Desert trips and camping: guides, sand and cold nights

A night in the desert under the stars is one of the best things about winter in the UAE. It is also a place where phones lose signal, cars get stuck and a hot afternoon turns into a cold night. Good trips are calm, slow and well prepared.

Never alone, never in a hurry

• Dubai Police Search and Rescue advises that people should not go camping or deep into the desert alone, and should always have at least one more person with them.
• Khaleej Times off-road guidance adds that you should travel in a group, or with at least one experienced off-roader in a separate car.
• Gulf News guidance says to go deep into the desert only if you are trained in desert driving; otherwise camp near main highways where help and facilities are easier to reach.
• As a teenager, your safest role is a well-prepared passenger on a trip led by an experienced adult or a reputable operator. If a driver is showing off on dunes, it is fine to ask them to stop or to leave the group.
• Experienced UAE off-roaders quoted by Khaleej Times put it simply: drive within your ability and 'leave your ego at home'.

Vehicles and sand

• Dubai Police advise using only four-wheel-drive vehicles in the desert, since normal cars are likely to get stuck.
• Dubai Police mention lowering tyre pressure to about 15 to 20 PSI on sand and checking tyres are in good condition first.
• Khaleej Times lists recovery kit: at least one tow rope (kinetic or snatch strap), a shovel, a spare tyre, soft shackles, a tyre gauge and deflators.
• Dubai Police also advise sticking to frequently used tracks, avoiding areas with no tyre marks and not driving recklessly on dunes, because cars can roll over.
• Keep a safe distance between cars in a convoy and start with a full fuel tank.

Navigation and staying in touch

• Dubai Police note that desert landmarks are scarce and phone signal can fail, and recommend a GPS, with a satellite phone for trips deep into the desert.
• Khaleej Times advises sharing your exact location pin and camping plan with someone at home, carrying a charged phone and downloading offline maps.
• Agree a check-in time with your home contact, and what they should do if you miss it.
• Know the numbers: 999 police, 998 ambulance, 995 search and rescue (UAE Government portal).

Hot days, cold nights

• Khaleej Times notes desert temperatures can fall from about 35 degrees in the day to around 10 degrees at night in the camping season.
• Pack thermal layers, a warm hat, a sleeping bag and blankets, as well as light-coloured clothes for the day.
• Dubai Police list warm clothing alongside water, food, fuel, torches and a first aid kit.
• Wear closed, sturdy shoes rather than sandals: hot sand, snakes and scorpions are all reasons given by Khaleej Times.
• Carry more water than you think you need, and drink small amounts regularly.

Wildlife and bites

• Dubai Police advise tents with few openings, and Khaleej Times advises keeping the tent door closed when not in use.
• Clean up after meals and store food before sleeping, since food attracts insects and small animals (Dubai Police).
• If you see a snake or scorpion, do not try to kill or catch it: observe it from a safe distance, as a UAE herpetologist told The National in 2026. Give mother camels and their young plenty of space.
• The National notes that venomous bites and stings should always be treated as medical emergencies. For snake bites, the NHS advises keeping the bitten part still, removing jewellery and loosening clothes near the bite and getting help, and warns never to cut the bite, suck out venom or tie anything tightly around it.
• Call 998 for an ambulance and do not let the bitten person walk or drive more than necessary.

Where and when to camp

• According to Gulf News, Dubai Municipality says weekend campers do not need prior permission to pitch a tent in the desert; longer stays need a permit and fee from the local municipality.
• Gulf News notes the winter camping season often runs from late October to April, and rules differ between emirates, so check before you go.
• Experienced campers quoted by Khaleej Times suggest Al Qudra as an accessible place for beginners, and advise pitching in daylight on flat, high ground and avoiding wadis.
• Take every piece of rubbish home with you, including food and fire waste.