Desert Safari Abu Dhabi When Pregnant — Complete Guide
Can you do a desert safari when pregnant? The honest answer is: it depends on your trimester, your health, and which activities you choose. Here is everything you need to know before booking.
Desert Safari Abu Dhabi When Pregnant — Complete Guide: The Short Answer
Can you do a desert safari when pregnant? The honest answer is: it depends on your trimester, your health, and which activities you choose.
- How much does a desert safari in Abu Dhabi cost?: Booking direct with us: 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.
- How long is the dune bashing?: Around 40 to 45 minutes with short breaks. Tyres are deflated to roughly 15 psi first so they float on the sand.
- What time does the desert safari start and finish?: 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 does the desert safari take place?: 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 the Abu Dhabi 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.
- 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.
Can You Do a Desert Safari in Abu Dhabi When Pregnant?
Yes — with important adjustments depending on your trimester. Dune bashing is not recommended during pregnancy due to the intense jarring, sudden drops, and physical impact. However, the desert safari experience is far more than dune bashing. Pregnant guests can attend the camp, enjoy the camel ride at a slow pace, participate in henna art, falcon photography, Arabic costumes, shisha lounge, starters and BBQ dinner, and all 8 live entertainment shows — making it a genuinely enjoyable evening.
At Royal Arabian Safari, pregnant guests travel to the camp in the vehicle but do not participate in active dune bashing. We seat you comfortably at camp before bashing begins, and your companions join you when it ends. Always consult your doctor before booking, especially in the second and third trimester. Tell us you are pregnant when booking and we make the appropriate arrangements.
The Pregnancy-Safe Ways to See the Desert
Dune bashing is out — we will not take that risk with you. These three are the versions expectant guests actually enjoy.
From AED 35 per personCamp Evening — No Dune Bashing
Drive gently straight to the camp on the flat track: sunset, BBQ dinner, the shows and the stars, with zero dune driving.
- Flat-track transfer on request
- All camp comforts + dinner
- Tell us and the driver is briefed
AED 599 per carPrivate Car — Your Pace Entirely
Your own vehicle means the drive is exactly as gentle as you want, with stops whenever you need them.
- Gentle route, your schedule
- Air-conditioned throughout
- Land Cruiser AED 800
Plan It for LaterThe Post-Baby Rain Check
If your doctor says wait, wait — the desert is not going anywhere. Tell us the season you will return and the full experience will be here.
- No deposit means no pressure
- Family safari with car seats later
- Honest advice beats a sale
Desert Safari Guidance by Trimester
Every pregnancy is different. Always confirm with your doctor. This is our operational guidance based on 5,000+ guests.
✅ First Trimester (Weeks 1 to 12)
- 🟢 Camp visit, dinner, and shows — fully suitable
- 🟢 Camel ride at slow pace — generally fine with doctor approval
- 🟢 Henna, falcon, sandboarding on flat areas — fine
- 🟡 Dune bashing — not recommended even in first trimester due to jarring impact
- 🟢 Evening temperature 13 to 30 degrees — comfortable for most
- 🟢 Tell us at booking — we ensure comfortable camp seating
⚡ Second Trimester (Weeks 13 to 27)
- 🟢 Camp experience, dinner, and all shows — fully suitable
- 🟡 Camel ride — sit on camel at standstill for photos only, no walking ride recommended
- 🔴 Dune bashing — not recommended, impact stress to abdomen
- 🟢 Henna art and falcon photography — fully suitable
- 🟡 Long walking on sand — minimal distances at camp, manageable with rests
- 🟢 VIP seating upgrade recommended for comfortable chairs
⚠️ Third Trimester (Weeks 28 to 40)
- 🟢 Camp visit for dinner and shows — possible but consult doctor first
- 🔴 Dune bashing — absolutely not recommended
- 🔴 Camel ride — not recommended at this stage
- 🟡 Vehicle ride to camp — 40 minutes on smooth highway, generally fine
- 🟡 Consider whether evening schedule until 10:30 PM suits your energy
- 🔴 We cannot accommodate guests in the final weeks of third trimester for safety
Medical disclaimer: This guidance is based on operational experience, not medical advice. Always consult your doctor or midwife before booking any desert safari during pregnancy. Your doctor knows your individual health situation — we do not. If in doubt, skip the safari and enjoy the camp dinner experience another way.
Everything Pregnant Guests Can Participate In
Even without dune bashing, the camp experience is rich and enjoyable. Here is what is fully available.
Which Package Works Best During Pregnancy
For pregnant guests, hotel pickup and private car are the two most practical options.
When booking: Always tell us you are pregnant and which trimester. We make specific seating arrangements, brief your driver, and ensure you are seated at camp before dune bashing begins so there is no confusion or pressure to participate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I go on a desert safari when pregnant?+
Can pregnant women do dune bashing?+
Can pregnant women do a camel ride during desert safari?+
What is the best month for a pregnant woman to do a desert safari?+
Do I need to tell the operator I am pregnant when booking?+
Is there comfortable seating at the camp for pregnant guests?+
Can I still enjoy the full evening experience when pregnant?+
What is included in the Abu Dhabi 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.
How much does a desert safari in Abu Dhabi cost?
Booking direct with us: 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. Agencies and hotel desks typically charge AED 180 to 250 per person for the same evening because they add commission on top of an operator price.
What time does the desert safari start and finish?
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 does the desert safari take place?
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. The Al Khatim ridges rise over 100 metres, which is considerably taller than the roadside dunes some operators use, and there is far less traffic on the sand.
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.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes on the AED 100 shared pickup, the AED 599 private car and the AED 800 Land Cruiser, covering the whole city including the Corniche, Al Maryah, Al Reem, Downtown, Khalifa City, Mussafah, Yas Island, Saadiyat, Shabiya and the airport. The AED 50 package departs from Al Wahda Mall or Mazyad Mall, and AED 35 is self-drive using a GPS pin we send you.
Do I need a 4×4 for the self-drive option?
No. You drive on tarmac to a meeting point, so any standard car or rental reaches it comfortably. Our team takes over there in a proper 4×4 for the dune bashing.
How long is the dune bashing?
Around 40 to 45 minutes with short breaks. Tyres are deflated to roughly 15 psi first so they float on the sand. Intensity is adjustable at any point — tell your driver you want it gentle and it becomes a scenic drive.
Is dune bashing safe?
Yes with a licensed operator. Every passenger wears a seatbelt, vehicles are maintained and insured, drivers are trained specifically for dune driving, and vehicles travel in convoy so recovery is immediate. You can ask to stop at any time.
Book Your Pregnancy-Safe Desert Safari
Tell us your trimester when booking. We make all the arrangements. No deposit required.
Continue Planning Your Trip
Tell Us, and We Plan Around It
Mention the pregnancy when you book — the driver is briefed, the route is flat, and nothing bumpy comes near you. Camp evening from AED 35, private car AED 599.
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.
Desert safari Abu Dhabi: the timeline, hour by hour
This is how the evening actually runs, from pickup to drop-off. The sunset stop moves with the season; everything around it holds.
| Time | Stage | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| 3:00 – 3:30 PM | Pickup | Hotel, residence or an agreed pickup point in Abu Dhabi — or drive yourself to the camp using the GPS pin we send. |
| 3:30 – 4:10 PM | Drive to Al Khatim | About forty minutes from the city to the Al Khatim dunes. |
| 4:10 – 5:00 PM | Dune bashing | Tyres are deflated, then a 4×4 run across the dunes. Tell your driver if you want it gentle or lively — you set the intensity. |
| 5:00 – 6:30 PM | Camp activities | Camel ride, sandboarding, falcon photos, henna and Arabic costumes. |
| ~5:30 – 6:00 PM | Sunset stop | The photo stop on a high dune. This one moves with the sunset rather than the clock, so it shifts through the year. |
| 6:30 PM | Starters served | Arabic coffee, dates and welcome starters as the lamps come on. |
| 7:00 – 9:30 PM | Dinner and 8 live shows | BBQ buffet with separate vegetarian and halal non-vegetarian lines, plus unlimited soft drinks, water, tea and coffee — alongside eight live performances including belly dance, the LED Tanoura, and a fire show. Shisha in the designated area. |
| 9:30 – 10:00 PM | Wind-down | Stargazing away from the lamps, then the vehicles load for the drive back. |
| 10:00 – 10:30 PM | Drop-off | Back at your Abu Dhabi hotel or pickup point. |
Times are the standard evening run and shift a little with traffic and the sunset. Your confirmed pickup time is the one we send on WhatsApp the day before.