My Dubai Diary, a total of 4 days experiencing Dubai, a thrill-seeking 4×4 dune bashing during a Dubai-Desert-Safari.

Just after 3:30pm a driver from Marsh Fun Travel & Tours picked us up and drove us, just over an hour to the desert. As they offer tailor-made itineraries, we opted to hire a 4×4 vehicle and driver for just the two of us (ooh there’s a song in that somewhere…) to avoid sharing with other tourists.

Just before the 4-wheel-drive safari started, we were able to freshen up, drink tea or water while the tyres on the vehicle were deflated. A hot wind didn’t provide any relief from the 40 degree Celsius heat and 69% humidity. Durban’s mild, cool even, in comparison to Dubai.

Almost 20 minutes of already dune bashing, the driver asked if we wanted to experience speed. “Yes,” I shouted excitedly. Oh how I wished I had my Suzuki Jimny – it made me ache with nostalgia, and especially crave off-roading in KwaZulu-Natal. The driver sped up to a high ridge of a dune and the vehicle had to be counter steered so as not to flip and roll down the other side. Oh so deliciously close! With my heart almost in my stomach, I wanted more and more; however, my friend wasn’t as keen.

We were able to stop as many times as desired to appreciate the surroundings and take photographs, of course. The desert littered with wrappers and plastic bottles surprised me – clearly the respect for the city didn’t reach the hot sands. Parts of the desert sparkled white sands while other parts fired red, all beneath a blazing blue sky dotted with wispy clouds enveloped in hot air.

Our next stop at an ‘oasis’ or rather campsite included a buffet style BBQ (vegetarian options, such as falafel, available), shisha (the famous Arabic water pipe) – doesn’t every country have a famous version of the bong? – henna painting, camel riding, quad-biking and belly dancers from the Ukraine (no, not a native dance to Dubai at all) and at this point, before the dancing, I was happy to leave… I’d before ridden a camel in Morocco’s Sahara so didn’t need this most uncomfortable experience either.

After appreciating the sun setting behind a dune, we headed back to New Dubai.