If you’ve done a desert safari in Abu Dhabi before, you already know the basics: a bit of dune bashing, maybe a quick camel ride to Abu Dhabi, dinner at a camp, back to the hotel. It’s fun. But if you’re looking for something that feels a little bigger, quieter, and honestly, a little more real, that’s where the Liwa sunset desert safari comes in.
Liwa isn’t just another stretch of dunes near the city. It’s part of the Empty Quarter — the Rub’ al Khali — which is the largest continuous sand desert in the world. You feel that when you’re out there. It’s not busy. There aren’t long lines of tourists waiting their turn on a quad bike. It feels empty in the best way.
Here’s why a Liwa sunset safari feels different from your usual desert trip.
Most evening desert safari Abu Dhabi options are within an hour’s drive of the city. You’re out in the sand, sure, but you’re never too far from the main road. That means camps are usually closer together and the dunes aren’t as tall.
Liwa is a solid two-and-a-half to three-hour drive from Abu Dhabi. It’s not a side trip — it’s the trip. But once you’re there, the dunes are massive. Some of them rise over 300 meters. You don’t see roads. You don’t hear much of anything except wind and sand shifting.
That sense of space makes a huge difference.
The desert sunset near Abu Dhabi is pretty. But in Liwa, it’s slower, deeper, and way quieter. The sand turns gold, then orange, then a kind of purple as the sun drops. Because there are no buildings or camps in the distance, it really feels like you’ve got the whole desert to yourself.
If you’re into photography, this is the place to catch those long shadows and perfect dune lines. You won’t need filters. The light does all the work.
A standard dune buggy tour in Abu Dhabi or quad bike ride in Abu Dhabi experiences can feel a bit busy, especially around the main safari spots. In Liwa, you’re more likely to be the only group around.
It’s not just about the size of the desert. It’s that fewer companies go all the way out there. The ones that do tend to focus more on smaller groups and private trips. So if you’re after a peaceful experience instead of a loud camp full of music and flashing lights, Liwa’s a good pick.
When people talk about the Rub’ al Khali — the Empty Quarter — they’re usually imagining wide, untouched dunes stretching to the horizon. That’s exactly what Liwa feels like. It’s where UAE history connects with the desert in a real way.
If you’ve done a morning desert safari Abu Dhabi or a regular evening trip before, Liwa’s that next-level experience. You move beyond quick activities and really just let the desert be the main event.
Sure, you can get a camel ride at the Abu Dhabi experience closer to town. But out in Liwa, it’s quieter. You’re riding through dunes that stretch for miles, not circling a small camp setup.