Things to Do in the
Abu Dhabi Desert
The complete, operator-written guide to every activity available at Al Khatim Desert, Abu Dhabi — with exact prices, cultural context, who each activity is for, and dedicated pages for every experience. From AED 35 to AED 600. Adventure, culture, and silence all in the same evening.
At Al Khatim Desert, Abu Dhabi, you can do 14 distinct activities: dune bashing, camel riding, sandboarding, falconry, stargazing, quad biking, Can-Am buggy, henna painting, shisha, Arabic coffee ceremony, Tanoura show, fire show, belly dancing, and sunset photography. Most are included in every safari from AED 35. Quad biking (AED 50–70), Can-Am buggy (AED 800/30 min) and overnight safari are paid additions.
The Abu Dhabi desert also offers specific seasonal experiences: Milky Way stargazing (May–October), meteor showers (Perseids in August, Geminids in December), and the golden hour photography window (year-round, 45 minutes before sunset).
Things to Do in theAbu Dhabi Desert: The Short Answer
The complete, operator-written guide to every activity available at Al Khatim Desert, Abu Dhabi — with exact prices, cultural context, who each activity is for, and dedicated pages for every experience.
- How much does a desert safari cost if I add one?: Our desert safari prices are AED 35 self-drive, AED 50 shared bus from Al Wahda or Mazyad Mall, AED 100 shared hotel pickup, AED 599 for a private 7-seater car and AED 800 for a private Land Cruiser.
- What time does the evening desert safari run?: Pickup is usually 3:00 to 3:30 PM and you are back in the city around 10:00 to 10:30 PM. Timings follow sunset, so in December pickup moves earlier and in June it moves later.
- Where is your desert camp?: At our own DCT-licensed camp in the Al Khatim desert, roughly 80 km east of Abu Dhabi city along the E22 Abu Dhabi to Al Ain highway, about a 50 to 60 minute drive.
- What is included in a desert safari in Abu Dhabi?: An evening desert safari from AED 35 includes: hotel pickup and drop, dune bashing, sunset stop, camel riding, sandboarding, falconry, henna, shisha, Arabic coffee, unlimited BBQ buffet dinner, and live Tanoura, belly dance and fire shows.
- How do I book?: Message us on WhatsApp with your date and group size. We reply with the exact total, no deposit and no booking fee, and you pay at the camp on the day.
- Is it suitable for children?: Yes. City tours are easy for all ages, and the desert safari suits children from about age three with gentle dune bashing on request.
All 14 activities — at a glance
The full guide
Every activity, fully explained
Henna Painting
IncludedMehendi (henna) has been applied across the Arabian Peninsula for over 5,000 years — for weddings, celebrations and spiritual protection. The artist uses henna paste made from powdered Lawsonia inermis leaves to draw intricate patterns on hands and wrists. Designs last 1–3 weeks. Both men and women participate.
Available at camp throughout the evening. Dries in 20–30 minutes.
Shisha & Arabic Coffee
IncludedArabic coffee (Kahwa) is made with cardamom and saffron, served in small handle-less cups as the foundational act of Bedouin hospitality (diyafa). Waggle the cup to signal “enough.” Shisha (water pipe) with fruit flavours — apple mint, grape, lemon — is available throughout the camp evening.
Shisha is for adults only. Arabic coffee has no age restriction.
Tanoura, Belly Dance & Fire
Evening & overnightThe Tanoura is a traditional Sufi spinning dance from Egypt — the performer rotates continuously, his vast circular skirt rising into a perfectly horizontal disc. The fire show closes the entertainment: fire manipulation that feels ancient and impossible. Belly dance bridges the two performances.
Approximately 45–60 minutes of live performance during dinner.
The knowledge behind the activities
Why these activities exist — the cultural history
🦅 Falconry: 4,000 years + UNESCO recognition
Falconry in the Arabian Peninsula dates to at least 2,000 BCE. Bedouin tribes used trained falcons to hunt for food during migration across the Rub’ al Khali — the sport was never purely recreational, but a survival skill. The UAE maintains one of the world’s largest falcon hospitals (Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital, treating 6,000+ birds annually). UNESCO’s 2016 inscription recognised falconry as intangible cultural heritage across 18 nations. The Saker Falcon (Falco cherrug) is among the most prized hunting birds and is the UAE’s national symbol.
🐪 Camels: the ships of the desert
Domesticated in the Arabian Peninsula approximately 3,000 BCE, the dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius) made civilisation in the Empty Quarter possible. It can carry 200kg for 40km a day without water, survive 10–15 days without drinking, and stores fat — not water — in its hump. The UAE has approximately 300,000 camels and holds the world’s most prestigious camel racing events.
☕ Kahwa: the language of hospitality
Arabic coffee (Kahwa or Gahwa) was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2015. It is made with lightly roasted green coffee beans, cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) and saffron (Crocus sativus) — both of which are traded across the Arabian Peninsula for millennia. The serving ritual is a codified act of Bedouin hospitality: the host pours, the guest accepts, and the waggle of the cup closes the exchange gracefully.
🌌 Navigation by stars: the Anwa system
Before GPS, the Bedouins crossed the Empty Quarter using Anwa — a pre-Islamic Arabian system of stellar calendar and navigation. Polaris (Al Jadi) indicated north; Canopus (Al Suhail) indicated south; Orion’s Belt (Al Ful) rose due east. The system also predicted seasons, monsoon winds and optimal caravan timing. At Al Khatim, Bortle Class 3, the same stars the Bedouins navigated by are visible overhead — connecting every overnight guest to this unbroken line of knowledge.
Which activities are best when
❄️ October – March (Peak Season)
- ✓ All activities — optimal temperatures
- ✓ Dune bashing — firmer sand, more dramatic
- ✓ Overnight stargazing — cool nights (12–20°C)
- ✓ Photography — softest golden hour light
- ✓ Geminid meteors (December)
- ✓ Orion & Canopus visible (Nov–Mar)
- ✓ Camel & falcon — perfect conditions
☀️ April – September (Summer)
- ✓ Morning safari — 7:30 AM at 25–32°C
- ✓ Milky Way stargazing — core at maximum height
- ✓ Perseid meteors (August peak)
- ✓ Scorpius & Sagittarius — summer sky
- ✓ Fewer crowds — all activities available
- ⚠️ Evening activities — warm but manageable
- ⚠️ Overnight — hot (26–32°C nights)
Find the right activities for your group
Families with children
Gentle dune bashing, camel riding, falconry and henna — safe from age 3+. Sandboarding from age 7. Quad biking from age 16. The camp’s activities are child-paced. Family guide →
Couples
Private safari, golden hour sunset, Milky Way overnight, falconry together, couples henna. The desert is one of the most naturally romantic settings in the UAE. Couples guide →
Thrill-seekers
Intense dune bashing, quad biking (AED 100–70), Can-Am Maverick Turbo (AED 800). Add all three for the maximum desert adrenaline package. Can-Am guide →
Photographers
Golden hour at 100m dunes, Milky Way astrophotography (overnight), falcon closeup, camel silhouette, Tanoura in long exposure. October–March for best winter light. Stargazing guide →
First-timers
Evening safari from AED 35. Everything included: bashing, sunset, camel, falcon, henna, BBQ, shows. Start with the standard package — upgrade after. What to expect →
Overnight adventurers
17-hour experience: evening safari + overnight camp sleep + sunrise + breakfast. Milky Way at midnight. Bortle 3 dark sky. The most complete desert experience. Overnight guide →
All activities — in pictures
Abu Dhabi desert activity questions
What activities are available in the Abu Dhabi desert?
What is included in a desert safari in Abu Dhabi?
Can you see the Milky Way in Abu Dhabi desert?
Is falconry included in the Abu Dhabi desert safari?
What is dune bashing in Abu Dhabi?
Can you ride camels in Abu Dhabi desert?
Is there quad biking in Abu Dhabi desert?
14 activities. One evening.
The entire Arabian desert experience.
From AED 35 per person — everything included. Tell us your date, your group, and which add-ons you want. Confirmed immediately on WhatsApp.
Related Desert Safari Guides
Continue Planning Your Trip
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- Abu Dhabi Sand Dunes — Where to Find Them & How Tall They Get
- UAE Desert Guide — Dunes, Wildlife & Where to Go
- Free Things to Do in Abu Dhabi — 30 of Them
- Things to Do in Abu Dhabi — 20 Attractions, Every Price Listed
- Things to Do in Liwa
- Abu Dhabi City Tour from AED 699 per Car
- Abu Dhabi Tour Packages — From AED 699 per Car
- Abu Dhabi City Tour Price — AED 699 per Car, Not per Person
- Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Tour — Entry Is Free
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you arrange Abu Dhabi city tours as well as desert safaris?
Yes. Alongside our desert safaris we arrange Abu Dhabi city tours taking in Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the Corniche, Yas Island, Saadiyat Island and Louvre Abu Dhabi, plus day trips to Al Ain and Dubai. Ask us about combining a city tour with a desert safari for better value.
Can I combine a city tour with a desert safari on the same day?
Yes, and it is a popular combination. A morning or half-day city tour pairs well with an evening desert safari, which picks up around 3:00 to 3:30 PM. Message us with your dates and we will build a timing that works without rushing you.
How much does a desert safari cost if I add one?
Our desert safari prices are AED 35 self-drive, AED 50 shared bus from Al Wahda or Mazyad Mall, AED 100 shared hotel pickup, AED 599 for a private 7-seater car and AED 800 for a private Land Cruiser. There is no booking fee and no deposit, and you pay on arrival.
What is included in the desert safari?
Every evening package includes 4×4 dune bashing, a short camel ride, sandboarding, a sunset photo stop, Arabic costume for photos, henna for ladies, a full BBQ buffet dinner with vegetarian and non-vegetarian options, unlimited soft drinks, water, Arabic coffee and tea, a shisha corner, separate washrooms and around eight live shows including tanoura, belly dance and a fire show.
Where is your desert camp?
At our own DCT-licensed camp in the Al Khatim desert, roughly 80 km east of Abu Dhabi city along the E22 Abu Dhabi to Al Ain highway, about a 50 to 60 minute drive.
What time does the evening desert safari run?
Pickup is usually 3:00 to 3:30 PM and you are back in the city around 10:00 to 10:30 PM. Timings follow sunset, so in December pickup moves earlier and in June it moves later.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes on the AED 100 shared pickup and both private car options, covering the whole of Abu Dhabi city including the airport. The AED 50 option departs from Al Wahda Mall or Mazyad Mall.
What should I wear for the desert?
Loose, light-coloured clothing covering shoulders and knees, and closed shoes. Bring a jacket from October to April, when camp temperatures drop to 13 to 22 degrees after sunset. For the Grand Mosque the dress code is stricter — ankles and wrists covered plus a headscarf for women, long trousers for men.
Is the Grand Mosque dress code different from the desert?
Yes, and it catches people out. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque enforces its dress code, while the desert camp has no enforced code. If you are doing both on the same day, wear the mosque-compliant outfit with a layer you can remove once you reach the dunes.
How do I book?
Message us on WhatsApp with your date and group size. We reply with the exact total, no deposit and no booking fee, and you pay at the camp on the day. Free cancellation applies up to 12 hours before.
Do you offer private tours?
Yes. A private car keeps your group alone in the vehicle with your own pickup time and pace. The private desert safari is AED 599 per car for up to seven guests, or AED 800 for the premium Land Cruiser.
Is it suitable for children?
Yes. City tours are easy for all ages, and the desert safari suits children from about age three with gentle dune bashing on request.
What is the best time of year to visit?
November to March gives the most comfortable weather for both city sightseeing and the desert. October and April are excellent value. From May to September plan indoor attractions by day and a morning desert safari rather than an evening one.
Can you collect us from a cruise ship or the airport?
Yes. We collect from Abu Dhabi cruise terminal and Abu Dhabi International Airport as well as hotels and residences. For a tight port day or layover the morning safari usually fits better than the evening one.
Do you offer group and corporate bookings?
Yes. For five or more people a private car at AED 599 works out cheaper per head than individual pickups, and for larger groups we combine multiple vehicles. Send us your numbers and dates and we will work out the best combination.
Is falconry included in Abu Dhabi desert safari?
Yes, included from AED 35. UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage 2016. Practised in UAE for 4000+ years.
Planning the Rest of Your Abu Dhabi Trip
Most guests who book the dunes with us also want a day in the capital. These guides cover the practical detail:
- Louvre Abu Dhabi — tickets, timings and the free-entry rules most people miss
- Qasr Al Watan — the Presidential Palace, its dress code and the evening light show
Book this tour
No deposit and no card details. Message us and we confirm the plan and the exact price before you commit — answered at any hour.
- Send your date and guest countYour date, how many of you, and where we collect from. That is all we need.
- We send the plan and the pricePer car, not per person. You see the route, the timings and the exact figure first.
- Pay the driver on the dayCash or card, after the run. Free cancellation up to 12 hours before pickup.
Answered 24 hours · No deposit · No booking fee · Licensed operator
If we have to cancel, what happens?
A cancellation policy that covers your obligations but not ours is only half a document. Here is our side of it, in writing.
If we have to cancel your booking — for weather, a vehicle issue, or driver illness — we will contact you as soon as we know and rebook you at no charge on the next date that works for you. You pay nothing for the cancelled booking.
If we need to send a different vehicle than the one you booked, we will ask you first rather than turning up in something you did not book.
This is separate from your own cancellation rights, which are unchanged: you can cancel free up to 12 hours before pickup. Because we take no deposit and no booking fee, there is no money of yours sitting with us either way — nothing to chase, and nothing to wait for.