Joanna James
From bumpy camel rides, and sandboarding to mesmerising dance shows and delicious BBQ dinners, an eventful desert safari offers a taste of Dubai’s rich Bedouin culture and customs, expensive regional cuisine, and the encompassing beauty of the vast Arabian desert. Here are five things to know about heading off on a desert safari in Dubai.
While there is no set dress code required for a desert safari tour – dressing in loose comfortable clothing that will keep you warm or cool depending on the time you will be heading off for your desert safari is key. It’s really important to keep the weather in mind – even during the hot summer months – as the desert can get rather cold. A good outfit for a desert safari that is sure to keep you comfortable and stylish would be a pair of casual jeans and a shirt along with a cardigan to keep you warm from the chilly breeze of the desert. Don’t forget to wear a pair of closed shoes that will not only protect you from sun damage and help you climb those sand dunes with ease. Don’t forget to wear plenty of sunscreen and scarves to protect your skin from sun damage.
Typically for safety purposes children under the age of two are not allowed to take part in off-road safaris and dune drives. Some tour operators offer exclusive vehicles replete with special child car seats to cater for children between the age of two to four. People with pre-existing medical conditions such as back, neck or heart problems and pregnant women are not recommended to participate in some of the more thrilling and adventurous aspects of the safari for safety reasons.
Morning safaris to the desert take place quite early in the morning thus promising to offer you the chance to enjoy a mesmerising sunrise over the desert. A morning session usually compromise of rather relaxing activities such as exploring the wildlife of the desert, enjoying traditional Arabic coffee and dates and rounding off with a hearty breakfast at the camp.
This type of safari will consist of exploring the beautiful desert during the day and rounding the experience off with the opportunity to drink in views of the sun setting amidst the towering dunes. A day and evening safari would still include camel rides, traditional dances, sandboarding, and access to a mouthwatering BBQ dinner. Most special offers at Dubai hotels the likes of NH Collection Dubai The Palm have packages that include a day/ evening desert safari for you and your crew, so make sure you check with the hotel staff before setting out on your desert adventure!
If you consider yourself to be more of a night owl, signing up for a night desert safari will certainly be your cup of tea. Overnight safaris offer a unique experience under a spectacular star-lit sky. A typical overnight tour safari will begin with a thrilling dune-bashing journey following which you will get to head back to the camp where you can relax, tuck into a delicious Arabian meal, and enjoy live dance and music performances. As the night grows darker, your guides will impart knowledge about the local Bedouin customs and folklore and much more.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
