Liwa - sand dunes, camel beauty shows and much more

Tal Moreeb

If you're ever planning on going dune bashing and bike riding in the desert I would highly recommend you to go to Liwa (in the Abu Dhabi Emirate). You can rent bikes there.

Liwa is home to amazing and fun desert landscape. Follow the signs to Tal Moreeb, it's supposedly the highest sand dune in the UAE (120m and 50 degree) and also the place to watch drag racing. It is quite steep as well, hence the name Moreeb (scary).

Between sand dune areas you will see "jao" which is flat areas stretching from east to west and will help the skilled drivers to navigate. 

Liwa is also the location where "Planet Jakku" in Star Wars: The Force Awakens was filmed.

If you get the chance, also pass by the Liwa Café which has great dates and date juice! 

Al Dhafra Festival

Al Dhafra Festival is taking place once a year and is the place where you can see thousands of camels competing in beauty shows, best camel milk and camel racing. If you come here, don't miss the "Million Street" They also host falcons as well as date competition and has a comprehensive Emirati culture souq. A place definitely worth visiting.

If you are lucky you will see (and buy) the so called "truffle of the desert", which my friends call something like "faggaer" (I can't promise this spelling is correct in any way...). They are sold in boxes. I was told that price ranges from 250-500 aed.