Dubai is a city of high-rise buildings and iconic gleaming glass multi-storey towers, but beyond its modern skyline lies a part of the city’s character that is rougher and rawer, the vast, mesmerising desert.
The desert invites you to an exciting getaway. It offers limitless sand dunes, a rich history, and a secret oasis, while the city’s streets are lined with luxury. Driving a car is the best way to experience this arid wonderland’s beauty and other wonders.
With the right vehicle and a few good tips, your Dubai desert adventure can be both comfortable and unforgettable.
Why Explore the Dubai Desert by Car?
Imagine cruising through the golden sand dunes with the wind blowing through the window and with the warm desert breeze inside. That is precisely what makes the car quest of the Dubai desert so unique and exciting.
It provides flexibility, comfort, and free access to places that might be difficult to reach on foot or by camel. After all, it is so much fun!
The desert is a playing ground for every driver of cars, nature lover, and thrill seeker who goes on a leisure drive through the dunes or performs more aggressive tracks in off roads.
Exploring the Dubai Desert by Car
The experience is nothing less than being on a world wonder hunt, not like your daily drive around town; the terrain may be unpredictable, and sometimes the weather is just too hot to handle.
To prepare for it, here are some tips on how to have a safe, fun, and stress-free adventure.
Choose the Right Vehicle
Firstly, you need the right car. While a regular car may not be ready for the desert, ending up with a 4×4 or even an SUV is most surefire when going to the desert.
So aim for one with high ground clearance and four-wheel drive; that way, you’ll have no problems moving over dunes and other rough surfaces.
Many car rental agencies in Dubai offer desert-ready vehicles, so you don’t have to get ready to find the right ride. Just remember safety first, keep your seatbelt tight, so stick with vehicles; the right car is built for the job.
Pack essentials
Heading into the desert is all about packing the right stuff, like water bottles and aid kit, sunglasses and a hat, and hey, yes, some snacks. Tick to is a checklist to help you prepare:
It can get hot, so hydration is key. To stay cool, always keep a lot of water on hand.
Sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen are basic needs. The sun in the desert is unforgiving!
Having a first aid kit on standby is usually a good idea.
It will be really nice to have some food to eat when travelling, just in case you can’t find a café in the middle of the desert.
Power banks and phone chargers are more helpful for staying connected or for navigation than they are for taking selfies.
Travel Smart
Despite the temptation to hit the gas and race across the dunes, travellers must travel smart. They should always stick to marked routes and not venture far from the path unless they have experience.
Dune bashing is inspiring, but it’s easy to get stuck in the soft sand if you’re not careful. Stick to the path and avoid driving at night since the desert can be unsettled after sunset.
Respect Nature and Safety Rules
The desert is a fragile system. As a visitor, treat nature with respect by keeping within the tracks to avoid destroying the lives of plants and animals.
From a safety aspect, always seat belt up, handle with calmness and dont rush, stay within limits lines, and do not overwork the car.
Even though rescue service is provided at all times in case anyone gets stranded, it pays to drive softly and carefully at all times.
Must-See Spots in the Dubai Desert
Now that you’re ready to hit the road let’s talk about where to go. The Dubai desert is full of hidden gems that will make your trip unforgettable.
Here are some must-see spots that should definitely be on your list.
Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve
A real sanctuary for nature lovers, the biggest protected desert region in the UAE offers a scenic view of the original desert landscape untouched by human activities. Wildlife is prevalent here, including the famous Arabian oryx and gazelles.
The scenery would be breathtaking and you would love to enjoy the huge stretches of open landscapes, golden sands, and the ideal location for a quiet drive through the desert lands.
Al Qudra Lakes
Really, you can read it well, lakes in the desert!
Al Qudra Lakes is a lovely oasis, a kind of desert in Dubai. It would be a good place to stop, and people can count it as a picnic spot.
Lakes are a relaxed sight against background dunes. Maybe you may find some living swans and flamingos, especially in more fresh months.
Fossil Rock (Jebel Maleihah)
If you want to have fun as an adventurer, Fossil Rock, Jebel Maleihah, is one of the places you should go.
The geological wonder has a history of 80 million years in fossilised rocks. You can reach the rock face by car and hike a few hundred metres up to see the fossils up close.
The view from the top is incomparable, hence making it a boom location for snapping pictures and selfies.
Big Red Dune (Al Hamar)
This is the most iconic spot in the Dubai desert for those seeking a rush. It is one of the biggest sand dunes and is best for dune bashing. Yes, you heard it right!
You can rev up your engine and go for the big dunes or just sit back and gaze at the view of the sights. It is not underrated at all, whether you’re a thrill adventurer or there just to feel the allure of the desert.
Liwa Oasis
One of the biggest oases of the United Arab Emirates and definitely a desert paradise lies at the end of the Rub’ al Khali (the Empty Quarter) at Liwa Oasis. While not too popular for tourist circuits, this can be quite a thrilling ride.
With its massive sand dunes, historical forts, and date farms, the Liwa Desert experience is not easily forgotten.
Activities to Enjoy in the Desert
Snooping around it isn’t all about driving. It is really about enjoying everything that the vast expanse has to offer.
Whether looking for some action or a laid-back adventure, you can have something thrilling and everyone in the desert of Dubai is served with their type of adventures.
Dune bashing and off-roading
You can’t travel all the way to the desert without dune bashing. If you’ve never heard what that is, let me tell you: a car speeding up and down towering sand dunes at such thrilling speeds that sand flies everywhere. It’s a hell of an adventure that you’ll be left smiling from ear to ear.
The only thing to make sure is that you get a good driver in the steering seat.
Camel rides and sandboarding
Sheikh travels on camels! Ah, that’s true. It’s what is called their traditional way.
This would be amazing to experience, just try a camel ride there. It is a slow and steady way of exploring the desert while getting a taste of the old Bedouin lifestyle.
For a little bit of action, grab a sandboard and slide down the dunes, yeah, the sandboarding is an exciting, fun experience of the desert while getting the heart racing.
Stargazing under the clear desert sky
You can expect some of the clearest skies you have ever experienced in the desert within Dubai. Stargazing here is indeed out of this world.
When you travel far enough from the city lights, you are able to see thousands of stars twinkling above you. This is the wow moment, and when your stars align, you may catch a shooting star.
Pack a blanket, lie back, and enjoy the peaceful desert night sky full of stars.
Visiting Bedouin-style camps for cultural experiences
Ah, I can say that no day after a desert adventure is as wonderful as a traditional Bedouin camp.
Many desert tours offer the opportunity to immerse yourself in local culture through activities such as henna painting, traditional dance, and delicious Arabic food.
It is a great way to end a desert journey and soak up some local flavour.
Conclusion
Dubai desert by car is an experience like no other. Whether you’re cruising through golden dunes, bashing through sand hills, or taking in the tranquil beauty of an oasis, the desert has something admiring to offer everyone.
With a little preparation, a good vehicle, and a sense of adventure, you’re in for a ride you won’t soon forget. So, what are you waiting for? Pack your stuff, hit the road, and get ready to tour out the beautiful desert landscape of Dubai!
Also Read: Winter in Dubai: Must-Do Activities for Car Rental Visitors
