Dune Bashing: A Must-Try Desert Experience in Abu Dhabi

From sandboarding to the peace of camel trekking and desert camping, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Perhaps the most well-known desert sport in Abu Dhabi, dune bashing provides an adrenaline-pumping experience across the steep dunes. Usually, big SUVs like Toyota Land Cruisers, experienced drivers guide you on an exciting journey in 4x4 cars, negotiating the highs and lows of the desert terrain in this event. A thrilling experience is created by the sensation of sliding up and down the dunes at great speed with abrupt twists and the soft changing sands. It's a rollercoaster-like ride but with the extra thrill of being in the middle of the desert.

Top Abu Dhabi desert safari activities are a must-try for anyone looking for an exciting experience. Early morning or late afternoon, when the desert is more remarkable and the sand produces fantastic lighting for photography, is the ideal time for this pastime. Many excursions also include a halt at the summit of the dunes, where guests may get panoramic views of the desert before resuming their journey.

What takes place on an Abu Dhabi desert safari?

The desert was home to the nomadic Bedouins of UAE. An Abu Dhabi desert safari is a trip to the desert where you may see how the Bedouins loved the desert. For VIP safaris, dune bashing done on a 4-wheel drive like Land Cruiser or Hummer is one of the highlights for thrill seekers. Visitors enjoy great fun as the car ascends and descends the high dunes. Depending on the safari you choose, you can be escorted to a camel farm to see these fantastic animals up close. Other exciting events include camel riding, sandboarding, and quad biking. Depending on the safari you selected, once you arrive at the campground, you will experience different forms of Emirati entertainment and even have an Emirati feast.

What to look forward to on your Abu Dhabi desert safari?

Desert safari at dawn or morning

The calm atmosphere and mild weather make it ideal for a desert adventure. The morning desert safari is the ideal choice if you like starting your day with a calm atmosphere, as you will see a desert sunrise. Dune bashing, sand boarding, and camel rides are also available. Because the mornings in the desert are not as hot as the midmornings and afternoons, this benefits those who dislike high temperatures.

Desert safari in the evening

Starting after midday, the nighttime desert safari concludes with a supper buffet. This trip allows you to see a desert sunset, see the active Liwa Oasis, and go very close to the camels at the Liwa Camel farm. Among the amusements available are sandboarding, camel rides, and dune bashing. Camp will allow you to enjoy Emirati entertainment such as belly dance followed by a tasty BBQ supper buffet and Bedouin hospitality.

Overnight Desert safari in Abu Dhabi

Appropriate for families, couples, groups, and even lone travelers, the overnight desert safari Abu Dhabi provides you extra time to create memories in the desert. Sleep under the unpolluted desert sky and wake up to a revitalizing desert dawn. Among the adventurous pursuits include dune bashing, sandboarding, and camel trekking. You will also get a one-of-a-kind keepsake requiring Bedouin attire and picture posing. You will also smoke a shisha pipe, eat from a BBQ supper feast, and see a live belly dance show.

Your trip's quality will be entirely determined by the desert safari company you choose and the camp where they conduct their safari experience. While more seasoned operators would conduct their safaris from their desert camps, novice operators would do it from another campground. Browse this list of destination management companies offering desert safari experiences, online tour companies providing excursions, and desert camps in Abu Dhabi.

Abu Dhabi Desert Safari Insider Guide From Local Experts

Timing of sunset

Sunset timings vary daily, so check the sunset time the day before your sunset safari.

Some folks, including older people, expectant moms, and those with heart conditions, may choose to skip the dune bashing exercise from their encounter. Fortunately, every Abu Dhabi outdoor activities allows you to miss dune-bashing for a more enjoyable trip.

Sandstorms and desert showers

Rain is unusual in the desert of Abu Dhabi. Hence, there is only a 5% probability that severe rain will cancel an Abu Dhabi desert safari. But, should you run into sandstorms that are bad for off-roading activities, the tour operators will change your safari trip.

Riding on a camel

Most desert safaris let visitors ride a camel for three to five minutes. Especially during high season, you must make room for the next person in line once your photo has been taken. Watch out for desert safours with camel rides scheduled. It's a chance to sit on a camel and take pictures, not a camel ride. Many websites say they provide camel rides on desert safaris, but many lack the guts to be truthful with their guests. Suppose you like to travel slowly over the desert, plan and book a camel excursion. You can bring the experience and the picture with you now that you can ride a camel.

Buffet dinner

Like camel rides, there will be another queue for the BBQ supper. A safari pricing at a low rate gives you a good idea of how long the queue will be and what kind of cuisine you will get. Always search for a premium tour if you want resort-quality cuisine. Should you choose a regular excursion, anticipate the standard meal quality. Most tours, even expensive ones, have buffet lunches; nevertheless, you must queue to get them. If you want something more opulent and intimate, you have to book a private dune dining experience.

Policy regarding cancellations

While some luxury experiences do not permit cancellation, most tour operators have a 24-hour cancellation policy. Read your coupon carefully to understand the cancellation terms.

Complimentary overnight desert stays

Few sites in the Abu Dhabi desert are officially designated for camping. Camping at Al Khatim is not banned; however, you may do it at your own risk. Online publications broadcast false information, so avoid planning any reliance on them. If you want to save money and do not want to book an overnight desert safari trip, it is better to negotiate a deal with the local tour operator and make a deal close to their camp to do a desert stay.

Our list of locations for that scenic photograph will be handy if you want to record your travels and beautify your Instagram feed with beautiful images. The desert is gorgeous, but if you want more than the sharp contrast of gold and blue, keep reading.

Conclusion

Stores at traditional camps, where Standard Safaris take place, might be suitable for purchasing keepsakes. Ornate wooden carvings, regional art, gold jewelry, and rugs represent the beauty and interest of Abu Dhabi's Arabian legacy. From the tiniest silver pillbox to the biggest hand-woven carpet, souvenirs come in various sizes and forms and are sometimes less expensive in Abu Dhabi than abroad. Knowing where to discover accurate items you will love for a lifetime helps avoid tourist traps. Desert store prices could also be higher than in places like The Mall Souq or the Iranian market of Abu Dhabi.