Away from the dazzling modern skyscrapers of Abu Dhabi city, Liwa desert offers visitors a rare glimpse into the life of old Arabia. Lying 220 kilometres southwest of Abu Dhabi on the northern edge of the Empty Quarter or ‘Rub’ al Khali’, the crescent-shaped Liwa Oasis spans a distance of 100 kilometres and is home to 50 Bani Yas tribal villages. The birthplace of the ruling monarchy of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, many of UAE’s date plantations lie in the region.
Liwa’s breathtaking desert dunes have become a major tourist attraction with many luxurious Abu Dhabi Resort hotels set against this serene desert backdrop. Stay at Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara and enjoy outdoor activities including camel rides and breakfast picnic on the vast Liwa desert, search native plants and animals that live in this unique and harsh landscape before ending the day watching the breathtaking sunset over the desert dunes. The Liwa desert is the perfect setting for lessons on archery and sand boarding.
For adventure seekers, Liwa desert’s towering dunes offer some of UAE’s best extreme sporting activity. The Tel Moreb Dune is one of the highest dunes in Liwa measuring a height of 300 meters with dramatic 50 degree slopes and is the centre point of the famous Moreeb Hill Climb (a part of Tel Moreeb International Festival) and Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, the week-long charity sporting event with 4×4 vehicle cars, dirt and quad bikes held in January each year. The festival also includes traditional sporting events like horse, camel and falcon races.
A major date cultivation district, the annual Liwa Date Festival is where over 35 varieties of date are sold, competitions held among farmers and numerous cultural events and traditional handicrafts are displayed. Connected by a highway network to main UAE cities, Liwa is an hour drive from popular attractions like Liwa Car Museum, Abu Dhabi Golf Club and Ferrari World. Visit the nearby Mezairaa Town to glimpse a traditional Arabian village life and admire Liwa’s 19th century fortresses including the forts of Dhafeer, Al Jabbanah, Maria Al Sharqiya and Mezeiraa.
Chandrishan Williams is a travel writer who writes under the pen name, Caleb Falcon. He specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers.
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