THE EMPTY QUARTER
The world’s largest uninterrupted sand mass, the Rub Al Khali (Empty Quarter) will blow you away with massive expanses of awesome desert and enormous dunes. It’s a landscape of ever-changing endless dunes made famous by the British explorer Wilfred Thesiger and his Emirati and Omani companions in the 1940s and 50s.
Almost a fairytale from “1001 nights”, the magnificent Qasr Al Sarab or Mirage Palace is a luxurious oasis in the midst of the desert. Resembling an old Arabian fortress town nestled in the valley of mountainous dunes, this is actually a five-star resort letting you experience lots of desert activities – dune dawn walks, camel trekking, dune bashing, falconry shows and camp fire barbecues. Perched at the edge of the majestic Rub Al Khali, Tilal Al Liwa is a stunningly secluded desert hideaway. There are restaurants, a sparkling outdoor pool, and a full range of desert activities. Considered by many to be the world’s tallest sand dune, Tel Moreeb is over 300 metres high and the 50 degree incline to the top makes it a prime destination for motor sports enthusiasts. Every winter, the region’s most powerful four wheel drivers and quad bikers compete in the Moreeb Hill Climb event, which is part of the Liwa International Festival.
A royal desert experience
VINTAGE LAND ROVER SAFARI
Dubai offers a number of desert safaris in Series 1 Land Rovers through the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, where you can spot native wildlife and Arabian Oryx. Onboard this vintage vehicle, guests are taken through an authentic desert experience dating back to the 1950s.
Choose the morning wildlife safari and finish off with a traditional Emirati breakfast and storytelling by a local Bedouin, or opt for the night safari, where you’ll stop for stunning sunsets and cap it off with a scrumptious meal at a royal desert retreat.
Stay overnight in the desert
WHEN YOU NEED TO RELAX
If camping is not really your thing, Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa in Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve takes glamping to another level, with luxury tented-style villas, each featuring its own private infinity pool.
It’s a place for relaxation rather than risk-taking, with a number of chilled activities on offer, the highlight being the sunset camel rides over the rolling dunes, where you can enjoy a beverage as you take in the uninterrupted views. Ask for a villa overlooking one of the natural oases, where you can watch gazelles and Arabian oryx stop in for a drink.
Rev up for quad biking
GET AN ADRENALINE RUSH
Direct your taxi driver to Dubai’s most famous sand dune, Big Red, where you can hop on a quad bike and navigate the sandy landscape yourself. Available to hire by the half hour, the quad bikes are speedy and a helmet must be worn while riding. Follow the natural trail of the dunes, kicking sand in the face of your fellow riders as you hurtle and bounce over Dubai’s most iconic patch of sand. Big Red, or Al Hamar as it’s locally known, is easy to spot along the Dubai-Hatta (E44) highway. Ask your driver to wait, or hire one for the day.
Go sand boarding
TAKE ON THE DUNES
This is one for true adrenaline-seekers. Strap this snowboard-like contraption to your feet and glide down the dunes just like you would at the slopes of Ski Dubai. While it’s possible to rent a sand board at Big Red, there are a number of companies – such as Dream Explorer Dubai – that offer the full experience. The five-hour morning safari and sandboarding package starts off with a desert safari in a Hummer and ends with a sandboarding session, where you’ll learn all the tips for making it down the dune smoothly.
