Wow, I couldn’t believe how amazing this beautiful treehouse in the desert is…felt like I was in heaven. That’s the thought that was running in my mind, the first time I saw this dreamy treehouse in the middle of the desert. Glamping in Ras Al Khaimah is a beautiful desert destination that you must do while in the UAE. It’s an incredible experience you’ll never forget!
What’s glamping?
Glamping is a fab activity and desert destination that one has to experience when living in the Middle East. It’s enjoyable, relaxing, and a breath of fresh air from the crowded city. Imagine sleeping under the stars in a glam dome or an elevated treehouse. Waking up to the sunrise with a view of never-ending sand dunes. Seeing camels and horses galloping in the desert, first thing in the morning and feeling that crisps and cool desert air. And end your day with a romantic dinner under the full moon, in the wild! Glamping is camping but in a special way. It’s having direct access to nature without sacrificing comfort. It’s glamorous and stress-free! And it should be on the top of your bucket list.
The best thing about glamping in the desert is you get to experience the best of both worlds, which includes comfort, nature, and adrenaline-rush activities
You don’t have to sleep on the ground and be exhausted from preparing your meals and setting up a tent. You also don’t have to think of activities for your kids. All you have to do is prepare your outfits, a camera and a suncream. You definitely can spend a day with nature, without any hassle. For families or couples who just want to relax in the great outdoor, this is such a relief! You have lots of time to admire the picturesque view, relax and be one with nature. Less hassle, more fun! As a mom of two small kids, I immensely enjoy glamping and I’ve done it many times. Yet, I can do it all over again!
Glamping sounds pricey, right? But did you know that you can do glamping without spending an arm and a leg? There are different options and prices according to your budget.
Over the years, I’ve done glamping around the UAE, from Abu Dhabi to Ras Al Khaimah. And you can too! So, here’s an achievable guide on how to spend a lavish night in the wild and create experiences you’ll never forget!
How to choose an awesome but budget-friendly desert camp?
There are many tour companies that organize glamping in the UAE. Moreover, there are quite a number of five-star desert camps in Dubai. But if you want to have a short road trip, then drive to Ras Al Khaimah and choose a glamping camp there. It’s close to Dubai and it’s also easy to navigate.
From my own experience after doing glamping several times, from the most luxurious to budget-friendly camp, it’s important to choose a desert camp that provides comfort, and direct access to scenic nature views. It should also have different desert activities.
The Dunes in Ras Al Khaimah is a breathtaking desert destination that has a wildlife sanctuary and amazing entertainment. It also offers different choices of accommodation for a budget-friendly stay.
So, I’d like to share my recent experience and why I think this is the best desert camp to spend a night in the wilderness. A unique and beautiful desert escapade on the East Coast of the UAE that you’ll get to love and remember.
The Dunes glamping site is tucked away in the Al Wadi Desert. It has gorgeous desert dunes, great facilities, and there are lots of activities for all ages. There are also several types of glamping to choose from, such as the jaw-dropping heritage hut, the glamourous dome tent, and the cool treehouse. Moreover, The Dunes offer adrenaline-rush activities for adults like dune bashing.
The journey to the desert camp is as memorable as the stay…
From Dubai, I drove on Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed following the sign to Ras Al Khaimah. Upon reaching there, I took a dirt road that leads to the Ritz Carlton Desert Camp and continued past it. As I drove, we saw a natural wildlife reserve. My kids spotted oryx and gazelles. There were camels walking on the road too. It was nice to see them so close. We arrived at 4 PM just in time for the check-in, which is at 3:30 PM. Upon reaching the reception area, we were ushered to ride a tuktuk to take us to our cottage. Our jaws dropped to the floor. Riding a tuktuk in the desert is a unique and scenic short ride. So surreal!
Here’s how to choose a glamping “tent” at The Dunes:
My family and I stayed at the Heritage Hut with two stunning balconies (back and front). It’s cozy and fully airconditioned. The room decor made me feel I was on a tropical island! It has a king-sized bed, a sofa bed, a fridge, and a closet. There’s a private shower and toilet as well. Toiletries and a hairdryer are also provided. The balconies have sitting areas for a coffee break and they are a perfect set-up to watch the stars at night! But what’s immensely stunning in this cottage is the separate jacuzzi bath that has spectacular views of the desert and the animals. What a sight!
The other types of accommodation in this camp are also great. My second favorite glamping tent is the elevated treehouse. Treehouses are not just for kids. These ones are perfect for couples and friends. The only reason why this isn’t great for families with little kids is that the shower room is on a sharing basis. But it has also a lovely bedroom set-up and an outdoor tree swing. It’s also the most budget-friendly option for anyone wanting to experience an overnight stay in the desert. You can stay in it for as low as 350 AED during low season. Though the toilet is outside the bedroom, it still offers convinience! You can relive your childhood memories there and experience sleeping in the wilderness.
Fun and Family-friendly Desert Activities at the Dunes Camp
There’s no wifi and TV in the desert but my family still had a fabulous time! We started our activities nearly sunset. First, was a short camel ride. This is free of charge and part of our itinerary. Then we did dune bashing! This activity has an additional fee but it’s worth doing it! Helmets are provided and it’s a safe activity. I had a blast as I drove an ATV on the dunes. It was an exhilarating experience! After a scenic drive, we stopped for a sunset photoshoot! Desert photo-op has always been my family tradition. And this is one of the things a UAE resident can do for free! It’s also a lovely way to capture the beauty of living here.
In the evening, we dined at an Arabic-inspired dining tent. Dinner was a buffet set-up! We had an amazing and scrumptious barbecue under the stars. Drinks are included in the buffet but alcoholic beverages are available with separate fees. During dinner, we got entertained by a tanoura dance, magnificent fire show, and a belly dance. We also did henna painting and it’s free if you would choose simple designs. After the shows, we lay on the tree swing, watching the stars. Such a peaceful and perfect activity to end the day!
Why you should choose “The Dunes” for your first glamping experience?
Choosing the Dunes as a family staycation will make you fall in love with UAE. If you haven’t experienced glamping in the country, then check it out. It’s an incredible desert destination because of its proximity to Dubai. Glamping there means direct access to nature and wildlife with the comfort of home. Hassle-free! But most of all, Dunes offers different accommodations options, inclusive of dinner, breakfast, desert activities, and evening entertainment. The facilities for kids are amazing from playgrounds, horse rides to tree swings. You can also enjoy tuktuk rides in the desert. So, it’s genuinely a unique and beautiful desert escapade for your little ones!
