Highlights of the Day
šµA Dubai Desert SafariĀ is a must-do adventure in the Middle East! From adrenaline-filled dune bashing and speeding across the sand in a 4×4 to peaceful camel rides and trying sandboarding, the experience was unforgettable. Sitting in the back row of the SUV made the twists and turns even more intense ā like being in a desert rollercoaster! Though the tour only lasted half a day, it was packed with thrills, breathtaking scenery, and fascinating insights. Absolutely worth it!
Logistics
Accommodation: Marriott Hotel Al Jaddaf Dubai
Ā Transportation: Rental Car
šļø Into the Sands: Our Half-Day Desert Safari
No trip to the Middle East feels complete without a desert adventure, and Dubai offers some of the best. We booked ours at the hotel front desk the night before. At 8:30 a.m. the next day, a 7-seater SUV came to pick us up.
Besides our group of four, one more hotel guest joined the ride, which made things a little tight. My sister and I were seated in the fold-down seats in the backāsomething that, weād soon discover, made the wild ride even wilder.
ā½ A Quick Pit Stopā¦ for Tire Deflation?
After a half-hour drive out of the city, our driver suddenly pulled over on the edge of the desert and got out of the car. For a moment we thought something was wrong, but he explained: air needs to be released from the tires to better grip the sand. Apparently, softer tires make for smoother dune drivingāa neat trick weād never heard before!
š¢ Sand Bashing Madness
What followed next was wild. The SUV flew across golden dunes, swerving hard left and right, tilting dramatically as the driver pushed the car up and down the ridges. At times, so much sand hit the windows it felt like we were inside a snow globeāexcept made of desert dust.
This, we realized, was the famous āsand bashing.ā The force was intense. From the back row, it felt like we were about to flip over a few times. Eventually, we asked the driver to slow down, and he kindly obliged, giving us a milder version of the thrill ride. We did feel a little guilty for the other passenger though!
šŖ Camel Rides & Desert Culture
Our next stop was a small desert camp where several activities were offered. First up: camel riding.
We took turns hopping onto calm, resting camels. At a signal, the animals stood up slowly and began walking gentle circles through the sand. It was far from fast or thrilling, but the novelty of riding a camel in the desert? Absolutely worth it.
š Dune Buggy Convoy
Then came one of the dayās highlights: a dune buggy drive. We joined a convoy of five buggies, led by a guide and followed by a rear safety vehicle. Zipping across rolling dunes at speeds up to 40 km/h felt exhilaratingāespecially considering the soft, unpredictable terrain.
After about 30 minutes of bouncing and swerving, the guide led us to a scenic spot for a photo break before returning to camp.
Despite the motion, the dune buggy ride was much smoother than the sand bashing earlier. No dizziness, just pure fun.
š The Slightly Underwhelming Sandboarding
We noticed āsandboardingā listed on the activity sheet and eagerly asked for the equipment. They handed us boards, but the slope they designated was very gentle. So gentle, in fact, that we had to push ourselves down. It was more like sliding on cardboard than surfing sandābut hey, it was still fun to try.
Maybe they do this to reduce the risk of injury. A good call, though perhaps a bit of a letdown.
š§ A Moment of Respect
Throughout the morning, staff members offered us water several timesābut never took a sip themselves. Thatās when it hit me: they were observing Ramadan. Standing for hours in the blazing desert sun, serving tourists, while fastingānot even drinking water. That kind of discipline and devotion left a deep impression on me.
š§āāļø Wrapping Up: Deserted and Exhausted
The safari wrapped up by early afternoon, but we were more than ready to head back. Back at the hotel, everyone opted for showers, rest, and recovery instead of venturing out again.
A half-day tourābut packed with memories.
š Whatās Next?
Stay tuned for Day 3 – A peak into the famous Palm Jumeirah …..
Have you ever experienced a desert safari? Would you try dune bashing? Let me know in the comments!
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