A belly dancer entertains guests (left) and riding camels in the desert darkness. PHOTOS | ALLAN ODHIAMBO
What you need to know:
The crazy manoeuvers on the sand dunes is popularly referred to as dune-bashing. The cars are fitted with special roll cages to protect the occupants from injury in the rare event of an accident, particularly a roll-over.
It is a few minutes after 4pm and eight of us are huddled at a hotel lobby in Dubai, chit-chatting as we wait for transport for an outdoor adventure on the outskirts of the city.
Moments later, our host Mohamad Mouzhem walks into the lobby: “Guys it’s time to hit the road for our desert safari.”
Dressed in casual clothes and shoes, we hurriedly jump into two brand new Land Cruisers parked outside and head out for the 45 minute drive to Al Maha Conservatory, south east of the city.
When we arrive at the gate of the conservancy, the vehicles are driven into a yard where scores of other drivers are patiently waiting to access special pumps to either deflate or inflate their vehicle tyres.
“This is a ritual we have to do because high tyre pressure would mean the vehicle sinks in the desert sand. So we deflate the tyres a little as we go into the desert and restore the pressure when we exit so that the vehicle’s normal performance on the highway is restored,” our Pakistani driver who only identifies himself as Raheem says.
We then take off for the desert as a Nigerian comrade, Ade Ogidan heartily chats with Raheem from the co-driver’s seat.
Seconds later all goes dead silent inside the vehicle as Raheem spins it onto the sharp edge of a sand dune, sending it tipping like it’s about to roll over. He levels the car temporarily before racing onto the edge of another dune to the left sending it tilting heavily once again.
“Are you afraid my friend?” Raheem jokingly asks Ogidan who is visibly shaken by the repeated adrenalin-inducing manoeuvers.
“I have a camera right here that is recording how scared you are and if I showed the footage to your wife. She will definitely leave you for being a coward,” he continues while pointing at the vehicle’s dashboard with a cheeky glance at the burly Ogidan.
The crazy manoeuvers on the sand dunes is popularly referred to as dune-bashing. The cars are fitted with special roll cages to protect the occupants from injury in the rare event of an accident, particularly a roll-over.
“Honestly, when the vehicle bashed through the first sand dune, I thought something had gone horribly wrong and I closed my eyes waiting for it to roll,” Ayuureyisiya Atafori, a Ghanaian riding with us said amid laughter.
Raheem, who has plied desert routes for close to two decades, says drivers have a strict code of ethics to ensure passenger safety.
Safety
“For safety reasons, there are rules for anyone driving through this desert. For example, you are not allowed to overtake other vehicles or do top speeds because of the danger of knocking down wild animals such as the oryx and other desert animals,” Raheem says.
About an hour later, we arrive at a desert camp. Here we find scores of other visitors preparing for an evening show that includes belly dancing.
Thick Persian carpets cover the swathe of open space surrounded by traditional Bedouin tents with lanterns expertly hung on wooden poles in line with Arabian culture.
At the edge of the camp and close to the entry point are several kitchen and serving points where visitors are served with a large menu of dishes, snacks and beverages. The flavour of Arabic coffee (gahwa) and fresh dates served here is mouthwatering.
Revellers also have an opportunity to sample the various flavours of “Hubbllee Bubblee”, commonly known as shisha.
Camel rides
Right outside the camp’s gates, visitors are treated to camel rides and photo sessions with traditional costumes and a hand-glove held falcon. Motoring enthusiasts also have an opportunity to ride quad bikes through the sand dunes.
Sand skiing is also a popular part of the desert safari. You get to ski from the highest dunes on a ski board, without worrying about injury because of the fine and deep sand.
When night falls, visitors huddle inside the camp as they enjoy their drinks and food while seated on the carpets to watch performances by belly-dancers.
Belly-dancing and consumption of alcohol is, however, not allowed during the holy month of Ramadhan.
The camp also has several stalls where visitors can buy souvenirs with Arabian themes, including Dubai’s national dress, the Kandora.
