Desert Safari in Dubai

If you follow me on Instagram (username: rderbyshire93), then you'll know that I recently took a trip to Dubai with a friend. I'll be posting a full photo diary and all of the details of my trip (including how we scored 5* accommodation and flights for under £500!) on here shortly, but I noticed that a lot of you have trips planned to this middle eastern city, so I wanted to share my Desert Safari experience - as it's something I'd really recommend you do whilst you're in Dubai. 

Ever since setting foot in Dubai back in 2009, the city has fascinated me, the city is a stirring alchemy of profound traditions and ambition futuristic vision, with projects like the Burj Khalifa and hotels like the Burj Al Arab. It's so easy to be blinded by all of the sparkling lights, golden bars and luxurious little details, that you forget that the city was build from the Dubai desert. 

The Dubai desert safari experience was something I did back in 2009, and as soon as I booked my flights back to this sparkling city, I knew it was something I wanted to experience all over again. There are hundreds of companies who offer this service, they're all slightly different, but this time we decided to go with Desert Gate Tourism as they offer a combo ticket which includes a trip up the Burj Khalifa (something which was also on my 'to-do' list). The combo ticket is much cheaper than booking the two separately, so it made sense to go with Desert Gate. It'll set you back £77 but its well worth it in my opinion for both of these activities. 

Hassan, our driver, picked us up from the Dubai Mall as we'd been up the Burj Khalifa in the morning, however he'd happily pick you up straight from your hotel reception if that's easier for you. He took us through everything that we'd be doing and then we headed off into the desert. When we arrived at the desert, we drove into the dunes a little before stopping for the rest of our group and their drivers. This gave us the chance to take some photos out in the sand dunes and meet some of the others who would be joining us for dinner later. After we'd all had a chance to snap all of the photos we wanted, we climbed back into our cars ready for the dune bashing to start. 

We were told to strap ourselves in and hold on tight, and soon the car was spinning all around the desert, up and down the sand dunes and pretty much on it's side at one point - not for the faint hearted! The dune bashing was brilliant, if you love roller coasters and don't mind being thrown about a bit then you'll love this. It's a great way to see the desert in an exhilarating way and so much fun! My stomach must have done about 1000 somersaults but it was so worth it. 

After our first round of dune bashing, the cars pulled up right in the middle of the desert to give us a break and to watch the sun set over the sand dunes. If you know me, then you'll know I love a good sunset and this is one of the ones that I know I'll never forget. The sun setting over the dunes was like something from the movies, with silhouettes of men in their traditional arabic dress on the top of the dunes. I'd really recommend this trip just for that alone - there's no other view like it in Dubai. 

After we all finished watching the sun set into the dunes, we all climbed back in to the cars for our second round of dune bashing - all fully prepared this time having experienced it once! This time we went dune bashing until we ended up at the Desert Gate traditional arabic camp, right in the middle of the desert. 

When we arrived at the camp, we were given the opportunity to ride on the camels across the dune (which believe me, is a lot more terrifying than it seems. Anyone whose ever gotten onto and off a camel will know what I'm talking about!). Although I was completely petrified whilst actually on the camel, meeting the camels was one of my favourite parts of this tour - I love anything animal related and the camels were so sweet! 

After our quick camel ride, we were taken inside the traditional camp and treated to a dinner buffet and lots of entertainment. The dinner buffet was a traditional arabic barbecue, so you can expect to find a lot of flat breads, hummus, barbecued chicken and lots of veggies. I have to say, I was dreading the food a little (I'm the worlds fussiest eater) but it was lovely and there was something for everyone. We sat under the stars on traditional arabic carpet and cushions eating dinner and chatting to the rest of the group before the belly dancers took to the stage. The belly dancer was seriously impressive and definitely something to be seen - I mean, if you're going to see a belly dancer it may as well be in the middle of the desert! 

After dinner, we went to get our henna done and check out the rest of the camp, before all of the lights were turned off for the 'stargazing' section of the evening. The stargazing is also a memory that will stick with me forever, being able to watch the stars up above when you're completely isolated in the middle of the arabian desert is truly wonderful, and offered a real moment to reflect. 

My desert safari experience with Desert Gate was truly brilliant and something which I urge you all to do once whilst you;re in Dubai, it's a great night out and there's so many things it offered me that I know I'll never forget. 

Ciao for now!