If you are visiting Dubai never miss this - desert safari!
It is a unique experience traveling in a Land Cruiser, enjoying dune bashing, taking pictures of the sunset and spending the remaining evening at a desert camp with camel riding, shisha, pics with Falcon, wearing the local dress, henna painting, watching belly dance etc.
The entertainment at the desert camp will vary from camp to camp; the tour operator who coordinates the program will detail all the activities. Ask about the travel, the type of vehicle, number of passengers, the timings, entertainment details, the total cost including exclusions and inclusions, dinner etc. It is better to start the safari by 4 - 4.30PM so that you can reach the Camp just before full sunset and then you will be able to see the Camp clearly. This will give you enough time for enjoying all the activities there like Camel ride, without any rush.
The cost will vary depending upon the facilities offered. Almost always, the ads in the newspapers will show the exact cost. But it is always better to ask in detail about the whole package, well in advance.
You will see plenty of ads in the local newspapers, call them directly and book your slot. Or the tour desk at the hotel will arrange everything.
The weather is pleasant during the DSF time ie December to February so there will be a lot of crowd during this time. During the summer months it will be difficult because of the extreme heat; still, many people go for this safari.
Never rush through this important event; take your time, plan the trip in detail and enjoy. If the weather is bad then you will not be able to enjoy it properly.
The Land Cruisers after collecting the passengers from different locations in Dubai will be assembled outside the Camp area.
The Camps are situated at a distance about 20 minutes drive from Dubai city proper. The drivers will make preparations like deflating the tires etc. and will brief you about the trip just before entering the dune bashing area. They do dune bashing as a group.
After this, it is time for dune bashing. Be prepared; this is not for the light-hearted. The vehicle will negotiate the dunes mercilessly. This experience is something that we have to enjoy ourselves; it is difficult to describe it in words. The drivers are experienced and skilled. So just relax...!
Dune bashing may last about 20 to 30 minutes. The vehicle will climb the sand dunes full throttle, ride down just like a feather falling from the sky. Then again another uphill followed by a downhill. Sometimes it is plateau-like, zig zag bashing. I was secured with seatbelt and was lucky in being seated beside the driver in the front. I gripped the handles tightly and controlled my body movements quickly adjusting to the undulating movements of the vehicle. When the vehicle went up the dune summit I could not see the ground or the sand just only the sky in front. It was really scary. Then when it began sliding downwards from the dune top again, I felt that we are falling deep into a dune. When the vehicle went up the butterflies in my stomach began climbing up and when it went down they just came down. During the descend I gripped the handles tightly, I was afraid I will hit my head on the roof of the vehicle.
This is not a very smooth ride. This is rough and tough.
The driver according to his expertise will slide the vehicle from a dune sideways. You will be able to see the other vehicles in the group in front and back at a distance; remember they do it as a group most of the times. So there is a good company around!
Finally, they will take you to an area where you can click pics of sunset and Camels. Beautiful!!
Then it is the journey back to the Camp. From here its normal ride, no more dune bashing. Some operators will change the vehicles en route, please inquire about this before you pay.
There will not be long delays for this change of vehicles. I felt it is better if I could enjoy the whole show traveling in the same vehicle.
When we reached the Camp we were greeted with soft drinks. Some people carried Falcon and took pictures. The cost was 10 Dirhams.
I did not try the local dress, it was also available for the people interested in taking pics wearing it. There was Shisha in one tent; didn't try it too, you all know very well, smoking is injurious to health. There were some shops selling curios.
Finally, it was time for belly dance! During this time, a buffet dinner was also served.
Plenty of non-vegetarian and vegetarian items were there. There was a Kandura dance show also. I was told that some Camps also arrange Magic shows. Many people went for Camel riding and Quad biking.
Around 7.15PM we returned. The travel to and fro from the Camp is through the plain terrain, no more dune bashing!
Altogether it was a wonderful evening, I will never forget that experience. It is better to carry some woolen clothes if you are going in December - February.
Try this, if you think you can!
Enjoy... π
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