Secrets of the desert

Dubai is globally famous for its thriving business and architectural masterpieces. Yet a visit to the emirate is not complete without the Dubai Desert Safari as it’s a phenomenal experience, writes MIKE OMUODO

A safari conjures up a thrilling image of a travel across jungles and mountains for a Kenyan, perhaps to the numerous game reserves. Nowhere in the world seems to epitomise an exciting pleasure trip quite like a desert safari ride in Dubai.  If you find yourself in Dubai and have not gone on a desert safari, then you haven’t really enjoyed the life in Dubai. At least that’s what most people say.

Leaving behind the hustle and bustle of the city, trained safari guides driving 4x4 vehicles lead us in a thrilling journey over towering sand dunes and through the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, deep into the heartland of the searing desert.

The tour begins with a falcon show. This is a unique and educational show, with a detailed talk on traditional Arabic Falconry.

Falconry is an integral part of desert life, which has been practised in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and has been part of the UAE’s cultural heritage for centuries. Originally, falcons were used for hunting, to supplement the Bedouin diet with some meat, such as hare but now falcon is the official bird of the UAE.

A falconry show not only showcases the majestic bird of prey, but it also shows the beauty of the desert at dusk.

The thrills of desert sand

Dubai has sand and sand dunes, and a safari drive through the desert can be a thrilling experience. An unquestionable charm and passion on the desert safari tour sweeps along like the inimitable pied piper’s charm.  The pulsating round trip casting its spell and with the echoes the spirit of Dubai desert safari is simply unforgettable.

Before entering the desert, the tyres of the land cruiser are usually deflated so as to ease the driving in the sand dunes.

After entering the desert, what began was a crazy roller-coaster ride up and down the sand dunes that lasted for an hour or so. The desert expert drivers are extremely skilled.

They drive horizontally. They speed upwards and downwards and apply the brakes at the right moment! How they managed to go up over those steep dunes and come down without crashing, is a mystery one may never unravel even if you go on this safari many times.

The drivers guide the way through the remarkable deserts and bring you to the famous and breath-taking experience of the dune bashing, also known as sand bashing. You can also take your own 4WD if you are experienced in driving in the desert. But the best option is to book your safari through a professional desert safari tour operator in Dubai.

You reserve a seat, or an entire vehicle (usually a Land Cruiser or Nissan patrol or even hummer), depending on how big your group is, with the tourism company offering desert safari.

The cost per person is around 250 dirhams(Sh5,700). If you have big group you can get a better deal. They pick you up from a designated location (often from where you live) and then you are driven to an assembly point somewhere in the middle of a desert. That’s where all the vehicles assemble.

A lot of travel companies will be on the wings in Dubai waiting to take you to the ride on desert safari, but I got my premier experience through the Arabia Adventures, a destination management arm of Emirates Airlines. And the name Arabian Adventure, in essence, tells it all — this is an adventure through which you have first-hand experience with the desert sand thrills, taking the Land Cruisers up the hills, shooting down at a speed like racing.

Unfit deserts for traveling except on the back of a Sahara Camel, brings a new feeling of excitement, seeing modern day cars sailing the waves of sand. It is a safari, not because you will be going deer hunting, or chasing wildlife, but hunting for something that would elicit thrill and excitement.  

The sand ski is one of the popular parts of the desert safari. You get to ski from the highest dunes on a ski board, everyone can do it without fear of injury unlike the ice skiing because should you fall the soft sand is there for you to land.

As you traverse the desert climbing over sand dunes, the rush of adrenaline that I experienced is only comparable to the excitement one gets while riding roller coaster slides. The thrill one gets on this ride is un-imaginable and is a memory that stays in your mind for along time. I dare say that the entire tour of Dubai is incomplete without a desert safari.

Breathtaking Sundowner

To the west, the sun casts its glow over the soft sands. A stop for a breath-taking view of the endless desert will give you an opportunity to watch the sunset over this tranquil scenery. Take a shot or two for fond memory of the escapade.

As you approach the camp, lanterns come to life, signalling a traditional welcome. Outside the camp, one can take a trip on a camel back, commonly referred to as desert ships, and watch the beauty from camel top.

Inside the camp, the many traditions of local hospitality revive memories of the Arabian Nights with Bedouin-style seating, and sand art. Purchase some souvenirs before relaxing on a majlis (low cushions) in traditional Bedouin tents getting ready for a three course  meal under the stars.

Smoking sheesha

You can also get traditionally-attired for the occasion by dressing in traditional Bedouin male or female garments, and also have henna (temporary tattoo) decorate your hands, legs and feet.

For those daring enough, puff away the flavoured sheesha (herbal tobacco also written shisha) — a water-pipe, popular in many Arab countries, in which fruit-scented tobacco is burnt using coal, passed through an ornate water vessel and inhaled through a hose.

If you want to top your experience, you can make this a beguiling experience. You could have dinner buffet and dessert besides a blazing bonfire with traditional cups of coffee and dates, under the night sky as you get entertained by belly dancers accompanied by the haunting strains of classical Arabian music. 

A falcon show, a desert safari drive, the sundowner, a camel ride, the Arabian barbecue, belly dancers, and Bedouins culture remain major highlights of the Dubai visit.