Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara | The Adventure Travel Site

Embark On Abu Dhabi’s Top 5 Desert Adventures — Dive into exhilarating experiences!

Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, is famous for its fascinating skyscrapers, luxurious resorts, and vibrant culture. However, beyond the city’s glamour lies the mesmerising beauty of the desert, offering a plethora of exhilarating activities for adventurous souls. Here are five must-try desert adventures in Abu Dhabi:

1. Dune Bashing

Hold on tight as you become part of a heart-pounding journey through the desert sands with dune bashing. Strap into a rugged off-road vehicle and conquer the towering sand dunes of Abu Dhabi in an adrenaline-fueled escapade. Feel the rush of excitement as you navigate steep slopes and cascading sands.

Image via Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara

2. Saluki Show

Delve into the rich heritage of the Emirates with a captivating Saluki Show, hosted by Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara. Witness the majestic falcons in flight as they demonstrate the ancient art of falconry, a cherished tradition of Bedouin culture.

3. Camel Trekking

Embark on a timeless adventure with camel trekking through the rolling dunes of Abu Dhabi. Traverse the golden sands aboard these gentle giants, following in the footsteps of ancient Bedouin nomads. Led by expert guides, journey into the heart of the desert as you experience one of the best desert adventures.

4. Sandboarding

Experience the thrill of sandboarding amidst the towering dunes of Abu Dhabi. Strap on your board and glide down the pristine slopes of the desert, feeling the rush of adrenaline as you carve through the soft sands. Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned pro, Abu Dhabi offers sandboarding experiences suitable for all skill levels.

5. Guided Desert Walk

Immerse yourself in the splendour of the desert landscape with a guided desert walk. Embark on a journey of discovery as you learn about the local flora, fauna, and cultural heritage from knowledgeable guides. Choose from a variety of trails tailored to your interests and fitness levels, and enjoy a memorable family-friendly excursion.

A Thrilling Adventure in Abu Dhabi’s Desert Wilderness – Conquer the Dunes

Abu Dhabi, a city of opulence and modernity, hides a host of adventures within its golden deserts. Venture beyond the urban skyline, and you’ll find an exhilarating world of dunes and solitude waiting to be explored.

Dune Bashing Delight

Venture into the vast expanse of Abu Dhabi’s deserts for an adrenaline-pumping experience of dune bashing. With skilled drivers and powerful off-road vehicles, you’ll feel the rush as you ascend steep slopes and descend with a thrilling slide. It’s a straight-up adventure that combines speed, skill, and the breathtaking beauty of the desert landscape. Buckle up for a wild ride!

Safari Excursion

Safari adventures unveil the mesmerising secrets of the desert. Guided by experienced professionals, usually offered by hotels such as Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara, you’ll traverse the undulating sands to discover the hidden wonders of Abu Dhabi’s arid wilderness. Encounter the diverse flora and fauna that thrive in this seemingly inhospitable environment, gaining insights into the delicate ecosystem that exists beyond the dunes.

Sunset Serenity

Experience the magic of the dunes at twilight as part of your desert adventure. Witness the sun setting over the rolling dunes, casting a warm glow across the landscape. The serene beauty of the desert during sunset creates a captivating atmosphere, providing a perfect backdrop for capturing stunning photographs and creating lasting memories with family and friends.

All You Need to Know About Dune Bashing in Abu Dhabi

Imagine a heart-pounding activity that combines the thrill of a rollercoaster with the awe-inspiring beauty of the desert. That’s precisely what dune bashing in Abu Dhabi offers – a sand-sational escapade that’s sure to leave you both exhilarated and humbled. Here’s more on what you need to know, so, buckle up and get ready for the ride of your life!

What Exactly is Dune Bashing?

Dune bashing is a sort of off-roading that only takes place on sand dunes. On such desert adventures, visitors are taken up and down the dunes in 4×4 vehicles traversing at various speeds, while following the ebbs and flows of the shifting sands. The 4×4 is expertly manoeuvred by a skilled driver trained to maintain the vehicle’s stability be it when ascending or descending the slopes for you to fully experience this activity.

Bahnfrend, Dune bashing, Dubai, 2007 (13), CC BY-SA 4.0

When and Where to Go

For the ultimate dune bashing experience, consider the magical hours of sunrise or sunset when the desert comes alive with a soft, golden light. The Empty Quarter, the largest sand desert on the planet, is the pièce de résistance when it comes to this activity offering endless dunes to conquer; look to be based here at properties like Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara which offers dune bashing too. Other locations to consider include the Al Khatim and Al Khaznah deserts, both promising whirlwind journeys along the sands.

Key Things to Keep in Mind

While dune bashing is a wild ride, safety should always come first. Only venture out with a trusted tour operator / resort that offers a qualified professional driver in a suitable safari vehicle. Don’t eat a large meal right before you set off on this excursion to keep the ride ‘tummy friendly’. Remember, this activity isn’t for the littlest ones, so check ahead for age restrictions. Dress in simple, comfy clothing, and opt for sandals or slippers – you will likely be hopping out for some Insta-worthy dune snaps!

Other Desert Escapades

Why stop at dune bashing when you can amp up your desert experience even more? Combine it with other exhilarating activities in Abu Dhabi like fat biking (these are special bikes designed to tackle sandy landscapes), sandboarding, or zipping along the dunes in a 4×4 buggy. For a more laidback experience, enjoy a traditional camel trek at sunrise or sunset, captivating horse riding, or a tranquil desert walk. There are many thrills and secrets to uncover amidst this wondrous sea of sand.

Adventures in Abu Dhabi – Safaris in the desert

After reading this informative guide, your experience on the Abu Dhabi desert safari will be so much better. Discover the ideal time to visit, how to pick the finest excursions and advice on how to dress for your safari.

What is a desert safari?

The desert has always fascinated travellers, but many were put off by its harsh weather and lack of water, not to mention the potential for getting lost among the endless miles of sand hills. A desert safari is an expert-led tour of the desert where you can engage in a variety of activities that the native Bedouins of the area enjoy, examine the desert’s natural habitat, engage in exhilarating desert activities, or unwind by watching a desert sunrise or sunset.

When to go?

The best time for desert adventures in Abu Dhabi is during the winter, which lasts from October to April. To ensure that your trip is enjoyable, the weather throughout the winter months is neither overly humid nor overly hot. Visit the country during its summer months, which are between May and September, if you want to get more reasonable hotel prices.

What to wear?

Before pre-dawn, the weather can be a little chilly, so you should bring a light cardigan. After sunrise, the temperature rises. Dress in long trousers made of fabrics like cotton or linen with t-shirts or tops made of the same materials to be able to manage between both temperatures. The temperature starts to fall in the evenings, so it’s not as hot. You can bundle up against the cool that starts to set in about sundown by dressing in trousers and shirts and carrying a lightweight jacket or sweater.

Where to click nice pictures?

Locations such as Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara will look stunning on your Instagram profile whether you enjoy sharing travel photos there or just want to showcase your gorgeous vacation in the desert. The Abu Dhabi desert offers fantastic photo opportunities everywhere.

Set Off on a Desert Hike – A Beginner’s Tips for Survival

Explore the desert landscape for a thrilling ride in the golden dunes on a sunny day. While these terrains will offer an action-packed adventure to whoever chooses to venture out into the desert, it is also important that one is equipped and dessert-ready for a hike.

Stay Hydrated

It is no secret that your desert adventures will not involve any natural source of water. Therefore, staying hydrated is among the most important factors to adhere to, when setting off on a desert safari from your vacation lodging at Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara. The harsh environment in the desert gives minimal shade and is likely to be a scorching experience, therefore, carrying plenty of replenishing juices, water and snacks to munch on will help keep you hydrated and energised to explore miles and miles into the desert.

Choose Off Times

Whether you are setting off on a desert safari or a hike, the rule of thumb is to avoid peak hours. Summer heat in the deserts usually climbs up to three digits and will not treat one kindly. Therefore, expert hikers choose their timings wisely. The ideal times for a hike in the desert would be early morning or late afternoon when there is shade and less heat.

Protection is Key

A desert’s biggest threat to a hiker is the sun. Therefore, the right items of clothing and sun protection should be chosen to survive the heat. Be sure to include sunscreen, sunglasses, hats and loose-fitting synthetic clothes to keep you protected from the scorching sun. It is advisable that sunscreen be applied every 1-2 hours in order to avoid sunburns and poisoning.

Be on the Lookout

A desert is not simply an empty land of grains but also a home for some of the most poisonous creatures known to man. Therefore, desert hikers are often warned to be on the lookout for rattlesnakes, scorpions, poisonous lizards and tarantulas who can camouflage themselves in the desert dunes. Therefore, do a thorough check of your sleeping bag before use and avoid sticking your hand in any wet or cold places.

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+

Camel Trekking in Abu Dhabi

Image Credit: Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara

The camels are seen free roaming while driving around one of Middle East’s popular cities among tourists. Camels trekking is often regarded as a must do to enjoy the complete experience of Abu Dhabi desert holidays. Camel treks are offered by private tour operators as well as hotels in Abu Dhabi. One such hotel is Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara which offers two daily camel treks one at sunrise and one at sunset.

Camels are gentle animals and the treks are often done in small groups. There is a handler for the camels and a guide who would take part in the tour. The sitting and standing motion of the camels requires one to hold on tight to them as they can be quite quick.

The journey on these gentle giants through the sand dunes can be truly mesmerising and will help one understand why they are referred to as “ships of the desert”. The back and forth movement, as well as the side by side sway, all depict the movement of a ship. It is not only a great opportunity to take in the beauty of the sand dunes but also to learn quite a bit about these magnificent animals. Camels are animals that can go about a month without water! They can often store up to 120 Litres of water. However a misconception among many is that they store water in their humps, but this is not true. The humps store fats if they don’t eat over a period of time their humps start to reduce and this is because they use up the fats.

However, the guests on the treks will be provided with adequate water and refreshments at the summit of a dune where they can enjoy the sunset and snap away!

Fritzjames Stephen is a travel writer, who writes content based on the myriad of experiences and indulgences that the world has to offer travellers across all walks of life.

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Camel Trekking in Abu Dhabi

Riding a camel through the seemingly endless desert landscape while navigating its myriad of sand dunes as star tingles beckon your romantic side to savour each moment, can be a truly memorable experience. There are many desert oases that a keen traveller can traverse and one of the best is Liwa. Desert resort options in the area can be found at places such as Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara offering special tour packages to guests.

Camels are called ‘ships of the desert’ not simply because they are capable of enduring the harsh clime of the desert for days with minimal care, but also for the way they sway back and forth and side to side as they take careful steps on the sandy ground, as if they are sailing the rough seas like colossal ships. If you are the adventurous sort, catch the sunset ride with a small group. Riding a camel takes a bit of practice but the trick is to hold on tight and concentrate on enjoying the experience. Traversing the desert as the sun bids goodbye for the day is guaranteed to usher in an unforgettable experience as it is one of the best ways to view the startlingly beautiful desert landscape, from a height that is not too high or not too low.

Riding atop a camel is a chance to witness the vast desert from the perspective of an ancient trader who crossed the desert to make a living. If you’re lucky you may spot a gazelle, a lone desert owl or even a cunning desert fox. Once the camel starts ascending a dune, it becomes important to hold on to the saddle tight but the view is worth the while. Most camel ride organizers will be ready to welcome you to the top of the dune after your ride offering refreshing drinks.

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

Camel Trekking in the Desert

The Rub’Al Khali desert remains relatively untouched and is adjudged one of the most peaceful deserts in the world. In the UAE it receives much attention by streams of tourists who enjoy the remarkable landscape and endless sand dunes. Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara is located in the ‘Empty Quarter’ of this gigantic desert. It is a Liwa Desert resort that will allow you to gaze upon a desert that is filled with mystery. You can also explore the desert on the backs of the dearly-loved camels.

Travel expert Samantha Brown and Chris Grundy — Travel experts Samantha Brown and Chris Grundy | Source

Camels hold a sense of secrecy and magic in their eyes. Well, you would say its gait deceives, and shows no sign of adventure and excitement. But it’s acknowledged that the desert is best explored on the ‘humpy-bumpy’ backs of camels. Nature reveals its beauties and history comes alive only when this sea of sand is explored in a ‘slow & steady’ manner.

Camel Trekking Qasr Al Sarab — Camel Trekking – Guests are enjoying the ride at Qasr Al Sarab Resort

Sunsets are twice as beautiful when experienced in the desert. Choose the ‘sunset trek’ and be mesmerized as the red sands take on a golden hue as the sun sets. Be armed with a camera and be sure to ‘click’ away. The trek will last around one hour and forty five minutes and this includes a short stop for refreshments. Be refreshed by the sights and sounds of the desert.

If you are in a hurry to rush around, you can also opt for a short camel trek that will last forty five minutes. Life on the desert is slow-motioned but exotic and mystical, and there is no better way to experience it all than on the back of a camel.

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

Camel Trekking in the Desert

The duration of your trek can vary depending on your travel buddies and favorite time of the day. If you have kids on board, you can choose the ‘family trek’. As long as your kids are above four years of age, you can choose this trek that will last approximately one hour and fifteen minutes. Your kids are sure to be thrilled by this unique mode of transport.
Sunsets are twice as beautiful when experienced in the desert. Choose the ‘sunset trek’ and be mesmerized as the red sands take on a golden hue as the sun sets. Be armed with a camera and be sure to ‘click’ away. The trek will last around one hour and forty five minutes and this includes a short stop for refreshments. Be refreshed by the sights and sounds of the desert.

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