From the crew at our Al Khatim camp · October 2026
Desert Safari Abu Dhabi Dress Code by Month
Fabrics, shoes and night layers for every month, from our guides.
Light, washable clothes you can move in, closed shoes for the sand, and a warm layer for winter evenings. That covers most guests. Below: real temperatures by month, what each activity asks of your clothes, what gets ruined, and lists for men, women and children.
AED 150 · per guest with hotel pickup, BBQ and shows
Water and soft drinks on board · no deposit
Ask what to bringFor your date and group
The 30-second answer
The Desert Safari Outfit That Works for Almost Everyone
Four rules, written by the drivers who watch thousands of guests climb out of the 4×4 every season.
Cotton or linen that breathes, with trousers or knee-length shorts. You will be thrown about in the car and you will sit on the sand.
Trainers you do not mind ruining. The sand is hot in the afternoon and it gets inside everything.
From December to February the desert evening drops to the mid teens, colder in the wind. Bring a hoodie or a light jacket.
Sunglasses, sunscreen and a scarf. The scarf keeps sand off your face on the dunes and warms your neck at night.
Month by month
How Warm the Desert Is, and What to Wear Each Month
Average highs and lows for Abu Dhabi, 1991 to 2020 normals. The open desert loses heat faster after sunset, so camp evenings feel cooler than these lows suggest.
| Months | Day high | Night low | Wear |
|---|---|---|---|
| December to February | 25 to 27°C | 14 to 16°C | T-shirt by day, hoodie or jacket after sunset |
| March and April | 30 to 35°C | 18 to 21°C | Light layers, a thin long sleeve for camp |
| May to September | 40 to 43°C | 25 to 30°C | Lightest clothes you own, a cap, no jacket |
| October and November | 31 to 37°C | 20 to 24°C | Summer clothes, a light layer late in November |
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The morning safari flips this: winter sunrises are the coldest point of the day, so a jacket matters more at 6 AM than at 6 PM.
By activity
Dress for the Activities, Not Just the Photos
| Activity | What happens | Wear this |
|---|---|---|
| Dune bashing | You swing side to side for 15 to 20 minutes | Trousers or long shorts, hair tied back, nothing loose in pockets |
| Sandboarding | You will fall, and sand goes everywhere | Clothes you can shake out, zipped pockets |
| Camel ride | You sit astride a wide saddle | Trousers or a loose long skirt, not a tight dress |
| Sunset photos | Low golden light on red sand | Solid colours stand out; pale fabric picks up orange dust |
| Camp and dinner | You sit on cushions under the sky | Your warm layer in winter; sandals are fine here |
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Women, men, children
Practical Answers for Every Guest
No headscarf or abaya is required, on the dunes or at camp. Wear what you would for an active day outdoors. Leave swimwear and good jewellery at the hotel.
Knee-length shorts or light trousers and a T-shirt are perfect. A cap helps in the afternoon sun; a keffiyeh for photos is part of the costume corner at camp.
Closed shoes, a hat, a spare set of clothes for the ride home, and a warm top for winter evenings. Sand gets into everything small.
Packing lists
What to Pack, by Season
- Winter, December to FebruaryT-shirt and breathable trousers, a hoodie or light jacket, closed washable shoes, a scarf, sunglasses and sunscreen.
- Spring and autumnLight layers, a thin long-sleeved top for the evening, a cap and sunglasses.
- Summer, May to SeptemberThe lightest clothes you own, a wide cap, sunglasses, high factor sunscreen. We keep water and soft drinks cold in the car and at camp.
- Every seasonA zip bag for your phone, a small towel or wet wipes, and nothing you would be upset to see covered in sand.
Learn from others
What Gets Ruined on a Desert Safari
Things we see go wrong every week of the season, and the easy fix for each.
The Al Khatim sand is fine and orange. It works into pale cotton and does not always wash out.
Wet henna stains fabric for good. Keep your hands away from clothes until it dries.
Sand finds the ports and lenses. A zip bag between photos saves a repair bill.
Lost in the dunes, they are gone. Wear simple pieces or none.
Ready to go
Packed? Choose Your Safari
Hotel pickup in Abu Dhabi, no deposit, free cancellation up to 12 hours before. Up to 30% off for a limited time.
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EveningSunset Camp Evening, Shared 4×4
Hotel pickup, dunes, a camel ride and sandboarding, then dinner and three shows at camp.
- Pack a winter layer
- Home by 10:30 PM
Evening, privateSunset Camp Evening, Own Car
The same evening in your own car, ideal for families with bags of spare clothes.
- Space for kit
- Room for 7
Land Cruiser instead: USD 245 (AED 899)
MorningEarly Dunes Morning Run
Cool sand, dune bashing and sandboarding, back before midday. Bring a jacket for winter sunrises.
- Private only
- No meal served
Land Cruiser instead: USD 272 (AED 999)
Booking
Questions About Your Date? Ask the Crew
- Send your date and groupWe tell you how warm the dunes will be and what to bring.
- Pick evening or morningShared or private, and the cost for everyone.
- Ride and payLobby pickup, then pay the driver at the end.
+971 58 228 2683 · No prepayment · Cancel free up to 12 hours before
- 4.9from 10,000+ reviews
- 95,000+guests since 2015
- LicensedDCT Abu Dhabi, DTCM Dubai
- No depositpay on the day
Questions
What to Wear: Your Questions
What is the best outfit for a desert safari in Abu Dhabi?
Loose, light cotton or linen, trousers or knee-length shorts, closed washable trainers, sunglasses and a scarf. Add a hoodie or light jacket for evenings from December to February.
Can I wear shorts on a desert safari?
Yes. Knee-length shorts are fine for men and women. Very short shorts make the camel ride and sitting on the sand less comfortable.
Do women need to cover their heads on a desert safari?
No. Neither a headscarf nor an abaya is required on the dunes or at camp. Many guests bring a scarf anyway, to keep sand off their face.
Can I wear sandals or flip-flops?
For the dunes, closed shoes are better: the afternoon sand is hot and gets into everything. Sandals are fine once you are at camp.
Is it cold in the desert at night?
In winter, yes. Abu Dhabi lows from December to February average 14 to 16°C, and the open desert feels colder in the wind. From May to September nights stay warm.
What should I wear on a desert safari in summer?
The lightest breathable clothes you own, a cap, sunglasses and high factor sunscreen. Skip the jacket; we keep cold water and soft drinks in the car.
What should children wear on a desert safari?
Closed shoes, a hat, light layers and a spare set of clothes for the ride home. Add a warm top for winter evenings.
Do you provide traditional clothes for photos?
Yes. Arabic costumes for photos are part of the evening at camp and free to wear. Buying one to take home costs extra.
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