Once you have had your fill of the towering modern buildings, exquisite jewelry, tasty cuisine and high life that make up Dubai, take a tour to the desert! Get out and experience nature in all her glory, while seeing the world much as the ancient tribes did, from the back of a camel.
Camel Safari
Who doesn’t need a 7 hour camel safari to top off their vacation? You should know first off that you will not be required to ride a camel for 7 hours, in fact your destination is a mere 45 minute ride. At the end of the journey through the colorful sand dunes you will find a camp made of different “booths” where you can learn more about the values and traditions of the area.
Dinner will be four courses and include a nice traditional meal, called ghuzi, and may consist of vegetable rice, chicken kabobs, yogurt, lamb and camel meat. (no, not any of the ones you rode in on). Sample Menus:
- Salad
- Spicy lentil soup
- Lamb and cheese filled pastries
- Lamb served with nuts and rice
- Fruit Salad
- Local donuts- saffron flavored and drizzled with date syrup
Around you in this Bedouin style camp will be flame torches, setting the perfect Arabian Nights ambiance. Enjoy traditional dance and music under wide open skies filled with twinkling stars.
At the end of your evening, you will take a minivan back to the city where you can repose for the evening at your hotel of choice.
Alternatives:
If you are not keen on taking a camel ride or simply want to take the desert via Land Rover, there is a desert tour for that as well. Zoom through the desert in a vintage Rover, take in a falconry display and then arrive at the Bedouin camp.
Conservation Tour
The conservation tour is a leisurely safari from the air conditioned comfort of a Mercedes or Land Rover. During your drive, you will learn more about the ecosystem and wildlife in the area, and hopefully get a chance to snap some great photos. About an hour and a half into your drive, you will arrive at the Al Maha Desert Resort where you will be served refreshments and have time to relax before returning to Dubai.
Conclusion
There is so much to do and see in Dubai, the desert can get overlooked. Do yourself and your family a favor and take one of the several safari trips. Not only is the desert breathtaking, you could learn something along the way.
