Desert Safari from Abu Dhabi: Morning, Evening or Overnight?
5 min read
The answer first
The real choice is not which operator but which part of the day you want. A morning safari is short and active, an evening safari adds a camp, dinner and shows, and an overnight trip turns the desert into the main event. There are 26 desert tours in Abu Dhabi on GetYourGuide, starting from €42.67. For most first-timers the evening format with dinner, such as the Desert Safari with Quad Bike, Camels, Sandboard and BBQ, is the one that feels like a full experience: €75.70 per person, 4.9 stars from 4,960 reviews, about 6 hours.
The three formats
Morning. The morning Desert Safari with Camels, Quad Bike and Sandboarding lists 4x4 dune bashing, sandboarding, a camel ride, photo stops and an optional quad bike. It lasts about 4 hours and costs €48.98. The Dune Bashing Desert Safari is offered as a morning or evening trip by Land Cruiser, with sandboarding, camel rides and dance shows listed (€52.23, 4 to 6 hours). A shorter Sunrise Desert Safari lasts about 3 hours (€64.36).
Evening. The longer evening trips add a camp and food. The Evening Desert Safari and Dinner Under the Stars is listed at about 7 hours (€70.35). The Desert Safari with BBQ, Belly and Tannura Dance lists dune bashing, camel rides, sandboarding, a Bedouin camp, live entertainment, henna and a BBQ dinner (about 6 hours, €71.55). The Evening Safari with Sandboarding, BBQ Dinner and Live Shows lets you choose shared or private 4x4 transfers, with dinner and shows, or a four-hour private safari without dinner or shows (€62.29).
Overnight. The Overnight Desert Safari lasts 19 hours according to the listing, goes by 4x4 Land Cruiser and includes a dune drive through the Al Khatim desert (€93.51, 4.7 stars from 182 reviews).
Who should pick what
- You dislike heat or have limited time: the morning formats. They are the shortest and do not involve a late night.
- You want the classic experience: an evening trip with camp, food and shows. If you do not want dinner and live shows, the private option of the Evening Safari with Sandboarding leaves them out.
- You want quiet more than activity: the sunrise or overnight formats.
- You want to drive yourself: the quad bike is described as optional on several trips. Whether it costs extra is on the booking page.
Questions the listings leave open
The short descriptions do not tell you everything. Before booking, check on the booking page:
- Whether hotel pickup is included, and from which areas.
- Which items are optional and what they cost: quad bike, camel ride, food, drinks.
- Group size and whether the 4x4 is shared.
- Age and health restrictions. The booking page lists who a tour is not suitable for; read it before you pay.
- What the dinner offers if you have dietary needs.
Compare the formats
| Tour | Format | Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Camels, Quad Bike and Sandboarding | Morning, about 4 h | €48.98 | 4.9 / 5 (3,995 reviews) |
| Quad Bike, Camels, Sandboard and BBQ | Evening with camp, about 6 h | €75.70 | 4.9 / 5 (4,960 reviews) |
| Evening Safari and Dinner Under the Stars | Evening, about 7 h | €70.35 | 4.7 / 5 (1,727 reviews) |
| Overnight Desert Safari | Overnight, 19 h | €93.51 | 4.7 / 5 (182 reviews) |
Our recommendation
For most visitors, the evening safari with camp and dinner is the best all-round choice. Pick the morning safari if you want a shorter activity-focused outing, and the overnight trip only if you really want the night in the desert. Browse all Abu Dhabi desert safaris to compare dates.
