DK Travel : Dubai & Abu Dhabi : Desert Escapes

Desert Escapes

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The Emirates’ desert is sublime in parts and a trip here is incomplete without experiencing its myriad textures and colours. Not far out of the cities, camels graze on desert grass. If you don’t have a 4WD and off-road driving skills, the best way to experience the desert is at the magical desert resorts Al Maha or Bab Al Shams, or on a popular desert safari. While desert safaris are touristy, they’re lots of fun and allow you to tick off a range of experiences you otherwise wouldn’t get a chance to do. If you have time, stay overnight, sleep under the stars and enjoy the silence.
Unless you want to experience the scorching heat for which the UAE is infamous, visits to the desert are best done in spring, autumn or winter – never summer! To avoid dehydration in the desert, drink plenty of water. Protect yourself from the sun by slathering on sunscreen.

Top 10 Features

1. The Desert

1. The Desert

The UAE is all desert, apart from Al Ain’s lush date palm oases, the Hajar mountains and rocky east coast. There are stunning dunes dotted with camels on the roads to Hatta and Al Ain, but the most spectacular dunes are in the Liwa Oasis.
2. Desert Safaris

2. Desert Safaris

Tour agencies like Arabian Adventures organize exciting desert safaris. These may include an exhilarating desert drive in a 4WD, falconry displays, sandboarding, a sunset camel ride, Arabic buffet and belly dancing.
3. Bedouin Tents

Traditional chocolate-coloured goat- and camel-hair tents dot the desert dunes in winter. Emiratis love to get away from the cities and take their children camping so they don’t forget their heritage.
4. Dune Bashing

Experience an exhilarating “dune bashing” session – a white-knuckle 4WD desert drive across the monstrous sand dunes.
5. Sandboarding

Sandboarding – a sort of desert snowboarding – is a popular activity in the UAE. The picturesque rust-coloured sand dune “Big Red” on the Hatta Rd is a favourite venue.
6. Camel Riding

6. Camel Riding

Get up-close-and-personal with this local beast of burden. Nothing beats a camel ride along spectacular dunes at sunset on a desert safari.
7. Belly Dancing

7. Belly Dancing

Belly dancing is known as Oriental dancing in the Middle East. Try to pick up some moves from the dancer at the desert safari – she may even pull you up for a shimmy.
8. Bedouin Feast

8. Bedouin Feast

Try a delicious Arabic buffet, especially the Bedouin feast at Bab Al Shams’ Al Hadheerah Desert Restaurant. Sample local specialities such as roasted baby camel.
9. Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa

9. Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa

The palm-shaded gardens and trickling ponds make this desert resort enchanting. A wonderful infinity pool overlooks the desert. Enjoy falconry here.
10. Al Maha Resort

Book a private and romantic tent-like luxury suite, and you get your own personal plunge pool with the golden desert as your “backyard”.

Practical Information

Unless you want to experience the scorching heat for which the UAE is infamous, visits to the desert are best done in spring, autumn or winter – never summer! Al Maha Resort Dubai 971 4 832 9900 www.al-maha.com Arabian Adventures Dubai 971 4 303 8888/343 9966 Abu Dhabi 971 2 691 1711 Open 9am–9pm Prices start at AED 270 www.arabian-adventures.com Blue Banana 800 222 6262 Half-day sand-boarding for AED 780 for 4 people www.bluebanana.ae Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa 971 4 832 6699 www.babalshams.com