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Abu Dhabi is an amazing city, absolutely breathtaking! I wanted to take in as much of this place as possible, which is why I decided to go on a desert safari in Abu Dhabi.
Only having a stopover of two and a half days required doing some research in advance and figuring out where I wanted to go while I was here.
I arrived early in the morning so I decided to go on a desert safari in the afternoon. They will take you to the desert and you will drive around the sand dunes in 4WD’s while hoping the car isn’t going to fall over. It sounded like a lot of fun.

Desert Safari in Abu Dhabi: Costs and what is included?
I booked the tour online on a site called GetYourGuide in advance and paid 54 euros.
The tour includes: Pick-up and drop-off at your hotel in Abu Dhabi, the ride on the sand dunes, visiting a camel farm, several activities of your choice (e.g. Taking a picture with a camel, getting a henna tattoo, trying out traditional Arabic clothing or smoking shisha). As well as a belly dancing performance and dinner.
The tour lasts a total time of 5-6 hours from around 3.30/4pm to 9/9.30pm.


What to bring to a desert safari?
There is nothing really that you have to bring with you but I would suggest bringing:
Water, Sunscreen, Camera, & money in case you want to purchase alcoholic drinks.
Desert Safari in Abu Dhabi: Pick up
On the day of the Desert Safari I had just arrived in Abu Dhabi sometime in the morning and I was really tired, which probably explains why I fell asleep in the car and do not really remember how long the car ride to the desert was in total. But probably around 1,5 hours with a 20 minute break.

I was supposed to wait in the lobby sometime between 3:45pm and 4pm but my driver already arrived at half past 3 and they called up to my room. I was a bit in a hurry then and scared that I forgot something but it all went well.
After, we picked up some other people and made our way towards the sand dunes of Abu Dhabi.
Desert Safari in Abu Dhabi


After arrival in the desert, which was really impressive, all the 4WD cars gathered around and kind of lined up in a row. And then we started driving up and down the sand dunes, which honestly was so much fun. It was kind of like being on a rollercoaster.
From what our driver has told us, you need a special license to be able and allowed to drive on these dunes. It was a little terrifying at first but no car fell over. And apparently did not in the last nine years (according to the driver).
On the way we stopped to take some pictures. And we also stopped at a camel farm.


Desert Safari in Abu Dhabi: Arrival at the camp
I’m just going to call it the camp because I don’t know how else to call it. It is this huge collection of little huts in the middle of the desert with a stage in the middle and sitting areas around it.


Here we could decide for our own what we wanted to do before having dinner a little later. I decided to get a henna tattoo, which was so beautiful. And also tried traditional Arabic clothing, as well as took a picture with a camel.
There were also free soft drinks available for everyone. And free tea and coffee as well.
Desert Safari in Abu Dhabi: Dinner and Performances
After all the activities it started to get dark and we lined up for dinner, which was an actual buffet. There probably was something available for everybody’s tastes and preferences.
Everyone took their dinner to the sitting areas that were set up around the stage in the middle of the camp. While enjoying our dinner there was a belly dancing performance on the stage and after, this traditional dance where this guy just spins around and holds up plates or something. I’ve seen that before but no idea what it is called, so if you do let me know! It was really fascinating to look at.

In the end, they shut down the lights for a couple of minutes, so everyone laid down and watched the stars. Such a nice view!
Finally, we made our way back to Abu Dhabi city, where we got dropped off at our accommodations. I fell asleep again but it just took a little longer than an hour I believe.
Would a desert safari in Abu Dhabi seem interesting to you? Have you been to Abu Dhabi before and would you like to go?
Talk to you later x

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30 comments
Great post! The Shots are amazing and beautiful. marvelous experience!
This looks like so much fun! I had a layover once in Abu Dhabi but unfortunately it wasn’t long enough to get out and explore 🙁
That’s to bad! I had the same the year before and when I happened to fly over Abu Dhabi again, I just had to extend my layover and go out to explore! 🙂
this looks like an amazing experience and the camels are so pretty! I wish to go to Abu-Dhabi one day <3
I hope you do, it was really amazing!
Cities are amazing places, but I really love exploring the area around them too. They aren’t representative of the culture as a whole, and that’s what I really dig.
That’s such a cool view. I love cities as well but it’s also great to explore other aspects of a country 🙂
This looks like so much fun! For some reason, deserts don’t attract me alot, but I will say as time goes on and as more and more people go there, it’s becoming more enticing. Was it worth the drive and all that?
Yes definitely! It wasn’t that long of a drive from the city and so much fun. I’ve never seen anything like it 🙂
This safari looks so much fun and exciting. I hope I can experience this soon. Thanks for sharing your great review.
Thank you! It was so much fun, hope you get to go 🙂
Really great post. The pictures are amazing and beautiful. I’ve always want to visit Abu Dhabi.
Thank you so much! Abu Dhabi is so beautiful, you should definitely go one day 🙂
I went on this same safari earlier this summer- this post brought back great memories! Loved it there!
Oh that’s amazing! Seemed like you enjoyed it as well 🙂
I love those dunes so much and the camel ride them is amazing. I have visited these dunes in Dubai. Great Photos you’ve clicked.
Thank you!
This looks like an amazing experience and a whole new world to some of us. Beautiful pictures.
Thank you!
I have some friends who travelled to UAE. I think it’s a remarkable cultural experience, especially for those who don’t live near by.
Yes for sure! It was really different but really fascinating as well 🙂
This is timely as I’m heading to UAE early next year. Thanks for sharing and safe travels!
Thank you! Enjoy, it is s such an amazing place 🙂
Wow what an amazing experience!
This sounds like it was such a fun experience! And beautiful pictures! I will keep this in mind if I ever find myself traveling that part of the world.
Thank you!
Interesting experience! Love those camels 🙂
Me, too. They are so cute 😀
I have always to visit Abu Dhabi or just somewhere in Dubai… Now my desire just grew a little bit more
Sorry about that 😀