Three different desert days
People who search for a desert safari in Abu Dhabi can mean three things. One is a camp and a half-day drive in the area around Al Khazna and Al Khatim. The second is a long trip to the Liwa oasis and the huge dunes at the edge of the Rub al Khali, the Empty Quarter. The third is a safari from Dubai, which many visitors in Abu Dhabi also consider. They differ in distance, length and price, and they are not interchangeable.
This is an independent guide, not run by the Abu Dhabi tourism authority or a tour company. Prices and times on this page are examples from operator pages in 2026, and conditions change.
Al Khatim, Liwa and Dubai compared
Where each option goes and what to expect.
| Option | Where | Length of the day | Price example 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Al Khatim and Al Khazna camps | Camps in Al Khazna toward Al Khatim, plus morning and half-day trips in Al Khatim | Morning or half day, depending on the trip | – |
| Liwa and Moreeb Dune | Edge of the Rub al Khali, about 250 km from Abu Dhabi | Long day; 2.5 to 3 hours of driving each way | – |
| Evening safari from Dubai | Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve in one example | 6 hours, pickup about 4 p.m. | From $177 per person |
| Morning safari from Dubai | Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve in one example | 4 hours, pickup about 8:30 a.m. | From $130 per person |
A Liwa trip is not the destination of an ordinary city evening safari. Ask any operator exactly where the vehicle will drive and where you will be dropped off.
Our picks: desert safaris from Abu Dhabi
Our take: the first evening safari is the simple choice with BBQ dinner, dune bashing and camel rides, the second adds shows and stargazing, and the morning trip suits you if you only want four hours. None of them is the long Liwa day described above, so ask where the vehicle goes.
Hand-picked tours, booked through Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Evening safari with BBQ, shows and stargazing
- Buffet BBQ dinner
- Fire show and stargazing
- Dune bashing, camel ride, sandboarding
Six hours in the evening with live shows, henna painting and a shisha session at the camp. The falcon photo is subject to availability.
Check availability →
Morning safari with camel ride and sandboarding
- Dune bashing, 30 to 40 minutes
- Camel ride and sandboarding
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
Four hours in an air-conditioned 4x4 with a licensed driver, the shorter option next to the two evening safaris.
Check availability →
Evening safari in the Abu Dhabi desert with BBQ
- BBQ dinner
- Dune bashing and camel rides
- Arabian coffee tasting
A six-hour evening trip with pickup and drop-off in Abu Dhabi. A photo in Arabic dress is part of the programme.
Check availability →Desert tours in the UAE
Safaris, camps and day trips in the United Arab Emirates, with live prices and availability.
Al Khatim and Al Khazna
The nearer option for a camp or a short drive.
What the tourism directory lists
The official Abu Dhabi tourism directory lists a tour operator with camp offers in Al Khazna toward Al Khatim and with morning and half-day trips in Al Khatim. So not every safari near Abu Dhabi is a Liwa safari. The program, the vehicle and the price differ by operator.
How to compare
Ask for the pickup time, the total length, the vehicle type and whether the trip is shared or private. A private vehicle is not the same as a private camp. Ask what is included, such as dinner, a camel ride or sandboarding, because it differs from tour to tour.
Liwa Oasis and the Empty Quarter
The far option, for dune scenery on a larger scale.
Liwa lies at the edge of the Rub al Khali. The date palm gardens of the oasis sit between very large dunes, and a road winds through them. The oasis has a fort. At about 250 km from Abu Dhabi, with 2.5 to 3 hours each way, it is a long day or an overnight trip, not a quick stop.
Ask the operator for the driving time from your starting point, the price and the return time before you commit. A Liwa trip is planned and priced differently from a Dubai evening safari.
Moreeb Dune
Tourism information gives more than 300 m in height and a slope of 50 degrees. These are tourism figures, not a survey, and the dune is not "the highest in the world". A paved road leads to the foot of the dune all year, about 2.5 hours from Abu Dhabi. You can climb on foot, and the climb is strenuous.
Moreeb Hill Climb
A festival and hill climb is generally held in December or January. Check the current announcement for dates, tickets and traffic arrangements for 2026/27 before you plan around it.
Before you book a Liwa or Al Khatim trip
Practical points that save a bad surprise.
Heat and season
Tourism information recommends November to April for camping in the desert and advises against the hot months. The best time guide has the long-term monthly averages for Dubai, which are a reference point, not a forecast for Liwa.
Best time for the Dubai desert →Clothing, alcohol and photos
Dress modestly in rural and public areas. Photograph people only with their consent. The legal drinking age is 21 in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, and drinking or being drunk in public areas is illegal. The tips guide has the details.
Desert safari tips →Cancellation
Terms differ by operator and cannot be carried over. The two Dubai examples above require notice at least 24 hours before the start, with no refund inside that window.
More desert guides
If a Dubai safari is the better fit.
Desert safari in Abu Dhabi: frequently asked questions
Does every Abu Dhabi desert safari go to Liwa?
No. The official tourism directory also lists camp offers in Al Khazna toward Al Khatim and morning and half-day trips in Al Khatim. Liwa is a far longer trip.
How far is Liwa from Abu Dhabi?
An official tourism route gives about 250 km and 2.5 to 3 hours each way. Moreeb Dune is about 2.5 hours from Abu Dhabi by the paved road.
How high is Moreeb Dune?
Tourism information gives more than 300 m and a slope of 50 degrees. Treat these as tourism figures, not a survey. The dune is not described as the highest in the world.
Is a Dubai safari a good alternative?
It can be, if you want a shorter day. The examples above are 4 and 6 hours in the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, from $130 and $177 per person in 2026. They differ in scenery and distance from Liwa.
What do travel advisories say about the UAE?
Germany's Federal Foreign Office has advised against non-essential travel to the UAE since September 30, 2026 (status October 21, 2026), citing a volatile regional situation and the risk of airspace closures. The UK FCDO updated its advice on July 24, 2026 and points to the risk of further escalation, flight cancellations and temporary airspace closures. The US State Department has listed the UAE at Level 3, Reconsider travel, since August 29, 2026, citing terrorism and armed conflict. Read your own government's current advice before you book, and choose flexible cancellation terms.