Dubai prides itself on being the home to dune bashing. The Arabian desert provides an ideal surface for dune bashing. When you get a ticket for dune bashing, you will have 30 minutes of rollicking drive over the highs and lows of the dunes. This exciting drive is usually an afternoon activity when the sun wanes. The driver of your vehicle for Dune Bashing Dubai is a well-trained and experienced professional who knows the desert very well and would have driven on the soft and collapsing dunes, splashing sands on the vehicle’s windows. He speeds down the dune while you hold your breath in awe. The Dune Bashing Dubai is one of the favorite excursion activities offered to tourists in Dubai. It is also popular with the residents, and many corporations use it as a team-building activity.
The dune bashing ends with an elaborate three-course dinner at an Arabian-style safari campsite. An elaborate entertainment program accompanies the food, including the Khaleeji dance, Tanura dance, Belly dance, and a fantastic fire show. The entire package is called the desert safari. The desert safari excursion is part of a trio package. The other two are the Dubai City Tour and the Dhow Cruise Dinner.
What is Dune Bashing?
It is a very popular sport and adventure activity in Dubai to drive on the vast expanse of the Arabian desert in Dubai. The tourists are taken on 4 X 4 vehicles well prepared for the onward trip. The tires of the 4 X 4 vehicle are deflated so that this monster vehicle with 5 to 6 passengers can glide on the soft desert dunes. When this vehicle hits the dunes with full force, splashing dune sand on its windows, this is called dune bashing. The dune bashing is a non-stop 30-minute drive on the dunes’ slopes, peaks, and sides.
Best Time for Dune Bashing in Dubai
There is no “best time” to do Dune bashing in Dubai. You can do it in the mornings if you are constrained by time. You can do the full-course desert safari, which has 30 minutes of dune bashing that starts around 5 PM. Ideally, winter months are the best time for dune bashing as you can avoid the harsh sunlight and enjoy side activities like Sandboarding and dune bashing, which is part of the package. But the summer months will have better sand splash.
Popular Dune Bashing Locations
There are many dune-bashing sites in the UAE. Most of these sites are in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah. In Dubai, the dune bashing is done in the Lahbab desert. Following are the top-rated Dune Bashing locations;
Lahbab Desert Dune Bashing is located on the border of Dubai and Sharjah. Lahbab is a village of wealthy Bedouins. It takes 50 minutes to drive from Dubai to Lahbab. The desert is vast and red. It is scorching in the afternoon but cools fast in the evening. The sand is soft and ideal for dune bashing. It is also home to antic buying.
Al Faya Desert dune bashing is done on the Al Faya desert in Sharjah. Here, the dunes are still very high and ideal for thrill seekers. The sand is golden and loose, giving many throws to create excitement. While doing dune bashing, you must watch out for local boys with high adrenalin, who may speed past you, creating unnecessary scary moments.
Fossil Rock is one of Sharjah’s landmark deserts. It is famous for marine fossils. Millions of years before, the entire Arabian Peninsula was inside an ocean called Tethys. These fossils are shells that solidified over the years. The Fossil Rock Dessert dune bashing is not exciting from a dune bashing point of view, as the desert is more brutal here.
Liwa Desert dune bashing is conducted in the Liwa desert of Abu Dhabi, the largest desert in the Arabian Peninsula. It is also home to the highest dune, more than 300 meters high. Liwa’s dune bashing is romantic, exciting, and sometimes scary. The most well-trained hands are needed to do the dune bashing in the “Empty Quarter” of UAE.
Types of Dune Bashing Vehicles
Dune bashing needs special vehicles that are very maneuverable, fast, and powerful. Such vehicles are called SUVs (Sports Utility Vehicles). All 4-wheels can move simultaneously, which is required for dune bashing. The most well-known and preferred vehicle is the Toyota Lan Cruiser. Many other cars, like the Nissan Patrol and Hummer, are popular in the premium segment. Many other 4 X 4 vehicles may be suitable for dune bashing, but the most popular commercial vehicle is a 4 X 4 Toyota Landcruiser.
Safety Measures and Guidelines
You must follow all the safety protocols when booking your Dune Bashing in Dubai trip. The first safety measure is to inform your tour guide or the driver if you have any medical condition, including pregnancy. Remember that dune bashing requires a high level of movements and jerks that may impact advanced pregnancy. It would be best if you were very hydrated throughout the dune bashing. Your seat belt is your only savior. You must always wear a seat belt. Also, the desert can be unforgiving if you are lost. Always listen to the safety instructions of your tour guide, and never venture alone in the desert. The vehicle will have unique railings to hold onto. As a safety measure, do not hold the handles of your car’s doors. Make sure to wear proper eyewear to avoid being in the desert.
Booking a Dune Bashing Tour
Oasis Palm Tourism LLC provides you with many options to book your ticket for dune bashing. You may visit their website and have a proper discussion with their reservation officer. Only after satisfying your queries should you make a booking online. You may also call them on the number provided to you on the website and book your tour. Please make sure that you ask for discounts if you have a big group. While booking for dune bashing, please remember that most of the time, dune bashing is synonymous with desert safari, which is more expensive than only dune bashing in Dubai.
What to Expect on a Dune Bashing Tour
The dune bashing is an adventure sport. You would expect a lot of thrilling moments that you would never forget. The mighty Arabian desert is also unforgettable. Although you are just sitting in the vehicle, you can expect 30 30-minute adrenaline rush. When you are doing dune bashing with Oasis Palm tourism, then you would expect more out of your money. Our tour guide would take you to the dune’s highest point and then let you slide on a sandboard. This popular adventure is called sandboarding. You can expect sunset viewing in the desert if you are doing dune bashing in the afternoon. There is a desert everywhere so that you may catch some small desert wild animals or at least camels. We have plenty of chilled water bottles in our cool vehicle box, so we expect you to be fully hydrated. You can expect a safe, lively, and exhilarating dune-bashing session with us.
Combining Dune Bashing with Other Activities
You can combine your dune bashing with a lot of activities. We recommend buying the Desert Safari package, which comes with multiple activities. It comes with you being picked up and dropped off. Your activities will include a) dune bashing, b) Sand Boarding, c) Shopping at one of the many heritage antic shops, d) a 3-course BBQ buffet dinner, e) an entertainment program consisting of Khaleeji dance, Tanura dance, Belly dancing, and a Fireshow in our desert safari campsite. You can get a henna tattoo or have a round of sheesha – hubbly bubbly in our campsite. Even free camel riding is included in the same package. You also have the option to go for a desert quad bike ride or buggy ride.
Dune Bashing for Families and Kids
The dune bashing is for the entire family. If you have above 6-year-old kids, it is a perfect outing for them too. The vehicle in which dune bashing is done is child-safe. This means it has proper seat belts and railings everywhere to hold it firmly. We put plenty of bottled water and juices in our vehicle’s cool box to quench everyone’s thirst. If you choose our exclusive safari, the family of 5 can sit in one car and have all the fun. The vehicle driver is a trained first aider to handle any minor incident. However, if a precondition could aggravate due to sudden jerks and speed, we advise you to consult with a doctor before dune bashing Dubai.
Evening and Overnight Desert Safari Options
The evening and overnight desert safari options are available with our company, Oasis Palm Tourism. The evening safari is the most popular safari option. This safari includes dune bashing, a BBQ buffet dinner at our campsite, entertainment at our campsite, and many other activities. The free activities with the package are sheesha at our campsite, wearing local dresses and taking selfies, and camel rides for the kids. Optionally, you can hire a quad bike or dessert buggy and take them for a spin at additional cost.
Photography Tips for Dune Bashing
During dune bashing, you can always keep your mobile camera on and keep it in video mode to capture all the exciting moments. The vehicles may stop at some locations like in the “meeting point” or at the local antic shop where you can rake plenty of selfies against the desert backdrop. We also have a photographer traveling with the safari caravan in a separate vehicle. You can buy your photos and videos from him at the campsite. However, we recommend taking selfies or pictures of you doing sandboarding. Selfie against the setting sun and one with your mighty 4 X 4 SUV Landcruiser. These photographs would always remind you of the fantastic time you had during the dune bashing.
What to Wear and Bring
Since dune bashing is usually done during the afternoon, always wear something comfortable. Avoid high heels and opt for flats instead. Make you look selfie-worthy. But avoid wearing too short or tight as it is advisable to respect the local customs. Always wear a good pair of sunglasses during the dune bashing. Bring along sunscreen to keep you protected. Although we have plenty of water, if you have a brand preference, bring your water bottles too. Do not load up too much, as the vehicle needs to seat five people apart from the driver, and you must ensure that others are equally comfortable. Do carry any pills that your doctor has prescribed.
When you wear appropriate clothing, such as woolens in the winter and loose-fitting shorts in the summer, you will be able to enjoy dune bashing to the fullest.
Health Considerations and Precautions
Usually, dune bashing is a very safe sport as you do not drive the vehicle. You are sitting in a very safe car driven by an expert driver. However, as dune bashing involves speed driving, moving fast up or down a steep dune, sudden turns, and sudden jerks, and that too in hot temperatures, you should take medical advice if you have a pregnant woman along with you or people older than 60 years, if there is an existing condition of motion sickness or heart condition.
Eco-Friendly Dune Bashing Practices
Eco-friendly dune bashing practices involve keeping the delicate desert ecosystem safe and garbage-free. We advise that you don’t litter or throw your garbage when you are on a dune-bashing trip. Keep litter, such as used water bottles, snacks, and single-use plastics, in a container or bag our tour guide provides. You may also keep them with you and request our tour guide to point at any roadside garbage collection cans. In this way, you will keep the desert ecosystem clean and pollution-free.
Every visitor to dune bashing is responsible for eco-friendly dune bashing, which is not limited to the operators of the dune bashing. A clean and unpolluted desert makes dune bashing more pleasurable.
Conclusion
Desert Safari Dubai is one of the most popular adventure tours. Dune bashing is the most essential part of Dubai dune bashing tours. Dune bashing and quad biking are the most famous adventure activities in Dubai. If you want the best dune-bashing experiences in Dubai, you must come to Oasis Palm Tourism LLC. Different levels of dune bashing start with dune bashing tips for beginners, consisting of dune bashing over smaller dunes and not so many twists and turns during the dune bashing. However, choose our Evening Safari for a more exciting Dubai desert safari with dune bashing. Our safaris are tailor-made to excite you, thrill you, and give you the best dune ride. Dubai dune bashing is also an example of how harsh desert can be tamed for the purpose of adventure and entertainment.
FAQs
Is dune bashing safe for children?
Dune bashing is very safe for children above six years. Remember that dune bashing is done on 4 X 4 vehicles modified for additional safety requirements. All safari vehicles are tested regularly for any tire issues. These vehicles have first aid boxes, and the safari driver is a certified first aider. However, we advise that children must be accompanied by their parents, elders, or relatives. The elders should be mindful of the children’s safety.
What is the cost of a dune-bashing tour in Dubai?
The cost of dune bashing and the service provider vary from season to season and depend on the kind of package you take. There are many options, and it will be wise to contact our friendly team at www.oasispalmdubai.com and get your queries sorted. It may vary from AED 60 to AED 100. However, it is advisable to take the Desert Safari evening package that includes dune bashing and all other activities like BBQ dinner, Camel rides, and many others.
How long does a typical dune-bashing session last?
Dune bashing typically takes around 30 minutes to 45 minutes.