Desert Safari Review: Dune Bashing, Camel Rides & Sunset Views

Okay, so picture this: vast stretches of golden sand, the sun baking everything, and you’re bouncing around in a 4×4 ready to take on some dunes. That’s a desert safari, alright, but is that all there is? Having recently traded traffic jams for towering sandcastles, I’m here to spill all the details. Prepare to have the adventure of a lifetime as we explore dune bashing, camel rides, sandboarding thrills, and really pretty sunset scenes.

Dune Bashing: A Roller Coaster on Sand

Right then, dune bashing. If you only do one thing on your desert safari, arguably it should be this. So imagine this – you’re strapped into a 4×4, and some driver who’s probably part stuntman starts flying at massive sand dunes. The vehicle’s sliding all over the place, tilting at insane angles, and there’s some strange mix of terror and euphoria. It’s a lot like a roller coaster, I would argue, yet without the rails, of course, only with the lovely desert views all around. This bit? Seriously good fun.

The level of “bashing” can depend. It seems that some tours stick to smaller dunes, it is more or less fine for families or people who get carsick quickly. But other tours are not for the faint of heart. These tours target those looking for an adrenaline rush as they seek steep climbs and fast descents. I might also add that the drivers know their stuff so they can skillfully handle the terrain. Remember to hold tight! And so, what is the recommendation? If you tend to get motion sickness, make sure you take medication ahead, too it’s almost always better than being sorry!

Camel Rides: A Gentle Trek

Okay, now something completely different. After that extreme experience of bouncing all over, perhaps you are keen on experiencing the gentler pace of a camel trek. Mounting a camel, too it’s almost like stepping back in time; one feels the history of that area of the sand sea and what has happened on that planet. It’s quite high off the ground, I have to say, yet once you’re up there, it is a rather lovely, steady rhythm. They plod across the sand in a very rhythmic way. As I was saying, a bit like the gentle sway of a ship at sea, that is kind of peaceful.

So that this trek often isn’t for hours – maybe 30–45 minutes, like your knees would start to feel it after some time. But really the views? Totally stunning, and seeing the desert from so high up? Amazing! Apparently, it is worth taking the time to absorb the peaceful beauty, plus snapping a few photos, and maybe even the odd selfie too!

Sandboarding: Shredding the Dunes

Fine, so you have watched all those snowboarding videos and have never actually tried it yourself? Or perhaps, rather, have tried, too, it’s almost always a disaster? What then about sandboarding? Okay, so it might sound a little silly, however, seriously, it’s surprisingly fun. It does have the borrowing-skis-sort-of element, in that you sort of clip your feet onto a board and whizz down the dunes, apparently.

Okay, the execution, of course, is somewhat trickier than that. Arguably, it can be rather tricky keeping your balance (so you will probably fall a few times!) however that doesn’t matter, clearly because, frankly, it’s all part of the fun. Most tours will supply the boards, just like your skis, but, more or less, there aren’t usually any proper instructors around, more like someone there to make sure nobody dies. The best advice? Start with a small dune, too it’s almost not too challenging, and work up from there!

Sunset Views: Golden Hour Magic

So I have saved the best bit for last. As the sun dips lower in the sky, apparently the desert turns magical, seemingly because it paints the landscape in warm, golden light. Like your entire horizon blazes with some strange intensity, maybe even looking better than one of those fake sunsets you can get as a desktop wallpaper? Now then, some tours will take you to a particularly great vantage point from where it might be the best display, ever?

Alright, so even better is when you are somewhere pretty isolated and there are not many other people. Find a high dune, actually it should be possible to just sit and drink it all in, in that case, it just might be one of those really spectacular things you are not soon going to forget. Don’t forget your camera! It really isn’t just about having the moment as something only for your mind to remember, it is about, like your sharing of that great vista of light and colour across Instagram so you might appear somewhat interesting to complete strangers!

The Evening Entertainment

Of course, this all takes place near an evening campsite, of sorts, a place offering various forms of evening entertainment. The scale might vary according to which tour operator you selected; I want to suggest going for the ‘basic’ is more peaceful as well as probably cheaper! Now then, depending, they will have stuff like, let us just see, local dancing displays, fire-breathers, belly dancers. Then it’s pretty typical to sample some local delicacies. They often call this “traditional cuisine” even though what is offered as local dishes these days actually started back in 1960 after someone showed some Emiratis a BBC2 TV cookbook. But in the case of this type of cuisine, you’re actually eating history – more or less?

Okay, in the end, perhaps just have a bit of the charcoal-tasting thing, and really just stick with the bottled water they supply and the pre-packed snacks from your local store you might have secreted about your person before arrival (you won’t have, like your pockets frisked for goodness’s sake, they only make sure no-one’s got booze in their beach bag!). Most places, very few appear particularly invested in preventing folks from wandering about and stargazing either.

Don’t get ripped off and buy a rubbish “genuine artefact” for like your friend from one of the stalls there, especially like your name painted in terrible Arabic calligraphy on a stone that might have originally been sourced from just down the road. Instead, maybe purchase online or from the Airport shops before flying back? Some tours will push you toward getting dressed up in fancy local outfits so as to get your photo taken looking utterly ridiculous for just a small additional charge – still, some do. Some find all these opportunities to appear “culturally relevant” worthwhile. Not for me though.

Choosing Your Safari Tour

Noted, it’s easy to book a desert safari tour! Now then, picking what sort of tour you think you require is often an issue of comparing deals online. Perhaps consider what you seriously want to get out of it? As I was saying, some are heavily focused on being really action-packed and extreme, so really not going to work with very tiny children in attendance.

Instead, there are those that will offer a more serene or culturally enriching moment. Obviously the first sort is most prevalent. Like your selection will also really decide your overall cost as well – be savvy. So, too, it’s almost important to look carefully at feedback and critiques before reserving. Don’t be swayed just by “influencer” twaddle, check for legitimate, real views.

One thing that does make some form of difference? That would arguably be the time of year you’ll be checking this out. Obviously summer there’s always some fairly ferocious temperatures and this can make aspects not especially fun and might impact your personal well-being during moments like a protracted wait to begin camel trekking, for instance.

The other end, too, it’s almost best to ensure the trip you go for uses air-con vehicles or that there are great alternatives and sufficient water provided etc etc, so I will keep quiet!

Essential Tips for Your Desert Safari

Okay, here are some basic things to know about.

Dress Appropriately: Loose, lightweight clothing is a really brilliant thought to deal with the heat of the midday sun. Apparently, in that case, wearing some layers for when things do start getting cooler towards nighttime is not the worst idea.
Sun Protection: Okay, wear and slap some protection all over, or risk your face turning beetroot pink, for instance. Sunglasses should seriously also be considered too. Even a baseball cap? Seriously cool too, for sure.
Stay Hydrated: Carry a bottle of liquid refreshment – seriously essential. Many trips will supply water. So make sure, for instance, that this is stated and confirmed when ordering or planning with those individuals!
Comfortable Shoes: Flip flops do well if tramping regarding the camp or taking a short hike – but something better can be a lot more helpful than these throughout routines much more challenging than traversing only a beach for twenty meters for example – for example if perhaps there is a good deal of climbing, rambling or sand-surfing in front folks that need to become prepared adequately ahead by means such as ankle-height boots.
Camera Ready: Do not neglect there would seemingly often be amazing photo opps almost everywhere a single tends, specifically once it pertains sunsets over dunes in other such spectacular environments so people will almost always desire getting capable gadgets alongside these individuals alongside enough electronic memory-chip storing space! It definitely seems really typical too numerous occasions precisely where someone’s tool unexpectedly operates from stored photos simply ahead amongst their favourite opportunities that takes spot, sadly although thankfully we’re not discussing you presently we will remain clear regarding having what is generally termed as a complete fail to accomplish, or am i completely wrong right then!

#DesertSafari #DuneBashing #CamelRide #Sandboarding #Sunset #AdventureTravel