Abu Dhabi Camel Trekking Safari with Arabic Coffee and Dates

This is a desert safari centred on the camel, the scenery and the slow pace of the desert. The activity takes place in the Al Khatim desert near Abu Dhabi, and lasts about three hours including the journey from pickup and back. The option on the page is a shared morning safari, meaning you join other participants on the same departure.

The start: pickup is in an air-conditioned 4x4 vehicle, so the way to the desert is comfortable. You can be picked up from a hotel, and the trip to Al Khatim and back is covered in the three-hour format. The exact pickup point and time are coordinated with us after booking. When you book you choose a specific time slot.

The camel ride: the heart of the experience is a ride of about 30 minutes on a camel across the sand dunes. It is a ride over real dune terrain and not a short loop inside an enclosure, with the feel of the traditional way to travel in the desert. You sway with the camel's rhythm, look at the golden landscape and take photos.

The desert camp: after the ride you rest at the camp, where you receive Arabic coffee and dates, and bottled water as well. It is a Bedouin welcome, and the place is good for sitting, recovering and photographing the open space. The ticket includes Arabic coffee, dates and bottled water. Breakfast and lunch are not included, and neither is sandboarding, which is available at extra cost.

Who can take part: the ticket types are adults from age 13 and children up to age 12. Desert activities may not suit pregnant guests, young children, or those with back problems or another health condition. Anyone in one of these situations should consult a doctor before booking.

Important points: you must arrive at the pickup or meeting point at least 15 minutes before the time, and latecomers may not be admitted. You show a mobile or printed voucher and, where required, a photo ID. Timings and the order of activities may change because of weather or operating conditions, and parts of the experience may be modified or substituted to ensure safety and quality. We recommend bringing a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen, and wearing shoes that are comfortable to walk in on sand.

Cancellation: Each ticket's cancellation terms are shown next to the ticket and on the booking screen, before you pay. Cancellation does not include a promise of a date change.

Who is it for? Families, couples and anyone who wants a taste of the desert without a full day. The list of what is included has no dinner, shows or dune driving, so anyone looking for them should check a different kind of safari.

The camel was central to Bedouin life, and for thousands of years people on the Arabian Peninsula have worked and travelled with it. The traditional diet of the region was built around their nomadic lifestyle, with staples including dates, and milk and meat from camels and other livestock.

People also sang on camel journeys through the desert. Al-Taghrooda is Bedouin chanted poetry, composed and recited by men travelling on camelback through desert areas. Bedouins believe that the chanting entertains the riders and stimulates the animals to walk in time. The poems are short, of up to 7 lines, and are improvised. The ability to compose and chant them is transmitted through the family and by community elders. In 2012 Al-Taghrooda was inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, in a joint nomination by the United Arab Emirates and Oman.

The bond between people and camels continues in camel racing too. In 2020 the camel racing of the United Arab Emirates and Oman was inscribed on the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage. It is considered a fundamental part of the nomadic lifestyle and a source of inspiration for poetry and singing. Camels are selected by type, origin and age, given a special diet and trained in groups on the track. Camels may look like casual strollers, but they can run at a remarkable speed when put to the test. Before racetracks existed, camels would race between the Emirates.

The camel is present in the textiles and tents of the desert too. Al-Sadu is a traditional weaving craft practised by Emirati women since ancient times. It weaves camel fur, goat hair or sheep wool, and in the past it provided shelter in the form of desert tents. It is also used to decorate camel saddles and belts. The traditional colours are black, white, brown and beige. Al-Sadu is central to Bedouin culture, and it was inscribed in 2011 on the list of intangible heritage in need of urgent safeguarding.

The Arabic coffee and dates at the camp are part of Emirati hospitality. Arabic coffee was inscribed in 2015 on the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage and is seen as a symbol of generosity. The beans are roasted until they turn red or brown, then ground and brewed with cardamom. Welcoming a guest is considered incomplete without coffee, even when a banquet is held in the guest's honour.