferred option, the experience is unique.
• What the tour may include: Round trip transport service in a modern 4x4. Local guide service. Bottled water. Sandboard. Buggy rental. Motorbike rental. Dune bashing.
• Pros: If you want to explore the dunes of Abu Dhabi in the best possible way, this is the kind of tour that has your name on it. Plus, you can choose the activities to make the most of your time in the desert.
• Cons: Language. Sports activities may cost extra.

Abu Dhabi offers you a unique experience in the heart of the desert, at a time when you might not be used to it. These are the afternoon and overnight excursions in the dunes. The adventure offers a thrilling multi-sensory stimulation, from starry skies with the desert as your canvas, to dancing, to tasting authentic traditional Arabic dishes in a picturesque camp.

This type of experience in the so-called pearl of the desert usually starts with a stop in the dunes, where you have the opportunity to enjoy dune bashing, ride a camel, drive a buggy, or slide down the sand on a snowboard.

At the end of the tour, late in the evening, transfers are made to elegant campsites with all the amenities available for a pleasant night's sleep. Visitors often dine on traditional dishes and barbecue, and then enjoy musical performances with belly dancing and the popular tanoura dance. Tea, Arabic coffee and hookahs accompany the show.

Additionally, it is common for women to opt for an artistic touch with a henna tattoo. There is also the option to explore the camp and have your photo taken in traditional Arab dress. The following morning you will enjoy the return journey, usually with breakfast, on this overnight experience through the dunes of Abu Dhabi.

Details of interest

• Price: from €121 per person.
• Duration: from 6 hours and upwards.
• What you need to know: This type of experience allows you to enjoy the desert at its best, at night, when the weather is at its kindest and most comforting.
• What the tour may include: transport service to and from the hotel. Professional guide service. Dinner. Breakfast. Dune bashing. Bottled water. Coffee and tea. Hookah or water pipe. Dance shows. Camel ride. Tent to rest.
• Pros: It is one of the most complete experiences. Also, the timetable is pleasant. During the day, even when the transfers are done in air-conditioned vehicles, the activities are outdoors, where you lose that refreshing air. At night, the thermal sensation improves considerably.
• Cons: All activities are guided in English. Although the service is excellent, if you are travelling with small children, I would recommend other experiences that return to the hotel at the end of the day.

Abu Dhabi 's dune sunrise safaris are special for one particular reason: the chance to drive around the dunes in a 4x4 vehicle. Yes, while activities such as driving a buggy or motorbike are common on almost all types of tours in this area, the timing adds to this advantage.

During sunrise tours, the volume of participants decreases, even though the weather is less embracing than in the afternoon. With visitors under the covers, you can choose to drive around for about 45 minutes. When you're done, you can glide across the huge dunes on a sandboard- feel the adrenaline rush as you surf the sand like a pro!

Don't forget to capture those epic moments with the desert as a backdrop for your photos. Also, enjoy a leisurely camel ride while watching the breathtaking sunrise. If that's not enough, take in the falcon show, one of Abu Dhabi's national symbols - don't miss it! This safari is recommended by all the experts, including Travel+Leisure.

Interesting details

• Price: from €55 per person.
• Duration: 4 hours.
• What you need to know: The drive usually starts early in the morning to witness the sunrise over the desert. The views are beautiful and the weather is pleasant for the full programme of activities on offer. Although families usually sign up for the afternoon safaris, if you have an adventurous little one at home, I recommend taking them on the afternoon safari, as they really enjoy it.
• What the tour may include: transport service to and from the hotel. Professional guide service. Bottled water. Buggy or motorbike rental. Bottled water. Snowboard rental. Dune bashing.
• Pros: It is a more personalised experience as the groups tend to be smaller. The chance to drive the 4WD over the desert dunes is an exciting and anecdotal experience to remember.
• Cons: The language used is English. Food is not included. The falcon show may incur an additional cost.

From the capital of the UAE, Abu Dhabi, you can travel to any of the other six emirates, but Dubai and Al Ain get the most attention because of the easy interconnectivity and variety of activities on offer. It is for this reason that, among the day safaris from Abu Dhabi, the popular destinations are these two siblings.

Safari to Dubai from Abu Dhabi

If you choose to take a day trip from Abu Dhabi to Dubai, in addition to the sandboarding and camel riding that come with the dune trek, you can also choose to explore the surroundings of the Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, the iconic 7-star hotel that is shaped like a sail.

Also, during the tour it is customary to visit some of Dubai's finest mosques, pass through the Dubai Mall, the traditional souks, the Atlantis hotel on Palm Island, right up to the entrance to the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building. There are plenty of places to visit, which is why the question remains : Dubai or Abu Dhabi, which is better?

Safari to Al Ain from Abu Dhabi

If you choose a safari to Al Ain from Abu Dhabi, the drive through the Emirati deserts takes you to the Al Jahili Fort, the Garden City oasis, the camel market, palaces and renowned museums such as the Al Ain National Museum.

Finally, you arrive at the edge of one of the best roads in the world at Jebel Hafeet Mountain, the natural jewel of this safari.

Interesting details

• Price: from €342 per person.
• Duration: from 8 hours and upwards.
• What you should know: this type of tour is usually quite comprehensive, allowing you to get the most out of your visit to the UAE thanks to its combination of destinations and stops.
• What the tour may include: Round trip transfer service to and from your hotel in a modern 4x4. Henna tattoo. Lunch. Dinner. Water and tea. Professional guide service.
• Pros: It is the perfect combination to get to know this part of the Middle East in a few days.
• Cons: Entrance fees to the sites visited are not usually included. The language used is usually English.

• Clothing. It is advisable to cover your entire body, especially if you are a woman and intend to explore the city at your leisure. I recommend choosing clothes with cool fabrics such as linen or cotton. Be sure to bring your sunglasses, hat or cap.
• Camel rides are not recommended for pregnant women.
• Drinks. Tea, coffee and water will accompany the activities. Alcoholic beverages are not allowed for religious reasons. It is likely that some places will offer these drinks, but always for a supplement.
• Avoid travelling... during Ramadan. This is the most important Muslim holiday. It usually takes place between March and April, but the dates vary according to the sighting of the moon in Saudi Arabia. If you travel during these dates you are likely to miss out on some experiences as dance performances and activities can disrupt your experience. It is best to avoid these months, which brings us to the next point.
• The best time to travel to Abu Dhabi is... it depends on your tastes and interests. During autumn, between September and October the temperature drops so activities are more enjoyable. In November, the weather stays the same for the first half of the year, and best of all, there are great deals on flights and activities. But if you fancy seeing how the country dresses up for its holy event, April is ideal for you.
• Don't bring pets. Most activities are not pet friendly so it's best to leave your pet at home with someone to look after it.

To experience the deserts of the UAE, starting with the capital is a must. However, no matter how adventurous you are, remember that it is still an interesting dune complex where there are no signposts, so no matter how good a driver you are, and although GPS apps have improved considerably in this area, it is not advisable to venture into the sands without a guide.

Rather book an excursion on your own to get to know the city, where you can easily find your way around. Also, one of the interesting facts about Abu Dhabi is its prices.

Knowing that local assistance is required for almost all activities, the difference between booking a tour in advance and doing it "on your own" is that, in the former case, you save time, secure your place in the activities and better organise your schedule. The budget will be quite similar.