Travel UAE

Tag: desert

  • Desert Buggy Safari

    Desert Buggy Safari

    In the local deserts, you can find a variety of activities: camel riding, jeep rides, buggy rides, sandboarding (snowboarding on dunes), tea time at sunset, camping, and more.

    I went on a buggy ride in the Al Madam Desert with the Red Sand Desert company (their kiosks were once found almost everywhere in Dubai’s tourist areas). You can take a buggy for one person or two or rent an ATV. They provide a mask to protect your eyes from sand, but I found my sunglasses sufficient. Wearing a head covering is recommended, which you can buy on-site.

    The dunes, sands, and landscape are stunning. The buggy tour is not thrilling, as you ride strictly in a convoy along a set route with no room for deviation—no drifting or off-roading. Book those specific tours and clarify this with your guide if you want freeride and more freedom. Otherwise, the experience will feel like being on a “train on rails.” There’s one major stop along the way where you can take many “desert” photos.

    GPS: 24.952452, 55.718704
    Google Maps
    Photos: 1, 2

  • Solar Park

    Solar Park

    The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park has the tallest concentrated solar power (CSP) tower in the world, standing at 262 meters. At the top of the tower is a molten salt receiver (MSR), a critical component of all CSP plants. The tower collects concentrated solar radiation from parabolic mirrors, which is then converted into thermal energy. This energy is stored in the form of molten salt, allowing it to power turbines and generate electricity even after sunset.

    The entire system, which includes more than just the tower and mirrors, is designed to produce 1 GW of power: 700 MW from CSP (600 MW from parabolic troughs and 100 MW from the solar tower) and 250 MW from photovoltaic solar panels. The project will have the world’s largest thermal energy storage capacity at 15 hours upon completion, enabling 24/7 energy availability.

    For comparison, Russia’s largest power station, the Sayano-Shushenskaya Hydroelectric Power Station, located on the Yenisei River in the Republic of Khakassia, has an installed capacity of 6.5 GW.

    While it’s difficult to get close to the solar tower itself due to its being part of a fenced-off industrial zone, the drive to the checkpoint is an enjoyable experience. On my way, I even spotted a group of wild local gazelles. The journey off the highway toward the complex is pleasant, with surrounding desert landscapes and sand dunes. It’s even possible to take your car off-road onto the sands—just remember to proceed with caution!

    GPS: 24.727695, 55.533789
    Google Maps
    Photos