Fancy hitting the road with the whole gang, but the thought of a long car journey with the kids make you break out in a cold sweat? There is a way…
UAE staycations are a brilliant way to spend some quality time with the gang during the holidays, but the process of getting there with little ones in tow can be more than a little daunting.
Never fear, we’ve got your covered with the lowdown on everything you need to make your next road trip a huge success.
From where to go and how to get there, to games to play, music to listen to and what to pack, here’s how to start planning your next family adventure and we promise, there’s not one single game of I spy in sight!
Where to go
Fujairah
This is a scenic journey through the desert and alongside breathtaking lofty mountains. You’ll also spot several little towns dotted amongst the mountain range. Plus, the roads are smooth and easy to navigate making it a top trip if you’ve got tiny tots onboard. Fujairah is one of the UAE’s top scuba-diving destinations so a must if you’ve got your Padi license. That said, kids will love donning their snorkels and masks and checking out the stunning colourful fish that lurk in the clear waters.
Distance from Dubai: 122km via E102, Dubai to Fujairah Road and Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Road E84.
Distance from Abu Dhabi: 255km via E11.
Fossil Rock in Sharjah
Not for the feint-hearted, this is a proper desert experience for keen off-roaders. Word of warning, make sure you take at least two vehicles and you’ll need to let down the air in your tyres before heading onto the sand. There are plenty of opportunities for camel spotting before you even get to the cool formation in the middle of the desert. Once you reach Fossil Rock and the nearby Camel Rock, you can picnic (wind permitting) and head home, or you can set up camp for the night. Looking for even more adventure? You can check out Big Red, where you can rent a quad bike to ride the dunes (for around Dhs250 an hour). The nearby Mleiha Archaeological Centre also offers guided treks, offering visitors a deeper understanding on the history of the UAE and early life in the desert.
Distance from Dubai: 68km via E102 and S116.
Distance from Abu Dhabi: 201km via E11.
Hatta
Scattered with palm trees and cradled by the jagged contours of the Hajar peaks, Hatta is a chilled-out mountain retreat within easy reach of the city. Kayaking on the highly photogenic green-blue waters of the Hatta dam is the main attraction for visitors, though a recently opened series of interconnected mountain-bike trails in the surrounding hills is fast gaining in popularity.
Distance from Dubai: 128km via Sharjah-Kalba Road E102.
Distance from Abu Dhabi: 261km via Sharjah-Kalba Road E102.
Jebel Hafeet
If you suffer from vertigo, this might not be the road trip for you. But if you don’t, the spectacular climb rises 1,240 metres up through rocky limestone that’s millions of years old. Jebel Hafeet is the UAE’s highest point and offers incredible views over the desert, Oman and Al Ain. Take regular breaks to appreciate the vistas on the way up.
Distance from Dubai: 150km via Al Ain-Dubai Road E66
Distance from Abu Dhabi: 177km via Al Hayer-Sweihan-Abu Dhabi Road E20.
Jebel Jais
Home to the longest zip line in the world, Jebel Jais is the highest peak in the UAE at 1,934km. The road snakes up the mountainside delivering vistas of barren, eroded cliffs, deep canyons and warped escarpments around every bend. There are numerous laybys for photograph-stops along the way, but for the ultimate panoramic mountain views, you’ll want to head up to Viewing Deck Park near the summit.
Distance from Dubai: 165km via Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road.
Distance from Abu Dhabi: 302km via Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road E311.
Liwa
The road triop takes you out of Dubai and Abu Dhabi along a magical stretch of road that seems almost endless as it winds its way through the vast desert, aptly named ‘The Empty Quarter’. Set up camp when you arrive, or, our top tip, is to spend at least one night in the gorgeous Tila Liwa Hotel, which is located on the edge of the desert, for a true atste of Arabia. The elegant hotel is like a little oasis in the middle of the sand and costs around Dhs300 a night.
Distance from Dubai: 332km via E11 and Hameem Road / Liwa-Abu Dhabi Road E65.
Distance from Abu Dhabi: 235km via Hameem Road / Liwa-Abu Dhabi Road E65.
Ras Al Khaimah
If you’ve got a taste for adventure then the road trip to RAK will be right up your street (pun fully intended). Enjoy the mountain vistas and Ras Al Khaimah is a great mini-break destination, with variety of activities to do such as paragliding, water sports, golf, fishing and horse riding. The emirate is also full of fabulous five-star hotels and beach resorts making it a viable weekend option.
Distance from Dubai: 112km via Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road E311.
Distance from Abu Dhabi: 249km via E11 and Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road E311.
Further afield
Three roadt trip destinations in oman to try once travel restrictions are eased
Dibba
Chances are your kids may have visited Dibba given that it’s a popular destination for school trips, but the little coastal town in Oman’s Musandam peninsula is well worth a visit en famille. The journey itself is spectacular providing you with some seriously panoramic views of the sea on one side and the mountains on the other. There are various resorts to choose form when you arrive if you don’t fancy pitching a tent and you can get stuck in to a range of activities from snorkeling, scuba diving and banana boat rides to a dhow cruise or a trek through the mountains.
Distance from Dubai: 143km via Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road E311.
Distance from Abu Dhabi: 279km via Emirates Road E611.
Khasab
If you’re happy to go further afield, pack up the fam and set the sat nav for Khasab in Oman. Nicknamed ‘Norway of the Middle East’ thanks to the numerous fjords, Khasab makes for a great weekend getaway from Dubai or Abu Dhabi. The long winding road is dotted with fjords and quaint bays that make perfect camping spots if you want to break up the journey. Just don’t forget the passports and to ensure you have all the necessary documentation to take your car across the border.
Distance from Dubai: 196km via Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road.
Distance from Abu Dhabi: 333km via Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road.
Salalah
This trip isn’t for the feint-hearted, or for kids who can’t handle a long car journey because at close to 13 hours, it’s a fair old way to go. But it’s totally worth it. If you can face travelling during the height of summer – June, July, August and September – you will see blankets of lush green on the mountainside and no matter what time of year you go, you will always spot a camel or a sheep at some point.
Distance from Dubai: 1,265km via Route 31.
Distance from Abu Dhabi: 1,292km via Route 31.
What to pack for the journey
Backpacks
If they’re old enough, let them pack their own backpacks. Give them a bag and tell them they can fill it with all the things they want to keep them entertained on the journey and once they get to the destination.
Books
Provided your kids don’t get motion sickness, tell each of them to grab three of their favourite books. Then during the journey they can either read to themselves or take it in turn to read their chosen book to their siblings.
Bribes
Yes, you read it right… we said bribes (shock horror). The key with a bribe is that you use them sparingly and for little ones, there is an immediate reward. Maybe promise older kids something at the end of the trip such as a magazine or sweet… that should bide you some time.
Electronics
No matter how strict your rules are with regards screen time, spending hours in the car is not the time to be inflexible on those. It’s definitely worth making an exception for long car trips. Make sure batteries are fully charged and download some fun games and videos before you leave the house.
Snacks
It’s incredible how much kids seem to eat when they are not at school. Home learning has proved that point. So stock up on the snacks. Throw in a mixture of healthy things and sweet treats – snacks that last a long time such as raisins and apples are also a good call.
Surprises
Everyone loves a surprise. They shake things up a bit. Wrap a small toy or sticker book in an old newspaper and a pretty bow. They’ll love it.
Wipes
You can never have too many wipes. They are very useful for wiping sticky hands before (and after) snacks or cleaning up any juice spills – these
are inevitable.
What to pack for your arrival
BabySouk founder, Kirsten Fairfield, shares her must-pack essentials
Pack each child their own bag for the car
A top tip is always to pack a car bag for each child – don’t let them see if before you get into the car and in it put toys to keep them entertained. Think books, little sets of Lego and of course sweets in case all else fails. A game can also keep kids occupied and make any journey fly by, but you don’t want to be carrying lots of equipment to make it work. So keep it simple. Easy games like I Spy are the best.
Invest in a travel cot
Travel cots are superb for babies and toddlers. Although some hotels offer beds for babies, they’re often pretty poor, with saggy mattresses and no shields to prevent babies from falling out. It’s better to play safe and bring your own.
Don’t forget the pushchair
A pram or buggy can be useful on holiday even if your child is walking, serving as a place for them to rest during day trips, a makeshift bed when out in restaurants and something to help with carrying the bags.
Pack a portable steriliser
If you have to sterilise things regularly, consider taking a portable steam steriliser; they work well and with minimum fuss. For sterilising small items on the move – for example dummies or teething toys – you can use sterilising tablets in a watertight screw-top container keeping you and your family safe whilst you’re on the move.
Bring a baby carrier
Perfect for walking around the hotel or beach strolls, a baby carrier or sling is a must-have for hands-free ease..
Get yourself a pop-up booster
The Bombol pop-up booster seat is a light, portable and upholstered booster that pops open to become a sturdy, comfy seat when you need it – and folds completely flat when you don’t. Olive oil or tomato sauce on the menu? A quick wipe and the booster is good as new, thanks to a stain, abrasion and odour-proof finish. A simple, effective seat cover protects the chair from messy eaters and dirty shoes whilst the harness is also removable so it can be thrown in the wash.
Games to play
The License Plate Game
Ages: Five and above.
Try to spot numbers from zero to 20 in order. Split into teams and one team works forwards through the numbers and the other wok backwards.
Tall Tales
Ages: Eight and above.
Get creative inventing a fairy tale. The first person starts with “Once upon a time…” and offers a complete sentence, then the second person adds to the story with their own sentence. This continues with each person until the story reaches a conclusion. You can either set a time limit (15 minutes) or make the goal to wrap it up after each person has a chance to say 3 sentences. Set a time limit of 15 minutes or you’ll be playing it the whole way there.
Hypotheticals
Ages: Six and above.
Get to know your kids a little better by having them answer hypothetical questions such as, “What would you do with Dhs500,000?” or “if you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?” Let everyone have a turn answering the question and give rewards for the funniest answers.
The Animal Name Game
Ages: Six and above.
One family member names an animal. Then each person in order has to name another animal that starts with the last letter of the previous animal named. You can’t repeat an animal that has already been said. There are no winners or losers in this game. With older children, try the game with TV shows or geographical categories such as cities or countries – they will get an education without even knowing it.
Twenty Questions
Ages: Four and above.
One person secretly thinks of either an animal, mineral or vegetable. The other players then take turns asking ‘yes’ or ‘no’ questions, such as “can it fly?” or “does it grow in the ground?” After the players have asked 20 questions, each player gets a chance to make a guess.
Before you go
Battery operated
Your car battery can go at any time and the hotter weather in the UAE can run it down more quickly. This could mean your car battery might not start when you need it to. If your battery is dead, you can speak to the experts at 800 Battery who will be only too happy to help out.
Clear vision
Before you set off on any long car journey (or even any short one to be honest) check you wiper fluid. You can top up your own screen wash at home to ensure you’ve got good visibility on the roads.
Light up
Don’t get caught out if a bulb blows – stock up on a spare instead.
Tyre pressure
Good tyre grip is essential for safe driving, so it’s crucial to check your tyre pressure regularly. The correct tyre pressure will be inside your owner’s manual or displayed inside the car.
Windscreen chips
Chips and cracks in the windscreen can obscure your view, making driving dangerous. It could also mean your car fails its MOT, so it’s best to get them checked by an expert.
