Desert driving courses equip you with the knowledge and training you need to enjoy the thrilling off-road adventures near Abu Dhabi. Although these courses aren’t mandatory for off-roading, the desert is challenging terrain and it takes a different set of skills to safely manoeuvre the dunes.
Various safari guides and driving institutes offer desert driving courses to help beginners learn these skills. This guide covers everything you need to know about off-road driving courses that preapre you for dune bashing in Abu Dhabi.
Desert Driving Courses in Abu Dhabi
While these courses are not mandatory, it is important that you have a valid driving licence and preferably best car for desert driving. Here is what you can expect to learn in a desert driving course.
Essentials to the Course Outline
No matter which club or institute you choose, the basics for desert driving courses in Abu Dhabi or anywhere in the UAE will remain the same. The priority will always be on the safety including proper handling of vehicles, manoeuvring tricks on the desert and use of recovery equipment.
For new drivers, it would be ideal to avoid high dunes unless you have a proper grip on the handling. Even if you have completed your training course, your first few drives should be in a group so you can rely on others in times of mishaps.
Keep a checklist of necessary tools like shovel, battery cable, tyre pump, jack and a plate to help you out of difficult situations. You will learn more about essential off accessories that will help you in adventure trip.
Driving Institutes for Desert Driving Courses
There are many private instructors offering desert driving training, but we will only focus on institutes and tour companies that regularly offer these courses.
Emirates Driving Institute (EDI)
- Timings: 07:00 am – 08:00 pm | Friday (Closed)
- Address: Street No 17 Musaffah Abu Dhabi
- Contact: +971 600 588880
EDI is a registered driving school with branches in several emirates. The Abu Dhabi branch is located in Musaffah. However, you might report at their head office in Al Qusais, where EDI offers desert driving lessons as part of the advanced course.
Requirements for Registration
Almost anyone can register for the desert driving classes if they fulfill the following criteria:
- Be a resident of the UAE
- Hold a vehicle valid driving licence (local or international) with more than 6 months validity
- Be or over 4.5 feet (140 cm) in height
Course Fee
EDI offers a one-day certificate course where you will increase familiarity with 4×4 vehicles and handling them on the dunes. Around three different courses are available, including:
- Complete Course: AED 800 per person (group of two) | AED 1500 for a single person
- Essential Course: AED 700 per person (group of two) | AED 1400 for a single person
- Refresher Course: AED 700 per person (group of two) | AED 1400 for a single person
For an extra AED 100, you can book a vehicle seat for a guest to accompany you during the practical course.
Rub Alkhali Desert Tourism
- Timings: 07:00 am – 10:00 pm
- Address: Zayed City Abu Dhabi
- Contact: +971 56 2228286
- Meeting Point: Al Wathba Desert
The course is offered by experienced off-roaders who deliver both theoretical and practical lessons.
Requirements for Registration
There aren’t too many requirements as you should either own a 4×4 car or be able to rent one during the course session. You can find affordable deals on used SUVs for sale in Abu Dhabi.
- Used Nissan Patrol for sale
- Used Toyota Land Cruiser for sale
- Used Ford Explorer for sale
- Used Jeep Wrangler for sale
Alternatively, you can also rent a 4×4 from the course provider themselves, provided you are 25 years old or more.
The course is limited to 3 cars per session and the training session takes place at Al Wathba Desert in Abu Dhabi. If you are participating with your own car, make sure your car has off-road insurance, spare tires, essential tools and a full tank.
Course Fees
The one-day course is approximately 3 hours long. You can avail a discount if you are accompanied by two other participants to share the fees.
- Own 4×4: AED 1500 | AED 2400 (2 cars) | AED 3000 (3 cars)
- Rented 4×4: AED 2500 | AED 3500 (2 cars) | AED 4500 (3 cars)
Offroader Clubs
Various clubs in the UAE allow people of different backgrounds to intermingle and enjoy thrilling rides together. These clubs will not only introduce you to off-road enthusiasts but will also train you to build up your confidence.
Some notable ones include:
- UAEOFFROADERS
- Arabian Offroad Academy
- Oryx4x4
- Abu Dhabi 4×4
- Emirates Offroaders
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the requirements for registering as safari guide?
If you are applying as a desert safari guide from a tourism company, you may need to provide additional documentations:
- Original Emirates ID
- Valid UAE car driving license with 3 years of validity
- Copy of visa and passport
- Eye test report
- Police clearance certificate
- NOC from Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing (DTCM)
- NOC from the employer
- 4 photographs
EDI offers official training for valid desert driver license for desert safari guides exclusively.
Is it mandatory to take desert driving classes for off-roading?
The purpose of desert driving course it to keep you safe while traversing treacherous deserts. It is not mandatory to take lessons to drive, however, it is still advised.
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