The UAE has gone through a drastic transformation in the past few decades. There was a time in the early 80s till mid 90s when you could see the World Trade Centre in Dubai from Jebel Ali, which is almost 50 kilometers away from Dubai! A lot has changed ever since; the UAE has become a business hub, a luxury travel destination, and home to some amazing man-made landscapes that challenged the impossible.
These advancements have also helped other cities of the UAE to build a tourist base for themselves. Liwa is one among such places which is frequented by tourists for its barren beauty accompanied by a beautiful Oasis and manmade water bodies.
The Liwa Oasis is located south-west of Abu Dhabi on the edge of the Empty Quarter desert.
How to Get There
Liwa is almost 340 kilometers away from Dubai and can best reached through Abu Dhabi. A multi lane highway passes by Jebel Ali free-zone and crosses the borders of Abu Dhabi. This beautiful drive traverses through tarmac road, sand tracks, and along the famous oil pipelines. The best way to experience a road trip to Liwa is to opt for car hire in Dubai.
Things to Do in Liwa
Once you’re there, you could start your exploration by visiting the village of HH Shk Hamad, affectionately known as the Rainbow Sheikh. Situated in the middle of the desert, the village houses two of his most amazing creations; a giant truck which is 7 times the size of a normal one and a mega globe structure. You can enjoy the accompanying landscape while heading south to stop for lunch at Liwa Hotel which is famous for its food.
Post lunch, you can head to a camel farm (consult a guide or a local) where you learn the importance of camels and how this marvelous creature has been an integral part of middle eastern people. From here on, take the tarmac road to Moreeb Hill, supposedly the largest sand dune in the UAE. This location hosts some of the most famous dune-bashing races in the country. If you’re lucky, you could witness huge monster trucks trying to make it uphill. You might try doing that yourself too, but ensure that your vehicle is at least an SUV.
Make sure that you have a local guide to accompany you as the routes can become a bit confusing at times. While passing the desert, if you’re lucky, you might spot some of the rare and indigenous flora and fauna, like the Arabian gazelle. You could also be looking for ‘Sand Roses’ that very much look like rose flowers with open petals
Other than adventure and exploration, you could also visit Liwa for the amazing resorts that come with luxurious amenities and breath-taking views. These lavish resorts in Liwa are equipped with facilities like swimming pool, restaurants, and safari. Rent a car in Dubai and zoom to Liwa, one of the most adventurous places in the UAE!