How to Enjoy Dune Bashing in Dubai

While you may think of the desert as being a place where everything moves slowly along amidst a seemingly unending sea of sand, that is not always the case; you can also enjoy some exhilarating thrills if you try some dune bashing in Dubai! Featuring unforgettable rides as part of a desert safari, this unique experience can also feature other activities too which will help make for some action-packed holiday fun.

Get to Know What Dune Bashing Entails

Before delving into the details of dune bashing, it is good to get an idea of what exactly it is! It involves enjoying a ride in SUVs / 4X4 vehicles which are driven at various speeds both up and down the many sand dunes; depending on the tour, the vehicles used can include Hummers, Land Cruisers or Fortuners. The sand does keep shifting on the dunes, so great skill is required when it comes to manoeuvring at speed; to increase traction, the air is somewhat let out of the tires.

What makes Dubai an ideal destination for dune bashing, is that it is landlocked on three sides with plenty of desert terrains to choose from. Amongst the places, you can try this activity are the Al Bidayer Desert, Lahbab Desert, Al Faya Desert and Fossil Rock.

Find Out More on What to Expect

Generally, you will be based in the main city and tour companies will offer return transfers from your hotel in Dubai to a particular desert. Dune bashing experiences can vary in duration and can range from 20 to 30 minutes to an hour. As mentioned, this activity requires a great amount of skill, but don't worry, you won't have to do the driving! There will be professional and experienced drivers who take control of the wheel to ensure you fully enjoy the thrills on the dunes.

Usually, the vehicle will be a part of a convoy so you won't be alone out there in the desert, while SUVs are normally fitted with extra safety features too such as roll cages. The best vantage point for this activity is the front seat as you slide, speed, spin and skid along the dunes. Check out online resources such as The Adventure Travel Site which offer more insights into dune bashing in the UAE.

Plan on What to Wear and Bring

While you will be inside the vehicle for this experience, at some point, you will also get to walk around the desert or engage in other activities; with this in mind, wear comfy clothing and have a scarf or hat too. Sand has a way of getting into everything including shoes, so wearing sandals or slippers instead is well worth considering.

As you may expect in a desert environment, the sun can be quite harsh so do apply and bring sunscreen with you. It is advisable to have sunglasses on hand to protect your eyes from the glare; this is also useful for those who wear contacts to prevent grains of sand getting into your eyes. Make sure you bring your camera and / or phone for pictures and some cash too in case you are given the opportunity to purchase souvenirs at a campsite.

Don't Forget the Other Experiences

When selecting your dune bashing tour, do check to see what other experiences are induced as well. Depending on the tour operator, you could also look forward to camel rides as well as more thrilling activities like sandboarding, quad biking and dune buggy safaris.

Another popular part of a desert tour is to visit a traditional-style Bedouin camp; here you can savour delectable BBQ and Middle Eastern dishes as well as enjoy everything from smoking sheesha and henna hand painting to witnessing Tanoura and belly dancers.