Do you know what's a great place to just escape it all? The
Dubai Desert! This vast land of sun and sand will help you forget everything else. When you're in need of solitude, a refresher, and the like, go camping in the Dubai Desert! It will be an experience you will always remember! Especially if you follow a few important tips. After all, camping in the desert is nowhere near camping up on the mountains. You need to be extra prepared. It's important you know what vehicle to use to get there, what you need to pack, and what not to do at night.
Go Camping in Winter
You'd think that camping in winter would be too cold. Even if it's in the Middle East where it rarely snows, wouldn't it be better to go camping in spring or summer? Well, the Dubai Desert is totally different. Around this time of year, the weather in the desert is pretty mild. It's still cold, but not so much that you'll freeze to death if you spend more than five minutes without a fire. Moreover, the winds are milder too. There are fewer sandstorms in winter in
Dubai, guaranteeing a more peaceful camping trip.
Beginners Should Go to Campsites
You're probably thinking that the Dubai Desert is just this vast land of sand, aren't you? You can venture off into the desert and be totally alone no matter where you go, right? Well, for the most part, it is. Despite how bustling
Dubai’s different neighborhoods are now, the desert nearby remains largely untouched and undeveloped. There are, however, a few campsites there. And if you're a beginner, you'd do well to camp in any of these sites instead of somewhere in the middle of nowhere. You're gonna need a lot more experience until you can try going at it all on your own!
Have A Map Handy
Despite how vast and undeveloped the Dubai Desert is, you can still see it on the map. That's why it's important that you get yourself one before you go off on your camping trip! You're probably thinking that you don't need one, aren't you? You have your phone, after all. Google Maps is more than enough to ensure you won't get lost, right? Well, not exactly! Remember that camping in the Dubai Desert still places you in the middle of nowhere, even when you're on a designated campsite. You might not get a signal or run out of battery before you can access the map on your phone. So it's vital you have a physical copy with you too!
Rent A Four-Wheel Drive Vehicle
Don't underestimate how harsh the terrains are in the Dubai Desert. These aren't lands just any old car can manage. For you to get on with your camping trip, you need to rent at least a four-wheel drive vehicle! This sort of automobile includes jeepneys, big vans, trucks, and more. They're the best kinds of vehicles that can take on the Dubai Desert and its vast sandy landscapes. Fortunately, four-wheel drive vehicles are all big and relatively spacious, allowing for enough room for you and your things. One can even fit an entire family too.
Pack Plenty of Firewood
If there's one thing you shouldn't do when you go to the Dubai Desert, it's to underestimate how cold the nights can get here. You probably think that since it's so hot and sunny during the day, the desert will remain warm even after nightfall. But that's far from the case. In fact, nights in the Dubai Desert can get as cold as a Scandinavian country in autumn. This is why you need plenty of firewood. Starting the fire is one of the best ways to stay warm as you camp out in the desert. But since there are no trees on site, you need to get and pack them before you leave the city.
Wear Multiple Layers at Night
Another great way to stay warm at night in the Dubai Desert is to wear multiple layers. You'd ordinarily think that chunky sweaters and thick knitwear have no place in the Middle East, but it does in this part of the country! As mentioned previously, nights in the Dubai Desert can get so cold, you'll practically freeze to death. Not wearing multiple layers at night is tantamount to taking a dip in the Nyhavn River in
Copenhagen at the start of winter. Suddenly, all the sand will feel like snow against your inadequately covered body.
Bring A Tent
This is probably a no-brainer, isn't it? Who'd go camping anywhere without a tent? Well, a lot of people. And if you're camping anywhere else in the world, that's fine! Sleeping under the stars is still cool, after all. But that's not something you'll want to try in the Dubai Desert. The weather and temperature here are often unpredictable. Suddenly, there might be a snowstorm in the middle of the afternoon. At night, it gets so cold that your sleeping bag and multiple layers of clothing won't be enough to keep you warm. In many ways, a tent is your best protection from the harsh extremities of the Dubai Desert.
Take a Cooler Along
All this talk about staying warm in the Dubai Desert shouldn't make you forget that it's still pretty hot here during the day. And what's the best way to counter the heat on a camping trip? Either go swimming or drink something cold. Unfortunately, you can't do the former in the Dubai Desert so you're stuck with the latter. So bring a cooler filled with lots of water, other beverages, and ice. Your cooler has to be filled with so much ice that your hand will almost freeze whenever you get a drink!
Camping in the Dubai Desert is one of the most exciting things to do in the city. So do it properly by following these tips! They will ensure that you remain safe and that you'll have the time of your life.
