Dune Bashing in Dubai

The desert safari is probably the most popular among all the tourist activities in Dubai, UAE.  (Actually, it was the highlight of my one-week stay in the country.)  The safari features a high speed 4x4 ride on the desert which will surely pump one's adrenaline.

My family and I took the safari in the late afternoon.  We met up with our tour guide-driver at a designated pick-up point near the apartment where we were staying.  Upon reaching the desert, our driver gunned the engine, drove straight at a sand dune and hurdled it  ---  just a preview of what to expect on this safari.

All the safari drivers converged on the desert for a last-minute check on their engines, giving tourists the chance to get a fascinating view of the desert.  Then off the convoy of SUVs went for almost an hour of dune bashing.  It was like a rollercoaster ride as we went up and down the dunes, sand flying everywhere.  There were times when we crossed the dunes at 45 degrees sideways, a scary but exciting experience.  What really impressed me was the way the drivers skillfully handled the dunes with their vehicles just inches away from each other.  

Since I wanted to document the wild ride on my camera, I stayed on the front and tried my best to get good shots.  It was definitely a challenge.

Other activities included in the safari were sand skiing, camel riding, photo shoots in traditional Arab attire, a barbecue dinner, and belly dancing at the desert camp. At the camp, I had the opportunity to shoot some photos of the magnificent desert sunset.

About the guest blogger:

Veni Oliveros is a childhood classmate of mine at the Ateneo De Manila in the Philippines. He is based in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. 

Are you interested in sharing your travel experiences, food specialties and photographs on My Hotel Life? Send me an email at georgeaquino@mac.com.

Guest blogger, Veni Oliveros, and his wife Belle at the safari camp

Around 30 SUV's made up the desert convoy

Bashing the dunes

Kids effortlessly skiing down the dunes

Scaling the slopes

Bashing dunes until sundown 

Veni and Belle at the start of the race

Zooming past a herd of camels

Belly dancing performance to cap off the safari