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Moreeb Dune

Moreeb Dune

Moreeb Dune
4.5
About
Leave the city behind & drive with us for a Thrilling drive over the Best Big Desert Dunes. Enjoy Thrilling Arabian adventure in Desert, we have luxurious rides with more power and functions for remarkable desert safari moreover other leisure activities for you in desert.
Duration: More than 3 hours
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles108 reviews
Excellent
69
Very good
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5
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Grya A
Emirate of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates95 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020 • Friends
The trip is 3 hours from Abu Dhabi. Made easy by the 160km per hour speed limit and then 140 kph. You pass through thafra nice small city. Then it gets pumpy and roller-coaster like. The puplic facilities are overused and it seems they are in need for maintenance since long time. As a first timer the availability of all what you need in a mobile fashion is surprising. It's a journey for one day and looks glamorous and attractive at night. However it gets noisy and unappealing if you decide to spend the night. Coz the engine never stop grinding till the break of dawn. A good plan is to wake up latein the afternoon and there. Eat drink walk talk and watch then head back or out there to a hotel or home for a quiet night and comfy sleep unless you have some other plans. And pick your friends the road can get long and boring.
Written 10 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

AYESHA
Dubai, United Arab Emirates91 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Family
Our family of 4 went for camping (long drive from Dubai) and enjoyed Liwa Fest (a day & night). We witnessed stunning sunset and sunrise. There were well-arranged tents with worthwhile restroom facilities for accommodation.And we also explored Liwa Village.
Written 31 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

G A
India2,641 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2015 • Friends
Rub Al Khali ..... The Empty Quarter .... sounds exotic. It is. We have been there three times and hope to go again. And again!

The drive from Abu Dhabi to Tal Mireb (also written as Tel Mireb / Moreeb Dune) via Hameem of around 280km is the best way to easily experience the high dunes of the Empty Quarter on a comfortable drive. It takes around 3 hours. Caveat: Do this only in the pleasant season from November to March. At other times, you are asking for a sunstroke.

Driving directions via Hameem on Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/sc7ma
The other less scenic though perhaps faster route is via Madinat Zayed (Tilal Liwa Hotel). I prefer the route via Hameem because there is hardly any traffic and you get to see unspoilt desert sands of various shades and hues in the stretch between the Emirates National Auto Museum and Hameem, with camel aplenty including the prized black camels of Liwa, and wild Reem gazelles. Typical wild desert flora on the side of the road is also fascinating for those who are interested. The date orchards begin around Hameem, continuing all the way up to Liwa (Mezaira / M'zaira).

There is an ordinary looking eatery just off the road at Hameem where you can get fresh, hot and very tasty Indian style food. This place caters to the oil workers in the area so it is not posh but the food is great and most welcome after the long drive. The lavatory is rustic but clean. We have always eaten here and never been disappointed. After this, the next place to find eateries is in Liwa, again catering to the largely South Asian expat population. If you are very particular about food that is not in this category then it is best that you pack your hamper. You can also dine at the Qasr Al Sarab which is a fair drive from Hameem, or at the Liwa Hotel in Mezaira.

From Liwa (Mezaira), a narrower but still very good road goes through the dunes of the Rub Al Khali all the way to the Moreeb Dune. Look out for signage and if all else fails, just ask for Tel Mireb.

The scenery is simply stunning. The dunes here are as high as mountains and we always take a few breaks to climb any easily climbable dune to be on top of the sea of high dunes. The sight is breathtaking and out of this world. Most of our holidays are in forested areas so the first time we went here, it was so different and every time we go again, I never cease to be amazed at the stark beauty of this magnificent desert. The experience of climbing these unmarked dunes is actually much better than at Moreeb.

When you reach Moreeb which is one of the higher though not the highest dune here, you will see parallel wire fencing going up the steep face of the dune. This marks the annual Moreeb Dune racing event - google for more and don't miss the you tube of the car that shot into flames but the driver miraculously escaped!

We have always gone in the non racing period when the area is virtually empty. The fencing naturally invited us to climb this extra steep dune from the difficult front face. On both occassions, we gave up about 2/3 along the way because it became very hot despite it being the cooler season. It is a tough climb. The easier way is to climb along the crest from where it meets the road though this is much longer than straight up the steep gradient. It did not really matter as we enjoyed climbing some of the easier dunes in the area. I found it easier to climb without footwear but bear in mind that there are scorpions and snakes here though they would probably come out in the cooler part of the day.

Other interesting things to explore if you are so inclined, are the lakes between the dunes. On one trip we came across what seemed like a snow banked fresh water lake in a valley! Of course it was no such thing. The 'snow' was salt and the water was saline. But it was quite a sight nonetheless. When the water evaporates, it looks like whitish mineral encrustation. I believe these are called Sabkha in Arabic.

There are also some fish farms nearer Liwa and a fort for those are interested. We once came during the Dhafrah Festival season and visited the site at Madinat Zayed.

This is really a fantastic area and words are inadequate to describe the experience of just being in the Rub Al Khali. Moreeb is just a part of it.

For overnight stays (ideal) you can camp anywhere convenient if you are the camper type. Qasr Al Sarab, The Liwa Hotel, Tilal Liwa (Madinat Zayed) and the much lower priced Liwa Resthouse nearer Moreeb are options. If doing a day trip from Abu Dhabi, do start early to enjoy the best of the the sands before the sun gets intense even in the cooler months.

I always recommend this trip to anyone visiting Abu Dhabi. In my opinion this is the most magnificent part of this region.
Written 22 April 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Balaji J
Sharjah, United Arab Emirates267 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2015
A memorable drive. We started from Sharjah at 7.45 a.m. and took E 11 to Tarif and took the road through Madinat Zayed. You can also take E 45 soon after you cross Mussaffa. There are petrol pumps at Liwa and also two other en route after you leave E11 so you do not have to worry about your tank running dry. We packed our lunch from home so did not get an opportunity to try out one of the hotels en route or in Liwa. There are direction boards to guide you so you will not miss the turns. The drive from Liwa to Moreeb Dune is breath taking. Stop in as many places as you want to take photographs because the drive is not about the destination but the journey to and fro to it. You want to explore a road on the way take time to do so. One of our ventures like that, from Madinat Zayed to Liwa, took us to a date farm. We were given a bag full of fresh dates by one kind hearted soul. May god bless him. Another such venture led us to Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort which is located 12 kms from the main road ( via Hammeem ) in the midst of sand dunes. This drive is as good as the one to Moreeb Dune from Liwa. On the way to Moreeb Dune from Liwa we stopped at a camel farm. The person there took us around and we could take some photos. There was a couple of Black camels and one new born which was just 2 days old. At Moreeb Dune we made enquiries whether we could stay the night in the desert. We were told that during Dec - Jan there will be tents for hire to stay the night ( for AED 100 ). We were informed there will be about 400 - 500 tents for hire that time. Must try it once. It will be real fun. ON the return journey we took the Hameem route. We stopped enroute several times to take photos. We reached Emirates Car Museum by 6 p.m. hence we could not see it since it will close at six. That would have been an icing on our trip. But the journey was great even without that. For those who want to visit the car museum the timing is from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. with an entrance fee of AED 50. You will need at least an hour and a half to see the museum so plan accordingly.
Written 25 September 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Umesh R
Dubai40 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2016 • Family
- Any vehicle can be used to visit this amazing Sand Dune.
- Best way to reach is through Abu Dhabi Ghuwaifat, Sila , Taif Highway. Basically keep on E11 Road from Abu dhabi. After Rahba hospital take exit on flyover and keep on E11 itself.
- About a 3 hr journey from Dubai
- Take the Madinat Zayed Exit on E11 to Road E45 and keep following the signs to Madinat Zayed town abt 50 km from the EXIT
- Refuel , take a break , grab some food.
- Continue on the E45 road and follow signs of Mezeirra , till you reach the last end of the ROAD called Mezeirra Round about. again abt 50 km from Madinat Zayed town. Refuel at the petrol station. It is on the left and after refueling you will have to take a U turn to come back on the side to re approach Mezeirra Round about again.
- The Left of the Road from the ROUND ABOUT goes to HAMEEM / Qasr Al Sarab Anantara Resort and further to Abu Dhabi via E65 Road. Refuel at Hammem . A New petrol station of ADNOC has come in the road between HAMEEM and HAMEEN EXIT on E11 highway .
- Take the Right of the Round about and follow signs of Tal Moreeb or Liwa REST house . From LIWA REST house follow signs of Tal Moreeb. You will also find LIWA HOTEL on the way and not to be confused with LIWA REST house.
- It is simple to locate
- The distance is about 25 km inside the desert from there ( No fuel stations).
- One you are on the Desert Road, you will see the most exceptional SAND Mountains of different hues and colours than you can imagine.
- Stop at parking bays form some photos but be careful as some vehicles drive very fast and sometimes recklessly
- Camel farms are also visible at frequent intervals.
- Keep driving till you reach the end and you will see the Huge moreeeb dune on the left.
- you may see a vehicles and or bikes trying to go to the top
- The moreeb dune is at an elevation of 50 Degrees and it is almost impossible to climb on foot.
-The sight is spoilt a bit with huge Electricity poles.
- There are few facilities nearby including Toilets ( not clean though)
- There is a small park with kids play area as well.
- Facilities for overnight camping are available in tents at cost ranging from 100 to 200 AED but it may not be a organized affair
- Rental for Quad bikes and car drives are also available though again not an organized affair.
- You are in the middle of a huge desert and surrounded by huge sand mountains.
- Amazing scenery but can be disturbing for some people
- Better to go in a small group. Suitable for families with small kids. However keep food and water in stock.
- Return can be vis the same route or from Mezeirra to Hameem and from Hameen to E 11 AbuDhabi Dubai highway.
- If late in the evening or in night better take the Madinat Zayed road as it is better lit.

Highly recommended for adventure seekers. Go for it.
Written 12 January 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

DanielD525
London, UK1,429 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2019 • Couples
Its about a 30 minute drive from the Liwa Hotel to Moreeb Dune, but remember to take your time as the scenic road incorporates timeless views of dunes, big and small, red and orange, and maybe the odd group of camels if your lucky. When entering the perimeter circuit of Moreeb, its mostly fenced off but on the north-west point you have a large parking area and are allowed to enter and climb the dunes that lead you temporarily into the next life where nothing else matters. It's a gruelling trek on the red surface as the incline is harshly vertical without any resting points, but at the top is breathless and treasuring the moment needs to be grasped and truly appreciated before leaving. When coming down the dune it's easy but too easy can result in too much speed, so be careful or the dune assault course beckons! Also be prepared to be covered in sand - head to toe, which is a formality considering how much power the dunes hold over us mere humans.
We drove form Abu Dhabi and made a day of it by visiting several forts scattered around Liwa, but Moreeb is the dish of the day, just scintillating scenery that cannot never get tired of watching...
Written 6 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

G A
India2,641 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2019 • Couples
I can never get enough of the Rub Al Khali desert of which the Moreeb is just one of many such high dunes.

This was another day trip last week from Abu Dhabi.

We drove via the quieter Hamim road passing the Auto Museum enroute. The afforestation alongside the road has progressed with many patches of man made forest to be seen. Amazing how such forests have been created in the middle of the harsh desert. Animal prints were aplenty, though we did not see even a gazelle on this trip which was unusual. I hope they aren't being poached :-(

The red dunes appeared towards the Hamim end of the long straight road and the really high dunes of the Empty Quarter from Hamim onward. Tel Mireb (Moreeb Dune) is 209m high as per Google Earth and nowhere near the 300m that some reports claim. Most of the dunes which are easily accessible from the road that traverses them, are 150m++ at their crests.

We climbed some of the easier dunes to enjoy the view of the sea of dunes from atop. The natural sand patterns were amazing and I loved the intricate designs created by assorted wild creatures in the sand. Truly God's own canvas. Incidentally, Skechers work fine on the sand!

January is a good month for a trip to this region but even so, you do need a hat by mid morning. Ideally one should stay overnight and that's what we plan to do on our next visit.

Food is available at petrol pumps and at small eateries in M'zaira (Liwa town), as well as at the Liwa Hotel. The road to Moreeb is from M'zaira; its a proper tarmac and you don't need a 4x4 unless you want to go off road. The cafeterias at Moreeb operate when there are events on.

After the petrol pump at the Sahil junction on the Abu Dhabi Hamim road, there are none till Hamim so tank up for the drive if you take this route. We hired an Innova taxi for this trip from Abu Dhabi.

I did not find a desert rose in the sands but we came across what I call Desert 'Coral' which is really petrified sand stone that looks like dried sea coral! Probably the remnant of a larger sandstone formation.

For camel lovers, there are plenty of camel farms in this region.

I love this part of Abu Dhabi emirate the best. This is just a small area of the Rub Al Khali desert, the bulk of which is in Saudi Arabia. The stark beauty, no people and the surreal patterns of the sand are just out of this world. I wish people would enjoy the beauty of this magnificent desert and take their litter back with them.
Written 11 January 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

John J
North Yorkshire, UK668 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2018 • Couples
We drove from Abu Dhabi out to Liwa and onto Moreeb Dune and next day back via the Qasr al Sarab road. Its a Wonderful little road trip - especially the stretch of road leading to the Dune, the scenery is breathtaking. We took a short walk form the road and wild camped (again). Our 4th trip in two years. It is a magical place and the scenery of the Rub Al Khali (empty quarter) is simply stunning. You are guaranteed to take pictures you will treasure forever. - Enjoy.
Written 6 February 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

WearyBusinessNomad
Raleigh, NC147 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2015 • Friends
This was very long way to drive (from Dubai) to see sand, however the 25k or so road through the foot-dunes of Moreeb Dune was quite spectacular and we stopped several times for photographs. We went in the middle of summer so it was a stifling 49.5 degrees Celsius, but the heat is dry.

There was nothing at the end, a huge parking lot and evidence of local hoons doing burnouts, but nothing more, not a soul aside from one lonely man on a digger. I imagine there must be events in the cooler winter (at which time the traffic in/out must be a nightmare).

If you do plan to go, don't get too excited about the idea of the dune itself, you can't get close (unless you have a 4WD), instead embrace the journey. I also suggest coming via Hamim and stopping at the Anantara resort Qsar Al Sarab for lunch (or dinner, but be aware of the drive back in the dark on a road with no lights, high speeds, and no medium strip).

Also note that there is many different spellings of the place name, Tel Marab or Tel Mireb according to google maps, something else according to my GPS, and about 3 more different versions according to the sign posts along the way. Makes for finding it with your electronic tools difficult so be sure you've planned your route in advance.
Written 10 August 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

ASIFMAHAMOOD
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates32 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2015 • Family
I planned to visit the Moreeb Dune festival which is a a yearly activity to climb the dune which attracts the region’s most powerful four wheel drives and bikers to face exciting challenges including cars drag race, bikes race, motocross track challenge and RC cars race, camel race, horse race, Falcon hunting race, classic cars competition and Moreeb track for freestyle drifting.

The highlight feature of the festival is the adventurous race to the top of one of the world’s highest sand hills – the Moreeb Dune, which means ‘Terrifying Mountain’. At over 300m high and with a 50° angle, the dune will be contested over various categories for different car and bike type

Moreeb Dune is one of the highest sand hills in the world. Its altitude is about 120 metres (206 metres above sea level) with slope of 50 degrees. The dune is 1600 meters long. Because of its steep slopes it has been given this name (Moreeb Dune - Scary Mountain)

This dune location is accessible with 4x4's or Saloon cars since tarmac road has been constructed through the desert upto the gallery of the dune! But it is advisable to visit this area with a 4x4 and camping accessories if you wish to stay there. Please plan to reach this area before sunset to see the scenic desert beauties en route.

It is located almost 30kms away from village area. Make sure you have enough fuel since it is difficult to get fuel there.
Written 11 January 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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