One of the most invigorating off-road adventures in the world, is taking a desert buggy ride through the golden deserts of Dubai. Be it a thrill seeker interested in racing through sand dunes or a traveler who wants to explore the wide and scenic desert land in style, Buggy rides are a sure way of an adrenaline packed adventure. However, before you make reservations to get your ride, there are a number of facts that you should consider to ensure that your trip is enjoyable, safe, and memorable.
Why Choose a Desert Buggy Ride in Dubai?
It is not only about luxury shopping and skyscrapers; Dubai is the place where you can find some of the most spectacular desert landscapes, which are located 30-45 minutes away from the city centre. One of the unusual opportunities to get to know this part of Dubai is the buggy ride; a mixture of the off-road ride and spectacular visual perception of the lunar-like sand dunes.
Buggy rides have you in the driver seat unlike dune bashing in 4x4 where you are a passenger. You drive all-terrain buggies with high power, normally Polaris RZR or Can-Am Maverick ones depending on the company through custom-built desert tracks and that too under the guidance of experts.
Professionalism of tour operators, modern equipment, and the possibility to combine the ride with the desert safaris, camel rides, sandboarding, and cultural shows make Dubai outstanding. It is not just ride, it is an experience.
Safety First: Ride Smart
Rides on desert buggy can be rather adventurous, but there is also danger involved, though under conditions that measures have not been taken. That is one of the reasons why you should firstly and most importantly of all select a licensed and reputable operator. Seek reviews, safety accreditation and look up to those buggies which come in well maintained conditions with roll cages, seat belts and first aid kits.
Prior to the ride, the safety briefing will take place, and you will be told how to control the buggy. Pay attention and be especially diligent, when you are a first-timer. Always bring and wear all of the protective equipment like a helmet, gloves, goggles and closed toed shoes. The companies will offer most of these, but it is always safe to verify them beforehand.
Another thing to mention: Pregnant women are not suitable candidates for desert buggy rides, nor are children until they reach a certain age (which is usually said to be 14 or 16), nor, those persons with heart, back or neck conditions. We should always reveal health issues to our tour guide.
What to Wear & Bring
Dress according to the desert conditions. Clothing should be of light weight or breathable materials, and it should cover the arms and legs--protection against the sun and blowing sand. Shorts or skirts are a no-trick, and so are sandals or flip-flops. Shoes are required to be closed
Bring along:
- Sunglasses/goggles (most companies supply goggles)
- Fine dust cannot be avoided: it is everywhere (a scarf or buff on the face)
Sunscreen
- A refillable water bottle (most of the rides provide water)
- A small back pack or a waist bag that contains necessities
store valuables and your phone in a dust proof container. Sand could be a scary thing and extremely intrusive and ruin electronics.
When to Go: Best Time & Duration
Dubai is cooler in the cooler months; that is, November to March, the best time to ride desert buggy in the state. The temperatures are between 20 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees thus making the ride quite pleasant. Operators of this type of ride will normally ride in early mornings or evenings during the summer months to ensure that they do not ride under such harsh temperatures.
Most tickets to the ride comprise 30 minutes to 2 hours, and there is an opportunity to supplement with such arrangements as a sunset photoshoot, BBQ dinner, or a cultural performance in a desert camp. It is best to join a 60 minute guided-tour as a beginner, as it will be thrilling but will not be too overwhelming.
Booking Tips: How to Choose the Right Package
Dubai has a great number of operators, each of them with slightly different experiences. When making the decision on the package, it is important to look at:
Type of vehicle: Do you want to use single-seater or 2/4-seater? Riding solo is exciting, but when you are seeing it with family or partner maybe a buggy is more entertaining.
Level of difficulty: New individuals must seek tours that are led and whose routes are slower, whereas skilled ones would like fast or technical dune lines.
Add-ons: Some of their packages have such additions: hotel pickup, refreshments, photos, and desert camp activities. These can be purchased at a lower cost.
Insurance: Ensure that the operator covers both the riders and vehicle by a minimum insurance.
Make reservations through-out the year and particularly in the busy season or at weekends. Most tour operators have flexible cancellation terms that can be carried out online.
What to Expect During the Ride
Typically, your experience may start with a pickup in a hotel after which you are transported to the desert. You’ll be given a briefing and then you will go into a buggy and suit up. The ride begins to pick up speed as you manage to get accustomed to the controls, but soon after, you will be climbing steep dunes, racing over sand ridges and drifting down slopes.
Leaders of the convoy are called Guides and they are the ones in constant radio communication to ensure the safety of the convoy. There will also be stops at scenic point and taking of photographs, and rest. On some tours, you can change drivers after an hour or so in case you were sharing the buggy.
Even after the ride, you can engage in some sandboarding, ride a camel, go to a desert camp and have some food, shisha, and traditional entertainment such as tanoura dance or belly dance, just depending on your package.
Quick Dos and Don’ts
Do:
- You need to listen to your guide and do whatever they say.
- Dress and wear appropriate equipment.
- Stay hydrated.
- Keep out of the way of other buggies.
- Take care of the desert environment.
Don’t:
- More dangerous driving or passing.
- Drive while intoxicated.
- Quit the group or go the wrong way.
- Forget about using sunscreen.
- Kek Litter the desert.
Final Thoughts
Dubai desert buggy race will not be only a ride that will allow the customer to experience high speeds, but it will also be a journey within the nature of the Arabian desert, with its raw beauty. As long as you are properly prepared, vigilant and have a fun adventurous attitude, the dunes are bound to leave your shoes with sand and memories that would last a lifetime.
Therefore strap on, put the pedal to the floor, and get out there and head to the golden dunes that Dubai has to offer, and make it a ride to remember. Simply be sure that you are aware of what to expect, in advance.