What to do in Abu Dhabi? The best tips and sights
March 17, 2020
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Tearing through the desert in a 4×4 jeep, that's everyone's dream, isn't it? Tearing over sand hills, spinning wheels raising clouds of sand and sliding dozens of meters down a dune... A safari through the desert of Abu Dhabi is incredibly cool. Oh, and let's not forget spotting dromedaries and looking out over a beautiful oasis in the middle of the desert. Guaranteed to give you an insane adventure!
On jeep safari in the desert of Abu Dhabi
There are an awful lot of jeep safari providers in Abu Dhabi. Our advice is to book locally through your accommodation, through a well-known local tour operator or through GetYourGuide booking. We booked our tour directly through Arabian Nights Village, more on this later.
Around 8:30 in the morning we were picked up for the jeep safari through the desert, of course our jeep was a Toyota Landcruiser. Perfect for the desert!
From the center of Abu Dhabi, it takes about an hour and a half drive to get to the vast sandy plains of the United Arab Emirates. It is definitely a comfortable drive and on the way you can enjoy beautiful views and the approaching desert.
Tip: stop along the way at the Wahat Al Karama monument
If you leave from the center towards the desert, the monument Wahat Al Karama is along the route. In case you have not visited this place yet but would like to visit it, it is nice to combine. Wahat Al Karama is a war memorial to commemorate the fallen Emirati. The memorial has an insanely beautiful location opposite the Sheikh Zayed Mosque. The photo below shows the memorial square with a large circular water pond. Around this is an amphitheater that can seat about 1,200 people.Â
Setting foot in the desert of Abu Dhabi
When we finally see the desert of Abu Dhabi approaching in the distance, we deviate from the asphalt roads and drive on semi-paved dirt roads deeper into the desert. At about 120 kilometers per hour, we tear along these roads until we suddenly enter the dunes. Our first stop is a fact. High time to take in the vast surroundings and take pictures. Meanwhile, the tires of the cars are prepared for the jeep safari by taking air out of them. This way the tires have more grip in the loose sand.
Tearing through the desert in a jeep
Then it's finally here, the adventure can begin! We are in a jeep for 8 people; there are 6 of us. One in the front, three on the middle bench and two in the back seat. This way everyone has enough room to move back and forth and not bump into each other.
It is fascinating to see how easily the drivers drive through the sand dunes and maneuver the car through the loose sand. Your adrenaline really goes up. Especially when you have a feeling that the jeeps might flip over... This, of course, does not happen. The jeep slides off the dunes and what haunts us is a huge sand wave.Â
Perpendicular downhill, backwards down the dunes, sliding into the valley and sideways up the dunes are some of the maneuvers you can expect. Incredibly exciting and incredibly cool to experience. Truly a once in a lifetime experience!
Spotting dromedaries in the desert
The one-humped camel, the dromedary, you are sure to spot when you enter the desert. Dromedaries are kept here by the locals and used as pack and riding animals. We will at all times discourage you from taking a ride on these animals. It is much more beautiful to admire dromedaries in their natural habitat.
Arabian Nights Village
As I wrote at the beginning of the article, we booked our jeep safari through Arabian Nights Village. Besides being a good organization to book various activities in the desert with, they also have a beautiful resort in the middle of the desert. The cost for a safari in the desert is based on request and availability. We paid 300 AED (€73) per person in 2020. This is based on transportation to and from Abu Dhabi, jeep safari, entrance to the resort and pool, buffet lunch and sandboarding.
Sandboarding at Arabian Nights Village
Taking a safari through the desert is not complete without going down the sand dunes on a board. At Arabian Nights Village, there are sandboards available that you can grab to slide down the dunes with. They are like sleds. You can sit on them or stand on them, but just whatever works for you!
Get a henna tattoo
Getting a henna tattoo is common in the United Arab Emirates on festive occasions. A henna tattoo is always temporary, about two weeks, and is applied to your skin in a graceful form. The henna is made from henna powder, which smells deliciously spicy. After it is applied, it must dry for about 30 to 60 minutes after which you can easily remove it.Â
Spend the night under the most beautiful starry sky
Arabian Nights Village is a special place in the desert of Abu Dhabi to spend the night. In such a unique place in the world, where there is hardly any light from the big cities at night, you can see an insanely clear starry sky.Â
Lois Weeterings
A dreamer and adventure seeker, always on the lookout for new experiences. But also a hard worker with a thousand ideas racing through my mind. As a personal travel consultant and travel blogger, I share my passion for faraway destinations, thrilling adventures, and winter sports. With deep knowledge of places like Namibia, Colombia, the ABC Islands, and the Middle East, I’m here to help you craft a trip you’ll never forget. Through my personal stories and expert tips, I aim to inspire you to explore the world your way. Always with my camera in hand, I’m determined to capture every magical moment and share it with you.
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