Sahra& BeyondInspired by the landscapes of the UAE — wear the wild side of it
Never camped in the desert before? It's one of the most magical things you can do in the UAE — and it's easier to get right than you'd think. This beginner's guide walks you through choosing a spot, packing the essentials, staying safe and camping responsibly, so your first night under the stars is a great one.
Start with one of the gentler, easy-to-reach sites in our picks below, go with a friend or two, and build up from there.
For a first trip, pick an easy-rated site with firm ground you can reach without serious off-roading — the desert-lake sites in our picks are ideal. Go on a weekend with good weather in the cooler season, arrive with a couple of hours of daylight left so you can set up your tent and get oriented before dark, and avoid committing to deep, soft dunes until you're confident.
You don't need expensive gear to start. The essentials: a tent and pegs that hold in sand, a sleeping bag and mat, four-plus litres of water per person per day, a head torch, warm layers for the night, sun protection, a first-aid kit, a power bank and plenty of rubbish bags. A small shovel and a sturdy ground sheet make life easier. Every location page here has a packing checklist you can tailor.
If your spot needs any off-road driving, the golden rules are: lower your tyre pressures (this is the single biggest factor in not getting stuck), keep momentum, steer smoothly, and never drive into soft sand alone. Travel with at least one other vehicle, carry a tow rope and recovery boards, and bring a compressor or have a plan to re-inflate before tarmac. If in doubt, park on firm ground and walk in.
Tell someone where you're going and when you'll be back. Download offline maps and note your GPS coordinates — phone signal is patchy. Watch the night-time temperature drop, which catches beginners out in winter. Keep a torch handy, secure food from wildlife, and never leave a campfire unattended. If conditions change, it's always fine to pack up and head home early.
This is the rule that matters most. Take every piece of rubbish home with you, including food scraps and anything that blew away. Keep fires small and fully extinguish them, don't drive over plants, and leave the site cleaner than you found it. Responsible camping is what keeps these places open to everyone.
Yes — choose an easy, accessible site in the cooler months, go with others, carry plenty of water and a first-aid kit, and tell someone your plans. Start simple and build up as you gain confidence.
A sand-worthy tent, sleeping bag and mat, four-plus litres of water per person per day, a head torch, warm night layers, sun protection, a first-aid kit, a power bank and rubbish bags. Each location page has a full tailored checklist.
Not always. Several beginner-friendly sites have firm ground you can reach in a normal car and walk in from. For dune sites you need a 4x4, lowered tyre pressures and a convoy — never tackle soft sand alone.
Between October and April, when temperatures are comfortable by day and cool at night. Avoid the extreme summer heat entirely.
Regular fit. A tonal embroidered sun setting over the dune ridges of Liwa. 230gsm combed cotton. Limited first run.
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