One of the most memorable experiences available in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is Desert Safari in Abu Dhabi, which will provide you with countless memories. A desert safari combines adventure, culture, and stunning scenery into one unforgettable experience if you are looking for an exhilarating experience of dune bashing across golden sand dunes or just want to crawl under the stars with traditional Arabian hospitality.
If you’re going to Qatar for the first time or looking for something different to do outdoors, our guide contains everything you need to book your desert safari in Abu Dhabi, including all types of safari tours available, the most popular activities, proper clothing for desert safaris, the best time to book your tour, and also lots of other travel-related information.
What Is Desert Safari Abu Dhabi?
A Desert Safari in Abu Dhabi is an organized tour in the Arabian Desert that allows you to experience the natural beauty of the region and the people who live there. All of the tours offered include transportation, professional drivers, exciting desert adventure experiences, as well as access to a desert camp where you can experience dining and entertainment at a local restaurant.
There are several different types of safari packages to choose from, including morning, evening, overnight, luxury, private, and self-drive.
Different Types of Desert Safari
Morning Desert Safari
For those who have less time or like cooler weather, a morning safari is a good fit. The focus for morning tours is on the adventure, such as dune bashing, camel riding, and sandboarding, before the high afternoon heat begins.
Evening Desert Safari
Of all types of desert safaris, most visitors prefer the evening safari because it offers the best combination of adventure and culture. Guests have the opportunity to see a beautiful sunset, combined with a delicious BBQ dinner and live entertainment at an authentic desert camp.
Overnight Desert Safari
For those looking to truly escape into the desert, the overnight safari gives guests the chance to sleep under the stars and enjoy the peace and calm of the desert night. The experience of camping outdoors includes an evening meal, an entertainment program, and breakfast the following morning.
Private Desert Safari
A private safari offers guests an exclusive 4×4 vehicle and the freedom to create their own itinerary for their safari. Private safaris are a great choice for couples, families, or small groups who want to enjoy the same experience together.
Luxury Desert Safari
If you want to be treated like a king or queen, luxury desert safaris are the way to go. Luxury experiences include premium seating, exclusive camp facilities, gourmet meals, and oriented hospitality.
Important Activities that are Part of the Desert Safari Experience
Dune Bashing
Dune bashing is a major highlight of the desert safari experience. Experienced drivers will take you on thrilling rides across the rolling dunes using high-powered 4X4 vehicles to create an adventurous experience you will never forget!
Camel Riding
Camel riding provides visitors with an opportunity to experience the historical way of traveling across the Arabian Desert as well as have the chance to capture some great memories on film.
Sandboarding
Similar to skiing or snowboarding, sandboarding allows visitors to glide down the soft, sandy bottoms of the deserts’ dunes and is one of the most popular adventure activities that can be done in the desert.
Quad Biking
Quad bikes can be rented from almost all tour operators. Guests are able to ride the bikes along designated trails in the desert under proper supervision.
Photographing the Sunset
The scenery of the Abu Dhabi desert is famous for the beautiful golden sunset. The changing color of the surrounding dunes provides spectacular scenery for those who enjoy taking pictures.
BBQ Dinner
Most evening and overnight safaris will provide guests with an international buffet containing Arabic specialties, grilled items, salads, desserts, and vegetarian options.
Live Entertainment
While at the camp in the desert, guests will have the opportunity to watch various types of traditional live performances such as Tanoura dancers and fire shows.
Henna Painting and Hospitality
Camps will often provide guests with the chance to have henna painting done as well as serve Arabic coffee, fresh dates, and hospitality.
Ideal Times for a Desert Safari in Abu Dhabi
The months with the most moderate temperatures and the best weather for being outdoors are usually from October until April, so this is generally when you would want to plan a desert safari.
If you are looking to do a trip that is low-key with not many people, then morning tours would be better for doing just that. However, evening tours would give you the opportunity to see beautiful sunsets on your ride to the camp, and there will likely be more people at your camp during this time.
What to Wear?
Wearing clothing that is comfortable will make your experience on the desert safari more enjoyable.
Some Recommendations before Making Your Reservation
Before you reserve your tour, here are several things to consider prior to making a decision:
- Compare the contents of each package.
- Verify whether or not there are hotel pickup and drop-off options.
- Find out if quad biking is part of the package or optional.
- Read actual customer reviews.
- Find out the cancellation policy of each company.
- Book with a licensed and reputable tour operator.
- Make sure you select a package that fits your budget and style of travel.
Items that are highly recommended to bring include:
- Lightweight, breathable clothing
- Acceptable types of shoes/sports shoes
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- A hat/cap
- Light jacket to wear on winter evenings
- A camera or a smartphone to take photos.
You should not wear high-heeled shoes or formal (heavy dress) clothes, as it would be difficult to walk in sand with the above types of footwear.
Desert Safari in Abu Dhabi: Is it safe?
In general, desert safari tours are considered safe as long as they are run by professional companies with licensed drivers and clean, well-maintained vehicles. All drivers are trained to adhere strictly to all safety protocols for the various types of high-adventure activities (such as dune bashing) performed on a safari tour.
If you have certain pre-existing medical conditions, or if you are pregnant or have any back or neck-related conditions, you should always consult with the tour operator prior to engaging in any activities that are considered high-adventure.
Who Can Participate in a Desert Safari?
If you are a family member, couple, solo traveler, friend, adventure seeker, or an international visitor, or if you require a corporate outing with your colleagues, there are packages available to satisfy all types of travelers based on their preferences and budgets.
What Makes a Desert Safari Special?
There are many reasons to choose to go on a desert safari in Abu Dhabi, such as breathtaking scenery, diverse landscape, serenity, and hospitality inherent to the culture of the local region.
No matter if you choose to engage in adrenaline-inducing activities or simply want to unwind and relax while enjoying a spectacular view of a sunset on the sand dunes…a desert safari will provide you with an opportunity to create memories that will last a lifetime.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is a desert safari?
The duration of a morning tour is typically 4 to 5 hours, with an evening safari lasting 6 to 7 hours, not including an overnight tour, which runs into the next day.
Are hotel pickups included in my package?
Several desert safari packages offer a pickup and drop-off from your hotel; however, you should always check the inclusions prior to making a reservation.
Can children participate in a desert safari?
Yes, most packages are designed for families; however, some adventure activities will have age or height restrictions.
Do you offer vegetarian food?
Most reputable tour operators will offer at least one vegetarian option as part of a buffet dinner.
Should I book early?
It is advisable to book in advance, particularly over weekends, in addition to holidays and during peak travel season.
Conclusion
There is much more to experience on your desert safari tour than simply seeing new sights; there will be plenty of adventure, culture, hospitality, and beautiful natural landscapes that will create a memorable experience. If you enjoy dune driving and camel riding and want to have a great time over an evening while enjoying delicious BBQ food and experiencing traditional entertainment, each safari has its own special appeal.
When you book your desert safari, you should look for trustworthy companies; compare your options before booking and choose the tour that is right for your individual travel needs. By preparing ahead of time, you will ensure that experiencing a Desert Safari Abu Dhabi is truly one of the high points of your visit to the United Arab Emirates.
