9 Tips for visiting the Dubai desert

Located in the United Arab Emirates, the Rub al-Khali desert is one of the most impressive deserts in the world. An essential visit if you travel to Dubai.

However, it is essential that you take into account a number of tips both for safety and so that you can enjoy your visit to the maximum and more comfortably. Read on!

The Dubai desert can be visited either on a solo tour or in a group. The advantage of a solo tour is that you will enjoy the vastness and solitude of the desert and it will be an activity to remember. However, it has a disadvantage and that is that the level of security will always be higher than a group tour.

On the other hand, if you opt for a group tour, you will have a wider range of activities. Here are some of the proposals that you can book:

• Desert excursion with dune safari, camel ride, sandboarding, falcon experience and dinner, from $181
• Desert excursion with dune safari, camel ride and sandboarding, from $47.
• Desert excursion with quad biking and sandboarding, from $79.
• Desert tour with quad safari, Al Khayma camp and dinner in Dubai, from $75.

The main disadvantage of these excursions is that you will be accompanied by a larger group and it can always be a little heavier to walk depending on more people.

From an international point of view, the United Arab Emirates is one of the safest countries. Even so, if you are going to make an excursion to the desert it is important that you take into account a series of recommendations such as drinking water constantly to stay hydrated and avoid heat stroke.

On the other hand, it is advisable to take out insurance, especially if you are going to do an adventure sport such as sandboarding across the dunes or going on a buggy tour. Usually, the excursions that include this type of activities have insurance in case of any kind of incident, but do not hesitate to check the clause when hiring it, since health care in this country has a very high price.

In addition, I recommend that you wear the appropriate clothing. Ideally, you should opt for light clothing and it is essential to bring something to cover your head. And, just in case, I advise you to take a biodramine pill, as a large percentage of visitors to the desert suffer from motion sickness because driving over the dunes is a bit bumpy and uncomfortable. In fact, forget the camera at this time and focus on the scenery.

If you are going to make an excursion to the desert of Dubai you have to take into account a number of recommendations regarding the appropriate clothing to visit Dubai, both to avoid damage to the skin, as well as for your own comfort.

On the one hand, as far as clothing is concerned, the ideal is to choose linen and cotton garments as light and less tight as possible. These fabrics are the most comfortable and will protect you as much as possible from the high temperatures that can reach up to 50ºC in the summer months. It is also essential to cover your whole body to avoid sunburn.

Regarding footwear, the ideal is to opt for a covered shoe because you will be able to walk more comfortably. Sandals or uncovered shoes usually fill with sand and are more uncomfortable when walking in the desert. In addition, it is essential that you carry a number of accessories such as sunglasses to protect you from the brightness in the central hours of the day, as well as a scarf, cap or hat to protect your head and thus avoid possible sunstroke.

The traveler's advice

My recommendation is that you choose very well the clothes to wear on your visit to the desert of Dubai. Cover your whole body and opt for loose-fitting clothes made of comfortable fabrics such as linen or cotton, opt for covered footwear and don't forget a hat and sunglasses.

The Dubai desert beyond its breathtaking scenery and spectacular surroundings offers a complete range of activities for all tastes. Do you dare to know them?

• The most adventurous can go sandboarding across the dunes of the Dubai desert, take a quad tour or go on a buggy excursion.
• Other popular experiences include camping and sleeping in the Dubai desert, as well as enjoying a dance show in the desert, usually belly dancing or Tanura dancing.
• There is also the possibility of a camel ride in the desert.
• Another proposal is to get a henna tattoo, or even dress up in typical Arab clothing and make a photo album to remember.
• In addition, you can enjoy a beautiful sunset or even smoke a sisha.

The best time to travel to Dubai is between November / December and March as these are the months with lower temperatures and when the heat is not so suffocating and scorching. In this way, you can enjoy this tour more comfortably and you will not have to be so aware of protecting yourself from possible sunstroke.

However, you have to keep in mind that, precisely for this reason, the high season coincides with the months of December in Dubai and January in Dubai and, therefore, it can be a little more uncomfortable to travel because the excursions and main attractions are more crowded with tourists and you can not enjoy the tranquility of the desert as at other times of the year.

Also, it is very important that you look at the weather forecast before booking your excursion, because, although in the months of January and February temperatures are lower, there is a greater chance of sandstorms, and if you are in the desert they can be very uncomfortable and can spoil your day.

And if your trip to Dubai is with the little ones of the house, do not hesitate to book a day trip to the desert of Dubai. It is an experience they will love. All those who go with children agree on this opinion. Having the opportunity to get to know the immensity of the desert is for them a movie experience. Playing in the sand or sliding down the sand dunes.

Of course, if you dare to do it, I recommend that you make a 4x4 excursion, since the buggy or quad excursions are not allowed for children up to 16 years if they are accompanied by an adult or even up to 18 years. In addition, they can also enjoy a barbecue in the desert, get a henna tattoo or see and pet the camels. Do not hesitate! They will love the experience.

On your excursion to the desert of Dubai you must take into account the fact of protecting as much as possible the electronic devices that you can carry such as camera or cell phones, as they can suffer scratches that can be totally avoidable.

To do this, I recommend that in addition to the bag or backpack in which you can carry them, you also introduce them in a plastic bag tight in size and with an airtight closure in order not to suffer damage with the fine sand. In this way, you will avoid a bad surprise at the end of the tour.

It is also important that you do not keep them in the pocket of a pair of pants or garment because it is very common that they suffer more than in the backpack, so if you do not carry them, leave them to your companion.

If you go to the desert of Dubai it is essential that you carry enough sunscreen, preferably factor 50, as the sun is quite intense and it is common to get burned, even if we opt for clothes that cover the whole body. On the other hand, it is advisable to carry some type of isotonic or hydrating drink in addition to water.

In addition, it is advisable to put in the bag or backpack, a pill or chewing gum for dizziness, as being immune to driving on the desert dunes is complicated and it is common to feel dizzy or even nausea along the way. In addition, it may be useful to take a pill for headaches due to the intense heat and strong sun.

Even so, the list of medicines that travelers can take to Dubai is very limited so I recommend that you consult the list or buy it directly when you land.

To get to the Dubai desert, it is best to book an excursion in which you will go by car. In fact, it is important that you book this experience well in advance, especially in the months of December and January that coincide with the high season, as it is one of the most demanded excursions and so you make sure you do not miss this indispensable activity.

The Dubai desert is about an hour away from the city. In fact, you will begin to witness the arid landscape approximately three quarters of an hour after getting in the car.

On the other hand, it is very important to follow the guide's instructions at all times and respect the desert dwellers. Their life is very different from ours and it is essential to respect their way of doing things, as well as their beliefs and customs. And one last tip, I recommend that before considering your visit to the desert, read the post what to see and do in Dubai, which details a wide range of plans and activities, both in the desert and in Dubai in general.