Liwa Overnight camping tour from Abu Dhabi
Liwa is one of the most famous desert regions in the UAE. This overnight camping tour takes you across its golden dunes, quiet villages, and historic sites. It starts weekly from Abu Dhabi and offers a comfortable and immersive way to enjoy the beauty of Liwa.
Liwa Full Day Explorer with overnight camping- (LWA-IND-2)
Distance (one way): 220 km from Abu Dhabi (350 km from Dubai
Timings (From October To May)
10:00 – 12:00 next day (24-26 hours) …..From Abu Dhabi (Millenium Central Mafraq Hotel)
Highlights: Oasis towns, Date Farm, Date shop, Old Forts, Desert Landscape, Salt Lakes “Sabkha”, Camel farm, Sand rose and “Sand Avalanche”, Sunset, Dinner BBQ, B’fst, Sunrise
Discover the Magic of Liwa
Experience the vast beauty of the Liwa Desert, part of the legendary Empty Quarter (Rub’ al Khali). This region forms the world’s largest sand desert and offers some of the clearest skies in the UAE.
Because of the minimal light pollution, Liwa is perfect for stargazing.
From November to March, daytime temperatures stay around 30°C. At night, the weather cools to a pleasant 18–20°C. As a result, guests enjoy warm days and comfortable evenings under the stars.
Even if you have never camped before, you will feel at ease. We provide clean sheets, soft mattresses, sleeping bags, pillows, and basic washing facilities so your stay remains comfortable from start to finish.
Journey to the Edge of the Empty Quarter
Our adventure begins at the Millennium Central Mafraq Hotel. From there, we drive southwest along the E11 highway toward the Saudi border.
After about an hour, we stop at Tarif Petrol Station for a short break.
Next, we continue another 140 km through changing landscapes where the sand gradually shifts from white to deep orange.
Soon, we arrive in Madinat Zayed, the capital of the Western Region. The town is known for its oil refineries and large solar power plant.
Here, you can explore a traditional market and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant serving the famous Emirati “Mandi.”
After lunch, we pass through small villages and lush date plantations until we reach Mezaira’a, the heart of Liwa.
You can browse date shops, taste different local varieties, and learn why dates remain essential to life in the oasis.
A short visit to the historic Liwa Fort, located beside a beautiful green dune, concludes the cultural part of the trip.
The Desert Adventure Begins
Once we reduce the tire pressure, the real excitement begins. Your guide drives smoothly over the dunes, creating a wave-like motion across the sand.
Along the route, we stop at a camel farm. Here, you learn more about these remarkable animals and their importance to Bedouin life.
As the drive continues, the dunes grow taller and more dramatic. The experience becomes thrilling, especially when crossing long ridges.
As the sun begins to set, you may hear the rare “singing sand” phenomenon — a deep humming sound created by moving sand grains.
With a bit of luck, you may also spot the Arabian gazelle. This graceful animal was once close to extinction but has returned thanks to conservation led by the late Sheikh Zayed.
Before reaching camp, we stop to see the unique Sand Roses — natural gypsum crystals shaped under the sabkhas. Each one looks like a flower carved by the desert.
Overnight Camping Under the Stars
We reach our private campsite about an hour before sunset.
Here, you can climb a dune barefoot and enjoy a breathtaking view as the sun sinks into the horizon.
Meanwhile, your guide prepares a fresh BBQ dinner with tea, mint, and dates. As night falls, the sky fills with countless stars. Your guide will point out constellations, the Milky Way, and any visible planets. You may even spot a shooting star.
Later, your private tent awaits with soft mattresses and pillows for a peaceful night’s sleep.
In the morning, you wake up to a calm sunrise over endless dunes. After a light breakfast, we pack up and begin our journey back to Liwa before returning to Abu Dhabi.
Tour Inclusions
✅ Pickup from Millennium Central Mafraq Hotel (+971-2-659-6666)
✅ Optional pickup from other Abu Dhabi locations (AED 125 / USD 35 per person – round trip)
✅ Traditional Mandi lunch at a local restaurant (includes water or soft drink)
✅ BBQ dinner: 3 types of meat, 3 salads, rice, bread, tea, and dates
✅ Breakfast: bread, butter, jam, yogurt, juice, milk, tea/coffee, fresh fruit, pastries, honey, cheese, and eggs
✅ Comfortable camping setup with sheets, sleeping bags, mattresses, and pillows
✅ Professional multilingual guide
✅ Maximum of 6 adults per 4×4
✅ All service charges included
✅ Valid from September 1 to May 30
✅ Transfers by 4×4 or minibus (depending on group size)
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