Adventure Into Emirates

Take a safari into the desert, Dubai's biggest playground,and discover a whole new way to have fun Dubai is a city that has risen from the sand. Less than two decades ago, the emerging metropolis was a small town surrounded by vast expanses of desert. The gold and pink-hued sands seem a world away from the city's modern sprawl, yet are undoubtedly an iconic feature of the country.

A trip into the desert tops the list for the majority of visitors to Dubai and offers a combination of thrilling adventure, cultural insight and nature. Experiencing a place where there is nothing but sand as far as the eye can see is both exotic and exhilarating, and best of all, it's no more than 45 minutes away from the city limits.

Most tour operators start the experience in the late afternoon to avoid peak temperatures and to allow the opportunity to catch a glowing desert sunset. Once the tarmac roads are behind you, it's time to tighten your seatbelt and prepare for a thrill-a-minute ride over undulating sand dunes. The shifting sands make for an exciting natural course with the 4X4 pitching and turning over the terrain, usually accompanied by shrieks, squeals and laughter, as the experienced driver does his best to surprise and delight. Dune thrills duly experienced, it's on to the desert camp for a more sedate end to the day.

A perfect photo opportunity comes at sundown, the most beautiful time to be in the desert, when he setting sun illuminates the sand to create multiple orange hues. For the adventurous, sandboarding is a novelty similar to snowboarding, and the gentle camel rides are an easy-going delight for visitors of all ages. Female members of the group can try a temporary henna design from local henna artists. These elaborate patterns are used to decorate the hands or feet and provide a cultural memento with a difference to show friends and family back home - especially as the designs last for up to four weeks.

Another traditional activity is a puff on a shisha pipe (hubbly bubbly). This is a popular pastime at many street-side cafs and is a social ritual among the Bedouin. Smoked through a pipe attached to a glass orb filled with water, tobacco comes in a variety of flavours, from apple to mint. Dinner at desert camps is a grand buffet affair with a mouthwatering selection of barbecued meats and traditional ouzi - roasted lamb on a spit, served with rice and Arabic spices - as well as a full range of Arabic mezze.

An entertaining belly dancer will initiate eager audience members in the hip-swivelling art for yet another amusing and memorable photo opportunity. While enjoying the desert experience, remember to look above you. On a clear night, the sky is often a blanket of stars, which adds to the Arabian romance of the evening. Some tour operators also offer the option of staying overnight in the desert, but this must be arranged in advance.