Liwa Desert vs Dubai Desert Safari: Which Abu Dhabi Experience to Choose?

Planning time in Abu Dhabi and stuck between the Liwa Desert and a Dubai Desert Safari?
You’re not alone. Both sound tempting, both look great in photos, and both are easy to visit on a day trip.

Here’s what we think… let’s talk through the differences in simple terms so you can pick the one that suits your style.

Where They Are and How Long It Takes

Let’s start with the drive. From Abu Dhabi city:

• Liwa Desert / Liwa Oasis sits roughly 200–230 km away and usually takes about 2–3 hours by car, depending on where you start and traffic.
  

• A Dubai Desert Safari camp near Lahbab is roughly 180–200 km away, about 1.5–2 hours by road.

So, both involve some driving, though Liwa is generally longer.
If you only have half a day free, the Dubai option is usually easier. If you’re fine with a longer ride and want a full-day escape, Liwa fits better.

Can you imagine watching the city fade away and sand take over on both sides of the highway? That’s pretty much how both drives feel after a while.

What the Liwa Desert Really Feels Like

Liwa is part of the Empty Quarter (Rub’ al Khali), one of the largest sand deserts on the planet. The dunes are tall, vast, and seem to go on forever.

The mood there is calm. You don’t usually see camp after camp or long lines of vehicles. It’s more about:

• Long sand slopes and massive ridges
  

• Quiet air with very little background noise
  

• Small towns and farms around Liwa Oasis
  

• A slower pace that lets you breathe a bit

You won’t believe this, but some dunes in the Liwa area, like Moreeb Dune, reach heights of around 300 meters and are used for motorsport events.

So, Liwa works well if you like:

• Wide open views
  

• Fewer people
  

• A feeling of being “far from everything”

Does that sound like your style?

What Dubai Desert Safari Feels Like

Now let’s switch to the Dubai desert side. Safaris near Dubai are very well organised and follow a clear program. Most evening tours:

• Pick you up in the afternoon
  

• Drive out to the desert.
  

• Stop for a 4x4 dune rid.e
  

• Take you to a camp with food and light shows.
  

• Bring you back to the hotel later in the evening.

Many tours last around 6–7 hours from pick-up to drop-off.

Here, you’re likely to find:

• More people
  

• Set timings for everything
  

• Music at the camp
  

• A few different mini-activities in one place

So, a Dubai Desert Safari is better if you like a social setting with structure. It’s easy for first-timers, groups, and families who want a bit of everything in one go.

Activities: What You Actually Do in Each Place

In Liwa Desert

Liwa tours from Abu Dhabi often focus on the land and its history rather than long lists of add-ons. A typical day might include:

• Stops at Liwa Oasis towns and date farms
  

• Photo breaks at old forts or viewpoints
  

• 4x4 driving across big dunes
  

• Quiet time to walk on the sand and relax
  

• Optional stays at a desert lodge or resort if you extend your visit.

The day feels more like slow time in nature. You look around, take photos, talk to your guide, and enjoy the silence. There is less focus on staged shows and more on the desert itself.

In Dubai Desert Safari Camps

Dubai-side safaris are usually more packed with back-to-back activities, for example:

• 4x4 dune ride
  

• Short camel ride loops
  

• Sandboarding
  

• Henna painting
  

• BBQ or buffet dinner
  

• Short cultural shows at the camp

Some camps are jam-packed, with lots of guests at once, while others keep it a bit more relaxed. Reviews often mention that timing matters: early arrivals may have to wait at camps before the main dune ride starts.

So, if you like constant movement, the Dubai desert plan suits you more. If you prefer long, quiet moments between stops, Liwa is a better match.

Scenery: How They Look in Real Life

Both deserts are photogenic, though in different ways.

Liwa Desert in Abu Dhabi

Liwa has massive, smooth dunes that shift in colour during the day—soft gold in the morning and deeper shades by late afternoon. Roads curve through the sand, and the view from some ridges feels almost endless.

Dubai Desert Areas (like Lahbab)

Lahbab and similar regions have fine sand and clear patterns on the dune faces, which look great at sunset. The dunes are smaller than Liwa’s but still tall enough for good dune bashing and photos.

So, if you want very tall dunes and wide open scenes, Liwa wins. If you’re happy with classic sand views plus convenient camp access, Dubai’s desert works perfectly.

Which Is Better for Families and Groups?

Here’s a quick way to think about it:

• With kids or older travellers
   A Dubai Desert Safari is easier. The drive is a bit shorter, and the camp setting keeps everyone entertained with simple, short activities and food in one place.
  

• With friends who like peace and photography
  Liwa is great for road-trip style travellers who enjoy long drives, quiet time, and expansive views.

So, ask yourself: do you want a “busy evening with lots of things happening” or a “calm day with long views and fewer people”? What do you think your group would enjoy more?

Price and Time: Quick Thoughts

Prices vary by operator, season, and what’s included, so always check details before booking. In general:

• Liwa tours often cost more, as they cover longer distances and are full-day tours of the Liwa Desert.
  

• Dubai desert safaris can be more budget-friendly, especially shared group options, and they fit better into an afternoon/evening slot.

If you’re short on time or managing a tight schedule, the Dubai route is usually easier to fit into a day.

So… Which One Should You Pick?

Here’s in simple terms:

• Pick Liwa Desert if you want:
  

• Tall dunes and huge open views
  

• Fewer crowds
  

• A calm day that feels far away from city life
  

• Pick a Dubai Desert Safari if you want:
  

• A shorter and smoother day from Abu Dhabi
  

• A ready-made program with food, small shows, and fun add-ons
  

• A social setting that works well for groups and families

Both are solid choices. You just need to match the place to your mood.

You won’t believe this, but many travellers who have time actually do both on separate days, one for the calm feel of Liwa and one for the camp style of Dubai.

Final Words

Both the Liwa Desert and the Dubai Desert Safari offer something special in their own way. One gives you space, calm air, and long golden dunes. The other gives you a lively evening with food, short activities, and a social setting that’s easy for anyone to join. It just comes down to the kind of day you want. 

If you can, try both on different days. They feel entirely different, and each leaves you with its own type of memory. So think about your mood, your timing, and the people you’re travelling with. The right choice usually becomes clear once you picture the kind of day you’re hoping for.