All About Desert Driving Courses in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi’s desert landscapes, with their splendid dunes and stunning beauty, are a sight to behold.

They offer a unique and inspiring adventure for off-road enthusiasts. Desert driving courses are not just a choice, but a necessity for those who wish to embark on off-road adventures near Abu Dhabi.

These courses provide the knowledge and training required to navigate the challenging desert terrain and handle the dunes safely.

Various safari guides and driving institutes offer desert driving courses to help beginners learn these skills. This guide covers everything you need to know about off-road driving courses that prepare you for dune bashing in Abu Dhabi.

Advantages of Off-road Driving Courses

These courses teach you essential techniques to navigate safely through challenging desert environments, ensuring a secure and enjoyable experience. But it’s not just about safety-it’s about the unique thrill of exploring remote and stunning desert landscapes, from dunes to hidden.

You can impress your friends and family with your off-road driving prowess, making every BBQ and camping trip a memorable and stress-free experience.

You can engage yourself in nature and disconnect from the hustle and bustle of daily life; you can restore your mind and spirit amidst breathtaking desert vistas.

Essentials to the Course Outline

Regardless of the club or institute you choose, the fundamentals for desert driving courses in Abu Dhabi or anywhere in the UAE are paramount. Safety always comes first, encompassing proper vehicle handling, desert maneuvering techniques, and the use of recovery equipment.

This unwavering focus on safety will ensure you feel secure and confident in your desert driving skills.

For new drivers, it’s advisable to avoid high dunes until they have a firm grasp on handling. Even after completing their training course, their initial drives should be in a group.

This not only provides a safety net during accidents but also fosters a sense of community and support, making the new drivers feel reassured.

It’s essential to keep a checklist of necessary tools, such as a shovel, battery cable, tire pump, jack, and plate. This checklist promotes preparedness and safety, helping you avoid difficult situations.

Driving Institutes for Desert Driving Courses

Desert driving courses, offered by various excellent driving schools and private entities, stand out for their unique focus on providing the necessary equipment to cross the desert safely.

Regardless of your driving experience, prioritizing personal safety and preparation is key. By taking desert driving courses, you empower yourself with the knowledge and skills to handle any situation, making even experienced drivers feel more in control.

Due to the blowing sand and exceeding temperatures, getting stranded in the desert is not an ordinary matter. The terrain can be misleading as sandy dunes continuously shift in height; without proper care, you can easily overturn your car.

This underscores the potential dangers of desert driving.

In this article, we provide some of the best off-road desert driving courses in Dubai, authorized by the Road and Transport Authority (RTA), which also offers official licenses for safari guides.

1. Emirates Driving Institute

Requirements:

• Holding residency of UAE
• Holding a UAE or international driving license at least 3 years of validity
• Being at least 140 cm or more in height
• Having the best desert-driving car to experience off-roading yourself.
• A copy of passport and resident visa page
• 4 photographs
• Eye test report
• CID letter
• Non-Objection Certificate (NOC) from the employer and Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing (DTCM)

Types of courses:

• One-day courses: based on the prior driving experience.
• The complete course: including both theoretical understanding and practical training. It costs AED 800 per person for a group of two and AED 1500 for one person.
• The Essential Course: for those who have the on-road experience and need the training to drive on desert terrain. It costs AED 700 per person (two in a group) and AED 1400 for one person.
• Refresher Course: suited for those already familiar with off-roading and will introduce some advanced techniques. It costs AED 700 per person (a group of two) and AED 1400 for one person.

The RTA license for a desert safari guide costs around AED 1685 (w/o VAT) for beginner training and AED 840 for extra training.

2. Galadari Motor Driving Centre

Offering self-explanatory courses with some programs focused on a particular profession or dedicated to getting you out of challenging situations.

Types of courses:

• Basic Course
• Advanced Course
• Emergency Course
• Self-Drive Course
• Team Building Course
• Military Course
• Refresher Course

3. Al Ahli Driving Centre

They have a one-day course divided into six stages, including a pre-examination, the basic science of vehicles, the usage of desert tools, driving solo or in groups, the types of desert sands, and dealing with problems associated with desert driving.

  Requirements:

• A valid Dubai visa
• Two photographs
• Eye test certificate
• UAE driving license

The best desert area in Abu Dhabi

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is home to some of the world’s most vast sandy deserts. Here, we recommend some of the worth-spending tourist spots and very famous deserts of the UAE that you should definitely know about.

Rub al Khali- The Empty Quarter

1. Rub al Khali- The Empty Quarter

The Rub al Khali, the largest desert of the Arabian Peninsula, stretches across Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Yemen.

It is a landscape of daunting bleakness, but also a mix of culture and history, and many folklore stories.

Given its vastness, it’s always recommended to explore it with the guidance of experienced tour guides, ensuring a safe and enriching experience.

MLEIHA Desert- The Deep Desert of Sharjah

2. MLEIHA Desert- The Deep Desert of Sharjah

MLEIHA Desert is a UNESCO World Heritage site known as the unofficial archaeological capital of the UAE. As a mix of different cultures, landscapes, and historical life, it is located in the central region of Sharjah and is known as the deepest desert of the city.

Al KHATIM

3. Al KHATIM

Al Khatima sandy desert, with its majestic dunes, is home to some of the tallest dunes on the planet, towering over 900 feet. Nestled between Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, it’s a paradise for desert safari activities.

The undulating dunes and breathtaking landscapes provide a canvas for a range of activities, including off-road driving, dune bashing, and sandboarding. The beauty of the desert landscape is sure to inspire every visitor.

4. Al Badayer

It is one of the most enormous dunes in the UAE and connects Sharjah and Dubai. Known as the Big Red Desert, Al Badayer offers private tents and traditional home accommodations, making it ideal for couples’ getaways or family holidays.

Not only for its big dunes, it is also well known for its red sand. This cultural stay gives you the experience of life as an ancient traveler along the Silk Road and enhances your stay with the fascinating sunrises and sunsets over the vast dunes.

SWEIHAN

5. SWEIHAN

For those seeking adventure in the deserts of the UAE, SWEIHAN is a must-visit. Located on the borders of Dubai, Al Ain, and Abu Dhabi, this desert offers thrilling opportunities. The Naqrah dune, a popular spot for dune bashing, and the The rounds of Liwa, a paradise for Liwa enthusiasts, are just waiting to be explored.