Doha Desert Safari: Camel Ride & Sandboarding – A Personal Review
Alright, if you are after a little excitement when visiting Qatar, taking on a desert safari really needs to be pretty high up on your list. From my experience, it offers such a sensational blend of culture, thrilling activity, plus serene desert landscapes that create memories that stick with you. In particular, I took part in a Doha Desert Safari which included a camel ride plus some sandboarding; this is my detailed account that may give you a great sense of exactly what to expect, as well as just a few bits of guidance to really help you get the absolute most out of the whole adventure. So, grab a cup, and let’s get to it.
What to Expect on Your Doha Desert Safari
Well, when it comes to what your adventure out into the great Qatari desert is going to look like, tours, almost without exception, often kick off in the afternoon. This kinda makes a whole lot of sense, really, because the desert sun in the middle of the day is somewhat unforgiving. Your pickup point? Quite probably directly from your hotel – this, too it’s almost fair to say, is one thing the vast majority of tour operators offer. I found this bit especially convenient, as it is that little bit less that you have to stress over. After all, the more that you do yourself, the more complicated everything becomes. That, is that something that any of us want, particularly when we are trying to just sit back, enjoy and relax. The journey from the city center over to the desert will usually take somewhere around 45 minutes to an hour, just a little. But frankly, it flies by, partly because you are staring open mouthed out the window drinking it all in, but partly too because most of the drivers are pretty interesting characters to have a chat with. When you finally arrive, you will more than likely get just a little glimpse of other travelers gathering ahead of their adventures; after this, get ready for some desert action.
The Camel Ride: A Timeless Desert Tradition
Okay, right, what is a trip out into the sandy stuff without a camel ride? It is that one addition that really has the capability of making the experience authentic. Look, as you get up onto the camel, you know, you could be forgiven for initially feeling just a little wobbly; trust me, the movement is something to get used to, alright. The camels tend to be really well-cared for plus their handlers are incredibly helpful, thus providing insight plus making you feel safe the whole time. Speaking of which, a typical camel ride often lasts maybe 30 minutes, just enough to permit you to slowly take everything in without it dragging on. Seriously, it is pretty much one of the easiest, yet very best, chances to take amazing photos, and really soak up that timeless desert landscape, apparently something which is best appreciated at a far slower speed than that of an SUV. In the end, the motion kinda grows on you! That, I guess, plus those friendly camels, might just make it a segment of your adventure that you do not want to end.
Dune Bashing: An Adrenaline Rush
And right now for something totally different: Hold tight to your hat as the dune bashing begins. The experience? Seriously exhilarating, yet one which is maybe not for the faint of heart. You will go from ambling peacefully along on a camel, very sedately, and then, as the four-wheel drive accelerates seemingly vertically up a towering dune, you will probably think what on earth am I doing?! Very experienced drivers, as a matter of fact people who know every contour of these dunes, basically take you on something of a rollercoaster ride, soaring up plus then sliding down the sandy slopes at pretty impressive speeds. Something like this kinda provides a great thrill, I reckon, as well as breathtaking views, especially as you get right up to the summit of some of the higher dunes. I will be candid: the ride might be a little bumpy, very bumpy, yet the bursts of laughter from everybody are a sure sign that folk are very much having fun. A great tip? make sure that you secure anything which might just come loose plus get thrown about – that is a very good idea. The last thing you want is your possessions being thrown around all over the shop!
Sandboarding: Carving Your Way Down the Dunes
So, after you’ve very much conquered the dunes in a four-wheel drive, now’s your opportunity to test yourself out sandboarding. And what to say here other than get stuck in. As the name suggests, this does sort of have echoes of snowboarding, very. You basically strap your feet onto a board and slide on down the sandy hills, a bit. This might just provide a fab opportunity to challenge yourself to something different, alright, it may test your sense of balance a bit. I guess it can feel that little bit intimidating as you peer right over the top of a steep dune, particularly if, similarly to myself, you have literally never done anything remotely similar, or really even stood on a board before. Get the technique right and it can be just amazing, very amazing. A good thing? No ski lift queue, and so you just trek back up to the top as quickly as your legs are able to manage plus then go once more.
Photographing the Desert Landscape
Speaking of photos, you may very well struggle to find scenery to rival this in terms of spectacular shots for your collection. The light in the desert is just wonderful, truly wonderful, and really can offer different moods according to the time of day. As you photograph that landscape from the back of a camel, very slowly riding along, or perched up high at the top of some huge sand dune, that is a very amazing thing, especially as the sun will begin to descend towards the horizon, and throw gorgeous, ever-changing, shadows right over that undulating surface. Make certain that you pack either your smartphone or indeed a dedicated camera. A very good idea, if you have a proper camera with many lens options, will often be to perhaps consider that telephoto lens in order to capture shots of distant dunes plus any passing wildlife – of course do not expect that much by way of sightings as such.
Sunset Spectacle in the Desert
Right, many may come to the desert seeking action, although truthfully maybe just as many people are quite simply drawn by the simple appeal of watching a stunning sunset out over that desert landscape. It can be something quite magical, very magical. The whole experience of the desert can very much grow on you throughout the afternoon; now that setting sun simply bathes that sand with all forms of golden light. Most safaris really allow some downtime for people just to relax, perhaps pause to reflect, plus capture such very special memories as dusk gently approaches, apparently. And if you get lucky? The chances are that you will simply return home feeling not just culturally enriched, that or pumped up from dune bashing, yet somehow perhaps feeling completely rejuvenated too.
What to Wear and Bring on Your Desert Safari
Just a couple of bits and bobs now to seriously consider that will, more or less, impact on the absolute level of your enjoyment. Lightweight, loose-fitting clothing is just brilliant, I find. Think breathable fabrics, for instance cottons plus linens – you know, those materials which definitely will help to keep you quite cool when under the hot sun, almost. Similarly, don’t even contemplate setting foot out there without your sunscreen; you could be amazed just how reflective those sandy surfaces tend to be plus, what’s more, this then seriously intensifies sun exposure; you definitely will feel like you’ve had some strong sun if you do not apply something reasonably robust. Then a hat – very important – this may help to really protect that face plus the neck from the direct sunlight, kinda essential for those, for instance, whose heads may not be quite as lushly covered with hair as in some cases, typically! Sunglasses, of course, they not just guard those eyes from that glare yet in addition will significantly improve your visibility across that sun-baked landscape; also, you just might not look all that cool in your safari shots should you be spending your time squinting a whole lot! Close-toed shoes? Kinda beneficial I feel for sandboarding in order to, more or less, keep the sand out, yet sandals might just be perfectly fine for the camel ride. And then water – make certain to stay seriously hydrated throughout that safari, drinking much more than perhaps you would consider normal as you often will be outside in hot environments. It really is best, honestly, to avoid even feeling thirsty as that tends to suggest it is far too late plus you already might just be a little dehydrated by then.
Choosing the Right Doha Desert Safari Tour Operator
Right, so, like with anything of this nature, doing a little bit of solid research is actually likely to pay dividends as, truthfully, you can find so many safari tour operators very ready to offer their services! What I would potentially suggest, in particular, is doing that little bit of comparative reading on websites to properly review what other folk that may be kinda similar to you have personally experienced on their tour, alright, as well as considering the actual tour inclusions plus the price to find what’s very much the most optimal deal. Make very certain that your tour operator has comprehensive insurance cover in order to guard themselves against potentially unforeseen issues. Another point? Tour guides! The real, seriously brilliant ones, will provide such incredible insights right into that desert environment, as a matter of fact will bring so much culture alive with brilliant tales. And the reality is that, the keener you will probably be on a particular adventure the better informed you will very much tend to feel. Look too into exactly what type of vehicle which that particular safari adventure will be utilizing; a newer car, or at least perhaps one that is frequently maintained, actually will potentially increase levels of safety plus reduce any chance that your experience tends to be unduly spoiled by way of mechanical issues!
- Thrilling Adventure: Dune bashing offers an exhilarating rush, while sandboarding provides a fun challenge.
- Cultural Immersion: A camel ride gives a sense of the desert’s traditional transport, deeply connecting you with local heritage.
- Stunning Scenery: The sunset views alone make this trip worthwhile.
- Good Preparation = More Fun: Making sure to bring key things plus dressing appropriately has the ability to vastly improve overall satisfaction.
- Quality Matters: Really consider booking with some seriously reputable tour operators for better quality levels plus increased security, generally.