There are hundreds of natural beauty spots across the UAE where you can set up camp for the night under a stunning star-spangled sky, but what if you’ve got none of the gear and no idea? Before committing wholeheartedly to the happy-campers lifestyle, you can test the water with one of these kid-friendly and off-beat camping experiences, so that your little adventurers can get a taste of being at one with nature, and you can keep your sanity intact…
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JEBEL HAFIT DESERT PARK, AL AIN This 9km desert park in Al Ain, Abu Dhabi’s so-called garden city, is situated within a UNESCO World Heritage Site, so you will be resting your head surrounded by fascinating ancient archaeological and historical remains that include remnants of the Neolithic period 8,000 years ago and excavated 5,000-year-old tombs. You have the option of either pitching your own tent, booking into a fully serviced Bedouin-style tent, or living it up in a furnished, five-star-style bubble glamping tent, complete with AC. Either way, kids will love exploring this family-friendly site, and there are horse riding, camel riding and mountain biking tours available. DETAILS: Pitch your own tent for Dh350, or get a traditional tent set up for you for Dh500, including shared toilet facilities, torch, first aid kit, fans, and fire pit with stone seating. Jebelhafitdesertpark.backhotelite.com/
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LONG BEACH CAMPGROUND, RAK: Get the best of both worlds at this serviced campground/beach resort, where you not only get access to fully functioning bathroom facilities, but also a waterpark, petting zoo, spa and sauna, and many other recreational facilities like kite flying, beach yoga and kayaking. The campground is situated right on the beach, and you can choose from fully furnished deluxe bell tents, family tents, safari suite tents and panoramic dome suite tents which are modern versions of a traditional old tent. DETAILS: Tents from Dh500, www.binmajid.com.
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SONARA CAMP, DUBAI: The Overnight Adventure at Sonara Camp, based amongst the unspoilt beauty of the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, includes everything you could need for a blissfully stress-free night in the dunes. Picked up at the gate and delivered to the camp, you will be treated to a specially prepared menu by the resident chef, while kids can try out sandboarding, archery, volleyball, marvel at the fire show, listen to the live musicians, take part in an interactive hawk show, and then settle down to a movie under the stars. On weekends you can even stargaze with an astronomer, before resting your head in one of the comfortable nomadic tents. DETAILS: From Dh 1,050 per adult and Dh250 per child, www.nara.ae/sonara/book/overnight-adventure
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BAB AL NOJOUM: Mawarid Hotels and Hospitality’s Bab Al Nojoum provides a range of glamping options just 20 minutes away from downtown Abu Dhabi. Catering to all tastes and budgets, Bab Al Nojoum offers everything from standard tents for two, to luxury tents for four, six, or even a two-floor tent providing unforgettable stargazing experiences with private beach access. It also includes a camping area for families, and camper van options. The destination offers 150 tents to rent, including fully equipped luxury tents with private pools. In addition, there are bonfire areas, bathrooms, barbecue areas, an outdoor cinema and restaurant. Bab Al Nojoum’s waterfront includes a beach cinema, wide green areas, juice bars, food outlets, and a kayak centre. Prices for a family of four start from Dh350. www.babalnojoum.com
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LAGUNA WATER PARK, DUBAI: With just 10 tents available, which comfortably sleep two or four people, check in at this off-beat camping adventure starts at 5:30pm, after which you can spend the evening exploring Laguna Waterpark’s aquatic wonderland. Hit up the WaveOZ 180 FlowRider or float around the Lazy River, while an unlimited BBQ is also on offer until 10pm. After dinner, you can spend quality time with family over a classic board game, or enjoy a campfire singalong (with the all-important marshmallows to toast of course). At dawn, enjoy a sunrise walk or swim on the beach at La Mer, and then tuck into the breakfast basket that is delivered to you. Check out from the camp is at 10am, after which you are welcome to spend the day at the waterpark with further unlimited food and beverage access. DETAILS: Dh700 for two people or Dh1,200 for four in a tee-pee tent, including waterpark access, food and entertainment. www.lagunawaterpark.com/en/the-camp
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GREEN PLANET, DUBAI: Spend the night in the jungle with indoor rainforest Green Planet’s overnight camping experience. Including exclusive access to the biodome’s wonders from 5pm to 8am the next morning, kids can enjoy a guided scavenger hunt, nocturnal animal tour, nature-themed movie night and marshmallow-roasting, before they settle down to the ultimate sleepover snuggled into a hammock in a spacious, twinkle-light-lit tent, and snooze off to the coos and chatterings of the biodome’s resident monkeys, lemurs, anteater, sloth, and manifold exotic birds, reptiles and insects. DETAILS: Up to 18 people per night (6 tents), Dh700 for a party of 2, or Dh1,200 for a party of 4, Thegreenplanetdubai.com.
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CAMPR, VARIOUS LOCATIONS ACROSS UAE: Started up over lockdown, this brand-new service takes all of the hassle out of camping. Supplying you with everything you need for an amazing camping trip, including the top-secret location (only divulged once your booking is confirmed – just specify your preferred emirate and landscape style), all you need is to grab your own bedding, food and drink and turn up (everything else is supplied, including mattresses, showers, cooking and washing facilities). DETAILS: For four people, prices start at Dh1,500, or Dh950 for two people, www.campr.ae
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THE CAMPING BOX: Always wanted to try proper camping in the wilderness and under your own steam, but don’t necessarily want to invest in all the gear? You can rent everything you might need from The Camping Box, which will supply you with a tent, sleeping bags, sleeping mats, table and chair set, cutlery and cooking set, a stainless steel grill set and a bio-degradable disposable bbq. Upgrade to a rooftop camping box, which supplies a sturdy-bottomed tent that balances with one strut in the sand and one on your car roof (so you don’t have to worry about desert scorpions and the like), or keep it closer to home with the Garden Camping Box, for little ones who are desperate to have the camping experience but perhaps aren’t ready to do it too far away yet. DETALS: From Dh350 for the Garden camping box, Dh600 for the Family camping box, Dh750 for the rooftop camping box. Thecampingbox.me
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