Escape the skyscrapers and explore the natural wonders of the United Arab Emirates’ arid terrain in the Dubai Desert. Taking up almost 5 percent of the Dubai metropolitan area, the 225-square-kilometre (87-square-mile) Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve features sand dunes and indigenous animal species. Book a safari with a tour operator to explore the desert.
Set aside by UAE Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed Rashid Al Maktoum, the Dubai Desert was formerly a camel farm. Today, it is dedicated to preserving the natural environment of the region in the face of Dubai’s rapid growth.
In order to enter the park, you must make a reservation with a tour operator. Operators offer a variety of different ways to see the reserve. Ride a camel, stay overnight in a resort or drive up the dunes on an SUV ride.
A trip through the desert will reveal its wide biodiversity. Learn about the native species from your tour guide. Herds of Arabian gazelle roam the plains, and you are bound to see the curvy patterns that side-winding vipers make in the sands. If you are in the park at night, look for nocturnal sand cats, which look just like sandy-coloured house cats.
Many tours invite you to take part in desert sports. Learn how to use a traditional bow at an archery range. Sand boards let you skim down the face of dunes as if they were made of fresh snowfall.
Stay the night in the desert for the most immersive experience. Sit in a Bedouin tent and sample flame-grilled meats and regional sweets. Sleep on the sand and wake up early to see the sun rise over the dunes.
Located an hour’s drive from Dubai, the Dubai Desert can be reached through one of many tour operators, which will transport you from the city.
