Camping in the Arabian desert is a popular thing to do on weekends in the UAE when the weather is cool. Now is the time people camp. Families literally go a few miles outside the cities and camp, along side busy roads or any place adequate to make a fire and pitch a tent. There is room... no shortage of camping spots. The UAE has vast rolling sand dunes with space for everyone.
In the two years I have been in the UAE, I have not camped, nor have I wanted to camp in desert. No thank you ! You see, I don't like to camp, never have. If I had to rank my top five least favorite things to do, camping would rank high on the list right up there with visits to the dentist.
Two weeks ago I broke down and did it - I camped in the desert. I was with a large group of @ 90 people. We traveled @ 40 minutes outside Abu Dhabi to a camping spot only accessible by walking into it or via vehicles that can travel over deep sand. We had several 4XD vehicles, including a razor but the majority of us walked into the camp site. The drivers remove air from the tires and away they go. After you have lived in the UAE for awhile you soon become a master of getting yourself out of deep sand. But no worries, if you have not mastered that skill yet, sooner or later someone comes along that does.
Not only did I camp one night but here it comes ....two night and three days. Yeah I know, I cannot believe it either. Besides being filthy by the time I got in my car to go home on Saturday afternoon, I had a layer of sand all over my body, in my hair , ears, etc. One fact with sand - the wind blows and sand shifts and swirls constantly. Becoming covered with sand is a minor inconvenience of camping.
Overall it was not that bad, actually, I would maybe consider future camping ( please do not tell my husband).
The days were hot and windy with sand blowing around but the I actually loved the solitude and quiet. No phones and electronic gadgets . At night , the stars were brilliant. The sky was amazing - the stars looked like beautiful sparkling crystal and so many shooting stars. I lost count after 20. Starry, starry nights !The night sky in the Arabian desert was the most beautiful than I had ever seen before anywhere else in the world.
Bedouin Shepherds were all around our camp day and night with their herd of camels, many times they would wander into our camp, looking for food and /or drink. One of them found the cooler with Coke Light and we soon found out that he had a fondness diet soda. We were also surprised. It was not uncommon in our three days of camping to see herd of camels surrounding us, strolling, baby camels romping in the sand or resting while their mothers stood around.
We were all together in the desert enjoying the beauty and solitude.
We slept in three sided Bedouin tents with Arabic rugs that acted as floors. Our tent smelled like live stock had been kept in it which probably would not be a stretch. When I asked about the fourth side of the tent, I was told, it doesn't matter , you wont be changing your clothes for three days. Oh well then !
The deep , deep soft white sand is very hard to walk in so we all had a no shoe weekend. Even though we are told that shoes should be worn due to the scorpions that bury themselves into the sand. Thank goodness no scorpions were spotted or stepped on while we were camping.
The last day in the desert, a herd of camels walked up behind us as we were readying ourselves to leave. One of my friends said," Debbie, look over your shoulder." Behind me were 15 + camels. One of them quickly ran up to me and reached out with its big teeth to bite me. When I jumped back out of its way, it proceeded to kick me . Down I went, right into the sand face first. I jumped up and could not stop laughing ! That darn camel even stood close behind me making a sound that sounded like it was laughing.
I still love camels even if one tried to bite me then kicked me over into the sand. I forgive him.
Overall I would give our three days in the desert a B+. Would I recommend it ? Yes - definitely. I am sorry I waited so long to spend a night in the Arabian desert and experience the beautiful starry, starry nights and peaceful quiet days.
In the two years I have been in the UAE, I have not camped, nor have I wanted to camp in desert. No thank you ! You see, I don't like to camp, never have. If I had to rank my top five least favorite things to do, camping would rank high on the list right up there with visits to the dentist.
Two weeks ago I broke down and did it - I camped in the desert. I was with a large group of @ 90 people. We traveled @ 40 minutes outside Abu Dhabi to a camping spot only accessible by walking into it or via vehicles that can travel over deep sand. We had several 4XD vehicles, including a razor but the majority of us walked into the camp site. The drivers remove air from the tires and away they go. After you have lived in the UAE for awhile you soon become a master of getting yourself out of deep sand. But no worries, if you have not mastered that skill yet, sooner or later someone comes along that does.
Not only did I camp one night but here it comes ....two night and three days. Yeah I know, I cannot believe it either. Besides being filthy by the time I got in my car to go home on Saturday afternoon, I had a layer of sand all over my body, in my hair , ears, etc. One fact with sand - the wind blows and sand shifts and swirls constantly. Becoming covered with sand is a minor inconvenience of camping.
Overall it was not that bad, actually, I would maybe consider future camping ( please do not tell my husband).
The days were hot and windy with sand blowing around but the I actually loved the solitude and quiet. No phones and electronic gadgets . At night , the stars were brilliant. The sky was amazing - the stars looked like beautiful sparkling crystal and so many shooting stars. I lost count after 20. Starry, starry nights !The night sky in the Arabian desert was the most beautiful than I had ever seen before anywhere else in the world.
Bedouin Shepherds were all around our camp day and night with their herd of camels, many times they would wander into our camp, looking for food and /or drink. One of them found the cooler with Coke Light and we soon found out that he had a fondness diet soda. We were also surprised. It was not uncommon in our three days of camping to see herd of camels surrounding us, strolling, baby camels romping in the sand or resting while their mothers stood around.
We were all together in the desert enjoying the beauty and solitude.
We slept in three sided Bedouin tents with Arabic rugs that acted as floors. Our tent smelled like live stock had been kept in it which probably would not be a stretch. When I asked about the fourth side of the tent, I was told, it doesn't matter , you wont be changing your clothes for three days. Oh well then !
The deep , deep soft white sand is very hard to walk in so we all had a no shoe weekend. Even though we are told that shoes should be worn due to the scorpions that bury themselves into the sand. Thank goodness no scorpions were spotted or stepped on while we were camping.
The last day in the desert, a herd of camels walked up behind us as we were readying ourselves to leave. One of my friends said," Debbie, look over your shoulder." Behind me were 15 + camels. One of them quickly ran up to me and reached out with its big teeth to bite me. When I jumped back out of its way, it proceeded to kick me . Down I went, right into the sand face first. I jumped up and could not stop laughing ! That darn camel even stood close behind me making a sound that sounded like it was laughing.
I still love camels even if one tried to bite me then kicked me over into the sand. I forgive him.
Overall I would give our three days in the desert a B+. Would I recommend it ? Yes - definitely. I am sorry I waited so long to spend a night in the Arabian desert and experience the beautiful starry, starry nights and peaceful quiet days.
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