Camel Ride Abu Dhabia sunset camel trek across the Al Khatim dunes, the way the Bedouin have ridden for centuries
Climb aboard a gentle “ship of the desert” and sway across the golden dunes at sunset, led on foot by an experienced handler. A short camel ride is included free in every safari — or book a dedicated Camel Trek for a longer, scenic ride with Arabic coffee, dates and unforgettable photos in the Al Khatim desert.
Free short ride in every safari · AED 150 long ride add-on · or a dedicated AED 390 sunset Camel Trek · pay on arrival
From a short ride to a sunset trek
A camel ride is free with every safari — or go deeper
Many operators charge AED 319–450 for what is essentially a safari with a camel ride. With us a short ride is already included free in every safari, so you only pay more if you want a longer, dedicated trek.
Free short ride, or a dedicated trek
Every standard safari already includes a short camel ride at no extra cost. Want longer? Add a 15-minute long ride for AED 150, or book the dedicated sunset Camel Trek at AED 390 for a longer, scenic journey across the dunes.
Handler-led & beginner-friendly
A handler leads every camel on foot, so the ride is calm, gentle and safe for first-timers and children riding with an adult. You can meet, pet and photograph the camels before you set off.
Sunset light & Bedouin heritage
Ride a dromedary — the “ship of the desert” — across the Al Khatim dunes as the Bedouin have for centuries, with Arabic coffee, dates and Arabic costumes for unforgettable golden-hour photos.
Camel ride Abu Dhabi — options & prices
Three ways to ride a camel with us, all pay-on-arrival. A short ride is free in every safari; upgrade to a longer ride or a dedicated sunset trek. Sunset or sunrise — your choice.
| Option | Price | Duration | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short ride (in any safari) | Free | A few minutes | Everyone — included in every package |
| Long camel ride (add-on) | AED 150 | ~15 min (up to 2) | A bit longer in the saddle |
| Dedicated Camel Trek | AED 390 | Longer scenic ride | A proper sunset trek & photos |
| Sunset trek | — | Evening light | Pairs with BBQ & live shows |
| Sunrise trek | — | Cool early light | Quiet, peaceful, great photos |
Add a camel trek, or pick a full safari
Every safari below already includes a short camel ride. The dedicated Camel Trek is AED 390 for a longer sunset journey, or add a 15-minute long ride for AED 150. Below is every package and transfer compared side by side. Book on WhatsApp, pay on arrival.
Standard Packages
Book now · pay on arrival · 25% off
Self-Drive Safari
Drive your own car to the meeting point and join the full desert camp experience at the lowest price in Abu Dhabi.
- Dune bashing
- Camel ride
- Sandboarding
- BBQ dinner
- Live shows
Sharing Bus Pickup
Pickup from Al Wahda Mall, Mazyad Mall or Safeer Mall Shabiya in a shared bus. Easy and affordable.
- Bus transfer
- Dune bashing
- Camel ride
- BBQ dinner
- Live shows
Sharing 4×4 Pickup
Comfortable shared Toyota Land Cruiser pickup from the city, straight to the dunes for your safari.
- 4×4 transfer
- Dune bashing
- Camel ride
- BBQ dinner
- Live shows
Private Car (up to 6)
Your own private vehicle for up to 6 people. Ideal for families and groups who want their own transfer.
- Private 4×4
- Up to 6 pax
- Dune bashing
- BBQ dinner
- Live shows
Premium & Named Experiences
Signature & private safaris · 25% off
Evening Desert Safari
Our signature evening safari with VIP majlis seating and a single-seater quad bike included — sunset, dune bashing and full camp.
- VIP seating
- Quad bike
- Sunset
- BBQ dinner
- All shows
Morning Desert Safari
Start the day in the cool desert air with dune bashing, camel rides and sandboarding before the heat builds.
- Dune bashing
- Camel ride
- Sandboarding
- BBQ
- Live shows
Overnight Desert Safari
Sleep under the stars at a Bedouin-style desert camp — dune bashing, BBQ dinner, sheesha and breakfast at sunrise.
- Overnight camp
- Dune bashing
- Dinner
- Breakfast
- Stargazing
Sunrise Desert Safari
A private 4-hour dawn safari — watch the desert wake up with dune bashing, sandboarding and a desert breakfast.
- Private tour
- Sunrise
- Dune bashing
- Breakfast
Sundowner Dune Safari
A private sunset dune experience with golden-hour views, refreshments and a relaxed desert atmosphere.
- Private
- Sunset
- Dune bashing
- Refreshments
Camel Trek
A slower, contemplative way to see the desert — a sunset camel ride across the golden dunes, Bedouin style.
- Camel trek
- Sunset
- Transfers
- Refreshments
Activity Tours
Add-on adventures · 25% off
Quad Bike Tour
Ride a powerful quad bike across the open dunes on a guided desert route with full safety briefing.
- Quad bike
- Guided route
- Safety gear
Dune Buggy Tour
Drive a high-powered dune buggy across the Abu Dhabi dunes — pure off-road adrenaline, per 30 minutes.
- Dune buggy
- 30 min
- Safety gear
Sandboarding Tour
Strap to a board and slide down the steep face of a desert dune — no snow required, all ages welcome.
- Sandboarding
- Equipment
- Instruction
Pick a package, add your extras, send on WhatsApp
Choose your base safari, tap the add-ons you want, and we’ll have your custom total ready. Your inquiry goes straight to our WhatsApp — we reply with availability and pickup details.
Your Safari
Prices per the option’s unit. Final total confirmed on WhatsApp.
No online payment. We confirm availability, pickup time and final price by WhatsApp on +971 50 414 6025.
Your camel ride, step by step
From pickup to the saddle, here’s exactly how a camel ride in Abu Dhabi flows — whether you take the short ride in a safari or a dedicated sunset trek.
Hotel or mall pickup
We collect you in a 4×4 and drive to the Al Khatim desert (about 45–50 minutes), on the way to Al Ain — calm, open dunes away from the city.
Meet the camels
Before you ride, meet, pet and photograph the camels — the gentle “ships of the desert.” A handler introduces you and helps you mount comfortably.
Sway across the dunes
Set off on a calm, handler-led ride across the dune face. The short ride is a few minutes; the dedicated trek is a longer, scenic journey at your own gentle pace.
Sunset photo stop
Pause for photos as the dunes turn gold — in traditional Arabic costume if you like. The light at sunset (or sunrise) is the most magical part of the ride.
Arabic coffee, dates & refreshments
Back at the Bedouin camp, enjoy Arabic coffee, dates and unlimited water — and on a full safari, sandboarding, henna, a BBQ dinner and live shows.
Add more, or head back
Add quad biking or a dune buggy, stay for the full evening safari, or we drive you back to your pickup point.
More than just the ride
Your camel ride comes with a handler, refreshments and the full desert setting. Booked inside a safari, the same trip adds dune bashing, a BBQ dinner and live shows. Quad biking or a dune buggy can be added on request.
Landscape, heritage & wildlife
🏜️ The desert landscape
The desert used for Abu Dhabi safaris spans the Al Khatim and Al Khaznah regions, roughly 45 minutes southeast of Abu Dhabi city. The terrain is made up of wide, rolling erg dunes shaped by seasonal shamal winds, with a distinctive warm ochre colour caused by iron-oxide content in the sand that deepens to copper and amber tones at sunset. The prime season runs October to April, when daytime temperatures sit between 22°C and 30°C and clear winter nights drop to a comfortable 15°C — ideal for overnight camping and stargazing.
🏕️ Bedouin heritage
This desert was the ancestral home of the Bedouin — nomadic Arab tribes who crossed these sands for centuries, navigating by the stars and travelling by camel. Modern desert camps honour that heritage: guests are welcomed with qahwa (Arabic coffee with cardamom), fresh dates and traditional majlis seating. Henna art, Arabic costumes for photographs, and live Tanoura and belly-dance performances connect every safari to the living cultural heritage of the UAE.
🦅 Desert wildlife & the Empty Quarter
The protected desert corridors around Al Khatim are home to the Arabian oryx — the UAE’s national animal — alongside sand gazelles and migrating houbara bustards. Further south, the Liwa region and the Empty Quarter (Rub’ al Khali) hold the world’s tallest dunes, including Moreeb Dune at over 200 metres. Falcon photography, available as an add-on, lets guests pose with a trained falcon as part of the UAE’s UNESCO-recognised falconry tradition.
🐪 What a camel ride in Abu Dhabi is like
A camel ride in Abu Dhabi lets you cross the golden dunes on the back of the “ship of the desert,” exactly as the Bedouin have for centuries. The camel kneels for you to climb on, then rises back legs first — a gentle lurch forwards and back that surprises every first-timer — before setting off at a slow, rocking, rhythmic walk led by a handler. From the height of the saddle you see far across the dunes, and the unhurried pace makes a camel ride one of the most peaceful and authentic ways to experience the Abu Dhabi desert. A short camel ride is included free in our standard desert safaris, and a dedicated Camel Trek lets you ride longer and deeper into the dunes. It suits all ages, needs no experience, and is as much a cultural moment as an activity — a direct link to the desert heritage of the UAE.
🕌 The camel in Emirati & Bedouin heritage
Camels are far more than a tourist activity in the UAE — they are woven into the nation’s identity. For the Bedouin, the camel was transport, milk, wool and wealth all in one, the single animal that made survival in the Arabian desert possible. They crossed vast distances on camelback, navigating by the stars, and camel racing remains a celebrated traditional sport in Abu Dhabi today. Taking a camel ride in Abu Dhabi connects you directly to this living heritage: you meet the animal up close, learn how it endures the harsh climate on minimal food and water, and experience desert travel the way it was done for generations. Many guests find this the most meaningful part of their safari — not the speed of dune bashing, but the slow, dignified walk of an animal that shaped an entire culture.
⏱️ How long is the camel ride & what to expect
The camel ride included in a standard Abu Dhabi safari is a short circuit — a taste of the saddle, perfect for photos and a feel for the motion. Our dedicated Camel Trek (AED 390) gives you a longer, more immersive ride deeper into the dunes, and the optional Long Camel Ride add-on (AED 150) extends your time to around 15 minutes for two people. A typical camel experience runs: hotel pickup by 4×4, transfer to the desert camp or camel farm, a chance to meet, pet and photograph the camels, the guided ride itself across the dunes, then Arabic coffee, tea and dates back at the camp. In the cooler months from November to March, treks can run longer because the daytime temperature is comfortable. However long you ride, a handler leads the camel throughout, so there is no skill required and no chance of getting lost in the dunes.
👨👩👧 Camel rides for families, kids & first-timers
A camel ride is one of the most family-friendly activities in the Abu Dhabi desert. Children love meeting the camels and riding with a parent, and because a handler leads the animal at a slow walk, it is calm and safe for all ages. First-timers need no experience — the handler helps you mount and dismount, and shows you how to lean back as the camel rises and sits. The gentle, swaying pace makes it accessible to people who would never try a quad bike or buggy, and it is a wonderful shared moment for couples and multi-generational groups. For nervous riders, the short included ride is a perfect introduction; for those who fall in love with it, the longer Camel Trek lets you settle into the rhythm and enjoy the desert from the best vantage point there is.
🌅 Sunrise vs sunset camel rides & best time to go
Camel rides in Abu Dhabi are most magical at the edges of the day. A sunrise ride is cool, quiet and serene, with soft golden light and the desert at its most peaceful before the heat builds — ideal for photographers and anyone who loves calm. A sunset ride pairs the camel trek with the dunes turning copper and amber as the sun drops, and on an evening safari it leads straight into the Bedouin camp, BBQ dinner and live shows. The best season overall is October to April, when temperatures are comfortable; in the hotter months an early-morning or late-afternoon ride is far more pleasant than midday. Whichever you choose, the low sun makes for the best photographs and the most comfortable ride across the Abu Dhabi dunes.
🧥 What to wear & who should not ride
Dress comfortably and modestly for a camel ride in Abu Dhabi: light, loose clothing that covers the arms and legs, closed shoes rather than sandals, and sunglasses and a hat against the sun. In winter evenings the desert gets cool, so bring a light layer. Hold the saddle handle firmly as the camel stands and sits, since that is when the motion is strongest. For safety, camel trekking is generally not recommended for pregnant women or people with serious back, neck or heart conditions, as the rising, sitting and swaying motion can be jarring. Young children ride with an adult. Everyone else, from teenagers to grandparents, can enjoy it easily. The handler is there throughout to help you on and off and to lead the camel at a safe, steady pace.
🐫 Camel ride inside a safari vs a dedicated trek
There are two ways to enjoy camels with us in Abu Dhabi. A short camel ride is included free in every standard desert safari, so on an evening, morning or overnight trip you get to ride at no extra cost alongside dune bashing, sandboarding, a BBQ dinner and live shows. For a longer, more immersive experience, the dedicated Camel Trek (AED 390) is built around the ride itself — more time in the saddle, deeper into the quiet dunes, with a camel-farm visit and refreshments — ideal for guests who came specifically for the camels and the culture rather than the wider safari. You can also simply add the Long Camel Ride (AED 150) to any package. Either way you ride the calm Al Khatim dunes southeast of the city, book with one WhatsApp message, and pay on arrival.
📍 Where you ride & the camel farm
Our camel rides and treks take place in the Al Khatim desert, roughly 45 minutes to an hour southeast of Abu Dhabi city, on the way towards Al Ain. Many trips include a stop at a traditional camel farm, where you can meet the animals up close, learn about their role in Emirati life and take photographs before the ride. The quiet, rolling dunes here are far less crowded than the Dubai desert, which makes for a serene trek and beautiful, uninterrupted photos. For the ultimate luxury camel experience the Liwa region and resorts like Qasr Al Sarab offer treks on the edge of the Empty Quarter, but for an authentic, accessible camel ride close to the city, the Al Khatim dunes and their camel farms are the perfect setting.
“The sunset camel trek was the highlight of our trip. So peaceful swaying across the dunes with the handler walking alongside, and the light was unreal for photos. Loved that a short ride was already included free in the safari too — the dedicated trek was worth it.”
“We did the self-drive option to save money and it was honestly fantastic value. Same camp, same activities, a fraction of the price. The sunset was unreal.”
“So much quieter than the Dubai desert. Our driver was excellent and added the long dune bashing for us. The quad bike add-on was the highlight for my son.”
“The overnight safari was magical. Stargazing, the Bedouin camp, sunrise over the dunes — worth every dirham. Highly recommend the VIP majlis seating.”
“Transparent pricing, replied instantly on WhatsApp, and no hidden charges. The belly dance and fire show were brilliant and the kids loved the camel ride.”
“Booked the camel trek for sunset and it was the most peaceful hour of our holiday. Beautiful dunes, lovely team, easy WhatsApp booking. Will be back.”
Sunset or sunrise camel ride — and a little heritage
The camel has carried the Bedouin across Arabia for thousands of years — the original “ship of the desert.” Riding one across the Al Khatim dunes is the most authentic, unhurried way to feel the desert. Here’s how to pick your moment.
Golden hour & the full evening
Ride as the dunes glow amber, then carry straight on into an evening safari — BBQ dinner, belly dance, Tanoura and fire show. The warmest light and the liveliest camp. Best if you want the whole desert night.
Cool, quiet & peaceful
Set out in the cool early light when the desert is calm and almost empty. Softer colours, fewer people, and a serene ride — ideal for photographers and anyone who prefers stillness to a party.
Meet the “ship of the desert”
Our dromedaries are gentle and used to riders. Meet, pet and photograph them first, then a handler leads you on foot at a calm pace — no experience needed, and children can ride with an adult.
Camel ride Abu Dhabi — FAQs
A short camel ride is included free in every standard desert safari we run — so most guests ride a camel without paying anything extra. If you want longer, you can add a 15-minute long camel ride for AED 150, or book a dedicated sunset Camel Trek at AED 390 for a longer, more scenic ride.
There are three ways to ride: a short camel ride is free inside any safari, a 15-minute long ride is AED 150 (for up to two people), and a dedicated sunset Camel Trek is AED 390. You pay on arrival with no booking fee. Many other operators charge AED 319 to AED 450 for a comparable camel experience.
The short ride included in a safari lasts a few minutes — enough for the experience and photos. The long add-on ride is about 15 minutes, and the dedicated Camel Trek is a longer, scenic ride that is extended further during the cooler months of November to March.
Both are beautiful. A sunset camel ride pairs naturally with an evening safari, BBQ dinner and live shows, with warm golden light over the dunes. A sunrise ride is cooler, quieter and very peaceful, with soft early light that is ideal for photography. Tell us your preference on WhatsApp and we’ll arrange it.
At our desert camp and camel farm in the Al Khatim desert, about 45 to 50 minutes from Abu Dhabi city on the way to Al Ain. The open dunes there give a calm, scenic setting for the ride, away from the city and the crowds of Dubai.
Yes. A handler leads every camel on foot, so the ride is gentle, controlled and beginner-friendly — no experience needed. Children can ride with an adult. As with dune activities, camel riding is not recommended for pregnant women; please let us know of any concerns when you book.
Yes. Before the ride you can meet, pet and photograph the camels at the farm, which children especially enjoy. The dunes at sunset make a stunning backdrop, and you can wear the traditional Arabic costumes we provide for your photos at no extra cost.
Wear comfortable, modest clothing and closed shoes. We provide traditional Arabic costumes for photos if you’d like them. In the cooler months from October to March a light layer is useful for the morning and evening, and sunglasses help during the day.
Yes, and it’s the most popular way to do it. Most guests enjoy the camel ride as part of a full safari with dune bashing, sandboarding, a BBQ dinner and live shows, and you can also add quad biking or a dune buggy for an off-road thrill in the same trip. Just tell us what you’d like to combine.
Booking is on WhatsApp. Message us at +971 50 414 6025 with your date, group size and whether you’d like a sunset or sunrise ride, and we confirm your pickup. There’s no booking fee and no online payment — you pay on arrival.
Other Abu Dhabi desert safaris
Compare every way to experience the Al Khatim desert, then book the one that fits your day and budget on WhatsApp.
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