Five spots for sunset picnics and camping trips to enjoy with your children, in the UAE

The camping season in the UAE will end soon. Make the best of the pleasant weather this weekend. Here’s a list of five places you could head off to, for a sunset picnic and overnight camping trip.

1) Al Qudra Desert, Dubai: A popular weekend destination when the weather turns for the better, Al Qudra is the ideal destination for families looking for an outdoor experience. The view is complete with artificial lakes, migrating birds, trees, and sand dunes that make for a perfect backdrop for a selfie at sunset. Perfect for evening picnics with your family, you can find a less crowded spot to pitch your tents and have your barbecue station set up at a safe spot next to a lake.

2) Al Hayer Forest, Dubai - Al Ain road: A forest in a desert? Yep, that is right! Al Hayer Forest is a green oasis hidden close to the UAE’s border with Oman. This hidden gem makes for an ideal camping ground and outdoor escape. With a sprawling grove of hundreds of Ghaf trees, its canopies cast an inviting shade for visitors to rest under. The desert forest lies between Dubai and Al Ain and can be accessed via the E66 and E55 highways. Remember not to harm the trees or cut their branches to use as firewood for camping. Take along enough water and food. Don’t litter or leave behind anything that may be dangerous for the region’s wildlife. If you are setting up a tent, make sure to do so away from the trees to avoid critters or scorpions that may be found near the roots of the trees at night.

3) Al Badayer, Sharjah: Al Badayer area in Sharjah offers quite a few budget-friendly activities for families from horse, camel and pony rides, to buggy and cart rides (with options for children and adults) and snacking options. After an evening picnic, drive further down the road to find a sandy spot close to the road, where you can set up a tent.

4) Meliha, Sharjah: Take a trip to Mleiha in the Emirate of Sharjah. The Unesco (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) world heritage site offers an unforgettable desert experience. Besides the scenic view of cragged fossil rocks peeking out of saturated orange dunes, there is an array of thrilling desert activities for curious explorers and adventure seekers. The best camping spots in the area, when it is not busy, are around the foothills of Fossil Rock and the Camel Rock area. You will not have to drive too deep into the desert to pitch your tent. You can also enjoy a road trip on the Al Faya mountain range, try some dune bashing and off-roading, go camping, and see the archeological treasures at the Buhais geology center, which looks like a space station.

5) Jebel Hafit, Al Ain: At the foot of Jebel Hafit, occupying a nine-kilometer stretch, sits the family-friendly Jebel Hafit Desert Park. Boasting majestic natural surroundings, here you can hike, mountain bike or enjoy a horse or camel ride and discover fascinating archaeological and historical remains that tell enchanting stories of this unique area’s ancient habitation. These archaeological remains include remnants of the Neolithic period from 8,000 years ago, to the 5,000-year-old Jebel Hafit Tombs excavated in 1959. In 2011, Unesco recognised the Jebel Hafit Desert Park area as being a vital component of the World Heritage Site of Al Ain, the UAE’s first World Heritage Site.

Checklist of things: Before you set off on your desert camping adventure, make sure you've reviewed this short checklist of important things to bring and keep in mind for a safe and successful experience. Stock up on sufficient water to keep you hydrated along the way. Ensure you bring cooking basics like coal, pans, food items. Bring along essentials like a first-aid kit, sunscreen, portable charger, extra batteries, a GPS device, good quality tent equipment and basic medication. There might be limited connectivity in the desert, so before you head out on your trip, inform a friend or family member about where you intend to camp. Check weather for any weather alerts in the area you are planning to visit. Load your backpack with loose and warm clothing, sunglasses and a hat. Wear shoes that are suitable for camping and take a torch, or a headlight. Remember to carry your camera to take photographs. Here's a list of some camping essentials: gulfnews.com/1.1634763399414

According to Dubai Municipality, your camp site should not be in low areas such as stream valleys, or next to a cliff, and the tent site should also not be set up at the base of a cliff. Tents should be set up far away from cooking stations or where wood is burned, and be a safe distance from fuel depots, fuel storage tanks, generators and electricity poles. The guidelines also state that tents should be in high areas far enough from water tide levels. Campers are also advised to avoid mud floors which may be infested with scorpions, ants and other insects. Use flat lands that are free of stones and potholes to avoid creating a moist environment in the tent. Avoid shallow or semi-marsh areas in which water may appear as a result of a rise in sea level.

Municipal guidelines state that burning coal should not be left unattended at night as it can cause a fire hazard. Do not use heated equipment, such as barbeques and coal, inside the tent. All light sources, flames, candles, and lanterns should be kept at least 50 centimetres away from the tent. Firewood must be stored away from the tent by a minimum of 15 feet at any given time. For more guidelines, read: gulfnews.com/1.1584026815593