A star-speckled sky above the desert. pic Baher Amin/The Peninsula
The season of overnight stays in the desert has arrived in Qatar as families are spending nights over the weekend in the desert at the seaside to feel the pleasures of a cold breeze.
Tour operators are offering wonderful opportunities for visitors to become familiar with the desert. Most desert safaris are conducted in large four-wheel drive cars driven through the dunes (known as dune bashing) to a remote site in the desert.
The tour operators usually have a tent, where tourists can relax, enjoy the food and drink, listen to traditional music, go on camel rides and sand sports (dune buggies and sand surfing).
A popular custom ‘desert safari’ is a must-do in Qatar.
“I have been on a few desert safaris. I always hire a driver from the beach to ride us to the sand dunes. The first was truly terrifying, the second felt like we had ruined the driver’s day just by crying, and the third was certainly good and the driver knew his job. It was certainly the best,” said James, a British expat at Khor Al Udaid located in south of Qatar.
“It is always an incredible experience when the weather changes. We leave our home after Friday prayers and arrive at the beach. We set up our camp, we swim in the sea. Kids really enjoy the buggy ride. We prepare our dinner. Late night we go fishing near the seashore. While watching the stars, we fall asleep,” said Jasim Abdullah, a Qatari native at Al Ghariya Beach located at the north of Qatar.
“We usually come here for camping. We avail of the Woqod petrol station nearby. We set our own camp and enjoy jet skiing. Bonfire at night keeps up the thrill. We prepare barbecue at night. The white sand of the beach is like refined powder. With clear blue sea and a shoreline scattered with pretty pink, white, red and yellow seashells, Fuwairit is a real gem,” said Ahmed, a Qatari citizen on Fuwairit beach located in north of Qatar.
