You can pitch up your tent wherever you want—in the wadi, in the desert, in the mountains, or at the beach. Camping in the UAE in the wild is not only an adventure but also gives you a sense of freedom and solitude. I believe everyone should try it at least once in their lives. However, if you have never been camping in the UAE before, it can be overwhelming or daunting, not knowing what equipment to buy or what things to be aware of. This camping checklist covers everything that you need for an unforgettable camping experience. All the camping products mentioned in this article were tested by me or my friends.
SHELTER: TENT, MATTRESS, SLEEPING BAG
If it was one thing that I would choose to invest money in… it would be the tent!
While choosing the tent, you need to keep in mind that the weather in the United Arab Emirates varies depending on the season. At the beginning and at the end of the winter season, the heat might get quite uncomfortable. The middle of winter, which falls for December, January, and February, is accompanied by low temperatures, reaching sometimes below 10°C in the mountains. Another thing that is very common is humidity in the UAE, which often causes water accumulation on the tent, usually at night and in the morning. Considering all this it is important to choose a suitable tent.
WHAT TENT TO CHOOSE?
- The tent that I currently own is the Quechua tent from Decathlon. Setting the tent up used to be my nightmare but this tent pops up in seconds! Putting it back to the case requires a little bit of effort but with practice, the whole process becomes easier. The tent does not leak and the water does not accumulate inside it. Also, it does quite well when the weather gets warm thanks to flysheet and ventilation at the back.
- Another option, suitable for the family, would be Coleman automatic tent. It is probably the most purchased tent in the UAE and it has plenty of good reviews on the Internet. The users especially appreciate its durability, quality of material, and that it is very easy to unfold.
- My third choice will be a backpacking tent—NatureHike Cloud Up. It is extremely light—only 1.8 kg, easy to set up, and the thing that I like the most about it is that it has a mesh which can be covered with a rain fly if needed. I usually use this tent at the beginning and at the end of winter, when the weather tends to be warmer, as it keeps me cool providing excellent air ventilation.
SLEEPING BAG
- The sleeping bag is not a crucial thing on my camping checklist—you can use pillows and blankets that you already have at home. However if you are camping during winter, in the high mountains of UAE or Oman, a warm sleeping bag might be necessary. My first choice would be Coleman sleeping bag that is suitable for a night at Jebel Jais, as it will protect you from temperatures as low as 4.5 °C.
- The second choice would be NatureHike M300 is a good choice for cold nights backpacking through the Hajar Mountains. It weighs about 1.5 kg and is designed for the weather within 1-6 ℃.
SLEEPING MATTRESS
- The cold ground can really turn the tables while camping and also potentially cause health problems. That is why it is so important to have proper isolation. Quechua air mattress from Decathlon, available in different sizes, is definitely a leading air mattress in the market.
- Another worth recommending is Coleman air mattress.
- To inflate the mattress you will need an electric pump that you can easily plug into the cigarette lighter in your car.
- My ultimate favorite is Sea to Summit Ultra-Light Self-Inflating Sleeping Mat. This mat is not only super comfortable but also, as its name says, the most convenient item for backpacking adventures. Its weight is only 0.5 kg. The self-inflating technology will just make your life so much easier, especially after a difficult hike when the last thing you want to do is inflate your mattress manually. Sea to Summit mat just does it by itself.
ADDITIONAL ACCESSORIES: EARPLUGS, EYESHADES, MELATONIN, FAN
Sometimes—let’s be honest—falling asleep during a night out in nature, might not be easy. Spooky sounds, anxiety, the moonlight… That is why I always make sure to pack eyeshades, earplugs, and melatonin when going camping.
Talking about the comfort of sleep while camping, I cannot omit the importance of a fan. This fan is rechargeable and thanks to its size and features it is perfect to be used during camping. I cannot count how many times it saved my night, especially while my overlanding trip through Salalah, when the temperature was mostly oscillating around 25 ℃ at night.
During the winter in the UAE, the sun tends to be quite strong around the noontime, so I would advise you to have sunscreen with you, especially camping by the beach. If you are camping in the wadi or near a water source, you may come across a lot of insects, so make sure to pack insects repellant as well. I would also recommend taking with you olibanum that you can throw in the fire to produce smoke to keep flies and other insects away.
Lastly, make sure to take First Aid with you.
CHAIR, TABLE AND… AN AROMATIC CUP OF COFFEE
The long journey driving in an uncomfortable position may be tiring, that is why it is so important to rest during camping.
What to consider when choosing camping furniture? Of course, the lightness and ergonomics of the design, thanks to which not only the use, but the process of unfolding and folding will be much easier. Coleman camping chairs come in many designs and sizes and are definitely leading products on the camping market.
When it comes to coffee, we cannot forget about one more piece of furniture that should be in our car—a camping table. This particular one will allow you to change its height based on preference.
OUTDOOR KITCHEN
- If you are planning a camping trip, you absolutely should have an outdoor stove with you, which will give you total independence when it comes to preparing meals. The perfect choice, in this case, will be a Campingaz gas stove.
This type of stove is powered by gas cartridges.
An essential item, especially when you camp at the top of the mountain, is a stove windshield. Without it might take a long time to cook anything.
- You may also opt for the more compact type of stove that would be ideal for hiking or backpacking trips. There is nothing better than a fresh cup of coffee to energize yourself while you are having a break during your hike.
This type of stove would be powered by slightly different gas cartridges:
Talking about cookware, I recommend first planning on the meals you are going to make and then making a list of items you need to prepare them. Simple meals do not require many items to be carried while camping and I always encourage you, especially if you are a camping beginner, to take the cookware you already have at home. As for me, due to the fact that I often go for overlanding trips, I have extra kitchen items stored in the boxes in my car, and this way I do not feel limited if I want to prepare any kind of meal on the way.
If you like to cook BBQ food and have a lot of storage space in the car, I would encourage you to get this BBQ and firepit in one. It creates a magical, ambient atmosphere at night but also allows you to grill delicious food.
- There are of course many other, more affordable, BBQ boxes. You will find them in shops like Carrefour, ACE, etc.
- Talking about fire, considering the heavy fines for lightening fire directly on the ground in the United Arab Emirates, I would like to suggest to you a solution: a firepit. It will help to limit the impact on the wilderness. Remember to take the coal and dispose of it in the designated place!
- Icebox is a part and parcel of the camping trip, especially if you are going to be away from home for a few days. Instead of using only ice to fill up the box, you can freeze water bottles and not only enjoy a refreshing drink during your trip but also keep your products cool.
- I can also recommend Sea to Summit pot & Sea to Summit set. Both are made out of very durable and good quality materials they occupy minimal space.
- The cookware I own and mostly use for my backpacking trips in the mountains, due to its lightweight and small size, is the set below. So far I have been using it for about 2 years and it is still in perfect condition.
- As for water, many people choose to have a water tank installed inside their cars or buy water tanks that they can easily refill.
- The basic item that you should have going for a camping trip is a water dispenser. This small item is very affordable but will make your life so much easier, especially since it is rechargeable by USB. It will fit only the big bottles, as for small bottles the pipe is too long.
- Additionally, you will need washing liquid & sponge, rubbish bags, wet wipes, kitchen towel and paper towels, a gas torch or lighter and fire starters.
LIGHTS, HEADLIGHTS & BONFIRES
- To create a natural, ambient light I would suggest using bamboo torches. It is not an ultimate lighting solution, however, it can be used as a nice setup on special occasions.
- I am a big fan of Ledlenser products and as I used and tested them for the last few years, I would like to recommend you: Ledlenser Lantern ML6 and Ledlenser Neo4 Headlight.
- These small lights are nice addiction that I always hang around the tent or inside the car. They create such a beautiful audience.
And lastly, these multifunctional lanterns can be charged with USB but they also have a solar panel. Additionally, you can use them as a power bank to charge your devices.
- For those that prefer a bright light during a camping trip, Toby’s camping light will provide a satisfying result. You can either connect it to the car battery or invest in Toby’s rechargeable battery.
POWER GENERATOR AND OTHER USEFUL ITEMS
- If you want to go a step further you can look into purchasing a portable power generation, for example, Bluetti. I personally think that this is one of the most important things you should have when going for an overlanding trip that will last at least a few days. You can charge your laptop, cameras, phones, and even connect some kitchen equipment, like a blender.
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I have seen my friends using this trolley and I thought it is such an amazing solution, especially if you have a lot of things to be moved around.
- Camping shelter, can be used as a toilet or shower.
And lastly, closer to the summer months, when it gets warm quite early in the morning, you will need a gazebo. This is just an example, as there are not many options to choose from on Amazon.
I hope that the equipment prepared on the basis of my guide will make your journey more pleasant, even to the most remote areas. When choosing the equipment mentioned in this article, I was guided primarily by quality. Most of the items have been tested by me or my friends.
Shops with camping equipment worth visiting:
Gifts Markets in Sharjah: https://g.page/GIFTS-MARKETS-UAE?share
Al Kabayel in Dubai https://goo.gl/maps/9ELMtsrXVJDsWrVJ6
REMEMBER!
- Do not leave any garbage behind, including food. Even organic waste can take months to biodegrade and meanwhile it will attract animals. It may make them stop eating their natural food and rely on what humans leave behind and make them sick.
- Have always a bag ready to collect trash left behind by other inconsiderate people – in the end, you are saving nature.
- Hike or camp over gravel and rocks. In some areas, the vegetation can take years to grow back.
- Leave natural and historical items where you find them.
- Minimize cooking over a campfire, use the stove instead – it is less impact on the wilderness.
UAE OFF-ROADER GUIDE
If you are looking for more off-road trails to discover around the United Arab Emirates, I can recommend this ultimate guide that is packed with many routes, giving very detailed information and answering all questions you could have about off-roading in the UAE.
You can get it from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3eQMBbr
FIELD GUIDE TO EMIRATES
To learn more about UAE’s natural & archaeological treasures, check: https://www.fieldguidetoemirates.com
