My Ultimate Desert Safari Experience
The United Arab Emirates has become a popular destination for travels over the years. Dubai and Abu Dhabi are the most visited cities by tourists. There is a lot to see and do in both Emirates. I will share with you personal memories and reviews from many of the must-see places.
Last month, August, my family and I had a wonderful, thrilling experience on the desert dunes of Abu Dhabi. Our host for the day was Desert Rose tourism https://www.desertrosetourism.com/
If you want the best experience in Abu Dhabi, I highly recommend this tour company. The drivers are very professional and experienced. The service was good and worth the money we spend. We opted for the evening desert safari because I love sunsets. What better way to enjoy a beautiful sunset over the magnificent dunes of Abu Dhabi. My favorite part of the evening was when the lights were turned off, and we got to star gaze. Now, this is a once off opportunity since I live in the city, being in the dark is rare. But, before I get to the end of the tour let me invite you down memory lane.
We booked the tour days ahead, which I highly recommend as the tours do get full. If you are staying at a hotel, the company will pick you up from the lobby. In our case since we are residents, we were picked up at the closest mall near to us. I didn’t mind as the mall is in walking distance. I must mention that the driver will be gracious enough to drop you off at home if the location is easy for him. After spending the evening in the desert and feeling tired it was a great relieve to go directly home.
We were not a lot and therefore shared the car with two other people. I did not mind, but if you prefer to private, the company will accommodate you.
The drive was about an hour and a half outside the main city. We did stop at a petrol station for a short break and to allow everyone to use the WC. Before arriving at the desert camp, the tour company took us to a camel camp to take pictures and enjoy getting up close and personal with the camels; this was quite the experience and selfie moment if you have never been around camels. After tons of the same picture and I do not exaggerate. Looking at my pictures, I have the same picture over and over with the camels. I guess a couple was not good enough. I don’t get to see camels that often even if I live in the desert.
Before arriving at the camp, the adventure begins. The driver goes into complete roller coaster mode. Dring up and down dunes, sand spraying everywhere. You feel like the car is going to fall off the high Dunes. It’s exhilarating and mind-blowing. A bucket list experience for sure.
We finally arrived at the camp and was greeted with a magical ambiance of soft Arabic music and Qahwa (Arabic name for coffee). Arabs love to cook the coffee in a special pot called a Dallah on the stove and then poured into a thermos for serving. The coffee was served in small handless cups called finjaan. The coffee has a rich taste and is delicious with a sweet date. It is an acquired taste and might not be everyone’s’ cup of coffee. Serving coffee is part of the Arab tradition and has been part of Arab hospitality for centuries. A tip is not to refuse the drink. When you offered anything to eat or drink, accept it and be thankful. Arabs have traditions and values of their own, and it is always good to be respectful of their culture and traditions. For more information about Arabic coffee, I recommend the following site, very informative https://www.khaleejtimes.com/lifestyle/food/this-is-the-proper-traditional-way-to-drink-arabic-coffee
We then went to the Majlis where we would eat and enjoy the rest of the evening’s entertainment. The Majlis is an Arabic word for sitting place. The Majlis has a great significance in Arab culture because many important meetings and gatherings usually take place around the Majlis. The colors and style are also unique and appealing. We are left alone to explore the camp and enjoy the unlimited soft drinks, tea, and coffee. There is an option for alcoholic beverages for those who prefer to have a drink. The law allows the buying of alcohol if you have a valid alcohol license or are a non-muslim tourist.
I usually like to head over to the Henna lady and watch her create beautiful designs on the eagerly awaiting hands. I don’t usually get the henna done due to a lack of patience. You have to wait a while for the design to dry and look permanent. There is also a dress-up booth, where you can wear the traditional Abiya for women, a long, black flowing light coat over their clothing, A black scarf called a Shayla is usually draped over the head. What men have is the option of wearing the tradition Kandura (also referred to as a thobe)is a long-sleeved, ankle-length garment. It resembles a loose- fitting robe or a long shirt. It is commonly found in white, but I have seen men wear other colors. I suppose more to be fashionable. You can’t wear the Kandura without the Ghutra, which is a cloth headdress that Emirati men wear. Traditionally, it served dual purposes protecting the desert dwellers from both the sun and sandstorms. The conventional Ghutra for Emirati men is white.
What are tourists allowed to wear? Tourists are free to wear whatever they are comfortable wearing. The country is very relaxed as long as you remain modest. If you are visiting government places, it is highly recommended to wear modest clothing. Women are not required to cover their hair. Shorts and sleeveless clothes are allowed, but try to remain respectful of the local culture, and it is always best to use discretion.
There are many activities to occupy when you are at the camp. There are the camel riding, dune bashing and photos with the Falcon, the national bird of the UAE. Make sure to get in line quickly for the camel rides as it can get busy.
While admiring the beautiful sunset over the dunes, we were welcomed to enjoy a very delicious Arabic buffet. Settling with my plate of food, we were delighted to watch the belly dancing, a famous Arabic dance that is part of the tours highlight. The experience is memorable. I have noticed many companies have started to include more than one kind of entertainment over the years. I guess with all the competition around everyone wants to provide a better service for tourists. That is why we also got to enjoy the Dervish dance, which is a religious dance to express emotion and originated in Turkey. The dance is so much more than what we experience. We see it as entertainment, but it is worth reading up on if you have the interest.
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