Dune Bashing And Desert Safari in Dubai – It’s A Must!

I have visited Dubai 3 times, the first time back in 2004. We were only there for a day and a night, but one thing I wanted to make sure I did was the desert safari. On my latest visit in May this year the same excursion was part of our itinerary and I was looking forward to doing it all over again and seeing if it had changed.

The trip starts with an afternoon pick-up in a 4 x 4 Landcruiser and you drive straight to the edge of the desert where the tyre pressure is let down ready for the dune bashing. This part is great fun, but seem people find it more hairy than others (as you will hear in my video here)

You get a chance to stop & take pictures with some awesome sunset shots before heading off the the Bedouin camp. Once you arrive at the camp you get given at a table for the evening to use as a base. You can choose to either book the excursion including beers, wines and soft drinks or without.  I have to say that this is the first excursion where drinks are included when the wine was extremely palatable.

Before dinner and the evening entertainment commences you have the chance to get a henna tattoo, take a toot on a shisha pipe, take a ride on a camel or try your hand at sand boarding.

The main difference I noticed from my trip 15 years ago was the sheer number of people. There was probably around 60 people maximum on my first trip, but this time the camp was much bigger and could accommodate a few hundred people. Despite the numbers I felt it still had an authentic feel and was extremely well organised and as there were more people the choice of food was vast. Not only was there a huge choice but it was good quality & delicious with lots of traditional food including shwarma, barbecued meats, stews, salads and mouth-watering freshly cooked flatbreads. I was too full for dessert, but again there was lots to choose from and had loads of fruit as a lighter option.

After dinner the belly dancer show starts. Having lived in Turkey for a few years I am a bit belly dancered out, but the ladies were very bendy and performed well. At the end of the evening all the lights in the camp are turned off so you get to gaze up at the stars. It really is special.

So as my title says I really think this is a must-do trip when in Dubai. You get back to Dubai city at around 10pm, but as many cruises include overnight stays in Dubai it is possible to fit this trip in to your plans and I urge you to try it.

My final Dubai blog will be focused on the amazing hotel we stayed in,Atlantis, The Palm.

TTFN 🙂

 

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About Me

Hi There!  My name is Collette and as the blog suggests I am a big lover of cruising and have travel in my blood. I have worked in the travel industry for 25 years, starting as a holiday rep in Turkey back in 1993. After 4 years I returned to the…

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