• CULTURE
CAMPING 101 There’s nothing more important than being well prepared before you go out into the wilderness of the desert. Here’s your ultimate guide to prepping ahead…
WHERE TO SET UP CAMP… The UAE dessert is full of wonderful places to pitch your tent and gaze the stars. Don’t expect great facilities in many of these spots but do get ready for space and freedom, and for an experience that will give you a real taste of the country’s outdoors. Just over an hour’s drive will get you to the Ras Al Khaimah desert. Mizra’a is just one of the few popular areas where families gather for lively picnics and life under the winter skies. You’ll often see big groups sat around campfires, getting their barbecue on and chatting on into the night as this camp-lovers’ spot comes to life. Another excellent location to pitch your tent is Awafi with its smooth, sandy dunes and beautiful weather. As well as being the backdrop for many sporting and local cultural events, Awafi is where you can get up close and personal with the desert lifestyle – if only for one night. In Ras Al Khaimah the true nature of camping comes to life as you can set up camp near one of the small oasis farms surrounded by sand dunes and camel pens. Take an early morning drive and you might just see some Arabian Oryx, wild birds and pretty banyan trees too (all picture perfect for the ‘gram!). Make sure to take lots of food and drink, because there are no everyday facilities in the area, and you can be sure that Deliveroo or Talabat won’t be coming to the rescue this time! The momentous slice of Rub Al Khali (the empty quarter) deserves at least a two or three day trip! Liwa is around 350km southwest of Dubai and though it might seem quite a trek, it’s the world’s biggest sand desert, so it’s well worth the drive. These sand mountains are relatively accessible by 4x4 off-road vehicles and the whole region is scattered with curved, dramatic plunges, so if you’re there for a spot of dune bashing (you’d be crazy not to) make sure you’ve got an experienced driver at the wheel. There are plenty of great spots in this desert, dotted with freshwater pools and date plantations; all you have to do is take any road from Liwa oasis or follow the signs for Tal Mireb (Moreeb Hill). If you’re new to the whole desert camping thing then something a little closer to Dubai like Al Shuwaib or even along Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (where many families camp for the proximity to the highway but some distance from the noise and cars) would be the perfect choices. This is where you’ll find fairly easy access to hidden campsites where stargazing from the top of a dune will wipe away all your worries. It’s close enough to civilisation that you can get your friends to drop off a Starbucks in the morning, but it’s faraway for you to enjoy and appreciate the peace and stunning scenery. ✤ 40
fact magazine
WHERE TO BUY YOUR GEAR • DUBIZZLE UAE We just can’t get enough of this super useful website, and you’ll be happy to know that Dubizzle also offers somewhere you can buy quality new and used camping equipment including tents, backpacks, sleeping bags, state-of-the-art torches and lanterns, and so much more! You’re guaranteed to find everything you need for a great price too - bonus. Visit www.dubai.dubizzle.com for more info. • ADVENTURE HQ Located in Times Square Centre, this is the ultimate outdoor adventure store for all kinds of camping bits and bobs. There’s everything from tents, sleeping bags, outdoor furniture like lounge chairs, tables, and camp kitchens with pantry, as well as survival packs and accessories to ensure you’ll have a safe and enjoyable desert experience. Visit www.adventurehq.ae for more info. • CARREFOUR A favourite hypermarket amongst many, but did you know that Carrefour has more than just food? Yes, there’s an awesome collection of safe and simple camping goods, ranging from tents to a cool foldaway dining table and set – perfect for that barbecue under the stars! Visit www.carrefouruae.com for more info.