TRIP FULL – UAE National Day Liwa Trip 30th November-2nd December 2018

The UAE will celebrate its 47th National Day on December 2nd, and where better to spend it than the traditional home of the country’s rulers?

For the last two years we have had a two night – two location – camping trip with dune driving, fort visits, some impromptu falconry and fine conversation round a roaring campfire; this year we will do something similar.

In a nutshell

• Offroad and camping trip commencing on a Friday afternoon in the Northern Liwa Area of Abu Dhabi Emirate
• Two nights’ desert camping
• Easy sand dune driving
• Fully catered

Itinerary

Friday 30th November

We will meet in Madinat Zayed, Al Dhafra (Western) Region at 1pm.  It will take you just under 3 hours to drive here from Dubai, a similar time from Al Ain and about 1.5 hours from Abu Dhabi Mafraq junction.

• 1300hrs: meet
• 1315hrs: picnic lunch, under a palm tree (included in trip price)
• 1400hrs: drive into dunes, set up our tents
• 1430hrs: easy dune drive
• 1600hrs: return to camp to watch sunset
• 1830hrs: BBQ and campfire

If we are lucky we may see falconers practising their traditional art!  Last year one even dropped by our camp with his falcon, as well as another local who stopped by with some camel milk (made lovely pancakes on day two!)

Saturday 1st December

• 0800hrs: cooked breakfast
• 0900hrs: dune drive  to tanker
• 1330hrs: return to camp, have a light snack lunch
• 1400hrs: relocate to Arada  Area
• 1630hrs: set up camp
• 1830hrs: BBQ and campfire

Sunday 2^nd December

• 0800hrs: cooked breakfast
• 0900hrs: pack up camp
• 0930hrs: dune drive in huge dunes near the KSA border
• 1200hrs: return to road

Suitable vehicles:

Not all four wheel drives are created equal!  Your car must be a 4×4, not an AWD or 4WD, and should have Low Gear option.  Car requirements can be found here.

Petrol:

Please arrive at the start point with a full tank.  There is no requirement to carry extra petrol.

Camping

We will camp in two different locations.  We will set up a temporary camp with a shade, tables, campfire/bbq.  We also have a battery powered shower if you wish to use it.  “Bathrooms”are “al fresco” however we will stop off at the ADNOC in Liwa so that those who wish it can use a proper loo there!

Camping Kit

Packing list for camping can be found here.

 Tent/Camping Equipment Rental

I can lend you a quality tent and camping equipment – Colemans Instant tent, mattresses, camping chairs and a torch – for only 150aed for two people.  You only to provide a sleeping bag (or blankets/sheet) and a pillow! Please contact us if you would like to come on the trip but do not have your own camping gear.

What to wear

Suggestions here.

Please Note

• This trip is suitable for families, couples and individuals.
• Children above 1 years old are welcome but there is a lot of driving so we suggest you take suitable activities to alleviate boredom in the car. Young children MUST be seated in car seats
• Maximum persons per car – 4
• All persons should wear seatbelts whenever the car is moving.
• Apart from initial meeting time, all timings are approximate

Prices

• Car plus driver – 1070 AED
• Passengers – 700 AED
• Children aged 5-11 – 350 AED
• Children 4 and under – complimentary

To book, please download the form either from below or from here.  Send your completed form by email to marina@desertdivaevents.com, indicating how you would like to pay.

[pdf-embedder url=”https://thedesertdiva.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/master-registration-form-camping.pdf” title=”master registration form camping”]

 

Payment can be made by bank transfer or Visa/Mastercard.  50% deposit is required at time of booking; balance due by 18th November 2018.

Enquiries please whatsapp Marina on +971 509 478 563.

Essential reading:

Arabian Sands by Wilfred Thesiger