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Dubai Visitors Guide
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Sports & Adventure
The shining city in the desert has plenty to offer people with a yen for heart-pumping, adrenaline-thumping adventure. Especially right about now, in the winter months, the weather is perfect to be outdoors whether on land, in the sea or even in the air. From Dune Bashing (where you jump into a hardy four-wheel drive or a quad-bike and try to ride the sand dunes without falling off) to Wadi Bashing (where you’re driving along the undulating terrain of a dry river bed, hoping that the river doesn’t suddenly come to life and swallow you up) there are a many dare-devil activities to try out. Not exciting enough? How about mountain climbing, sky diving, jet skiing or wind surfing? If you’re into rock and roll, albeit atop a camel, then you can sit on the Ship of the Desert and get a sense of how the Bedouins felt. You can also charter a boat and go out fishing or diving… who knows maybe you’ll be lucky and catch an oyster with a pearl! On the less adventurous side, you can go on a desert safari, which is a conducted tour of the desert culminating in a nice dinner under the stars with entertainment provided by a belly dancer. Dinner cruises are very popular and you get the opportunity of having an elegant dinner while watching Dubai’s nighttime skyline pass by in a glittering panorama. As you can see, there’s a lot for you to do and here is a list of people who’ll take good care of you.
Creek Tours
The Dubai Creek is a winding salt-water body that divides the city into two major parts. At the turn of the 19th century, the creek served as an important port, and today, it continues to be a commercial hub as many important buildings line it on both sides.
A leisurely way to explore Dubai is by sailing on the creek, on an abra or a water taxi. Most major landmarks can be seen from the winding waterway. Daytime or evening cruises are available with food and beverages on board.
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Dubai by Air
If vertigo doesn’t send a shiver down your spine and you’re looking for a breathtaking view of the city, it’s best accomplished by air. Helicopter tours are very popular, and for something even more exciting, how about a ride on a hot air balloon with nothing between you and the sky? Or a seaplane where you can touch down on land or the sea with equal ease? With so many options besides just the road, you’ll be spoiled for choice.
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The Dubai Zoo
The Dubai Zoo is the oldest zoo in the entire Arabian Peninsula. It is lauded as the first Arabian zoo to breed rare chimpanzees and wildcats. It came into existence when HH Sheikh Rashid bin Maktoum, permitted Otto J Bulart to build the zoo on a two-hectare plot in Jumeirah. It soon became a landmark. Initially, the zoo had only a few animals. In 1971, the zoo management was taken over by the Dubai Municipality. From May 1986 to the present day there has been constant re-designing and renovation. It’s great for tourists to visit and remains popular among the locals as well.
Camel Racing
Camel racing in Dubai is not only a big sport but also a celebration, especially with Dubai’s elite. Many wealthy men have their own stables with hundreds and sometimes thousands of these elegant animals. Take a trip to the camel races, which take place on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays usually during the winter months (November to March). The length of the run could vary from 4 to 10 km and these are held either at 7.30 am or at 2.30 pm. Each race can have the participation of 15 to 70 camels. At the racetrack on the fringe of the city, the races are vigorous and exciting and a village fair atmosphere prevails around the track with vendors offering blankets, rugs, beads and a variety of other rural wares spread on the ground. Owners urge jockeys on the finish line while trainers speedily follow the races in the four-wheel drives which plough through the dust of the inside track. The atmosphere is truly contagious. The Nad Al Sheb Camel Race Course is a popular destination for this sport.
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Camel Riding
The Ship of the Desert is very popular with tourists and camel rides are part of many tours and desert safaris. A ride atop a camel, though bumpy, is an exciting experience and it is recommended that you go for the longer rides through the sand dunes. Tour operators and hotels can also arrange camel rides separately and these rides are usually short.
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Falconry
Falconry is not just a sport in the United Arab Emirates, it is THE sport. Some even argue that falconry is more of an art form than a sport. Since the falcon enjoys the thrill of the hunt, the chase is just as enjoyable to watch on the ground. The preferred prey is the hobara bustard because this is the only animal that can match the falcon in speed and agility. However, the hobara has recently seen a rapid decline in numbers and is now illegal to hunt. Owning wild falcons is also illegal, as recently, the population of wild falcons in the United Arab Emirates has dramatically declined due to various reasons including over trapping. Today, falconers who travel outside the UAE to hunt and attend falconry shows must have a falcon passport issued by the UAE government. In order to qualify for the passport, all falcons must be registered with the ministry. For Falconry Desert Safaris please call: 050-866-4990. Timings vary from shop to shop
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Horse Racing
Arab stallions are much sought after across the globe. The majestic white Arabian horses from the chariot race in the epoch-making movie Ben-hur have become legendary. Throughout history, horses have been a great passion with Arabs. This tradition lives on in the rapid growth and development of horse racing in Dubai, and visitors are welcome to attend race meetings that take place throughout the cooler months at one of the UAE’s four racecourses. The sport of kings has rapidly become Dubai’s most popular spectator event, attracting huge crowds. The Dubai Racing Club at Nad Al Sheba, the country’s largest and most spectacular track and the Dubai World Cup, the sport’s richest race – usually have their meetings at night under floodlights. There is no gambling – instead, there are popular free raffles that offer attractive sums of money as prizes.
Horse Riding
Want to ride on an Arabian horse? The city has quite a few clubs for horse-riding buffs. The clubs offer good facilities and qualified instructors to help adults and children with horse-riding lessons. Some even offer private lessons and some offer equestrian classes for experienced riders.
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Birdwatching
The country’s largest bird sanctuary is at Khor Dubai, a tidal wetland reachable in three minutes by car from the Dubai World Trade Center. The city skyline forms a backdrop for thousands of flamingoes, herons, ducks and shorebirds, which feed and rest on the mudflats on their migration between Asia and Africa. Within an hour’s drive of Dubai live some of the region’s rarest species, inhabiting deserts, mountains and other forms of virgin land. With over 400 bird species reportedly having been seen in the United Arab Emirate, the land is indeed a bird-watcher’s paradise. Since bird census began it has been revealed that it is possible to find nearly 200 different species during a short stay in the country. Sand grouse, bee-eaters, flamingos, kingfishers, eagles, vultures, owls, plovers, gulls, terns, flycatchers, and larks are some of the birds that you can get to see here. The diverse geography of the UAE and Dubai has been seen as a major reason for attracting the winged wonders. To obtain special permission to visit the sanctuary visitors can contact the various tour agencies and operators.
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Ballooning
Dubai’s topography and climate makes it an excellent choice for hot air ballooning. The colourful balloons amidst sun, sea, and sand dunes coupled with Dubai’s skyline makes for a breathtaking view. A great activity for both locals and tourists, and the testimonials of those who’ve tried this says it all – “Unforgettable”. With the clear blue skies as a backdrop and the endless desert sand that stretches to infinity, this is a must try.
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Golf
If vast deserts are all that come to mind when you think of Dubai, it’s time change that image to vast manicured greens in form of world-class golf courses. This emirate is fast becoming the preferred destination for golfers across the globe. The Dubai Desert Classic is the most renowned annual tournament for golfing in Dubai. Eminent golfers like Tiger Woods, Colin Montgomerie and Ernie Els have teed off at the Arabian Ranches Golf Club during this tournament.
There are several golfing courses and clubs in Dubai, so golfers can have their pick. Emirates Golf Club is the only one with two 18-hole courses in the Emirates, whereas the Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club is a lush green carpet sprawling at the base of impressive architectural design. Then there’s the Nad Al Sheba Club, which is the only floodlit championship course. There are also the newer ones – Al Badia Golf Resort is noted for its extensive use of water, running all the way across the course till the Creek; the Jebel Ali Golf Resort & Spa is uniquely designed with trees, shrubs, gazebos and panoramic views greeting you at each hole; the Desert Course at Arabian Ranches is exclusively natural terrain with no landscaping, proving to be a test for the most practiced golfers.
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Desert Safaris
The safaris in Dubai are mindful of time constraints and have something for every timetable. There are morning safaris, evening, and overnight ones, dinner and even a private safari. If you have just a couple of hours to spare and don’t care much for a relaxing dinner in the desert, then a morning safari is the best bet. If you have more time and prefer a leisurely trip opt for the evening or even an overnight safari.
Overnight safaris include dune bashing, Sheesha, dinner and belly dancing.
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Sand-Skiing
Those with a taste for speed, and enthusiasm for an unusual sport will enjoy sand-skiing down the dunes of the Dubai desert. Special skis are used and high dunes in the interior of the desert are chosen as slopes. Sand-skiing can be arranged on request or as part of a full- or half-day safari.
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Wadi Bashing
Major parts of Dubai are virgin land and as such provide lots of opportunities to adventure seekers. Wadis are dry riverbeds that sometimes get filled with water during heavy rains and flash floods. These wadis meander through rocky and sometimes very hostile terrain that has been carved out by floodwaters. Wadi bashing is thrilling but definitely not for the faint hearted. Complete novices are advised to travel with experienced drivers, and for those who are skilled drivers, this provides the perfect challenge. Fossil Rock, along the Sharjah-Al Dhaid route, is popular for wadi bashing. The best time to do this is between the months of April and October.
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Dune Bashing
Driving in sand is adventurous by itself, but combining this thrill with the excitement of a roller-coaster ride on a shifting surface takes the experience to a whole new level. Courses in sand driving are available with four-wheel-drive vehicles and expert instructors.
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Go Karting
Sports is hugely popular in Dubai, and more so motor sports. Therefore, there are several go karting tracks available in Dubai. For those who are trying this for the first time, they are well advised to wear helmets and other protective gear and follow all instructions carefully. The ones who enjoy cars, racing and driving fast will have the time of their lives here!
There’s the Dubai Kart Club on the Jebel Ali Track, 20 minutes away from Dubai, which is very popular among karting enthusiasts. The Formula One Kart Club on Sheik Zayed Road is an indoor track and is available for private practice sessions, and lessons for older children.
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Autodrome
The Dubai Autodrome is designed to cater to all kinds of motor sports, world-class to local. It is the first fully integrated motor sports facility with an FIA sanctioned 5.39 km circuit, which offers six different configurations, and also has a Race and Driving school plus a CIK-approved Karting track. Fasten those seatbelts and get ready to step on it!
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Camping
The vast wilderness of Dubai makes it a perfect destination for camping. Camping during weekends is a favourite family pastime. Camping sites could be in the desert, mountains, near the wadis or near streams. At nights, if lucky, one can see shooting stars. Enthusiasts can even get an opportunity to spot the land’s wildlife, like the graceful gazelles, sand cats, lizards and more. Camping near wadis could be hazardous because of flash floods and sometimes very heavy rainfall. The ideal time for camping is between October and April. There aren’t any official camping sites in Dubai, but you could contact adventure clubs for suitable locations. Some of the popular sites are Liwa near Hamim Village,
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Canoeing
Canoeing is a very novel way of exploring Dubai’s aquatic and avian life. The Khor Kalba Nature Reserve is a hotspot of canoeing activity. Quite a few canoeing enthusiasts in Dubai have canoes of their own. Great places to discover are the lagoons of Umm Al Quwain and mangrove-covered islands near the north of Abu Dhabi.
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Diving
The waters around Dubai and the other emirates have a lot of marine species and shipwrecks and are fantastic for deep sea diving. Sea horses, eels, varieties of sharks, stingrays, sea snakes, batfish, lionfish, and turtles are some of the species that can be seen here. The beautiful Martini Rock in the underwaters of the east coast, named so because of its unique shape – it resembles a Martini glass lying on its side - is one of the favourite spots of divers.