Desert Safari

The Desert Safari is the classic Dubai adventure and certainly not one to be missed. Just a few minutes drive out of the main skyscraper-laden hub of the city sits the vast expanse of the desert, which rolls on as far as the eye can see and is a somewhat incredible sight. To experience this with the minimum of hassle, take a Desert Safari. There are several tour companies offering such experiences, but, generally speaking, they offer the same activities, namely a 'dune bashing' ride in a 4x4 up and down the sand (which is somewhat stomach-churning affair), a stop to try 'sand boarding' (like surfing but without any water), a stop at a camel farm and finally an Arabic feast in a mock bedouin village out in the desert. From there you can have a short camel riding experience and even pay a bit extra to try quad biking in the dunes. There's also sometimes a falcon to get your photograph with, plus belly dancing. Most companies can tailor your experience for you, depending on what you want, including allowing you to stay overnight in the desert if you wish.

The Desert Safaris are a great way to spend one afternoon. Almost all the companies will pick you up from anywhere in the city and drop you off in the evening. One favoured company is www.arabian-adventures.com.