The Arabian Desert – a seemingly endless sea of golden sand – calls out to the adventurer and the thrill seeker. Easily accessible from the global city of Dubai, the Desert opens up a whole new world and gives you a chance to experience it in thrilling, new ways. Of course, there are desert safaris, camel rides and dinners under the stars but, you should know, that the Desert serves up heart-stopping action too. When in Dubai, sign up to conquer the Arabian Desert’s swirling, ever-changing dunes with dune bashing, quad biking, sand boarding, and buddy riding. If you want a more serene yet rewarding escapade in the Desert, there’s hot air ballooning too. Here are the six best desert adventure activities in Dubai!
Top 5 adventure desert safaris in Dubai
Top desert adventure sports in Dubai
Dune bashing
Speed through the highs and lows of countless dunes in thunderous 4x4 vehicles that twist and turn in the sea of sand. Dune bashing is a beloved adventure sport in Dubai’s golden-sand desert and it offers the daredevils the chance to join an experienced driver on a roller coaster ride through the dunes. As your vehicle skillfully flies through the dunes, you’ll feel the ultimate rush of the swirls of sand flying past you, the ground slipping beneath you, and the peaks and the valleys of the sand formations – rewarding you with an unforgettable ride!
Quad biking
Ride the ultimate mean machines through the towering dunes of the Arabian Desert on quad bikes. These all-terrain vehicles will test your skill and your love for the thrill as you ascend and descend your way through the dune slopes. Open to, both, novices and pro, quad biking in Dubai is perfect for those who seek to master the desert trail.
Dune buggy riding
Gather your fellow thrill chasers and take the dune buggy out for a spin in the sandy, expansive desert. An open-air, 4x4 vehicle with monstrous wheels, the dune buggy effortlessly climbs its way atop imposing dunes and glides headily into deep valleys while you hold on for your life and scream out of sheer joy. With dune buggy riding, you can also enjoy moments of serenity as you take in stunning desert vistas from dune peaks. Ridden by expert drivers, your dune buggy is your portal into an untouched land of adventure!
Fat bike riding
Dominating the Arabian Desert atop a two-wheeler in not a far-fetched dream anymore! With the fat bike, you can cycle through the desert and take in the life it sustains with this slow-paced adventure activity. If you are less keen on adrenaline surging through your veins and more interested in getting to know the desert intimately, fat biking is just for you. You’ll use your sheer strength to make your way across the desert, stopping to admire a herd of Oryx or observe an encampment of Bedouins from afar – with fat biking you’ll embark on a true exploration of the legendary Arabian Desert.
Sand boarding
With the rugged Hajar Mountains serving as an impressive background, you can spend a day sandboarding through the tallest dune peaks of the Arabian Desert. The desert equivalent of snowboarding, sandboarding offers you the opportunity to dash, fly and glide across the sand dunes as you lithely hold your balance on a sandboard. Bound to put a triumphant smile on your adventurous face, sandboarding is a great way to conquer the desert in style.
Hot air ballooning
Watch the golden rays of the sun warm up the skies over an expansive desert landscape from 4,000 feet above the ground. Soak in the sun and sweeping views of the desert with a hot air balloon ride. As the floating balloon, gently makes its way across the sky, you can take in the scenes below, watching herds of camels, gazelles, and oryxes make their way across the sandy terrain. This is an Arabian Desert tale you’ll recount many times over your lifetime.
Are adventure safaris in Dubai safe for children?
Yes, it is. In Dubai, the desert safari tours are led by seasoned operators who strive to offer customers adventure whose every detail is planned and carefully executed. Each activity has been repeatedly tested for safety, including, the vehicle and operators have maintained the highest safety standards for decades. Additionally, the drivers, instructors and experts who lead these activities have exceptional qualifications and are trained to put your (no matter how old you are) safety first.
Insider tips
- Wear loose and comfortable clothing but avoid flowing fabrics as they might get entangled with parts of the vehicles. There is no restriction on the type of clothing in the desert but you can reduce the risk of a sunburn by being fully clothed.
- Make sure you apply sunscreen and carry a cap and sunglasses to avoid the harsh, afternoon sun.
- The temperature in the desert drops in the evening so it’s best to carry a lightweight jacket to avoid a chill.
- Ideally, wear sandals, floaters or open shoes as you will be getting in and out of the sand a lot. If you wear closed shoes (like sneakers) the fine sand may seep inside and leave you uncomfortable.
- Adventure activities like dune bashing, quad biking and dune buggy riding can be physically demanding. Try to avoid a heavy meal prior to the activity or limit yourself to a light meal to avoid an upset stomach or motion sickness.
- Pay attention to the experienced, professional instructors. If you have any medical ailments or previous medical history let the instructors know to avoid any mishaps.
- You can carry some cash and credit cards to buy souvenirs or avail of additional desert activities like henna painting etc.
- If you are signing up for the entertainment offerings, at the desert safari, then pick a good spot near the stage at the camp.
- Bring your camera and take photographs, you will have many opportunities to stop and take pictures.
- You may feel the camel rides are short but they are animals and cannot be stressed beyond a point. Please be considerate towards them.
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