Private car only · Pickup 5 to 8 AM · No deposit
Morning Desert Safari Abu Dhabi, Private and Before the Heat
Our morning desert safari in Abu Dhabi is private: one car and driver for your group, collected at the time you pick between 5 and 8 AM. A sedan or 4×4 costs USD 218 (AED 799) and a Toyota Land Cruiser USD 272 (AED 999) per car, for up to 7 guests, with dune bashing and sandboarding at Al Khatim. No breakfast is served, and you are back in the city before the midday heat.
AED 799 · per car, private sedan or 4×4
Your own car and driver from 5 to 8 AM: cool dunes, dune bashing and sandboarding, back before the heat
Check dates and bookNo deposit · pay on the day
At a glance
Abu Dhabi Morning Desert Safari in Eight Facts
Nobody else. Every morning trip is a private car for your group, up to 7 guests.
You choose a pickup between 5 and 8 AM. We tell you which hour works best for your month.
About 4 to 5 hours door to door, including 45 to 55 minutes each way to Al Khatim.
About 15 to 20 minutes of dune bashing, then sandboarding and photo stops on high dunes.
None. No breakfast or meal is served, so eat something light before you leave.
Not part of the morning trip. A separate camel ride can be arranged on request.
USD 218 (AED 799) per car, or USD 272 (AED 999) for a Toyota Land Cruiser.
No deposit. Pay your driver on the day, and cancel free up to 12 hours before pickup.
Prices
Morning Desert Safari Abu Dhabi Price, Per Car
You pay for the car, not the seat, so the cost per head falls with every guest you bring. These are our prices on 25 October 2026, with the up to 30% off already taken off.
| Option | Sedan or 4×4 | Toyota Land CruiserBest experience |
|---|---|---|
| Price for the car | USD 218AED 799 | USD 272AED 999 |
| Vehicle | Nissan Patrol, Previa or similar | Toyota Land Cruiser |
| Seats | Up to 7 guests | Up to 7 guests |
| Covers | Pickup and drop-off, dune bashing, sandboarding | The same, in our premium 4×4 |
| Book |
What each guest pays
| Guests | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sedan or 4×4 | USD 109 | USD 73 | USD 54 | USD 44 | USD 36 | USD 31 |
| Land Cruiser | USD 136 | USD 91 | USD 68 | USD 54 | USD 45 | USD 39 |
Shared morning seats in Abu Dhabi are advertised from about AED 149 to AED 250 per person. From four guests, your own car with us costs the same or less per head, with no strangers and no fixed start time. Children under 3 travel free; from 3 they count as a guest.
In and out
What Is Included, and What Is Not
Several morning tours online promise breakfast and a camel farm. Ours does neither, and we would rather you knew before you book.
In the car price
- Pickup and drop-off by your own car and driver
- A dune bashing session of about 15 to 20 minutes, gentle or lively
- Sandboarding, with boards provided
- Stops for photos on the high dunes
- Your own pickup time between 5 and 8 AM
Not in the price
- Breakfast or any meal
- A camel ride: ask us to arrange one separately
- Quad bike and Can-Am buggy rides, priced below
- Tips, which are always up to you
Pickup time
When to Start: Sunrise and Pickup Time by Month
The drive to the Al Khatim dunes takes 45 to 55 minutes, so to be there for first light you leave about an hour and ten minutes before sunrise. Our earliest pickup is 5 AM.
| Month | Sunrise, approx. | Leave by, for first light |
|---|---|---|
| January | 7:05 AM | About 5:55 AM |
| February | 6:55 AM | About 5:45 AM |
| March | 6:30 AM | About 5:20 AM |
| April | 6:00 AM | 5 AM, our earliest |
| May to September | 5:30 to 6:05 AM | 5 AM, our earliest |
| October | 6:15 AM | About 5:05 AM |
| November | 6:30 AM | About 5:20 AM |
| December | 6:50 AM | About 5:40 AM |
Sunrise times are rounded for Abu Dhabi and move a few minutes through each month. Haze can hide the sun, so first light is never guaranteed; the cool air and soft light always are. From May to September, the 5 AM start is the one we recommend.
Your morning
How the Morning Runs, Step by Step
- 5 to 8 AMYour driver at the door
He stays in touch on WhatsApp and collects you from your hotel, home or the cruise terminal.
- 45 to 55 minOut to Al Khatim
The city falls away and the dunes begin. A good time to doze or watch the sky change.
- On arrivalTyres down, belts on
Your driver lowers the tyre pressure for the sand, then asks how lively you want the ride.
- 15 to 20 minDune bashing
Up and over the ridges, as gentle or as wild as your group asks.
- NextSandboarding and photos
Slide down a slope as many times as you like, then take pictures while the desert is still quiet.
- OptionalQuad or buggy
Add a ride now if you booked one, or ask on the spot.
- Late morningBack in the city
About 4 to 5 hours after pickup, with the rest of the day still yours.
On the sand
What You Do on the Dunes, One Activity at a Time
Two things come with the car: the dune drive and the sandboards. Everything else is your choice, booked ahead or asked for on the spot, and priced in the add-on table below.
Included
Dune bashing in your own 4×4
About 15 to 20 minutes over the ridges of Al Khatim with the tyres let down for the sand. Your driver asks first how lively you want it, and a longer 30 to 45 minute run costs USD 41 (AED 150) for the car.
Included
Sandboarding down a soft slope
Boards are in the car. Pick a slope, ride down sitting or standing, and climb back up as often as your legs allow. Falls land in soft sand, which is why children usually want one more go.
Included
Photo stops while the desert is empty
There is no camp crowd at this hour, so the ridges are clean of tracks. Tell your driver where you want to stop and he waits while you shoot, and can move the car out of the frame for you.
Add-on
Quad bike, from USD 27
Thirty minutes in the controlled area from USD 27 (AED 100) for one rider, or ride the open desert from USD 54 (AED 200). A helmet and a short briefing come first, and no licence is needed.
Add-on
Can-Am buggy, USD 218 per 30 minutes
You drive and a guide rides alongside on a quad to show the way. One or two seats cost USD 218 (AED 800), four seats USD 327 (AED 1,200). The driver must be 16 or older.
On request
Camel ride, arranged on request
Camels are not part of the standard morning trip. A longer ride of about an hour can be arranged for USD 109 (AED 400) per adult and USD 82 (AED 300) for children aged 3 to 10.
Add-ons
Quad Bike, Buggy and Other Extras
Mornings are the best time for a ride of your own: the sand is firm and the air is cool. Prices are per vehicle unless shown.
| Add-on | Time | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Quad bike, controlled area, 1 rider | 30 min | USD 27AED 100 |
| Quad bike, controlled area, 2 riders | 30 min | USD 54AED 200 |
| Quad bike, open desert, 1 or 2 riders | 30 min | USD 54 or 82AED 200 or 300 |
| Can-Am buggy, 1 or 2 seats | 30 min | USD 218AED 800 |
| Can-Am buggy, 4 seats | 30 min | USD 327AED 1,200 |
| Longer dune bashing | 30 to 45 min | USD 41AED 150 per vehicle |
| Camel ride, about 1 hour | On request | USD 109 adultAED 400, child 3 to 10 AED 300 |
Helmets and a short safety briefing come with every quad and buggy, and no driving licence is needed. Buggy drivers must be 16 or older. More detail on quad biking in Abu Dhabi and the Can-Am buggy safari.
Morning or evening
Morning or Evening Desert Safari: How to Choose
| Point | Morning | Evening |
|---|---|---|
| Hours | Pickup 5 to 8 AM, back late morning | Pickup about 3 PM, back 9:30 to 10:30 PM |
| Feel | Quiet, cool, just your group | Lively camp, sunset, music |
| Food and shows | None | BBQ buffet and three live shows |
| Price | From USD 218 (AED 799) per car | From USD 10 (AED 35) per person |
| Best for | Hot months, photos, tight schedules, light sleepers | First-timers who want the full night out |
Want both? Do the dunes one morning and come back for the evening desert safari in Abu Dhabi on another day. A private car in the evening is on the private desert safari page.
Who it suits
Who Books a Morning Desert Safari in Abu Dhabi
Bedtime stays at bedtime. The trip ends well before lunch, and nobody is out in the dunes after dark.
From May to September the 5 AM pickup is the only sensible desert hour, and it is the one we suggest.
Low sun, long shadows and dunes nobody has walked on yet. The car waits for the shot instead of a group schedule.
We collect from the cruise terminal or Abu Dhabi airport in the same car. Check your all-aboard or flight time against a 4 to 5 hour trip before you pick a slot.
Comfort and safety
Children, Older Guests and Anyone Who Gets Car Sick
Under 3s ride free on a gentle drive. Child seats come on request at no extra cost in the private car.
Ask for a soft drive. One guest can sit up front on request, which helps, and a light snack before pickup is wise.
The driver goes as slowly as you like, or skips the dunes and drives you straight to a quiet spot.
We advise no dune bashing. You still get the drive, the sandboarding views and the morning air.
Both are welcome in the private car. Soft sand makes wheels hard work, so tell us first and we plan the stops.
Light clothes, closed shoes and sunglasses, plus a jacket from November to February. More in what to wear on a desert safari.
Before you leave
Morning Safari Packing List and Photo Shot List
Pack the night before: at 5 AM nobody finds their sunglasses. This is the short list our drivers wish every guest had read.
Wear
- Light cotton or linen that covers the shoulders
- Closed trainers, never heels or loose flip-flops
- Sunglasses and a cap or hat
- A jacket or hoodie from November to February, when early mornings are cool
Bring
- A bottle of water and a light snack, since no meal is served
- Sunscreen, even in winter
- A phone with charge, or a power bank
- Any medicine you take, including for travel sickness
- A small bag you can keep on your lap during the drive
With children
- Tell us the ages so the child seats are in the car
- Wipes and a spare top: sand gets everywhere
- Milk or snacks for the drive back
- A light blanket for a sleepy 5 AM start
Pictures worth getting
- The sky turning pink over the ridge before the sun appears
- Your shadow stretched long across untouched sand
- The Land Cruiser parked on a crest, shot from below
- A sandboard run, filmed from the top of the slope
- Tyre tracks curving away into the dunes
- The whole group on a ridge, before the heat arrives
Pickup
Where We Collect You
Anywhere in Abu Dhabi city: hotel, apartment, villa or the cruise terminal, at the same price. Flying in? We collect from Abu Dhabi airport too, in the same private car.
Al Khatim, inland on the road towards Al Ain. Our camp is on Google Maps.
Staying in Al Ain or one of the northern emirates? Send your address on WhatsApp and we quote the trip.
The morning desert safari in Dubai starts from there.
Insider advice
Six Mistakes That Spoil a Desert Morning, and How to Avoid Them
The morning trip serves no food. Eat something light before pickup and pack a snack for the ride home.
By mid-morning in summer the sand is already hot. Take the 5 AM slot from May to September.
A full stomach and a lively drive do not mix. Keep it to tea and toast, and ask for a soft ride if unsure.
Say so when you book. The driver adjusts the ride, and one guest can sit in front on request.
Sandboarding and climbing back up a dune in flip-flops ends badly. Closed shoes, every time.
Allow 4 to 5 hours from pickup. Book lunch or a museum for the afternoon, not for 11 AM.
Booking terms
Drivers, Licence, Payment and Cancellation
A dune driving permit, 10+ years on the sand, and safety and first aid checks. Roll cages, insurance and a belt for each seat.
Royal Arabian Safari is licensed by DCT Abu Dhabi and has run desert trips from Al Khatim since 2015.
No deposit. Cash on the day in any major currency; card payments carry an 8 to 10 percent bank fee.
Free up to 12 hours before pickup. If wind or rain spoils the morning, you pick another date or cancel with nothing to pay.
Guest reviews
From Guests Who Went Out Early
Our rating across more than 10,000 reviews of all our tours
★★★★★Thank you so much. It was a nice experience! Ahmed was very accommodating and he made our experience hassle free!
Guest · via WhatsApp
★★★★★Dune bashing was truly amazing, unforgettable, breathtaking and thrilling. Highly recommended: best photography and videos, best care and service to make the guest happy and satisfied. You won’t regret booking with them, you will surely enjoy all the activities included in the package. To Rizwan and to the whole team, thank you so much.
Espiritu · Guest message
★★★★★We booked a private car for our family and Mohammed was a superb guide for us. He picked us up in time at our hotel, came with a perfectly clean and prepared car, and took us out into the desert including different stops along the route.
Markus W · Private car · Google review
★★★★★Thank you once again for the beautiful experience at the desert. We enjoyed it and everything was good. We will recommend this to all the people also. Driver was also very good!
Farisha · via WhatsApp
Booking
How to Book a Morning Desert Safari in Abu Dhabi
- Choose the carTap Check dates, then pick the sedan or 4×4 or the Land Cruiser.
- Send your date and addressAdd the number of guests and any quad or buggy you want. We reply with the best pickup time for that day.
- Meet your driverHe stays in touch on WhatsApp, and you pay him when the trip is done.
WhatsApp +971 58 228 2683 · Team online 24/7 · Pay on the day
Questions
Morning Desert Safari Abu Dhabi FAQ
How much is the morning desert safari in Abu Dhabi?
USD 218 (AED 799) for a private sedan or 4×4, or USD 272 (AED 999) for a private Toyota Land Cruiser. The price is for the whole car, up to 7 guests, already after our up to 30% off.
Is the morning safari private or shared?
Private only. We do not sell shared seats in the morning, so the car, the driver and the timing belong to your group.
Can I see the sunrise on the dunes?
Often, yes. In winter a pickup around 5:20 to 5:55 AM reaches the dunes for first light; from May to September the sun is already up when our earliest 5 AM pickup reaches the dunes. Haze can hide it, so sunrise is never guaranteed.
Is a camel ride included?
No. A stand-alone camel ride of about an hour can be arranged on request: USD 109 (AED 400) per adult and USD 82 (AED 300) for children aged 3 to 10.
Can I add a quad bike or a buggy?
Yes. A 30 minute quad starts at USD 27 (AED 100) for one rider, and a Can-Am buggy is USD 218 (AED 800) per 30 minutes for one or two seats, or USD 327 (AED 1,200) for four seats.
Do I have to do dune bashing?
No. It is your choice: ask for a gentle drive or skip it, and the rest of the morning goes ahead.
Is the morning safari suitable for children?
Yes. Under 3s are free and get a gentle drive, child seats come on request, and sandboarding suits most children.
Can pregnant guests or people with back problems join?
Yes, without the dune bashing. We advise pregnant guests and anyone with back or heart problems to skip that part.
Do you pick up from the airport or the cruise terminal?
Yes. The Abu Dhabi cruise terminal costs the same as a hotel, and we collect from Abu Dhabi airport in the same private car. From Al Ain or the northern emirates, ask us on WhatsApp for a price.
Is there a shared morning desert safari with you?
No. If you want a shared seat, our evening desert safari has shared hotel pickup from USD 41 (AED 150) per person.
What is the difference between a morning and a sunrise desert safari?
A sunrise trip is a morning safari timed for first light, so the pickup moves earlier as the year goes on. With us it is the same private car and price: pick the earliest slot for your month and you reach the dunes as the sun comes up.
Is there a VIP morning desert safari?
Our most premium morning is the private Toyota Land Cruiser at USD 272 (AED 999) for the car, with your own driver, your own pickup time and nobody else on board.
When is the best time of year for a morning safari?
October to April gives cool, comfortable mornings. From May to September the morning is still the best desert hour, as long as you take the 5 AM pickup.
Is the morning desert safari worth it?
If you want the dunes without the evening crowd, the dinner or the late night, yes. It is short, private and quiet, and leaves the rest of your day free.
Can I book a morning safari in the UAE if I am staying in Dubai?
Yes, but book it from Dubai. Our morning desert safari in Dubai collects you from your Dubai hotel. This page is the Abu Dhabi morning desert safari, with pickup anywhere in Abu Dhabi city and the dunes at Al Khatim.
More options