A Liwa Desert Safari: What To Know Before You Go

If you are headed to United Arab Emirates, you absolutely cannot miss the opportunity to join a Liwa Desert safari. It is a bucket list experience that you can’t miss! After countless visits to the Liwa Oasis, I’m passing on some firsthand knowledge on what to know before you go. Here is how to plan for a desert safari in Liwa!

If you are planning a trip to the United Arab Emirates, then you have likely heard of the popular sunset and dinner safaris offered in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

These tours are offered year-round throughout the country, and they are quite easy to book. Hotels offer them, airlines offer them – heck, just about every tour operator in UAE will offer them.

While these local safaris are nice, and give a small taste of the desert atmosphere along with dinner and a show, they don’t hold a candle to Liwa.

A Liwa desert safari will take you deep into the true Arabian Desert, many miles away from civilization. Near the Saudi border, you will get a true sense of just how vast this landscape is.

The thing is, Liwa is not easy to get to. It is a full day commitment and requires an expert driver. And, in some cases, it can be tricky to book.

Below I will dive into what is so special about a Liwa desert safari, as well as when to go and how to book.

I’ll also be passing on secrets like what to wear and where to stay if you choose to extend your time in Liwa.

Let’s get into it!

Where Is Liwa?

Liwa is an area that sits on the Saudi Border, on the southernmost end of the UAE. It sits within the emirate of Abu Dhabi and is a great place to visit from the capital city.

What Is the Liwa Oasis?

The Liwa Oasis is a large area far removed from Abu Dhabi and Dubai, reachable via desert roads and dunes.

It lies at the northern edge of the Rub’ Al Khali Desert (also known as the Empty Quarter) which is the world’s largest uninterrupted desert.

In this area, past the endless swaths of sand, you will find inhabited villages, camel farms and date farms, and even small shops and stores. There are also a few hotels, which we will go into below.

Liwa Oasis truly is an oasis in the desert, and was the ancestral home of the Bani Yas Tribe. They were the largest and most significant tribe in the UAE.

Liwa Oasis covers a large area of natural, underground freshwater supplies. This water is what makes large date farms in the desert possible. Because of this water source, Liwa is one of the top date producers in all of UAE.

Liwa Oasis is the main economic zone of Liwa. But to anyone used to the bigger cities in the UAE, it will feel small and quaint.

Most tourists will never make it out to beautiful Liwa, and that is a shame. There is nothing quite like sleeping in the middle of the Rub Al Khali Desert.

Do people live in Liwa Oasis?

Today, people do still live in Liwa Oasis. What once would have been tribal land is now home to more than 20,000 inhabitants.

Most of these inhabitants are date farmers or tend to the camel farms in the area. Others run small shops, restaurants, or work in the hotels.

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A Liwa Desert Safari: What to Know Before You Go

A Liwa Desert safari is a truly unforgettable experience – especially if you are able to book an overnight camping trip. The sky is so dark here, I’ve seen multiple shooting stars in the same night.

So let’s talk about how to book a Liwa Desert safari, what you will see and do, when to go to Liwa, and more.

What Is So Different About a Desert Safari in Liwa?

Firstly, Liwa will take you into the true heart of the Arabian Desert.

While the local dinner safaris can be a short 30 minutes drive into small patches of desert near Abu Dhabi or Dubai, Liwa is far.

Liwa sits approximately 4 hours from Dubai and 3 hours from Abu Dhabi. This can of course vary depending on exactly where you start and how deep into the desert you drive.

When you are driving within the dunes of Liwa, you can go for many miles without seeing another human. But in the deserts near the cities, you always have a sense that civilization is nearby.

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What is Included on a Liwa Desert Safari?

This can vary slightly depending on the company you book through, and possibly the time of year. Additionally, you can book a Liwa Safari as a day trip, or as an overnight camping trip.

The general itinerary is as follows.

More details on the places you’ll visit:

• The Emirates National Auto Museum – While I could generally take or leave a car museum, this one is memorable! From the very start, you will see gargantuan vehicles with wheels taller than a human. The museum also holds Sheikh Hamad Bin Hamdan Al Nahyan’s seven rainbow colored Mercedes inside.

• The Camel Farms – The camel farms are so interesting to visit because they are not there to be “just” a tourist stop. These are working farms in the middle of nowhere, built for camel breeding or camel milk. You’ll get to meet these cool creatures face to face and learn more about their nature.

• Tal Moreeb – Moreeb Dune is a special place for me. It is the tallest sand dune in the UAE at 5,250 feet long and 984 feet high. The incredible 50 degree slope makes it difficult to climb, and extremely so in the summer heat. But if you make it to the top you will be rewarded with wonderful views!

• Qasr al Sarab – Though it may sound strange to stop at a hotel on your desert safari, this hotel is worth the visit. It is considered the height of luxury in Liwa, and it even showcases interesting artifacts as you roam the halls. Not to mention, a nice break to stretch your legs can’t be beat.

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Visiting Liwa as a solo female.

“Rub al Khali” or The Empty Quarter is the entire reason I first visited the UAE. I had read about it growing up, and I always wanted to see it for myself.

Most people come here for the glitz of Dubai, but not me. I planned a visit primarily to go to the Liwa Desert.

I was visiting the UAE as a solo female, and you should know that this made getting to Liwa admittedly more difficult.

Pro Tip: Liwa is located deep in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, toward the Saudi border. To learn more about visiting Abu Dhabi as a woman, I’ve got you covered.

Though outsiders picture Dubai as super modern and forward-thinking, it’s wise to note that traditional and conservative morals guide the way of life here. It is a beautiful aspect, but also a limiting one in my case.

Meaning, a solo male and a solo female should not be together if they’re not related or not married. In the case of Liwa, as all of the desert drivers are male, it took a lot of calls, emails, and persistence for weeks before the trip.

In the end, I did find a company that would take me into the desert solo. But, I can’t guarantee that will always be the case.

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Can you self drive to Liwa?

For anyone familiar with my travels, you may be wondering why I didn’t try to rent a car and make this trip solo.

The answer is simple – my goal was to camp deep inside of the desert, near the Saudi border, after hours of driving on the actual sand dunes.

Driving on dunes rather than the roads requires a bit of special know-how. For example, deflating and inflating the tires to acceptable air levels is a must. Knowing exactly where you are when all of the dunes look the same to the untrained eye is a special skill.

People die in the Arabian Desert every year and getting lost is a real possibility. So it is not something to take lightly unless or until you really know what you are doing.

Nowadays, since befriending a local, I’ve had the wonderful luck to have camped in Liwa many times over now – and it never loses it’s charm.

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What to Wear on a Liwa Desert Safari?

Ladies, the key here is to balance conservative dress with comfortability. No matter the season, I recommend wearing layers in Liwa.

It might surprise you, but even in the hot summer months, I usually wear long sleeves over a lightweight shirt and flowy pants.

This is both due to the conservative nature of the country as well as the added protection from the sun. Long sleeves and pants will actually keep you cooler by keeping those rays off of your skin.

While I have a full post on what to wear in Dubai, I will list out the specifics for a desert safari below.

Liwa at Night

If you are able to book an overnight camping safari, absolutely do it. Your night under the stars will be unforgettable, and the sunset and sunrise are indescribable.

I personally recommend spending more on an overnight safari and booking more budget-friendly hotels if you have to choose one splurge only.

Do’s and Dont’s of a Liwa Desert Safari

• DO bring a high quality camera because the landscape is breathtaking. Bring a good case to cover the camera with when the wind picks up so the sand doesn’t scratch your lens.
• DON’T be afraid of the camels in the desert! They are fascinating and will generally leave you alone while they live their camel-lives. They are also very fun to interact with on the farms.
• DO let your driver know if you are feeling motion sickness from the dune bashing. You’d be surprised how commonly guests need to get out and throw up from the crazy driving, I’ve been told.
• DON’T forget your sunny weather necessities – wide brim hat, sunglasses, scarf, and long sleeves.
• DO find a quiet place to sit and take it all in. Be in the moment, soak it up. Liwa is an amazing place.
• DON’T forget to tip. The drivers have to deposit the money you pay them to the company they are driving for. Tips are greatly appreciated after a full day of hard work across the desert.

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Where To Stay In Liwa

I have stayed in just about every Liwa Hotel that has existed in the past decade and I am going to list the top three below.

1. Qasr Al Sarab

Qasr al Sarab is known as the best of the best in the desert. The grounds are luxurious, the staff is professional, and the rooms are to die for.

You can even book rooms with private pools overlooking the vast desert. Qasr al Sarab also offers desert excursions and meals on site.

2. Tilal Liwa

Tilal Liwa is a solid choice. Located on the other side from Qasr al Sarab, Tilal Liwa is continuously offering special packages and rates for holidays and such.

The pool is divine, and the breakfast spread is impressive. While certain details are beginning to need slight updating, this hotel holds a special place in my heart.

3. The Liwa Hotel

After a brief hiatus, Liwa Hotel is back! They appear to have upgraded during the 2020/2021 closures, and things are looking good here. It was a good option pre-remodel and I have a feeling it is even better now.

Of course you have a pool, comfy beds, and endless desert outside.

Final Thoughts on Liwa Desert

Liwa Desert is without a doubt one of my favorite places on the planet.

The solitude and peace I felt here is indescribable.

It also holds a special meaning for me since it was a place I’d dreamed of visiting ever since reading that book in my childhood. I guess I was always meant to be an explorer, even before I knew it myself.

If you ever get the chance to go to the United Arab Emirates, do not pass up the chance to visit Rub al Khali, my lovely Empty Quarter, and absolutely book your Liwa Desert Safari, NOW!

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