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s if everything on Qatar wasn’t already cool enough, it is also here that I discovered the incredible adventure that is the desert safari…
So, on a Sunday morning, I joined a group of my fellow bloggers and travel writers to wait eagerly for Falcon Tours to carry us to our desert adventure. We headed south, out of Doha, in two 4×4 vehicles accompanied by experienced desert drivers. After a quick mandatory stop to deflate tyres, in preparation for the conditions, we drove out and entered the desert.
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The Safari is an exciting and unmissable experiance when visiting Qater
The Desert Safari: Landscape
As the landscape began to change dramatically the scenery overwhelmed me. The dunes rose above our heads and stood majestically against the horizon. There was little else as far as the eye could see. The sand curved, dipped and rose without warning. At times, the drops were near vertical and our 4×4 slid downwards, almost sideways.
In some places, salt had deposited over the surface and glistened a shiny white. Elsewhere, rain from previous days had nurtured plants which burst through the sand. Then we hit an unforgivingly rocky surface and the jeep jolted over each rock. When I climbed outside, the coolness of the sand under my feet seemed contradictory against the lack of humidity in the air. By this point, I had felt waves of different emotions and we had spent less than an hour in the desert!
The Desert Safari: Camels!
Furthermore, we drove around scouring the horizon for wild camels. It was wonderful to watch our experienced guide navigate this harsh landscape which has no roads, signs or landmarks. Eventually, we spotted wild camels in the distance grazing peacefully. We drove up so close that we could almost touch one. In Arabic culture camels symbolise patience, tolerance and endurance. When you see these creatures in the wild it’s easy to understand why.
The Desert Safari: Plants
Recent rain had changed the landscape. Plants such as these covered large parts of the surface with still more tender shoots peeking out of the sand.
The Desert Safari: The Inland Sea
The Qatari desert also boasts an inland sea. If the desert is Qatar’s heart beat then THIS surely must be the jewel in its crown. It’s a hauntingly beautiful yet little known natural wonder. The desert and dunes surround the sea where Qatar separates from Saudi Arabia. It’s a beach like no other that I had ever seen. It will require all your energy to get here however, I promise it will be worth it.
The Desert Safari: Regency Sealine Camp
Our last stop was at the Regency Sealine camp. It’s a beautiful place to rest and relax – a metaphorical oasis in the desert with tented cabanas, a restaurant and great staff. The restaurant served a mouth watering buffet of grilled meats and kabsa, accompanied by vegetables, breads and fresh salads with dips. Sweet deserts and fresh fruit followed with plenty the Qatari sweet coffee – qahwahelw. All of it was colourful and full of flavour. The service was impeccable.
After lunch, I did little but relax and take in the spectacular views. Most of all, following the bumpy ride and the intense experience in the desert it felt good to slow the pace down. The beach here is private so it was possible to walk along it in peaceful serenity.
So, if I must conclude, this safari went beyond expectations. An intense 4×4 adventure combined with a sighting of wild camels and a mesmerising inland sea are more than I could have hoped for in the space of 2 hours! Finally arriving at an oasis of luxury where I could shower, eat, change and stroll along a quiet white sandy beach was the icing on the cake. It felt like I had kept my cake and eaten it too and when you get here you will know exactly what I mean.
Have you been on a desert safari before? Let us know you thoughts in the comment box below…
