Liwa Oasis, Abu Dhabi - Timings, Accessibility, Best Time to Visit

At a distance of 226 km from Abu Dhabi, the Liwa Oasis is a large oasis situated in the north of Abu Dhabi Island, UAE. This is one of the popular places to experience the authentic and very immersive desert culture in Abu Dhabi and among the best places to go for Desert Safari in Abu Dhabi.

The historic Liwa Oasis lies at the northern edge of the Rub Al Khali (Empty Quarter), the world's largest uninterrupted sand mass shimmering in shades of gold, apricot, and pink. The oasis benefits from a water table that lies close to the surface. This has supported agriculture and animal husbandry in the oasis for generations. The oasis is one of the most important farming and pasture production regions of the UAE, making it an important part of the country, especially integral to UAE's rural culture.

It extends in an east-west arc for more than 100 km and is home to more than 50 villages. The commercial heart of the oasis is Mezairaa, with activity centered on the junction of Highway E43 from Madinat Zayed and Highway E90, the main road through the oasis. The most fascinating aspect is that the oasis is the birthplace of the Al Maktoum and Al Nahyan families, now the rulers of Dubai and Abu Dhabi respectively. Traces of royalty in the form of several forts can be still felt in many parts of the Liwa Oasis. One needs to make arrangements through the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture & Heritage to visit the forts and towers since most of them are still owned privately and located on farms that are cultivated even today.

Liwa Oasis also features, the Moreeb or Tal Mireb sand dune, one of the highest and biggest dunes in the world. It is about 300 meters high, 1,600 meters long and has an inclination of more than 50 degrees that have created excellent venues for some desert drag racing. Numerous activities such as sandboarding, camel riding, dune bashing, desert safaris, sightseeing, etc. are available at Liwa Oasis.

Timings: 24 Hours

Entry: Free, AED. 1000 for Full day Desert Tour & AED. 3000 for Overnight Tour