Al Khatim Desert, where Royal Arabian Safari operates, is exactly 80 km from Abu Dhabi city centre on the E22 highway. That is a 50-minute drive in normal traffic. Here is everything you need to know about the distance, route, and what to expect on the way.
How Far Is the Desert from Abu Dhabi?: The Short Answer
Al Khatim Desert, where Royal Arabian Safari operates, is exactly 80 km from Abu Dhabi city centre on the E22 highway.
How Far Is the Desert from Abu Dhabi City?
The Al Khatim Desert, where Royal Arabian Safari operates and where most Abu Dhabi desert safaris take place, is 80 km from Abu Dhabi city centre. The drive takes approximately 50 minutes in normal traffic on the E22 Abu Dhabi to Al Ain Highway. Camp coordinates are 24.1302 degrees North, 54.6136 degrees East. You can see open desert from the highway window before you even arrive, the dunes begin to appear about 20 minutes into the drive.
If you book with us, you do not need to worry about the distance at all, we share the precise GPS pin after booking and our drivers handle the navigation. For self-drive guests, the route is a single highway: take the E22 from Abu Dhabi city toward Al Ain and we will send your exact turning point coordinates on WhatsApp.
Key Distance Facts
Al Khatim Desert, where your safari takes place
📏
80 km
From Abu Dhabi city centre
🚗
50 min
Drive time (normal traffic)
🛣️
E22
Abu Dhabi to Al Ain Highway
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24.13°N
Camp GPS latitude
🏔️
100m
Maximum dune height
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Bortle 3
Sky darkness, Milky Way visible
Desert Locations Near Abu Dhabi
3 Desert Options: How Far Each One Is
Not all Abu Dhabi deserts are the same distance or the same quality. Here is the honest comparison.
Our Location, Recommended
Al Khatim Desert
Best Dunes for Safari
80 km from city
⏱️ 50 minutes on E22 highway
The primary desert safari location in Abu Dhabi. 80 to 100m mega-dunes on the border of the Rub al Khali (Empty Quarter). Best dune quality for bashing in the UAE, significantly taller than Dubai Lahbab dunes at 30 to 50m. Bortle Class 3 night sky. This is where we operate. GPS: 24.1302 degrees North, 54.6136 degrees East.
Alternative
Al Wathba Desert
60 km from city
⏱️ 30 to 35 minutes
Closer to the city but smaller, more accessible dunes. Some operators use this location for shorter or lower-priced excursions. Dune height is lower than Al Khatim, less intense dune bashing experience. Also home to the Al Wathba Wetland Reserve.
Long Distance
Liwa Desert (Empty Quarter)
200 km from city
⏱️ 2 to 2.5 hours drive
The most dramatic desert in Abu Dhabi, home to Moreeb Dune at 300m, the tallest accessible dune in the UAE. Requires a full-day or overnight trip due to distance. Liwa Oasis is a UNESCO-listed heritage area. Not suitable for a standard evening safari from the city.
Why we use Al Khatim: It offers the best combination of dune quality, accessibility, and sky darkness of any desert within 90 minutes of Abu Dhabi city. The 50-minute drive is short enough that you arrive with full energy for the activities, and the 80 to 100m mega-dunes are genuinely impressive, not the modest dunes closer to the city.
Pickup Zone Distances
How Far From Your Location to the Desert
Drive times from popular Abu Dhabi areas to Al Khatim Desert camp.
Pickup Area
Corniche / Downtown Abu Dhabi
Distance to Camp
78–82 km
Drive Time
38–42 min
Notes
Standard reference distance. E22 highway direct.
Pickup Area
Khalidiya
Distance to Camp
75–80 km
Drive Time
36–40 min
Notes
Slightly closer to E22 entrance. One of the fastest pickup zones.
Pickup Area
Tourist Club Area / Al Zahiyah
Distance to Camp
78–83 km
Drive Time
38–43 min
Notes
Central location. Standard drive time.
Pickup Area
Al Reem Island
Distance to Camp
82–87 km
Drive Time
42–48 min
Notes
Bridge exit adds 5 to 8 minutes. We adjust pickup time accordingly.
Pickup Area
Yas Island
Distance to Camp
88–95 km
Drive Time
45–55 min
Notes
Further from city centre. Pickup adjusted 10 to 15 minutes earlier.
Pickup Area
Saadiyat Island
Distance to Camp
83–88 km
Drive Time
42–48 min
Notes
Short bridge to mainland then E22. Standard desert drive.
Pickup Area
Mussafah
Distance to Camp
60–68 km
Drive Time
32–38 min
Notes
Closest industrial zone to Al Khatim. Shorter drive, pickup adjusted later.
Pickup Area
Khalifa City
Distance to Camp
55–65 km
Drive Time
28–35 min
Notes
Close to E22 entrance. One of the shortest drive times from any zone.
Pickup Area
Dubai (city centre)
Distance to Camp
~180 km
Drive Time
~1 hr 45 min
Notes
Private car arrangement only. Supplemental fee applies. Book via WhatsApp.
How we use this: When you book, we ask your pickup area. We then calculate your exact pickup time so you always arrive at the dunes at the right moment for golden hour dune bashing. You do not need to plan this, we handle it.
The Route
What the Drive to the Desert Looks Like
The E22 drive is part of the experience, not just a transfer.
🏙️
Minutes 0 to 10, Leaving the City
Abu Dhabi city gives way quickly on the E22. Within 10 minutes you are past the main urban zones and into open dual-carriageway. The skyline shrinks in the rear window. Air pressure in the car changes subtly as city sounds disappear.
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Minutes 10 to 25, Desert Appears
Open flat desert becomes visible on both sides of the highway. Ghaf trees, the UAE national tree, scientific name Prosopis cineraria, appear in clusters. The sky opens. Road becomes straighter and emptier. First dune formations visible in the distance.
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Minutes 25 to 40, Entering Al Khatim
Larger dune ridges appear on the horizon. Your driver exits the highway and the road narrows. Vehicle tyres are deflated here from standard 32 to 35 PSI down to 15 to 18 PSI for dune traction. Within minutes you are at the base of the first dune.
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Phone Signal on the Drive
Good Etisalat and du signal for the entire E22 drive. Signal drops slightly at the deepest dune sections during bashing but returns at camp. WhatsApp messages deliver normally. We recommend downloading offline maps before departure just in case for self-drive guests.
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Self-Drive Navigation
For self-drive guests, we share the exact GPS pin and what3words location after booking. Google Maps navigation works reliably on the E22. The final 5 km approach is a graded desert track, standard cars handle it fine. 4×4 is not required to reach the camp entrance.
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Traffic Considerations
E22 is generally clear. Thursday evening (start of UAE weekend) can add 10 to 15 minutes leaving Abu Dhabi. We build this buffer into your pickup time for Thursday and Friday dates. Road works are rare but we monitor route conditions and adjust pickup times if needed.
🚗 Coming from Dubai? Here Is What You Need to Know
Dubai city centre to Al Khatim Desert is approximately 180 km, about 1 hour and 45 minutes to 2 hours drive. This makes a Dubai-based evening safari with standard hotel pickup logistically challenging without a private arrangement.
For guests based in Dubai who want to experience the Abu Dhabi desert, we offer a private car arrangement with a supplemental distance fee. Message us on WhatsApp with your Dubai location and we confirm the exact pickup time and total cost. Many Dubai guests choose to make a day trip: drive or take a bus to Abu Dhabi, do the evening safari, and return to Dubai by midnight.
Alternatively, Royal Arabian Safari also offers the option for Dubai-based guests to drive themselves to Al Khatim, take the E311 highway to Abu Dhabi then the E22 toward Al Ain. Total drive from Dubai Marina is approximately 1 hour 40 minutes. We share the GPS pin after booking.
50 Minutes From Here to This
What Awaits at the End of the Drive
Distance Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is the desert from Abu Dhabi city?+
Al Khatim Desert, where Royal Arabian Safari operates, is 80 km from Abu Dhabi city centre. The drive takes approximately 50 minutes on the E22 Abu Dhabi to Al Ain Highway in normal traffic. Camp GPS coordinates are 24.1302 degrees North, 54.6136 degrees East. We share the exact GPS pin after booking.
Which highway do you take to the desert from Abu Dhabi?+
The route is the E22 Abu Dhabi to Al Ain Highway (also called the Abu Dhabi to Al Ain Road). It is a direct dual carriageway with clear signage. For self-drive guests, we share the exact GPS pin and turning coordinates after booking. Google Maps navigation works reliably for the entire route.
Is the desert closer in Abu Dhabi or Dubai?+
Dubai desert locations like Lahbab are approximately 50 to 60 km from Dubai Marina, making the drive 30 to 45 minutes. Abu Dhabi Al Khatim Desert is 80 km from Abu Dhabi city, making the drive 50 minutes. The Abu Dhabi drive is slightly longer but the dunes at Al Khatim are 80 to 100m versus Dubai Lahbab at 30 to 50m, significantly taller and more impressive for dune bashing. Most guests who have done both consider the extra 10 minutes of driving well worth it.
Can guests from Yas Island or Saadiyat Island be picked up?+
Yes, we pick up from Yas Island, Saadiyat Island, Al Reem Island, and all Abu Dhabi areas. The drive from Yas Island to Al Khatim is approximately 45 to 55 minutes. We adjust your pickup time so you arrive at the dunes at the correct time regardless of your starting point. Share your hotel or accommodation address when booking and we confirm your exact pickup time.
Can I do a desert safari from Dubai to Abu Dhabi?+
Yes, it can be arranged. Dubai city centre to Al Khatim Desert is approximately 180 km, about 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours drive. We offer private car pickup from Dubai with a supplemental distance fee. Message us on WhatsApp with your Dubai location for a confirmed quote. Many Dubai visitors also drive themselves using the E311 then E22 route and self-drive to camp at USD 10 / AED 35 per person.
What is the exact GPS location of the desert camp?+
Camp coordinates: 24.1302 degrees North, 54.6136 degrees East. We also share a what3words location and Google Maps pin after booking for both hotel pickup and self-drive guests. The camp is clearly marked at the end of a graded desert track off the E22 highway. All vehicle types including standard sedans can reach the camp entrance, 4×4 is not required for the approach road.
Is there phone signal at the desert camp?+
Yes. Etisalat and du both have signal coverage at Al Khatim Desert camp. Signal is strong enough for WhatsApp messages, Instagram uploads, and calls. Signal drops briefly during active dune bashing when you are in deep dune valleys, but returns at camp and on the main desert surface. Wi-Fi is not available at the camp but mobile data works reliably.
How do I get to the desert if I do not have a car?+
Book the USD 16.35 / AED 60 shared bus pickup or USD 41 / AED 150 hotel pickup package. For the bus option, we confirm your nearest bus stop in Abu Dhabi and you walk or take a short taxi to that point. For hotel pickup, our 4×4 comes directly to your hotel or apartment entrance. You do not need a car of your own for either of these options.
50 Minutes to an Extraordinary Evening
Book on WhatsApp. We handle the distance, GPS pin, pickup time, and navigation all confirmed for you.
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.
