Solo Driving in the UAE desert

Solo Driving in the Desert – Lessons from Nearly 100,000km Alone

With what must be close to 100,000km of solo driving in the UAE desert under my belt, I’ve pretty much experienced it all — from peaceful sunrise drives across untouched dunes to being axle-deep in soft sand wondering what went wrong.

And if there’s one thing I can say with certainty:
I don’t recommend solo desert driving to anyone.

But if you are going to do it (and I know some of you will), you need to be prepared like your life depends on it — because sometimes, it really does.

Know the terrain. Know your limits. Let someone know where you're going. And carry the right gear. Most importantly: take more water than you think you’ll need.

One of the biggest things the desert has taught me?
Never get overconfident. Every close call I’ve had came when I let my guard down or thought, “I’ve got this.” That’s when the desert humbles you — quickly and without mercy.

Also: know your vehicle and how to use your gear. It’s not enough to have it all — you need to know how everything works, and practice using it in real scenarios.

Here’s what I carry as my bare minimum kit:

• 6 x Maxtrax

• Balloon jack

• Bottle jack

• 2 shovels

• Car jump-start battery pack

• 2 tow ropes

• Tool kit

• Shackles (hard and soft)

• Tyre puncture repair kit

• First aid kit

• Emergency blanket

• Plenty of water

And one more thing that deserves its own line:

Tyre pressure is everything.

If you don’t drop your tyre pressure, you’re asking to get stuck. It’s the first and most important step in driving on sand. I typically air down to 12–15 PSI, depending on conditions and load — enough to float, not dig. Keep a pressure gauge handy, and don’t rush reinflating before hitting the road again.

Solo driving in the desert can be one of the most rewarding things you ever do — quiet, raw, and grounding. But only if you go in prepared, with respect for the land and the knowledge that it can turn on you in a heartbeat.