Morning Desert Safari in Abu Dhabi: Camels, Sandboarding, and Screaming for My Life

When you find yourself in Abu Dhabi with a free morning, you have two options: sleep in or throw yourself into the desert and see what happens. Naturally, I chose the latter.

With my partner-in-crime, Kyle Anne, I booked the Abu Dhabi: Morning Desert Safari with Camels and Sandboarding through Viator—my go-to for overseas adventures. It’s never failed me, and this was no exception.

The Pre-Adventure Prep

The day started early, which is already a bold choice. Our tour guide, Biju, picked us up at our hotel, along with two other adventurers who, thankfully, had a high tolerance for my future screaming. An hour-long drive led us to a gas station, where Biju casually informed us that this was our last chance for a bathroom break for two hours. Noted. We stocked up on essentials (aka candy, coffee, and hope) before continuing into the dunes.

The Camel Meet-and-Greet

Before the adrenaline rush, we made a stop at a camel farm. Now, I like animals, but camels are an acquired taste. Slightly smelly? Yes. Adorable? Also yes. Kyle Anne and I approached with mild hesitation, exchanged a few curious glances with the herd, and gave in to a couple of tentative pats. With that box checked, it was time for the real adventure.

Death-Defying Dune Bashing

Biju, in true comedic fashion, grinned at me and said, “First time driving.” Then he cranked up some old-school dance music and hit the gas. What followed was a roller coaster with no tracks. The SUV shot up dunes, teetered at angles that defied physics, and then plunged down at speeds that made me rethink every decision leading up to this moment.

I screamed. Loudly. Our new tour buddies laughed. One lady in another car wasn’t so lucky—motion sickness claimed her, but thankfully, my gas station candy stash kept me in the game. Apparently, we traveled in a caravan of three vehicles in case one flipped. Comforting.

Sandboarding: Fun Until You Have to Walk Back Up

Next came sandboarding. The instructions? “Just lay on the board and go.” Simple enough. Sliding down was exhilarating. Climbing back up? A personal betrayal. The soft sand turned every step into a full-body workout, and after two rounds, I accepted my fate and sat the rest out. Biju found my struggle hilarious and kindly filmed my suffering for posterity. Thanks, Biju.

The Grand Finale: Camel Riding

The tour ended with a brief camel ride—more of a photo op than a true trek, but entertaining nonetheless. The camels graciously carted us in a short circle, ensuring we got our “look, I rode a camel” pictures before heading back to the city.

Final Verdict

Would I do dune bashing again? Hard pass. But was it an incredible, once-in-a-lifetime experience? Absolutely. If you find yourself in Abu Dhabi, looking for an adventure that balances terror and exhilaration, book this tour. And if you get Biju as your guide, tell him I’m still recovering.