what a real desert safari is like.

Google the top 10 things to do in Dubai and you'll probably get a predictable list of responses which includes a visit to the stunning beaches (hmph), shopping in one of the thousand luxury malls scattered around Dubai (yawn) and skiing? Come on, if I can afford the hefty fees in the mall of the emirates Ski Dubai, I'm better off ploughing down the authentic fluffed up slopes of the alps.

One of the better and more palatable option is the dessert desert safari. Pardon me, but due to my usual dealings, I spelt the former as so even on my pictorial album. So putting aside the fascinating yet sneakingly deceptive stories that shroud this adventure, let me show you what a real desert safari is all about.



First, get whizzed out of in a resplendent hummer (by special request only)to the middle of the desert. Take a nap, snore, wake up at the slightest screech of the tyres coming to a halt outside a little settlement. Open the door, squint at the emergence of bright sun rays streaming in. You notice the large amounts of people lingering around the area, laughing and poking at a despondent monkey dressed fit for a Halloween party, only to be denied access to freedom by the little chain loped around its' neck. You ignore the Chinese and head over to the quad biking area.



After the tickets are paid for, hang tight to the bike as you maneuver/drift/fly over/sink into the sandy slopes in the designated plot of sandy lands. At this point, the level of exhilaration attained really depends on how much of a dare devil you are. Approaching the peak of a sand slope at full speed without an ounce of knowledge of the degree of caving on the other side can have disastrous outcomes. Flying off your bike (optional).



After a head pounding (more so due to the heat than the adrenaline) 20 minutes of cruising around on the sands, you adjourn to the awaiting hummer for refreshments. Quietly and almost a little fearfully, you entrust your lives in the skillful hands of the driver. It's about time for the dune-bashing experience.



A pre-warning to those who are prone to any form of transport sickness, exp: air sickness..: avoid sitting in the back seat at all cause. With every toss and turn, the driver spins at g-forces so great that your brain fluids are sent on a joy-ride (okay so i exaggerate), but trust me, don't act the gung-ho part if you aren't feeling it. With the driver's fixated motto to keep going with his gregarious 90 degrees sharp turns and spinning until you cry mercy, there is no way you can withstand the stomach wrenching motions for too long.



Take a breather at the two stops. Marvel at the immensely vast desert landscape from a higher vantage point. Run around on the sand dunes, feel the youth fill your cavernous soul like the soft sand between your toes, allow a moment for the melancholy to set in, then bounce up and down on the sands as a sign of rejuvenation once again. Life's too short to cry over spilt milk. Enjoy the setting sun over the orange sand dunes. Preferably with loved ones by your side.









As the darkness spreads over the land, the driver whisks you away to the gates of an Arabian desert camp. Far away from the mainroads, the place appears as if a oasis. For the adventurous, camel rides are available on the perimeters of the camp. Otherwise, retreat into the camps for refreshments or even kick back and relax with a round of shi-sha or a glass of wine at hand.





An entourage of entertainers inclusive of belly dancers and a troupe of spinning Arabic men entertain you as you chomp down on a dinner of selective grilled meats and Lebanese inspired side dishes. Do save a little space for the 'bread-pudding' desert after the meal. That takes the cake... by a mile.



and there you go folks, a real insiders perception of a desert safari.

Would I do this again?

Honestly, maybe never.