There’s no denying it, the weather in the UAE is heating up.
But before you think about making a home in the supermarket freezer aisle, there’s time for one last hurrah in the ultimate outdoor playground: the desert.
According to outdoor experts, now is prime time to head out to the sands, whether it’s for nature, thrills or simply a different kind of staycation.
Here, we’ve rounded up the best ways to spend a day in the dunes before the heat turns us all into hermits. Get ready to grab your desert boots.
Set your pulse racing with ballooning and off-roading
One of the most unique ways to see the desert is from above and, for Platinum Heritage conservation guide Karel Claassen, nothing compares to cruising over the dunes in a hot air balloon.
“Watching the sunrise from 4,000 feet is just incredible,” he says. “It really is a once in a lifetime opportunity and one that I’ll never get tired of.
Back on solid ground, Claassen’s hair-raising hobbies also include off-roading.
I often visit Hatta right into the summer months but around March or April is perfect
Karel Claassen,
Platinum Heritage conservation guide
“My favourite place to hit the dunes is Hatta,” he says. “The landscape is almost other-worldly and it really gets your pulse racing, though I’d recommend taking a guide if you’re a beginner.
“The drive down there is an experience in itself. I’d recommend stopping off at Fossil Rock or even going horseback riding.”
Because of its location in the mountains, Hatta's climate is a few degrees cooler than central Dubai thanks to its higher altitude.
“I often visit Hatta right into the summer months but around March or April is perfect,” he adds. “If you’ve got the time, it’s always worth a visit to Hatta Dam for a spot of kayaking, too.”
Scroll through the gallery below to see Hatta Caravan Park:
Anshar Hamza, tour guide and managing director of Desert Rose Tourism, is also a fan of hitting the sand at high speed.
“The dunes of Al Khatim Desert are like nowhere else in the world,” he explains. “I take people dune bashing out there and it’s completely exhilarating. You feel like you’re on a rollercoaster.”
Al Khatim Desert is about 78 kilometres from Abu Dhabi and is a popular spot for high-octane activities due to the sheer scale of its dunes.
“Some of them reach up to around 100 metres in height and we take people sand-skiing and sandboarding down them,” Hamza says.
“Imagine standing at the top of a towering dune with nothing but sand for as far as the eye can see.
“There’s nowhere else in the world quite like it.”
Appreciate nature with walks and stargazing
For Gabriel Gutsa, recreation manager of The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert, it's all about the natural beauty of the Al Wadi Desert, including its inhabitants.
“There’s so much nature in the desert that most people aren’t aware of,” he says. “Of course, you’ve got camels and falcons, but there are also Arabian oryxes, gazelles and foxes.
“We offer a guided nature walk where we not only witness the animals in the wild, but also learn all about the flora and fauna in the desert. It’s really fascinating.”
The wonders of the natural world don’t stop at planet Earth.
With limited light pollution and a clear view of the night skies, the desert is also ideal for stargazing.
“On a good night you can get a really clear view of the planets and constellations,” Gutsa explains.
“We run a stargazing night walk where we provide telescopes and talk about the formation of the stars, but it’s also something that people can head out and do by themselves.”
Get active on a fat bike or hike
Despite temperatures climbing, Gutsa recommends enjoying the desert on your own steam, though it's wise to avoid the hotter parts of the day all year round.
“You don’t get much better than venturing out into the dunes on a fat bike,” he says. “By ditching the engines you don’t scare the wildlife away and you’ll see everything from gazelles to Arabian hares.
“Late March and early April is also the ideal time of year for getting out on a sunrise hike. The colours in the sky are just incredible and it’s definitely worth the early start.”
Take it easy by barbecuing and camping
Although the desert is a prime spot for adrenalin junkies, there are plenty of ways to relax in the open air.
“The Love Lakes are so close to the city, but once you get out there you could be a million miles away,” says Claassen. “It’s so peaceful and serene and the pictures you can get from the dunes around there are stunning.
“I’d recommend getting out for a nice walk or a barbecue. It’s also a great spot for birdwatchers and you get a lot of wildlife around the lakes themselves.”
One of the most popular desert activities without a guide is desert camping and, for Gutsa, it’s the best way to experience it properly.
“The desert is fascinating and waking up surrounded by nothing but sand and total silence is almost surreal when you live in a city like Dubai,” he says.
“It’s incredible to experience life like the bedouins and now is the perfect weather for sleeping out under the stars and appreciating a simpler time.”
Hamza agrees and, in his opinion, no trip to the desert is complete without taking a turn on the ancient transport.
“There is nothing more spectacular than a sunset camel ride,” he says. “It’s like stepping back in time, harking back to the tribal nomads as they moved from oasis to oasis.
“We’re so lucky to have this incredible natural beauty right here on our doorstep.
“I’d encourage everyone to get out there and experience the magic for themselves.”
10 top desert adventures in the UAE:
- Hot air ballooning
- Off-roading/dune bashing
- Sandboarding
- Nature walks
- Stargazing
- Fat biking
- Hiking
- Barbecuing
- Camping
- Camel riding
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Profile
Company: Justmop.com
Date started: December 2015
Founders: Kerem Kuyucu and Cagatay Ozcan
Sector: Technology and home services
Based: Jumeirah Lake Towers, Dubai
Size: 55 employees and 100,000 cleaning requests a month
Funding: The company’s investors include Collective Spark, Faith Capital Holding, Oak Capital, VentureFriends, and 500 Startups.
more from Janine di Giovanni
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
UAE central contracts
Full time contracts
Rohan Mustafa, Ahmed Raza, Mohammed Usman, Chirag Suri, Mohammed Boota, Sultan Ahmed, Zahoor Khan, Junaid Siddique, Waheed Ahmed, Zawar Farid
Part time contracts
Aryan Lakra, Ansh Tandon, Karthik Meiyappan, Rahul Bhatia, Alishan Sharafu, CP Rizwaan, Basil Hameed, Matiullah, Fahad Nawaz, Sanchit Sharma
MATCH INFO
UAE Division 1
Abu Dhabi Harlequins 12-24 Abu Dhabi Saracens
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Voy!%20Voy!%20Voy!
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Omar%20Hilal%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Muhammad%20Farrag%2C%20Bayoumi%20Fouad%2C%20Nelly%20Karim%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Transmission: ten-speed
Power: 420bhp
Torque: 624Nm
Price: Dh325,125
On sale: Now
MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FINAL RECKONING
Director: Christopher McQuarrie
Starring: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg
Rating: 4/5
Getting there
The flights
Flydubai operates up to seven flights a week to Helsinki. Return fares to Helsinki from Dubai start from Dh1,545 in Economy and Dh7,560 in Business Class.
The stay
Golden Crown Igloos in Levi offer stays from Dh1,215 per person per night for a superior igloo; www.leviniglut.net
Panorama Hotel in Levi is conveniently located at the top of Levi fell, a short walk from the gondola. Stays start from Dh292 per night based on two people sharing; www. golevi.fi/en/accommodation/hotel-levi-panorama
Arctic Treehouse Hotel in Rovaniemi offers stays from Dh1,379 per night based on two people sharing; www.arctictreehousehotel.com
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
Essentials
The flights: You can fly from the UAE to Iceland with one stop in Europe with a variety of airlines. Return flights with Emirates from Dubai to Stockholm, then Icelandair to Reykjavik, cost from Dh4,153 return. The whole trip takes 11 hours. British Airways flies from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Reykjavik, via London, with return flights taking 12 hours and costing from Dh2,490 return, including taxes.
The activities: A half-day Silfra snorkelling trip costs 14,990 Icelandic kronur (Dh544) with Dive.is. Inside the Volcano also takes half a day and costs 42,000 kronur (Dh1,524). The Jokulsarlon small-boat cruise lasts about an hour and costs 9,800 kronur (Dh356). Into the Glacier costs 19,500 kronur (Dh708). It lasts three to four hours.
The tours: It’s often better to book a tailor-made trip through a specialist operator. UK-based Discover the World offers seven nights, self-driving, across the island from £892 (Dh4,505) per person. This includes three nights’ accommodation at Hotel Husafell near Into the Glacier, two nights at Hotel Ranga and two nights at the Icelandair Hotel Klaustur. It includes car rental, plus an iPad with itinerary and tourist information pre-loaded onto it, while activities can be booked as optional extras. More information inspiredbyiceland.com
Our legal consultants
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
SHADOWS%20AND%20LIGHT%3A%20THE%20EXTRAORDINARY%20LIFE%20OF%20JAMES%20MCBEY
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Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
TEACHERS' PAY - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:
- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools
- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say
- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance
- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs
- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills
- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month
- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Cricket World Cup League 2 Fixtures
Saturday March 5, UAE v Oman, ICC Academy (all matches start at 9.30am)
Sunday March 6, Oman v Namibia, ICC Academy
Tuesday March 8, UAE v Namibia, ICC Academy
Wednesday March 9, UAE v Oman, ICC Academy
Friday March 11, Oman v Namibia, Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Saturday March 12, UAE v Namibia, Sharjah Cricket Stadium
UAE squad
Ahmed Raza (captain), Chirag Suri, Muhammad Waseem, CP Rizwan, Vriitya Aravind, Asif Khan, Basil Hameed, Rohan Mustafa, Kashif Daud, Zahoor Khan, Junaid Siddique, Karthik Meiyappan, Akif Raja, Rahul Bhatia
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Match info
Deccan Gladiators 87-8
Asif Khan 25, Dwayne Bravo 2-16
Maratha Arabians 89-2
Chadwick Walton 51 not out
Arabians won the final by eight wickets
Results
Stage seven
1. Tadej Pogacar (SLO) UAE Team Emirates, in 3:20:24
2. Adam Yates (GBR) Ineos Grenadiers, at 1s
3. Pello Bilbao (ESP) Bahrain-Victorious, at 5s
General Classification
1. Tadej Pogacar (SLO) UAE Team Emirates, in 25:38:16
2. Adam Yates (GBR) Ineos Grenadiers, at 22s
3. Pello Bilbao (ESP) Bahrain-Victorious, at 48s
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THE%20SPECS
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The details
Heard It in a Past Life
Maggie Rogers
(Capital Records)
3/5
A State of Passion
Directors: Carol Mansour and Muna Khalidi
Stars: Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah
Rating: 4/5
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, (Leon banned).
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
Company%20profile
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