Riding the sand dunes in Dubai desert

Desert suggests debilitating heat and an expanse of sand. The Arabian desert in Dubai lives true to; all sand, with temperatures of up to 50˚C with averages of 28 ˚C during their winter (December to February). Dubai has however, done more with their desert, transforming the sand and heat into memorable experiences for tourists.

En route to desert
The adventure starts on the ride to the desert, tucked about 45 minutes from the city centre. The drive is educative. We learn from our guide and driver for the day, Khan Daliwar of Arabian Adventures, that the white flats lining the streets are government houses for the natives. There is a camel farm, a huge camel hospital, and along the way, a camel race being announced to take place soon. Camels used to be to Arabs what cattle are to Karimojong or Bahima in Uganda. Dubai has two distinct parts; one marked by the said white flats and the other with modern architectural structures. Daliwar explains that Dubai deliberately preserves their history even as they develop so that their journey is evident.
The sky scrapers give way to the white modest flats that house the locals and eventually, the road network winds into expanses of sand. This signals the onset of the desert. We are here! All of Dubai is a desert but where we are getting to is where the government deliberately conserves and protects the natural heritage and habitat of the desert.
A little farther into the desert, an expanse of the desert is cordoned off into the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve. Here, the tourist experience, the desert adventure awaits.
The first time in the desert, everything is fascinating. The sea of sand that extends as far as the eye can see is inexplicable. You want to photograph everything yet the camera cannot capture the emotion or even the exact way the dunes appear. The sand lays out before us flat, then grows gradually wavy as we drive farther in. This is before it turns into a spread of sand dunes that grow larger as we close in. It is a sight to behold.
The dune rides
Four of us shared a car, a four-seater off-road dune buggy. The first time I was caught off guard and I ended up leaving my guts in the sand, which dampened my fun. I suspect I also lost bits of skin. My seatmate screamed hard as her fingernails dug into the flesh on my arms. I got bruises I only noticed after the ride. I was preoccupied with the exhilaration of riding the sand tide.

What is the fuss about? Remember what I said about the dunes growing larger as one drew closer? They are like small mountains all-over the desert. The dune rides are like driving up and down mountains with reckless abandon. Up and down we went, over small dunes then unexpected big ones that had my seatmate screaming louder and digging deeper into my flesh. I imagine water rafting feels like that. It is as scary as it is exciting.
When you go up the big steep dunes it feels like you are going to fall over a cliff because you cannot see over on the other side until the car is going down nose first, only to sharply head back up on the next dune. It goes on and on and on, up and down, until you have screamed yourself hoarse with fear and excitement. We are assured all dune buggies are fully automatic 4-wheel drives with seat belts, roll cages and off-road suspension.
In fact, for one who understands cars, they are part of the experience as they are the latest models. The cars set out together but follow demarcated dune routes that tourists don’t care to concern themselves with.
Eventually, Daliwar heeds to my neighbours screams to stop and stops the car. The rides are done, just as the sun begins to dim over the horizon. It is the perfect time to take some photographs before heading out for diner, the other highlight of the experience.

Dining Arabian style
The diner is set Bedouin style in the open desert. Red-flowered hand-woven rugs on the sand, low tables covered in red and heavy pillows to serve as seats, creating a romantic ambiance.
Tea served in one corner, wines, beers and soft drinks in another, henna painting to the far right, cooking, and mementos on sale.
There is so much going on at this camp, but it is calm after the dune rides. At the entrance is a line-up of camels for those who want a ride. A few paces then you are set back on the ground.

Tea and alcoholic drinks such as wine and beer are served. The diner is a three-course buffet that is worthwhile after the busy day. As diner winds down, Arabic music begins to play and the most glorious belly dancer appears on the floor capturing our attention.
The night ends with stargazing, whose details I shall spare you for when you visit.

Enter the sight
Daliwar stops at the reserve entrance to reduce tyre pressure to ably drive on sand. We join a procession of 4-wheel drive vehicles with tourists chitchatting and taking pictures. Occasionally, we see a few desert shrubs, a bird dares to fly close or an animal darts through the shrubs. Sand dunes and tyre tracks define the landscape. The government spares no expense to protect the desert’s fragile ecosystem and maintain its original landscape. There is, therefore, an irrigation system and a deliberate effort to conserve the desert animals.
On our agenda is sand dune riding, then diner in the desert camp.