Abu Dhabi Desert Safari: Dune Bashing, Camel Ride & BBQ Dinner

4.99

(152 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

We’d barely left the city when the landscape started to shift — glass towers fading behind us, sand swallowing up everything else. Our driver, Khalid, had this easy laugh that made the 45-minute drive out of Abu Dhabi feel way shorter. He pointed out the Etihad Towers as we passed, almost like a goodbye wave from the city. I remember rolling down the window just a crack and getting hit by that dry, warm air — it’s different from city heat, softer somehow.

The first stop was this camel farm. I thought it’d be touristy but honestly, seeing those big-eyed camels up close is something else. One of them tried to nibble my sleeve (apparently my deodorant smells like breakfast?), which cracked everyone up. Khalid explained how important camels are out here — not just for rides but for real desert life. The sandboarding after that? Let’s just say I’m better at watching than standing upright on a board. Sand gets everywhere, no matter what they tell you.

By sunset, we reached the camp — low tables scattered on carpets, lanterns glowing even before it got dark. They handed us tiny cups of Arabic coffee and sweet dates; honestly, I could’ve just sat there all night listening to people chat in half a dozen languages. There was henna painting (I smudged mine immediately), shisha smoke curling into the sky, and this falcon perched so still it didn’t seem real until it blinked at me.

Camel rides at dusk felt surreal — you’re swaying above the sand while everything goes gold and quiet for a minute. Then suddenly music starts back at camp: swirling skirts from the Tanoura dancer, belly dancing that had everyone clapping along (even the shy ones). The BBQ buffet smelled incredible — grilled kebabs mixing with spices in the air — and after dinner they switched off all the lights for stargazing. That hush when everyone looked up? I still think about that moment sometimes.