The golden sands for miles spread a charm and invite travelers to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for an adventurous desert safari. Past the shimmery skyscrapers in Dubai and lavish hotels in Abu Dhabi, there is a realm of deserts which promises more than just adrenaline rush, it also offers an opportunity to understand the true essence of Emirati hospitality. Explore the surprises in the desert as you go dune bashing and camel riding under the endless skies, through the vast stretches of sand.
The Prelude: Setting the Stage for Adventure
Leaving the bustle of the urban city life toward your adventure in the desert ignites an anticipation. Desert-safari operators provide different packages, all offering a mixture of fun and insight into local culture. The scenery changes as soon as you have crossed the city limits and then the sand dunes spread across like a golden wave beckoning you deeper inside in the Arabian wilderness.
Dune Bashing: Adrenaline amid the Sands
Explore the heart pumping experience called Dune bashing, an adrenaline ridden dance of cars around sandy uphills and downhills. The skilled drivers masterfully move their way across the undulating dunes causing the car to dip down sharp declines and rise over the next sand dune. You feel the adrenaline as the desert becomes your playground and each rise and dip induces laughter and excitement.
Dune Bashing requires experienced drivers coupled with well-maintained state-of-the-art 4×4 vehicles which maintain a delicate mix of thrill and safety. During the golden hour (either sunrise or sunset), the scenery becomes even more fascinating as it gives off a soft glow that casts a magical backdrop for this thrilling adventure.
Sunset Serenity: A Desert Canvas Painted in Hues
In the twilight, the desert becomes a palette colored with shades of orange and pink. Take a pause in your journey through the deserts, soaking in the magnificent view of the setting sun. The sunset in the deserts is a peaceful interlude before your next adventure of the safari.
Traditional Bedouin Camp: A Oasis of Culture
The desert safari is not only an exciting experience but also a holistically engaging one where you get an opportunity to learn about culture and people. Explore the traditional Bedouin camps located in between the dunes. Upon arrival, travelers are welcomed by age-old Emarati customs paving the way towards a cultured night.
Camel Riding: A Majestic Journey Through Time
Camel rides provide a more relaxed way of traversing the desert as the night sets in; an experience that is every bit as magical as going on a quick jeep ride. The iconic “ships of the desert” sway rhythmically across the stretches of sand unveiling picturesque scenes for you. These soft giant animals are reminiscent of when Bedouins used them to pursue their nomadic way of life years ago.
Camel riding goes far beyond being just a way of transport; it serves as a gateway to the authenticity of Emarati culture. Camel, a sign of resilience in the harsh environment of desert, transports you across the dunes giving unique views of the vast horizons on all sides.
Stargazing: A Celestial Spectacle
As the darkness sets in the desert, the vast night sky unveils a wondrous show. Away from the city’s artificial lights, the starry sky spread over the deserts like a shimmering canvas of constellations. Most desert safaris involve stargazing sessions where you can look up and wonder at the beautiful spectacle of stars while relaxing on comfy cushions.
Cultural Performances: Dance, Music, and Storytelling
At the end of the day, in the Bedouin camps, evenings are spent watching the traditional Emirati performances which bring the desert into life. The region’s cultural diversity is exemplified through folk dances like ‘Ayyalah’ and ‘Al Razfa’. The rhythmic beats of traditional instruments, dancer’s twists and twirls in amazing costumes will take you into a world of art that has been inherited generation after generation.
Another integral part of Emirati tradition is storytelling, where bedouin stories of deserts, ancient traditions and bedouin life are woven into captivating narratives of old bedouins. These stories are shared by travelers as they sit around the bonfire while enjoying Arabic coffee.
Culinary Delights: Feasting Under the Stars
Desert safaris are incomplete without tasting the delicious traditional Emirati food. A Bedouin camp is turned into a haven of delicacies with succulent grilled meat, fragrant rice dishes, followed by different types of desserts. Dates, which may be paired with Arabic coffee, are a sign of hospitality and a prelude to the flavors of the UAE.
Overnight Camping: Napping Under a Blanket of Stars
Some desert safaris also provide an overnight stay in a camp for the thrill seekers. The dunes offer a retreat that uses bedouin style tents equipped with modern amenities. Sleeping underneath a sky full of stars and the tender whisperings of the desert’s air, is a rare chance to feel the native nature of the deserts at its best.
Sunrise: A Spectacular Dawn in the Desert
Wake up to an amazing display of colors in the desert at dawn. Early morning offers a serene moment for contemplation. It can also be an opportunity for a gentle stroll through the sand dunes. Observe the new patterns emerge in the new light of dawn as the sun rises and long shadows cast upon the surface of the desert.
Conservation and Responsible Tourism: Nurturing the Desert Ecosystem
The attractiveness of the desert safari is increasing with each passing day, and this has resulted in an increased emphasis on responsible tourism and conservation. The tour operators in the UAE implement sustainability, which ensures the fragile ecosystem of the desert is preserved. This includes employing environmentally friendly means for conducting dune bashing, reducing the environmental impact of the camping grounds, and teaching the visitors’ on the need of conserving the environment in which they are visiting.
