Day Trips to Abu Dhabi Desert

When traveling on vacation to the Middle East, passing through the desert is a must of the experience. Of course, the best way to do it is starting from the capital of the United Arab Emirates. From the sunrise in the middle of its dunes, to its magical sunsets, each experience is designed to take your adventure to the next level. Not for nothing are they 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 for you to choose the type of tour that suits you. Get ready for an unforgettable getaway by walking through the desert of Abu Dhabi, a natural and cultural jewel that will take your breath away.

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

Abu Dhabi Dunes day tours often start aboard a modern 4x4. In addition, during the experience there is a stop to visit a camel farm, where you can observe these amazing animals up close and learn details about their life and contributions to the surrounding community.

Then, 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. To cross the desert with excitement, this activity leads you to the conquest of one dune after another. Finally, you can add experiences with motorcycles or 4x4. You will feel your heart racing 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 to share with family or friends.
• What the tour may include: transportation to and from the hotel in an air-conditioned 4x4 vehicle. Local guide service. Camel ride. Dune bashing experience. Bottled water. Sandboarding. Motorcycle rental. Lunch. Barbecue dinner. Henna tattoo. Dance show.
• Pros: the perfect ride to disconnect from the city and indulge in desert sports.
• Cons: The language. Some activities may have an additional supplement.

Various media, including Euronews, describe Abu Dhabi as the ideal place to spend an unforgettable vacation, and among the reasons, the safaris through the dunes of this capital city stand out. But how long does it take to do so? We have good news, you can explore these dunes in just 4 hours.

When you book a half-day dune safari in Abu Dhabi you quickly leave the city behind to jump over the dunes at breakneck speeds. You can practice the popular dune bashing, snowboarding, as well as ride a motorcycle or buggy through the dunes. These activities will allow you to contemplate the hauntingly serene and undulating desert landscape that is so enchanting.

Details of interest

• Price: from 50 € per person.
• Duration: 4 hours.
• What you need to know: adrenaline and sports lovers will have fun with this kind 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 transportation service in a modern 4x4. Local guide service. Bottled water. Sandboard. Buggy rental. Motorcycle rental. Dune bashing.
• Pros: if you feel like exploring the dunes of Abu Dabhi in the best possible way, this is the kind of tour that has your name on it. Plus, you get to choose the activities to make the most of your time in the desert.
• Cons: Language. Sports activities may incur an additional cost.

Abu Dhabi allows you to live a unique experience in the heart of the desert, in a perhaps unaccustomed schedule. These are the excursions to spend the afternoon and evening in the dunes. The adventure offers an exciting multi-sensory stimulus ranging from views of the starry sky with the desert as a canvas, through the different dances, to the tasting of authentic dishes of Arabic tradition in a picturesque camp.

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

At the end, late in the evening, transfers are made to elegant campsites with all the comforts 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 hookah 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 picture taken wearing traditional Arab dress. The next morning, you will enjoy the return journey, and usually breakfast, on this overnight experience through the dunes of Abu Dhabi.

Details of interest

• Price: from €121 per person.
• Duration: from 6 hours onwards.
• What you should know: this type of experience allows you to enjoy the desert at its best, during the night, when the weather is at its kindest and most comforting.
• What the tour may include: transportation 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. In addition, the schedule is pleasant. During the day, even when the transfers are made in air-conditioned vehicles, the activities are outdoors, where the refreshing air is lost. At night the thermal sensation improves considerably.
• Cons: All activities are guided in English. Although the attention is careful, if you are traveling with small children, I would recommend other experiences returning to the hotel at the end of the day.

Abu Dhabi 's dune sunrise safaris are special for one particular reason: the possibility of driving through the dunes in a 4x4 vehicle. Yes, while activities such as driving a buggy or a motorcycle are common in almost all types of excursions 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 peaceful camel ride while watching the breathtaking sunrise. And if that's not enough for you, take part 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.

Details of interest

• Price: from 55 € per person.
• Duration: 4 hours.
• What you need to know: the ride usually starts early in the morning to witness the sunrise in the desert. The views are very beautiful and the weather is pleasant to carry out all the proposed program of activities. Although families usually sign up for the afternoon safaris, if you have a little one with an adventurous spirit at home, I recommend you to take him/her on this schedule, they will enjoy it very much.
• What the tour may include: transportation service to and from the hotel. Professional guide service. Bottled water. Buggy or motorcycle rental. Bottled water. Snowboard rental. Dune bashing.
• Pros: It is a more personalized experience since the groups are usually smaller. The possibility of driving 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 present an additional cost.

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

Safari to Dubai from Abu Dhabi

If you choose to take a trip from Abu Dhabi to Dubai, in addition to the sandboarding or camel riding that is part of the dune tour, 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 the best mosques in Dubai, pass through the Dubai Mall, the traditional souks, the Atlantis hotel on Palm Island, up to the entrance to the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world. There will be plenty of places to visit, so 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 ride through the Emirati deserts leads you to get lost among its streets to visit the Al Jahili fort, passing through 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.

Details of interest

• Price: from 342 € per person.
• Duration: from 8 hours onwards.
• 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: transportation 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 the whole 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.
• Beverages. Tea, coffee and water will be the beverages to accompany the activities. Alcoholic beverages are not allowed for religious reasons. It is likely that some places will offer these beverages, but always for a supplement.
• Avoid traveling... during Ramadan. This is the most important Muslim celebration. It normally takes place between March and April, but the dates vary according to the sighting of the moon in Saudi Arabia. If you travel during those dates you are likely to miss out on some experiences such as dance performances and their activities may disrupt your experience. It is best to avoid those months, which brings us to the next point.
• The best time to travel to Abu Dhabi is... it will depend on your tastes and interests. During autumn, between September and October the temperature drops so, activities are more enjoyable. In November, the weather remains the same during the first fortnight, and best of all, there are also deals on flights and activities. But if you feel like seeing how the country dresses up for its sacred event, April is ideal for you.
• Don't bring pets. Most of the activities are not pet friendly so it is best to leave your pet at home with someone to look after it.

To experience the Emirati deserts, starting with its capital city is a must-see destination. However, no matter how adventurous you are, remember that it is still an interesting dune complex where there is no signage, 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.

It is better to 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 the assistance of someone local is required for almost all activities, the difference between hiring an excursion in advance or doing it "on your own" is that, in the first case, you save time, secure your place in the activities and better organize your agenda. The budget will be quite similar.