Top 5 Deserts in UAE: UAE or United Arab Emirates is a group of self-governing emirates (similar to countries) each of which has its rulers and different culture and traditions. It is today one of the most popular places for people to visit and enjoy their holidays. The UAE has changed itself in a short period and has become a big success when it comes to tourism and hospitality.
In this article, we have provided a list of the top 5 deserts in UAE, and their region.
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About Deserts in UAE
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has a diverse array of desert landscapes, each contributing to the country’s unique character and allure. From the vast and formidable Rub’ al Khali, also known as the Empty Quarter, with its towering dunes and extreme conditions, to the picturesque Liwa Desert, famous for its towering dunes and adventurous desert activities, the UAE’s deserts offer a blend of natural beauty and cultural heritage. These deserts are not only home to resilient flora and fauna but also serve as repositories of traditional Bedouin knowledge and practices. Visitors to the UAE can explore these desert realms through thrilling desert safaris, camel treks, and overnight camping experiences, immersing themselves in the timeless allure of the desert landscape. Moreover, as the UAE continues to develop and diversify its economy, the conservation and sustainable management of its desert ecosystems remain vital, ensuring the preservation of these natural treasures for generations to come.
List of Top 5 Deserts in UAE
Here is the list of the top 5 deserts in UAE along with their lying region:
|
S. No. |
Desert |
Region |
|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Rub Al Khali (Empty Desert) |
Whole UAE |
|
2 |
Al Badayer |
Sharjah |
|
3 |
Liwa |
Abu Dhabi |
|
4 |
Al Khatim |
Abu Dhabi, Al Ain |
|
5 |
Al Madam |
Sharjah |
Top 5 Deserts of UAE
There are many different deserts in UAE and the whole area has marked different deserts for different activities that can be done in deserts. There are different deserts but there are top 5 deserts which you can go and visit and enjoy the place with your friends and family.
1. Rub Al Khali (Empty Desert)
This is the largest continuous desert in the world and part of it reaches Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Yemen. It is over one thousand kilometers long and 500 kilometers wide. Because of these facts, this desert is one of the world’s most popular deserts and many people visit here. It is a mix of different cultures and traditions.
Activities at Rub Al Khali:
- Camping: It is one of the most popular activities to do when you are in a place like this desert. You can sit and watch the stars as you camp in this large desert.
- Wadi Dawkah: It is a great natural park where you’ll find frankincense. So I can go there and watch how they are made and also learn things about them.
- Pebble hunting: It may sound weird but this desert has diamond-looking pebbles that can be found in a fun way. It is a great way to learn new things.
2. Al Badayer
This is a great desert located primarily in Sharjah. It is quite fun to visit this desert. It has great dunes and it is filled with people so you can have fun and meet new people or can also have a great time with your friends.
Activities at Al Badayer:
- Buggy tour: You can take the tour of the whole desert in a fun and amazing way with your friends. In a buggy, you can go above and around the dunes in the desert and enjoy the whole journey.
- Camping: Again, camping is one such activity that you’ll find amazing to do and enjoy with your friends and family as you cook food on a starry night in a desert.
- Sand Skiing: Another great activity which you can do, sand skiing is the best way to enjoy the desert and be sure of what it gives to you. You can slide your way across big dunes in the desert.
3. Liwa
This is an oasis which means that it is an area of some plants in between a desert. It is a very popular and magical place in Abu Dhabi. It has some beautiful forts and some great things to do.
Activities at Liwa:
- Camel Farms: You can enjoy visiting the camel farms and see for yourself how camels are kept in the desert. You can also take part in taking care of camels and enjoy interacting with them.
- Drag Racing: Just near this area, you’ll find Tal Moreeb which is a great place to do drag racing as it is one of the world’s highest sand hills so you can take part or watch the racing here.
- Visiting Dhafeer Fort: It is a 19th-century Fort that is a great historical place of the older era. You can visit this fort and transform it into an older era. This fort is visited by hundreds daily.
4. Al Khatim
This desert is a great place that comes between Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. It is one of the most popular places to do various fun activities in the whole of the UAE. This is easy to reach and you can easily reach by car.
Activities at Al Khatim:
- Dinner: At Al Khatim, you will be blessed with some delicious Arabic food. At night here, you can have a great dinner with barbecued food and with salads of Arabian culture.
- Al Khazna Park: This is a great park where families enjoy a great time together and have a good day.
- Camel Rides: At Al Khatim, you can also have some great fun while doing camel rides all across the desert and enjoying nature and the beauty that it offers to you.
5. Al Madam
This is a great place to consider if you are an adventure seeker and also want to have a different and unique experience of enjoying UAE deserts. This is a ghost town that was once surrounded by the people. You’ll have great fun here because it is very peaceful and the feeling of being alone and empty in a desert gives a thrill to many people.
Activities at Al Madam:
- Sightseeing: You can see hundreds of empty homes here and visit all of them by yourself for a spooky adventure of being in an empty place that was once full of people.
- Quad Bike: You can also enjoy biking here with a quad bike as you bounce your way across the whole ghost town at full speed.
- Dance Shows: There are many great dance shows also here at night time which you can enjoy and have fun with great food and drinks.
Other Deserts of the UAE
These other deserts in the UAE. You can also visit them and enjoy your stay here and do various fun activities. All of these are easy to reach and you can get all the facilities here:
Swaihan
This is another great place that comes in the AI Ain region. This region is blessed with the National Avian Research Center which is a great place to study birds and know about how different birds work. Other activities are also available here:
- This place is great for something different, bird watching. The National Avian Research Center is a great place for it.
- You can also do other things like desert safari.
- The region also has good spots for star gazing and also for watching a good sunset.
Mlehia
This is not just another desert but also an archeological site. It is located in the Sharjah area. It is a place that has many locations for you to enjoy and have fun.
- You can hike the fossil rock mountains and enjoy the view by yourself.
- There’s also a museum where you can go and learn about the archeology of the area and how older humans used to live.
- This place also has an adventure park where you can go and enjoy the off-roading adventure.
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Conclusion – Top 5 Desert in UAE
These were the top 5 deserts of UAE. You can visit any of these deserts and enjoy your stay. All of these deserts are easy to reach and have roads connected to them so that you can reach them by car. They are also near major cities so it is not like you are reaching a place that is between in the desert.
The natural beauty is that all of the Middle East region is desert but each of these offers something unique even while being a desert in the geography. Some deserts are very harsh while others are quite green with the natural landscape and some are just covered with mountains.
FAQs on Top 5 Deserts in UAE
Is it cheap to visit these deserts?
Yes, most of these places are quite cheap to visit. The activities may cost a bit more but if you look at visiting the place, you won’t need to spend a large amount of money on it.
Can visiting deserts be a fun activity?
Yes, it can be a great activity. For anyone who is in the UAE, there are many ways to enjoy things like going to a mall or visiting other places but visiting deserts is a way that allows you to connect with the people and the culture of the place and the whole understanding.
Is it a good idea to go to these places alone?
It is very safe to visit the UAE. You can go alone or also with a large group of friends and family. It all depends on you but it is best to enjoy it with your family and friends as it is more fun and more comfortable to enjoy new things.
Can you get good food in these deserts?
Yes, in the modern age and also as UAE is one of the most modern places, you can have great food at any place. Some of these places offer you a great dining option that many people look forward to.