Frequently Asked Questions

WhatsApp +971 55 320 7631, email sparklingsandset@gmail.com, or fill in the contact form on our website with your date, guest count, and event type. Our planners reply within 24 hours with a tailored proposal. A deposit confirms your date at Khayal Al Sahra Camp in Al Khatim, Abu Dhabi.

Book at least two weeks ahead for small private dinners. For weddings, large corporate offsites, or dates in peak season from October to April, book six to eight weeks ahead to secure your preferred dunes, décor team, and full production crew.

Yes, subject to availability. We have hosted events with under a week's notice, though options for décor, entertainment, and menu customisation narrow. Contact us directly with your date and we will confirm what is achievable within your timeline. Rush bookings are easiest to accommodate on weekdays and outside peak wedding weekends.

A booking deposit of 30 percent confirms your date. A further 50 percent is due 30 days before the event, and the remaining 20 percent one week prior. Corporate clients on approved credit terms can arrange invoicing through our accounts team.

Yes, subject to venue availability and notice period. We ask for at least 14 days' notice for date changes on smaller events and 30 days for weddings or large corporate functions, since crew and supplier bookings are made in advance.

Deposits are non-refundable once suppliers, staff, and dunes are booked on your behalf. Cancellations more than 60 days before the event may receive a partial credit toward a future date. Full terms are shared in your booking contract. Cancellations inside 30 days of the event date do not qualify for any credit or refund.

Yes. We welcome pre-booking site visits to Khayal Al Sahra Camp by appointment, so you can see the majlis seating, dining tent, stage, and dunes before confirming. Contact us to arrange a convenient time, ideally in the late afternoon. Site visits typically last 30 to 45 minutes and include a walkthrough with an event planner.

Yes. Menus, décor themes, entertainment, and guest numbers can be adjusted with your event manager up until final confirmation, typically two weeks before the event. Major changes closer to the date may affect pricing depending on supplier lead times. We recommend finalising all major decisions early so suppliers can plan production without added rush fees.

Private dinners start from around AED 12,000. Mid-sized corporate offsites typically run AED 60,000 to 250,000 depending on scale and production. Desert weddings range from AED 90,000 to 600,000 based on guest count, décor, and entertainment. Every quote is tailored after a short consultation.

Base packages typically include venue hire, majlis seating, standard lighting, and a set menu. Décor upgrades, live entertainment, photography, branded signage, and premium catering are quoted separately so you only pay for what you choose to include. This modular pricing keeps quotes transparent and lets you control the total budget precisely.

Most packages combine a flat venue and production fee with a per-person catering rate. This lets us give an accurate estimate for both small private dinners and large-scale weddings or corporate galas without hidden per-head surprises later. Your final quote breaks down both components clearly so you can see exactly what drives the total cost.

Yes, slightly. Peak season from October to April sees higher demand for weekend dates, so premium slots may carry a modest surcharge. Summer months, June to September, often come with more flexible pricing and availability for indoor or evening events.

Quotes are shown exclusive of UAE VAT unless stated otherwise. Your final invoice clearly itemises the 5 percent VAT charge in line with UAE Federal Tax Authority requirements, so there are no surprises at final payment. Corporate clients requiring a formal tax invoice for accounting purposes can request one at the time of booking.

Yes. Our smallest private dinner packages start from approximately AED 12,000 for intimate groups, with simplified décor and a set menu. We can scale almost any experience down while keeping the core desert atmosphere intact. Tell us your budget upfront and we will suggest the best combination of catering, seating, and entertainment within it.

Khayal Al Sahra Camp sits in Al Khatim, Barma North, Abu Dhabi, about 45 minutes from Abu Dhabi city and 90 minutes from Dubai by road. GPS coordinates are 24.1302 N, 55.3406 E. Directions and a map link are sent with every booking confirmation.

Yes. We coordinate 4x4 desert transfers, coach pickups from hotels in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, and VIP airport transfers as an add-on to any package. Transport is quoted based on pickup locations and guest numbers. Transport can be booked for a single pickup point or multiple hotels across the city on the same evening.

The camp accommodates up to 500 seated guests in one coordinated layout, or up to 800 for a standing reception using extended dune-side space. Larger numbers can sometimes be arranged with additional notice and infrastructure. For groups near maximum capacity, we recommend confirming your date as early as possible to secure full production support.

Yes, there is dedicated on-site parking for self-drive guests, including space for larger vehicles and coaches. Our team directs traffic on arrival and departure for events with high guest volumes to keep entry and exit smooth. Valet-style guidance is provided free of charge for weddings and large corporate events on request.

Yes. The camp has branded, well-maintained washroom blocks including accessible facilities, separate from guest seating areas. For very large events we bring in additional mobile units to keep wait times short. Attendants keep the facilities stocked and clean throughout the event so guests are never left waiting.

Yes. Pathways to the main majlis and dining areas are levelled and firm underfoot, and we can arrange accessible seating and transport on request. Let us know in advance so we can prepare the right access points. Our team can also assist guests directly on arrival and departure to make movement across the site easier.

Most evening events run from late afternoon arrival through to around 11pm, timed around sunset. Daytime events, family visits, and corporate offsites can be scheduled earlier. Exact timings are agreed with your event manager during planning. Extended hours beyond the standard window can usually be arranged for an additional fee.

Yes, external vendors are welcome. We ask that photographers, DJs, and decorators coordinate with our on-site team in advance for setup timing, power access, and safety on the dunes, so everything runs smoothly on the day. A short vendor briefing call before the event helps avoid delays and keeps setup on schedule.

October to April is the most popular window, with daytime temperatures between 20°C and 32°C and cool evenings ideal for outdoor dining and entertainment. We operate year-round, with shaded majlis and cooling options available for summer bookings. Weekend dates in this window book fastest, so early enquiries are strongly recommended.

Yes. Summer events from June to September run with cooling fans, shaded and semi-enclosed seating, and earlier or later timings to avoid peak heat. Many corporate clients prefer summer for better rate availability and quieter dates. We can also shift activities indoors or under climate-controlled tenting for maximum comfort during the hottest hours.

Rain and sandstorms are rare in Abu Dhabi but we monitor forecasts closely in the days before your event. If severe weather is expected, we offer rescheduling or move activities into covered structures on site wherever possible. Our team stays in direct contact with you throughout so any weather decision is made well ahead of arrival.

Yes. Winter evenings, particularly December to February, can turn cool after sunset. We provide outdoor heaters, fire pits, and warm blankets on request so guests remain comfortable through the night without needing extra layers. These additions are popular for outdoor dinners and can be arranged at no extra planning effort on your part.

Daytime desert temperatures can exceed 40°C between June and September, so we recommend scheduling daytime events for cooler months or shifting timing toward late afternoon and evening in summer, when the desert is more comfortable. Shaded seating and hydration stations are provided for any daytime activity booked during the hotter months.

We provide full event catering including traditional Emirati cuisine, Arabic mezze, live BBQ and shawarma stations, and Indian, Lebanese, and international menus. Every menu is tailored to your event theme, budget, and guest preferences during planning. Menus are finalised with your event manager well before the event so the kitchen can prepare accordingly.

Yes. Vegetarian, vegan, Jain, gluten-free, and Halal menus are all available. Let your event manager know about specific allergies or restrictions in advance so our kitchen can prepare suitable dishes for every guest without disruption. We label dietary dishes clearly at buffet stations to make choices easy for every guest.

Yes. Live BBQ grills, shawarma stations, and regional cooking counters are popular additions for both corporate and family events. They add an interactive element and work well alongside a plated or buffet main menu. Chefs cook to order at each station, giving guests a lively, hands-on dining experience.

Our in-house kitchen handles the vast majority of events, but we can accommodate an external caterer for specific cultural or religious requirements with advance coordination on kitchen access, timing, and food safety compliance. Please raise this need as early as possible in planning so logistics can be arranged smoothly.

Alcohol service depends on your event's licensing and permit status under Abu Dhabi regulations. We can advise on and help arrange the correct permit for licensed events; unlicensed private functions serve non-alcoholic beverages only. Discuss your requirements with our team early so the correct licensing route is arranged in time for your event.

Yes, for weddings and large corporate bookings we offer a menu tasting session at the camp so you can confirm dishes, portion sizes, and presentation before finalising your catering order for the full guest count. Tastings are usually scheduled four to six weeks before the event for the most accurate final menu.

Private events at Khayal Al Sahra Camp are hosted under our existing venue licensing, so most bookings do not require you to obtain a separate permit. Larger public activations or filming may need additional approvals, which we help arrange. Our team will flag early on if your specific event type needs any extra documentation.

Yes. We assist with the relevant private-event documentation for wedding ceremonies held on site and have hosted Hindu, Christian, Sikh, Muslim, Arab, and civil ceremonies. Legal marriage registration, where required, remains the couple's responsibility with the relevant authority. We can point you toward the correct government department for registration well ahead of your ceremony date.

Yes. Sparkling Sandset operates as a registered UAE business under the legal name Sparkling Sandset Khayal Al Sahra Camp, based in Al Khatim, Abu Dhabi, and has been trading since 2012 under applicable Abu Dhabi tourism and business licensing. Licence details can be shared directly with corporate clients who require them for procurement or compliance checks.

Yes. Commercial filming and photography productions on site can require location and, in some cases, media authority permits. Our team advises on requirements and coordinates access, timing, and any necessary paperwork ahead of your shoot date. Production teams should share their shoot brief early so we can confirm the correct approvals in time.

The venue carries its own operating and public liability coverage. For large corporate events or activations involving specialist equipment, pyrotechnics, or drones, we may require the organiser to hold event-specific insurance, which we can advise on. Confirm any specialist equipment plans with us early so insurance requirements can be sorted well before the event.

We host product launches, annual galas, leadership offsites, awards nights, team-building days, embassy and government receptions, and brand activations for regional and global companies, ranging from intimate leadership dinners to large-scale employee celebrations for hundreds of guests. Each format is built around your objectives, whether that is recognition, networking, or team culture.

Yes. Stage design, LED screens, signage, gifting, food and beverage presentation, and the guest welcome experience can all be customised to your brand identity, colours, and messaging for a fully cohesive corporate event. Our production team works from your brand guidelines to keep every visual element on message.

Yes. We provide sound systems, lighting design, LED walls, and stage builds suited to keynote presentations, award ceremonies, and live entertainment. Our production team manages technical rehearsals so the event runs without disruption. A dedicated technical lead is on site throughout the event to handle any last-minute adjustments.

Yes. Options include desert Olympics, camel and falconry experiences, cultural workshops, cooking challenges, and treasure hunts across the dunes, all designed to be run alongside or independent of a formal dining or awards program. Activities can be tailored to group size and time available, from a one-hour add-on to a full-day program.

Yes. We regularly host embassy receptions, executive delegations, and VIP guests, arranging private arrival lounges, dedicated security coordination, and discreet, high-touch hospitality tailored to protocol requirements when needed. Advance notice of protocol requirements allows our team to prepare seating, access, and service accordingly.

Yes. We can supply branded desert-themed gifting, from Emirati dates and coffee sets to custom keepsakes, priced from around AED 45 per unit, coordinated to match your event's theme and delivered on the day or shipped separately. Bulk orders can be branded with your company logo and packaged to match your event's overall aesthetic.

Yes. We arrange the relevant private-event permissions and have hosted Hindu, Christian, Sikh, Muslim, Arab, and civil ceremonies on site. Legal registration of the marriage, if required, is arranged separately through the relevant government authority. Our planners are familiar with the customs of each ceremony type and adapt the setup accordingly.

Yes, a private, climate-controlled bridal suite is available with space for hair, makeup, and styling, kept separate from the main guest areas so the couple has a quiet, comfortable place to prepare before the ceremony. The suite includes mirrors, seating, and power points suited to a full hair and makeup team.

Absolutely. We regularly collaborate with independent wedding planners. Our team manages the venue, catering, and on-ground execution while your planner leads the creative vision, styling, and overall coordination of the day. We hold a planning call with your chosen planner ahead of the event to align on every detail.

Desert weddings at Khayal Al Sahra Camp can host anywhere from an intimate 20-guest ceremony up to 500 seated guests, with layout, staging, and décor scaled to match your guest list and chosen package. Whatever the size, the same level of attention goes into seating, lighting, and guest flow.

Options include Tanoura and Sufi performers, live Arabic oud and percussion, fire and LED shows, henna artists, camel and falconry displays, and traditional Emirati coffee service, all curated around your ceremony and reception timeline. Performances are scheduled to complement the ceremony, dinner, and dance floor moments across the evening.

We can recommend trusted partner photographers and videographers familiar with the venue's lighting and layout, or you are welcome to bring your own team. Either way, our staff coordinate access and timing so shoots run smoothly. Golden hour and post-sunset slots are the most requested times for couple portraits on the dunes.

Yes. Many couples host their henna night, engagement, or rehearsal dinner at the camp in the days before the main ceremony, using a scaled-down setup with its own décor theme, catering, and entertainment. Booking both events together often allows for a combined planning process and streamlined pricing.