Desert Safari

Tips for desert driving in Qatar

Driving in the desert may seem like a daunting task. However, once you know the tricks that make driving in the desert a more comfortable experience, you are bound to have a lot of fun.

Make sure your vehicle is in order

Desert Driving Jeeps in Qatar | Image via Piqsels

Oil and water levels, 4 by 4 operations, soundness of wheels and tyres, lock operations, etc. are some of the key things you should check about your vehicle before going on your drive.

See if you can get help from an expert

You may meet experts in desert driving when you hang out at some of the restaurants in Wakra. Try and start a conversation with them and they will be able to tell you what to look out for.

Never go on your own

This is the golden rule in desert driving because it is quite a dangerous task. So make sure you go with a friend, and especially with someone who can help you out in the case of an emergency. Ideally, a convoy of 3 – 8 vehicles would go together. If you’re staying at Souq Al Wakra Hotel Qatar by Tivoli, you may come across others who are interested in the activity.

Sand conditions

Make sure that someone in your convoy is aware of the local sand conditions. This is critical to make sure that you have a safe trip back and forth.

Mobile Camping Adventure

There’s a myriad of camping adventures that you can be a part of – and some of them offer facilities that let you experience a comfortable and luxurious stay. One such instance is the modern mobile camping adventures offered by Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara.

Overview

These new mobile camping adventures will let you wander through the diverse landscape of Southern Oman’s Dhofar. It is indeed one of the best Oman attractions.

What to Expect

While the sun continues to shine, one may look forward to exploring the endless deserts, craggy mountains, and long stretches of empty yet beautiful beaches. And by night, you can expect to relax under star-studded skies, while immersing in complete luxury.

Image Credit: Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara

Adventures

If you choose to venture away from the comforts of your luxury tent, you will find yourself gliding along with dolphins with marine experts, discovering intriguing historical sites with archaeologists, and even pointing out the marvels of the night sky with astronomers.

Guidance

You will be traversing to all kinds of sites in the luxury of a 4×4 while being accompanied by the members of the Mahrah tribe.

Thrilling Safaris at Yala National Park, Sri Lanka

Ever had the thrill of seeing regal leopards and majestic elephants roam free in their natural habitats? Such wildlife encounters and a whole lot more awaits at the Yala National Park!

Plan Your Safari
Located in the southeast part of the country, this park can be accessed via the gates at locations such as Palatupana and Katagamuwa. For a safari tour, Sri Lanka is best explored via 4WD vehicles and Yala is no exception. A little after 6:00am and again after 4:00pm are generally the best times for spotting wildlife.

Kings of Yala
The apex predator at the park is the Sri Lankan leopard; safaris here are very popular since it has the world’s highest density of leopards in the wild. Such wildlife drives can be organised by local travel specialists the likes of Walkers Tours as part of unforgettable excursions to spot these stealthy felines.

Other Wildlife
On your adventures in Yala, you mayobserve many other creatures too including elephants who may be gentle giants, but shouldn’t be disturbed! Keep watch to also spot sloth bears, water buffalos, spotted deer, toque macaques and mugger crocodiles. Part of the park encompasses the coast where sea turtles are known to visit too.

Diverse Birdlife
Equally impressive are the diverse bird species at Yala; one of the best places for birdwatching in Sri Lanka, the park has recorded around 215 bird species. These includeendemic varieties such as the Sri Lanka wood pigeon, Sri Lanka grey hornbill and Sri Lankan junglefowl which is also the nation’s national bird.

Interesting facts about the Kalahari Desert

Exploring the Kalahari Desert is simply a magical experience. The main reason is that it’s unique in its features and travellers can’t feel the same enjoyment at any other desert in the world.

Ragnhild&Neil Crawford from Sweden, Otoptera burchellii-0792 – Flickr – Ragnhild & Neil Crawford, CC BY-SA 2.0

The Okavango River runs through here

Did you know that Papa Falls- one of the most favourite attractions among guests holidaying at Botswana resorts is a part of the Okavango River? This river is considered the 04th longest river in the world and it runs through the Kalahari Desert.

There is a higher rainfall

Bringing in good news for everyone hoping to visit the desert during their stays at hotels such as Avani Gaborone Resort & Casino, there is the hope of rain here! Yes, it’s strange, but this desert receives 5-10 inches of rainfall every year.

There is a rich plant life

Particularly in the Northern parts of the desert, the plant life is rich. This is because of the special feature in the desert soil as it can retain water much better than the other desert soils.

The dunes have a permanent landscape

If you have ever visited the Namib Desert, you must have noticed that its sand dunes are shifting with the wind. But, the Kalahari dunes do not change and their shapes are more or less static.

Desert driving tips in Qatar

Everyone loves a good old drive at some point, especially when you need a brief getaway from the monotony of your daily life. Be it a drive around the city or in the mountains, just go for it if it makes you feel any better. A drive in the desert too can be quite enjoyable as long as you know just what to do. Here are a few tips.

Drinkable liquid

Since the desert is dry and humid, you are bound to get dehydrated. Therefore, remember to take along plenty of water along with a few energy drinks and fresh juices to keep you at your optimum.

Fuel reserves

Being stuck in the middle of the desert with nothing but seas of sand in sight could be quite scary and less enjoyable than the experience was meant to be. So, it is important that you keep the gas tank full and have some spare as well.

Sandstorms

These storms are to be expected when driving in the desert, it can be inconvenient but, all you can do is be prepared! The safest thing to do if you do encounter one is to stay put inside your vehicle with the seatbelt on.

Tire checks

Before you head out, check your tires thoroughly and make sure they are in tip-top condition before heading into the desert. It would help to have a spare wheel as well if possible.

Other information

If you are on holiday at best hotels in Qatar and not sure how to get about planning a desert road trip, your local hotel such as Souq Al Wakra Hotel Qatar by Tivoli can always help you out. Do not hesitate to inquire about any desert activities they may have for you to enjoy.

Abu Dhabi Travel Guide

Planning visiting Abu Dhabi? You’re sure to feel like you’ve made a great choice from the moment you step into the city! Here’s a little more information.

Sheikh Zayed Mosque

Also known as The Grand Mosque, this is Abu Dhabi’s most famous attraction and is quite the masterpiece. You’re sure to be left awe-struck with its architecture, such as the 82 intricately detailed domes and reflective pools. The Sheikh Zayed Mosque is believed t be the most beautiful mosque’s in the world.

Let’s be real, no trip to the middle east is complete without experiencing a desert safari! Depending on when you’re in the mood, you can do either opt for a morning or evening desert safari depending on how you feel. You can request the resort in Abu Dhabi you’re staying in, the likes of Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island Al Yamm Villa Resort to recommend the best times.

Louvre Abu Dhabi

It doesn’t matter if you’re not into museums as the Louvre is truly an iconic structure that will leave you speechless! The collections housed inside are quite impressive and include artefacts from civilizations from all over the world, in different timelines.

Adventure-Filled Activities in the Abu Dhabi Desert

It may seem foreboding, but the deserts of Abu Dhabi are enchanting indeed and offer the perfect backdrop to enjoy some truly thrilling activities.

Camel Trekking

What better way to explore this unique landscape than on a “ship of the desert” AKA the camel! The quintessential way to enjoy an Abu Dhabi desert tour, camel trekking gives you an idea of the traditional ways Bedouins travel and lets you take in magical sunsets too.

Dune Bashing

For more action-packed escapades, you can look to try dune bashing. Offered at desert resorts the likes of Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara, this activity involves being driven in 4WD vehicles by experienced drivers; they will take you on an exciting and speed-filled ride on the dunes you won’t soon forget!

Fat Biking

Pedal-powered adventures await for those who traverse the sands on mountain bikes that have been adapted to manoeuvre the sandy terrain. Featuring larger tires, and referred to as fat bikes, they provide another great way to discover the beauty of the desert.

Sandboarding

The desert can be compared to a sea of sand and the imposing dunes provide perfect slopes to enjoy some adrenaline-pumping sandboarding. The steeper the dune, the faster you can go and there are plenty of opportunities to surf your way down on a breathtaking ride!

Intrigued by history, art and food, Lavinia Woolf is a writer who is passionate about the extraordinary and writes of the exhilarating and enchanting. Google+

Desert animal survival adaptations that will blow your mind!

Deserts are certainly one of the harshest environments on the planet but even in these environs, nature has amazed us giving a number of creatures abilities to tackle these unforgiving conditions. Read on to know about some of these unique survival adaptations of animals who live in deserts.

WikimediaImages, Camel Race Algeria Desert Animal Track Riding, CC0 1.0

Scaly Skin

Most of the creatures of deserts particularly reptiles have scaly and patterned skin, these are an adaption formed through thousands of years of evolution. Scaly skins of these creatures retain moisture and help them evenly dissipate heat. The sidewinder snakes, the thorny devil, Earless lizard, the Gila monster are some of the creatures who have developed this adaptation.

Sophisticated digestive system

Almost all the desert creatures have a highly adapted digestive system that can synthesise food to extract water. Since these environments do not hold water for these creatures to drink, most creatures like The desert tortoise, the Greater Roadrunner, Brewer’s Sparrow, camels are some of the examples of desert creatures with sophisticated digestive systems.

Nocturnal lifestyle

Most of the desert creatures avoid the scorching sun by this ingenious method. That is by becoming nocturnal. This particular behaviour can be seen among Mammals and other warm-blooded creatures such as badgers, coyotes and foxes.

Heightened Senses

Finding food in the desert is like finding a needle in a haystack and some of these creatures have developed adaptations such as an acute sense of hearing and smell to pinpoint the location of food. This works both ways i.e. predator such as fennec foxes and coyotes use them to hunt their prey and creatures like the desert hare use their sense of hearing to not become the hunted.

Animals of these special survival adaptations can be spotted in desert regions and you are more likely to spot one of these during your Abu Dhabi Desert Tour or a stroll on the deserts during your stay at Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara.

Caleb Falcon is a travel writer who specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers. Google+