Desert Safari Tours from Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
Extreme Tourism, a DCT-registered tour operator in Abu Dhabi, runs morning, sunrise, sunset, evening and overnight safaris to its own camp in the Al Khatim desert. Its safaris include free pick-up and drop-off within the city of Abu Dhabi, so a stay on Yas Island starts with your hotel as the pickup point.
Their Abu Dhabi desert safaris
Evening Desert Safari
The package their FAQ calls the most popular: a 4x4 pickup between 02:30 and 03:30 PM, dune bashing, sandboarding, a camel ride and sunset photos, then their Bedouin-style camp in Al Khatim with Arabic coffee, henna, a BBQ dinner with vegetarian dishes, and belly dance, Tanoura and fire shows. About six and a half hours; drop-off between 10:00 and 10:30 PM.
- Shared or private 4x4
- BBQ dinner at the camp
Morning Desert Safari
A pickup between 07:00 and 07:30 AM for about five hours in the Al Khatim desert: 45 minutes of dune bashing, a welcome drink, sandboarding, a short camel ride and a mini breakfast at their Bedouin camp, back around midday.
- About five hours
- Breakfast at the camp
Sunrise Desert Safari
A private 4x4 collects you between 04:30 and 05:00 AM to watch the sun rise over the dunes, followed by 45 minutes of dune bashing, sandboarding, a camel ride and a mini desert breakfast with Arabic coffee or tea. About six and a half hours, back between 11:00 and 11:30 AM.
- Private vehicle only
- Sunrise over the dunes
Sunset Desert Safari
A private sundowner trip: pickup at 02:30 PM from October to March and 03:30 PM from April to September, 45 minutes of dune bashing, sandboarding, a desert walk and sunset photos with soft drinks. About three hours, or longer with the camp, the BBQ dinner and the Tanoura and fire shows added.
- Private 4x4
- About three hours
Overnight Desert Safari
Pickup between 03:00 and 03:30 PM, then dune bashing, sandboarding, a camel ride, the camp's shows and a BBQ dinner, a night in a desert tent with bedding and restrooms, stargazing by the campfire, and sunrise with breakfast. Drop-off between 09:00 and 09:30 AM the next morning.
- A night in a desert tent
- Dinner and breakfast
Al Quaa Milky Way Night Safari
A private evening trip to Al Quaa, which their site describes as one of the UAE's best-known dark-sky spots: stargazing, a bonfire and a live BBQ dinner, from 04:30 PM to midnight with transfer, back the same night. An overnight camping version with breakfast is also on their site.
- Dark-sky stargazing
- Live BBQ dinner
What to check before booking a safari from Yas Island
Four things to settle before you book, and where Extreme Tourism's own pages answer them.
- Pickup: their free pick-up and drop-off cover the city of Abu Dhabi; give your Yas Island hotel when you book.
- Timing: sunrise pickups from 04:30 AM, morning from 07:00 AM, evening from 02:30 PM.
- Shared or private: a shared 4x4 seats six; the sunrise and sunset trips are private only.
- Health: their safaris are not advised in pregnancy or with heart complaints or serious medical conditions.
How booking works
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1
Choose your safari
Pick a morning, sunrise, sunset, evening or overnight safari on their site, and a shared or private transfer. With the private option, the 4x4 is reserved for your group.
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2
Give your Yas Island pickup
Free pick-up and drop-off cover the city of Abu Dhabi, from a hotel, apartment, mall or tourist attraction. Name your Yas Island hotel as the pickup point and confirm the time with them.
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3
Reserve now, pay later
Their Book Now, Pay Later option holds the date with no payment in advance; you pay when the tour begins. Their site notes a 2.5% charge on card payments.
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4
Change or cancel in time
Cancel at least 24 hours before the tour for a full refund. Later cancellations and no-shows are charged in full; groups of nine or more change free until 48 hours before.
On the dunes and at the camp
Photos from Extreme Tourism's own safaris in the Abu Dhabi desert.
About Extreme Tourism
Extreme Tourism LLC is a tour operator with its office in Khalidiya Tower, Al Khalidiyah, Abu Dhabi. Its site describes it as a fully licensed tour operator accredited by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, with over 15 years of desert safaris, and shows its DCT registration and trademark certificates. It sells desert safaris, city tours and activity tickets. Every safari includes complimentary pickup and drop-off, professional guides and access to its own Premium Desert Camp in the Al Khatim desert, which can host up to 800+ guests and takes group bookings, weddings, corporate retreats and private celebrations. Its staff are multilingual and its packages can be customised.
15+
years of desert safaris, as their site states
800+
guests their Al Khatim desert camp can host
45 min
of dune bashing on the morning, sunrise, sunset and overnight safaris
24 h
before the tour: the last moment to cancel for a full refund
Book on Extreme Tourism's own website
Their website lists every Abu Dhabi safari with its timings, inclusions, current prices and offers, and books it with Reserve now, pay later.
From Yas Island to the Al Khatim dunes
Yas Island is a leisure island in Abu Dhabi with no desert of its own, so a safari from the island starts with the drive out to the dunes.
- Free pick-up and drop-off within the city of Abu Dhabi, door to door from your hotel, apartment or a mall.
- Their camp is in the Al Khatim desert; their self-drive safari page puts the Khatim desert about 80 km from Abu Dhabi.
- Their half-day Abu Dhabi city tour also drives through Yas Island, with a photo stop.
- Their office: Khalidiya Tower, Al Khalidiyah, Abu Dhabi.
Their Abu Dhabi desert safaris
The safaris Extreme Tourism runs into the Al Khatim desert and beyond, each with a 4x4 pickup in Abu Dhabi city.
- Evening: dunes, sunset, a BBQ dinner and shows at their camp.
- Morning and sunrise: early dunes, sandboarding and breakfast in the desert.
- Overnight: a night in a desert tent, then sunrise and breakfast.
- Al Quaa: stargazing and a BBQ dinner far from city lights.
Start with the evening safari
Pickup within Abu Dhabi city
For a first safari, their FAQ points to the Evening Desert Safari: the dunes, a camel ride, the sunset, and a BBQ dinner with shows at their Al Khatim camp, with a door-to-door 4x4 from your hotel. Reserve it now and pay later on their site, or ask Extreme Tourism a question first with the form on this page.
Ready for the dunes?
Questions about desert safaris from Yas Island
Do they run desert safaris from Yas Island?
Their safaris include free pick-up and drop-off within the city of Abu Dhabi, door to door from your hotel, apartment, mall or a tourist attraction. Their site does not list districts one by one, so give your Yas Island hotel as the pickup point when you book, or ask them on WhatsApp, and they confirm the pickup time.
Where does the safari take place?
In the Al Khatim desert outside Abu Dhabi, where their Bedouin-style camp is. Their Al Quaa and Liwa trips go further, to Al Quaa and to the Empty Quarter (Rub' al Khali).
Morning or evening safari: which should I choose?
Their own advice: the morning safari suits people who love the sunrise and dune bashing, and the evening safari suits those who want to see the sunset from the dunes and enjoy the camp's activities, dinner and shows.
What time is the pickup?
Sunrise safari 04:30 to 05:00 AM; morning safari 07:00 to 07:30 AM; evening safari 02:30 to 03:30 PM; sunset safari 02:30 PM from October to March and 03:30 PM from April to September; overnight safari 03:00 to 03:30 PM. Private transfers can be set to your convenience.
What is included in the evening safari?
Pickup and drop-off by 4x4, dune bashing, sandboarding, sunset views, a camel ride, their Bedouin-style camp with Arabic coffee and henna, a BBQ dinner with vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes, and live belly dance, Tanoura, fire and camel shows. Alcohol and personal expenses are not included.
Can we go privately?
Yes. Most safaris offer a shared or a private transfer, and with the private option the vehicle is reserved for your group. A shared 4x4 seats six. The sunrise and sunset safaris are private only.
Can children come?
Yes. Children aged 3 to 12 book as children. Under UAE law a child under 3 needs a child safety seat, which the operator provides, and a parent or guardian should supervise children at the camp. Their safaris are not advised for pregnant women or people with heart complaints or serious medical conditions.
What should I wear and bring?
There is no dress code, but they recommend proper shoes, and a jacket or warm layers from October to March. Bring your passport or Emirates ID (a photo or scan is accepted), any medication you need, and cash or a card for extras.
Do I have to pay in advance?
No. Their Book Now, Pay Later option reserves the tour without an advance payment; you pay when the tour begins. Their site notes a 2.5% charge on card payments.
What if my plans change?
Cancel at least 24 hours before the tour for a full refund; within 24 hours, or a no-show, is charged in full. Individual bookings change free until 24 hours before, groups of nine or more until 48 hours before, and a booking that was changed loses its refund.
Do they take groups and events?
Yes. Their group booking form covers corporate events, birthdays, weddings and special occasions on the evening, morning, sunset, sunrise or overnight safari, with a private or shared desert camp, for 12 people or more.
What else do they offer from Abu Dhabi?
Camel trekking, quad bike and dune buggy tours, a self-drive desert safari, a Liwa overnight safari to the Empty Quarter, Abu Dhabi city tours (the half-day tour drives through Yas Island) and a yacht dinner cruise.
How do I contact them?
Call or WhatsApp +971 50 472 8001 (their live chat runs 24/7), or send a question with the form on this page.
Ask Extreme Tourism
A question about a safari, a pickup from your Yas Island hotel, a private trip or a group? Send it to Extreme Tourism.
Thank you. Your question is on its way to Extreme Tourism.
Extreme Tourism
Reach Extreme Tourism directly:
- extremetourism.ae
- Khalidiya Tower, Mezzanine Floor, Room No. 32, Al Khalidiyah, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Tours daily; live chat 24/7
Ready for the dunes?
Choose a morning, sunset, evening or overnight safari on Extreme Tourism's site and give your Yas Island hotel as the pickup point, or send them a question first.