OFF-ROADING
The road less travelled
Go to Liwa on a safari
Fancy going on a trip across the Western Region’s massive dunes? What about following that up with a night’s camping? Head out with Abu Dhabi-based Off Road Adventure Tours and your trip will include a fourhour drive through the Liwa Oasis, plus an excursion into the dunes where you’ll camp for a night. Breakfast the next day is included in the price.
Western Region, Abu Dhabi, 1pm ( first day) to noon (second day), Dhs650 to Dhs750. Tel: (02) 6662267. offroadtoursad.ae
Dune bashing in a hurry
If you’re short of time, then Al-Badeyah Eyes Tourism runs desert trips that last just four hours, with 60 minutes of off-roading. Trips cost Dhs280 and start at 9am.
Learn how to bash dunes
We all know someone who has ended up getting their 4X4 stranded in the desert. So if you want to avoid that sinking feeling, you can take a Desert Driving course at the Emirates Driving Institute. There’s a oneday course called Complete, plus Essential, a five-hour module using the institute’s own 4X4s. Prices start at Dhs700 for the Complete course. edi-uae.com/desertdriving-course
Go on an adventure
Abu Dhabi Desert Safari’s Liwa Full Day Off-Road Adventure includes dune bashing, a visit to a camel farm and the Emirates National Auto Museum, plus you’ll get to see Tal Moreeb, the world’s tallest sand dune. desertsafariabudhabi.net
Explore Hatta
It’s not very often we suggest you go and have fun in another emirate, but if you fancy experiencing an offroad adventure over rocky mountains and wadis instead of sand dunes, then Dubai company Dune Bashing also hosts trips to Hatta, on the border with Oman. The tours last six hours and include a visit to a heritage village and lunch at the Hatta Fort Hotel. dunebashing.net
Try buggies and bashing
Can’t decide if you want to bash dunes in a 4X4 or a buggy? You can do both if you book the Dune Buggy Tour package with Off Road Adventure Tours. The company offers a four-hour package daily that includes a one-hour buggy session, 30 minutes of dune bashing plus a ten-minute camel ride. It costs Dhs850. offroadtoursad.ae