Head to Liwa Oasis for a glimpse of the Arabia of the past!
For a glimpse of the Arabia of old best exemplified by the books of famed desert adventurers Gertrude Bell and the much-beloved Wilfred Thesiger, one must head away from the cities. Far, far, away, to Liwa Oasis.
Perhaps no place in the entire UAE is as important to the nation’s history than Liwa Oasis. The settlement is the ancestral home of the Bani Yas tribal confederation, which included both the ruling Al Nahyan family in Abu Dhabi and the Al Maktoum family of Dubai.
A trip to Liwa is a must-do for adventurous desert-lovers in the UAE. Among its must see attractions is the daunting Al Moreb Dune (also often called Moreeb Hill), an incredible, almost 300-metre tall sand dune which is reportedly the tallest in the entire nation. The landscape is among the most scenic in the UAE, and a great place to get stellar shots for your Instagram.
The area is also a treat for history buffs. Life wasn’t always easy in the emirates, and Liwa – a strategically vital source of water – needed to be closely guarded. To do so, the Bani Yas built a number of traditional defensive forts in the area, some of which are up to 300 years old but have been lovingly restored by the government of Abu Dhabi.
Among the most important forts are the Jabbana Fort, the Mezzaira’a Fort, and the Qutuf Fort. They can be quite difficult to find, so visitors are well advised to head to Liwa’s main settlement, Mezzaira, and ask for directions, or to find the GPS coordinates online. Although the roads are well paved, distances to, from and around Liwa can be long, so make sure to top up your petrol tanks!
If you prefer not to rough it amongst the sands, there are, of course, luxury options. This is the UAE, after all. Among the best offerings is the Liwa Hotel, which sits on a hill overlooking both Mezzaira’a and the vast expanses of the Empty Quarter. Another excellent – although considerably pricier – option is in the stunning Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara, which includes private villas, suites, a spa, and four of the nicest hotel dining options in Abu Dhabi.
The best way to get to Liwa Oasis is certainly to drive, as taxis will cost some Dh400 from Abu Dhabi and Dh700 from Dubai. Buses are also available.