How to Travel the Arab World: Camping
By: Waverly Nohr/ Arab America Contributing Writer
While we read about the wonders, landscapes, and treasures of the Arab world, actually visiting the countries can seem both intimidating as well as expensive. With hotel prices, transportation costs, food expenses, as well as simply not knowing where to go within the country, traveling can also be overwhelming. Many people who are not avid travelers choose not to go the extra mile of doing extensive research to find out where to go and where to get the best prices. Instead, they go on an easier, hassle free, less expensive trip to a more traveled part of the world. Luckily, the innovators of this generation have found ways to avoid the usual obstacles of traveling in the Arab World. This article features camping, a unique way to see the Arab world while also making sure your trip as authentic as possible.
Arab News lists the following six as must sees in the Middle East. Delve deeper and read more to learn even more about just a few of the breath taking spots in the Arab World. With knowing what landscapes, food, and culture inhabit each location, you might even think about taking a camping trip soon.
Al Qudra Lakes
In Dubai, the Al Qudra Lakes call all outdoors people to indulge in the views and activities that are popular there. With a bike path, cyclists can enjoy the landscapes as well as get their routine ride in. Additionally, tourists can visit the art that is the love lake, pictured below. Surrounding Al Qudra Lakes, it is not uncommon to see wildlife such as “desert foxes to the oryx, or one of 170 bird species living around the lakes. Just a few of the species include swans, geese, ducks, flamingos and more.” according to https://www.visitdubai.com/en/places-to-visit/al-qudra-lakes
Wadi Hanifa
“Once a waste disposal site, Wadi Hanifa is now a beautiful valley in Riyadh that is easy to access and popular with city dwellers.” Talk about rags to riches, this site has been given a second chance at life. And what a shame it would have been if it remained a waste site. Looking at just the picture below, you can begin to see yourself enjoying everything about Wadi Hanifa’s lush experience.
In Saudi Arabia, Wadi Hanifa is a valley, nestled in between the Hijaz Mountains. According to AKDN, “Located in the middle of the Najd Plateau of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Wadi Hanifa (or Hanifa valley) is the longest and most important valley near Riyadh, a natural water drainage course for an area of over 4,000 square kilometres and a unique geographical feature in this dry region.” While you’re in town, make sure to go on a desert safari or just relax to see the mountains all around you. Being close to Saudi Arabia’s capital might entail walking the city streets on your way in or on your way out.
Jebel Al-Dukhan
According to Arab News, this is “Bahrain’s tallest mountain is a favorite with the country’s outdoorsy types. Campers tend to stick to the lower levels of the imposing mountain, but the views are just as delightful.” This site would be perfect for campers that are hiking junkies. Offering more of a trek to your camping destination, the views can’t taste much better. Bahrain is an island nation meaning that the climate, water features and vegetation is unique as well as more tropical than most Middle Eastern countries. According to Britannica, “Bahrain is renowned for its verdant groves of date palms; since ancient times it has been an entrepot for trade and a source of natural resources for the surrounding area. Bahrain Island is widely believed to be the site of the ancient kingdom of Dilmun, a commercial centre that traded with ancient Sumer” Visit Jebel Al-Dukhan to experience all that the island of Bahrain holds.
For any camper, the Middle East can be quite tempting. With deserts that are sparsely populated as well as island countries such as Bahrain, there is a vast array of what your trip might end up like.
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