A Desert Road Trip South of Abu Dhabi
A desert road trip just south of Abu Dhabi will transport you far from the city’s skyscrapers and malls, adding a cinematic, sensory dimension to your UAE adventure. Here you’ll find vast open spaces under vibrant skies, waves of sandy dunes shimmering in shades from silver to cinnamon, lonesome camels by the roadside, and lush date palm groves. Feelings of enchantment seem to increase with every mile of tarmac covered.
Discover the Liwa Oasis
For a profound experience of this part of the world, embark on a 500km loop around to Liwa, an oasis nestled on the fringes of the Rub Al Khali – the ‘Empty Quarter’. The Empty Quarter is the world’s largest uninterrupted sand desert, encompassing an area roughly three times the size of the UK. British explorer Bertram Thomas was the first Westerner to journey across this vast terrain in 1931, while Wilfred Thesiger popularized the region with his travelogue Arabian Sands.
Contemplate these epic journeys undertaken entirely on foot and by camel under the harsh sun, as you cruise in the comfort of modern air-conditioned vehicles.
Madinat Zayed
From Abu Dhabi, follow Hwy E11 west and just before Tarif, turn south on Hwy E45 towards Madinat Zayed. This small town serves as the administrative center of the Al Dhafra region, which constitutes about two-thirds of the Abu Dhabi emirate. Typically regarded as a mere pit stop, Madinat Zayed is bustling during December for the immensely popular Al Dhafra Festival. Spanning over 11 days, this event celebrates Emirati customs and traditions with camel races, a camel beauty pageant, and competitions involving falcons, classic cars, Arabian horses, and salukis (Arabian dogs), along with heritage activities and a traditional souq and food.
Shams 1
With a focus on a post-oil future and a commitment to reduce its carbon footprint, the oil-rich emirate has made significant strides in renewable energy. Just south of Madinat Zayed, notice Shams 1 (‘Sun’ 1), a 100-megawatt concentrated solar power plant covering 2.5 sq km. Operational since 2013, it generates enough energy for 20,000 households, aiding Abu Dhabi’s goal of producing 7% of its power from renewable sources by 2020. If time permits for a side trip, follow your GPS to the Tiwal Liwa Hotel—a fort-like luxury establishment nestled in splendid isolation about 11km east of Hwy E45. Even if you’re not spending the night, it’s a delightful place for lunch or a refreshing drink.
Liwa Oasis
From the hotel, travel approximately 60km to Mezairaa, the commercial gateway to the Liwa Oasis. This area is the ancestral homeland of the Bani Yas, the Bedouin tribe that spawned the ruling families of both Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Their ancestors began cultivating dates and trading with other tribes in this crescent-shaped oasis over 300 years ago, which is dotted with dozens of nearby villages. This intricate network stretches along Hwy E90 over 100km between Umm Hisin in the west and Hamim in the east. A great time to visit is during the Liwa Date Festival in July, celebrating the humble fruit’s prominence (don’t worry; events occur in air-conditioned tents).
Moreeb Dune
From Mezairaa, journey around 30km south to discover Tel Moreeb, a shapely sand dune standing at 300m high and extending 1.6km long, making it one of the tallest dunes worldwide. Consider a stop at Dhafeer Fort along your way, as it is one of several restored centuries-old forts nestled among the dunes. Although Tel Moreeb translates to ‘scary hill’, the vast sand pile appears peaceful, despite its steep slope. Locals enjoy driving to the top in their 4x4s, but hiking is also an option—just remember to pack plenty of sunscreen, water, and a hat. Those who tackle the climb will be rewarded with breathtaking views, including a glimpse across the unmarked border into Saudi Arabia. Find a comfortable spot and relish the captivating scenery, especially during sunset.
Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort
Aside from spending a starry night under the desert sky, the most stunning place to stay in the Empty Quarter is Qasr Al Sarab, a luxury resort ensconced among the dunes that will move you even when standing still. This enchanting location doubled as the desert backdrop for several scenes in Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015). The resort’s towers and turrets evoke the magnificence of a desert fortress and offer top-tier luxury, including villas with private plunge pools, four exquisite restaurants, and a refined spa. A wide array of activities and excursions is also available, including sunset walks, sandboarding, camel treks, and visits to ancient forts.
Emirates National Auto Museum
Reluctantly departing from Qasr Al Sarab is difficult, particularly with the winding 150km of road that leads you to the next attraction. However, it’s truly worth the journey—visit the quirky Emirates National Auto Museum, a giant pyramid housing around 200 vehicles from the diverse private collection of Sheikh Hamad Bin Hamdan Al Nahyan. This impressive assortment includes racing cars, prototypes, military vehicles, and classic off-road cars.
Among the highlights are the seven Mercedes Benz 500 SELs, uniquely painted in vibrant rainbow colors, earning their collector the nickname ‘Rainbow Sheikh’. Perhaps his most extravagant obsession is his enormous collection of monster trucks. Outside stands his pride and joy—a replica of a 1950s Dodge Power Wagon, scaled up eight times its original size and even containing a four-bedroom apartment.
From the museum, it’s only another 40km before you catch sight of Abu Dhabi’s skyline once again. This 500km journey could be achieved in a long day; nevertheless, for a more memorable experience, consider spending the night. If you stick to the main roads, this adventure can be navigated in a standard passenger vehicle, and the route can also be traveled clockwise. Do keep in mind that petrol stations are surprisingly few and far between, so don’t find yourself ‘runnin’ on empty’ in the Empty Quarter!
