Full Day Liwa Safari Tour
Liwa is home to some of the most spectacular desert landscapes in the UAE. The Full Day Liwa Explorer by Rub’ Al Khali Desert Tourism takes you from Abu Dhabi deep into the Liwa Oasis and the magnificent Empty Quarter – Rub’ Al Khali.
This full-day experience combines the culture and history of the Liwa Oasis with breathtaking desert landscapes and a genuine 4×4 adventure.
Liwa Tour Packages – Itineraries
Liwa Full Day Explorer – (LWA-IND-1)
Distance (one way): 220 km from Abu Dhabi (350 km from Dubai)
Timings: 10:00 – 19:00 (9-10 hours) ……….From Abu Dhabi
Pick-up Location: (Millenium Central Mafraq Hotel)
Highlights: Oasis towns, Date Farm, Date shop, Old Forts, Desert Landscape, Moreb Dunes, Salt Lakes “Sabkha”, Camel farm, Sand rose and “Sand Avalanche” Arabia).
Itinerary – Full Day Liwa Safari
Our journey begins from the Millennium Central Mafraq Hotel in Abu Dhabi, travelling west towards the Al Dhafra Region and the Liwa Oasis.
As we leave the city behind, the landscape gradually changes. Pale desert sands give way to increasingly warmer shades of orange and gold as we travel deeper into the Western Region.
After a comfort stop along the way, we continue towards Madinat Zayed, the administrative centre of the Al Dhafra Region.
Here, we visit a local market, providing an interesting glimpse into everyday life in the Western Region.
We then stop at a traditional local Arabic restaurant for lunch, where you can enjoy a local main dish accompanied by green salad, Arabic sweets and soft drinks.
Into the Liwa Oasis
After lunch, we continue towards Liwa through small desert settlements and extensive date palm plantations.
The date palm has played an essential role in life throughout the Liwa Oasis for generations. During our visit to a Date Farm, your guide will introduce you to the importance of this remarkable tree and traditional date cultivation in the region.
We continue to the heart of Liwa, where we visit one of the historic Liwa Forts, surrounded by palm plantations and the beautiful oasis landscape.
A visit to a local Date Shop also gives you an opportunity to discover and taste some of the many varieties of dates produced in the UAE.
Moreeb Dune – Gateway to the Empty Quarter
From Liwa, we head south through increasingly dramatic desert scenery towards the famous Moreeb Dune.
Rising approximately 200 metres above the surrounding landscape, Moreeb is one of Liwa’s most impressive dunes and has become famous as a meeting place for 4×4 enthusiasts and desert motorsport events.
Standing beneath this enormous wall of sand gives you your first real impression of the immense scale of the Empty Quarter.
From Moreeb, our journey continues deeper into the desert.
The Desert Adventure Begins
We stop at a traditional Camel Farm, where you can learn about the importance of camels to generations of Bedouin families and how people and animals adapted to survive in this challenging desert environment.
While you explore the farm, your guide prepares the 4×4 for the dunes by reducing the tyre pressure.
And then the real adventure begins.
We leave the tarmac behind and enter the vast sea of sand of the Empty Quarter, climbing and descending the dunes in an exciting roller-coaster-style drive.
The landscape constantly changes between towering dunes, sand-bush valleys and the flat salt plains known locally as Sabkhas.
Under suitable sand conditions, you may hear one of Liwa’s most fascinating natural phenomena — the deep sound of the Sand Avalanche, sometimes known as the Singing Sands.
Along the route, we pass protected desert areas where, with a little luck, you may occasionally spot an Arabian gazelle or other desert wildlife.
Before leaving the desert, we stop to discover another of Liwa’s natural curiosities — the Sand Rose.
These remarkable rose-shaped formations consist of crystallized gypsum that develops naturally beneath the Sabkha salt flats over extremely long periods.
After a full day exploring the culture, landscapes and dunes of Liwa, we begin our journey back to Abu Dhabi, taking with us unforgettable memories of one of Arabia’s most extraordinary desert regions.
Tour Inclusions
Pickup & Transfers
Pickup from Millennium Central Mafraq Hotel, Abu Dhabi.
Round-trip transportation in air-conditioned vehicles, with vehicle type depending on the number of guests.
Pickup from other locations within Abu Dhabi can be arranged at an additional charge.
Included Services
Professional English-speaking desert guide • 4×4 desert adventure • Madinat Zayed • Local Market • Traditional Arabic Lunch • Date Farm • Date Shop • Liwa Fort • Moreeb Dune • Camel Farm • Dune Driving • Sabkha • Sand Roses • Desert sightseeing
Lunch
Traditional local Arabic main dish • Green salad • Arabic sweets • Soft drinks
What to Bring
Camera, video camera or mobile phone • Light comfortable clothing during warmer months • Jacket or pullover during cooler weather • Sunglasses • Hat • Sunscreen • Sandals or light trekking shoes
Terms & Conditions
The Full Day Liwa Explorer operates all year round, subject to weather and desert conditions.
All rates are inclusive of 5% VAT and service charges.
Bookings should normally be made at least 48 hours in advance.
Full payment is required upon confirmation.
Cancellations or no-shows within 48 hours of the tour date are non-refundable.
Rub’ Al Khali Desert Tourism LLC reserves the right to cancel or postpone a tour due to unsuitable weather, desert conditions or unforeseen circumstances.
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