A desert safari in Abu Dhabi is a must-experience adventure, offering an exciting glimpse into the rich traditions and breathtaking landscapes of the Abu Dhabi desert.
Whether you’re seeking adrenaline-pumping activities or cultural immersion, a desert trip in Abu Dhabi has something for everyone.
Here’s a detailed guide to what you can expect during your safari in the Abu Dhabi desert.
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Dune-bashing
The adventure kicks off from the moment you arrive at the sands of the Abu Dhabi desert, with an adrenaline-pumping dune-bashing experience. This is both scary and amazingly fun at the same time!
Your driver will join a convoy of 4×4 vehicles, which will take you on a thrilling journey across the Arabian sands. As the vehicles climb and descend the steep dunes, you’ll experience a rollercoaster-like sensation. Hold on tight, as each twist and turn adds to the excitement of this desert safari in Abu Dhabi.
With sand spraying in every direction, visibility is poor and it genuinely feels like the vehicle could topple over at any moment. But, don’t worry, the drivers are highly skilled, and you’ll have a safe albeit electrifying experience.
Camel encounters: meet and greet
No desert trip in Abu Dhabi is complete without meeting the iconic Arabian camels.
Luckily, along the way you’ll stop at a traditional camel farm for a quick meet and greet with the camels. You’ll have the chance to pet and photograph them before returning to the cars.
Ride a camel
On arrival at the Arabic camp, we enjoyed a welcome drink and some dates before exploring the camp.
There’s you’ll get the choice of activities that you can try at your leisure. We started with a short camel ride. After all we were in the desert, so how could we resist.
Mounting and dismounting was hilarious and the ride was fun, albeit it a bit wobbly. The kids loved it and I had fun.
Try on some traditional Bedouin clothing
Next on the agenda was trying to look the part in the Abu Dhabi desert by dressing in traditional Bedouin clothing.
Obviously we had to complete the look with with a falcon.
This was a fun activity for the kids and great for a photo opportunity.
Get a henna tattoo
As part of the desert experience, we also got a temporary henna tattoo. These are quite long-lasting, so expect to have a tattoo on your return to work.
Sandboarding: surf the sand dunes
For any adventure-lovers, sandboarding in the Abu Dhabi desert is an absolute must-try. Think of it as snowboarding, but on soft golden dunes instead of snow. Whilst it looks fairly easy, don’t be fooled—it’s trickier than it seems! I spent more time sitting in the sand than gliding down, but the kids quickly got the hang of it and left me behind.
Sandboarding was undoubtedly one of the most fun activities on our Abu Dhabi desert safari. The thrill of sliding down the dunes was exhilarating, though climbing back up for another go proved to be quite a workout! . After a few runs, we were happy to take a break and return to the camp.
Sample authentic Arabic cuisine
As the sun sets over the Abu Dhabi desert, you can enjoy the sunset before indulging in a traditional Arabic BBQ dinner under the starry skies. This desert feast included grilled meats, rice, and local desserts. Whilst eating you’ll be treated to a traditional dance show with traditional music and belly dancers.
Afterwards, we enjoyed a hot drink and enjoyed a puff of shisha, for a relaxed desert experience.
There was no sand-bashing on the way back, so the return journey to the hotel was far more calm.
How to book your tour
It is easy to book a Desert Safari in Abu Dhabi advance with Get Your Guide. The trip includes pick up from your hotel in Abu Dhabi, dinner and all the activities. The trip lasts about 4-6 hours in total.
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