I didn’t expect to fall in love with the desert.
To be honest, once I first deliberate my ride to Riyadh, I thought my favored reminiscences would come from the town — perhaps the museums, the meals, the vibe of the downtown region. But all it took was one afternoon out inside the sand for the whole lot to change.
If you’re even thinking about doing a desert safari in Riyadh, right here’s my recommendation: prevent wondering. Just book it.
Let me tell you why.
Leaving the City Behind
The second we left the city, the whole lot began to experience… specific. In the exceptional manner. Tall buildings disappeared inside the rearview mirror, changed by means of countless golden sand. Our manual—pleasant, funny, and simply captivated with the desert—instructed us stories as we drove. It became quiet. Peaceful. Wide open.
And then the actual fun started out.
Dune Bashing = Sand
Rollercoaster
I’d heard of dune bashing before, but wow—I wasn’t prepared for how fun it truly is.
Imagine flying over hills of sand in a 4x4, tires kicking up clouds of orange dust, your stomach losing and laughter echoing as you maintain on to the seatbelt with one hand and your digital camera with the other. That’s dune bashing.
We all screamed, then laughed, then screamed once more. Pure joy. Our motive force knew precisely a way to hit the ideal angles to keep it safe, however thrilling.
That journey by myself made the whole desert safari Riyadh experience really worth it.
Then Came the Camel Ride
After all that adrenaline, we slowed matters down. There they had been—tall, majestic, type-eyed camels waiting close to the edge of the dunes.
I’d by no means done a camel ride in Riyadh earlier than (or anywhere, absolutely), and I didn’t recognize what to anticipate. But the moment I climbed on, I got it. The sluggish, swaying rhythm. The wind on my face. The quiet all around. Just me, the camel, and the desert stretching out in every path.
It wasn’t just a “trip.” It felt undying. Like I had stepped into something historical, something real.
And yes—I was given the photograph. That ideal second on the pinnacle of the camel, the sky turning gold behind me.
It’s Not Just About the Rides
What surprised me the most? How an awful lot more the safari included. It wasn’t just driving and driving.
We stopped to sandboard down small dunes (I fell plenty and laughed even extra), took pix that seemed like something out of a film, and chilled at a conventional desert camp in which we were served Arabic tea, dates, and snacks. The atmosphere became warm—literally and figuratively.
Some humans selected to do quad cycling too. I didn’t this time, but I’m already making plans to try it later.
The Sunset Hit Me Harder Than
I Expected
There’s something approximately a desolate tract sunset. The sky is going from gentle yellow to formidable orange to deep pink—and the dunes trap the mild in a way that makes everything glow. You experience tiny things. In an exceptionally possible way.
We all just sat there in silence for a while. Phones in our arms, sure, however usually… just watching.
I’ve seen quite a few sunsets in lots of places. This one? Unmatched.
Is It Just for Tourists? No
Way.
I assumed desert safaris were basically for tourists. But what surprised me was what number of locals were there too—couples, families, even a few solo riders simply searching for a nighttime break out.
One girl I spoke to stated she does a desolate tract safari as soon as each couple of months simply to reset. “It clears your mind,” she stated.
And she’s proper. It definitely does.
Quick Tips If You’re Going
- Wear comfortable footwear and light clothes
- Bring sun shades and sunscreen
- Charge your cellphone—you’ll want numerous images
- Don’t overthink it—just go with the go with the flow
Also, in case you’re worried about reserving, go along with someone official. I went with Desert Safari Riyadh, and the entirety—from pickup to the guides—became easy and professional.
Final Thoughts: Book the
Trip. Trust Me.
If you’re in Riyadh and thinking what to do this weekend or at some stage in your visit—do the desert safari.
Whether it’s the joys of flying over dunes, the quiet pleasure of a camel ride in Riyadh, or just sitting underneath a blanket of stars with heat tea on your palms—that is the form of enjoyment that lingers.
I didn’t expect to fall in love with the desert. But I did.
And I think you may too.