OMAN STARFISH DUNES, 3 DAYS, 2 NIGHT CAMPING OVERLAND EXPEDITION, SATURDAY 30TH DECEMBER TO MONDAY 1ST JANUARY ‘2024

The Starfish Dunes of this route are the pyramidal dunes that lie to the southwest of Jebel Hafeet in Oman. They are remarkably beautiful dune formations and stand tall and isolated in a sea of smaller dunes. The area in general seems to be very rarely visited by off-roaders.
It is an enclave of Oman that is isolated from easy access by Jebel Hafeet to the East and the UAE/ Oman border fence to the north and west.
The Road (Highway 21) that leads from the border crossing at Mezyad, UAE to Ibri, Oman is the closest that most people get to these dunes.
It is, however, worth the 2 day excursion to explore this remarkable area.

– Mike Nott, Advanced Adventure Routes UAE & Oman

TIME SCHEDULE
Meeting time: 09:00 am on Saturday, the  30th of December ‘2023.
Drive starts: at 09:30 am on on Saturday, the  30th of December ‘2023.
Drive ends: 05:00 pm on Monday, the 1st of January ‘2024

STARFISH DUNE DRIVE, 3 DAY DRIVE WITH 2 NIGHT CAMPING DESERT EXPLORATION DRIVE, IN VERY REMOTE ISOLATED AREAS.
THE DRIVING TERRAIN IS SANDY DESERT DUNES AND SOFT SAND.

THIS IS A MEMBER-ONLY EVENT AND IS RESTRICTED TO DUBAI OFFROADERS MEMBERS ONLY.
THE BOOKINGS FOR THE EVENT CLOSE AT MIDNIGHT, ON FRIDAY THE 28TH OF DECEMBER, ONE DAY BEFORE THE DAY OF THE EVENT.

TRIP CHARGES:
AED1,500/- PER VEHICLE, FOR NON-DO MEMBERS, IRRESPECTIVE OF THE NUMBER OF PASSENGERS.
AED750/- PER VEHICLE, FOR DO MEMBERS, IRRESPECTIVE OF THE NUMBER OF PASSENGERS.

A WHATSAPP GROUP WILL BE CREATED AFTER THE CLOSURE OF THE BOOKINGS AND THE RELEVANT INFORMATION WILL BE DIRECTLY CONVEYED TO THE CONFIRMED PARTICIPANTS.

The weather has turned kind again, allowing us to plan longer drives and camping trips.
They say that the Starfish Dunes are formed by changing wind directions, leading to shaping dunes not seen anywhere else.

Itinerary
Day and date: Saturday, Sunday, and Monday the 30th & 31st of December ‘2023 till 1st of January ‘2024.
Drive Type: Due to the difficulty of the terrain this drive is restricted to Drivers who have had experience driving in the desert, one-star drivers, only.
Families are especially encouraged to join as it will be a nice, picturesque adventure.

Meeting Point:
a. Will be shared, with confirmed participants only, one day, before the event.
b. The Drive to the meeting point is 150 kmS. away from downtown Dubai, and is expected to take almost 2 hours of driving, approximately.

Drive Terrain:
Beautiful Picturesque Red Sand Dunes.
Sandy desert dunes and soft sand tracks.

Duration:
We will assemble at the meeting point which is the entrance point to the desert.
We will then drive in a convoy till sunset, when we will camp & make merry till late, we will then break camp & depart in the morning for another day in the sands.
We will have another overnight camping night and then drive again for a 3rd day, upon completion of the desert section, we will inflate the tires & head back home to arrive in Dubai / Sharjah by late evening, on Monday the 1st of January ‘2024.

Essential safety equipment:
a) First aid kit.
b) Fire extinguisher.
c) Safety goggles.
d) Safety triangle.

Checklist
a) Ensure your 4 x 4 vehicle is in perfect condition and with enough fuel.
b) Compatible Radio.
c) Carry all necessary offroad gears, in good condition.
d) Carry enough Food/water/refreshments/rehydration drinks for self & co-passenger(s).

Please read the following and register for the drive: –
a. https://dubaioffroaders.com/web/4×4-offroad-checklist/
b. https://dubaioffroaders.com/web/forums/topic/25-tips-for-an-enhanced-offroad-driving-experience/
c. https://dubaioffroaders.com/web/forums/topic/do-radio-communication-guide/
d. https://dubaioffroaders.com/web/forums/topic/driving-in-a-convoy-roles-and-rules/
e. https://dubaioffroaders.com/web/forums/topic/trip-rules-for-dubai-offroaders-drives/
f. https://dubaioffroaders.com/web/disclaimer/

Important
This is a family Outing & all confirmed eligible Dubai Offroaders members are welcome to Join.
Please register your intent to participate in the drive here.
Please make sure that your vehicle is fully prepared for an expedition-type drive with a complete recovery kit etc. and that it is fully serviceable with recovery points front & aft.
We will be camping overnight, for 2 nights in the desert & while the day will be hot & sunny, the night temperature is expected to be chilly, so please be prepared with complete camping & warm gear as well as sufficient food & drinks for the full 3 day’s drive as we will not encounter any supermarket, etc. to replenish supplies on the way once we enter the desert.
The total off-road drive section on the three-day drive is expected to be about 300 km. +
All cars with a single tank will need to carry additional fuel, MOUNTED SECURELY ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE, to be able to refuel in the sands.
You will also need to carry BBQ Equipment & food to cook the food at the evening camp.
You will also need basic camping equipment a tent, mattresses, sleeping bags, chairs, table & light, etc.
THE WEATHER IS GOING TO BE COLD AT NIGHT, SO WARM CLOTHING AND BEDDING ARE ESSENTIAL.
Please carry at least two bundles of wood per Car for the Overnight Camp bonfire.
This will be an excellent opportunity for photography enthusiasts to take some unbelievably beautiful natural sandscapes…so keep your cameras ready…too!!!!

PLEASE CONTACT BY WHATSAPP, IF YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO SEE THE ATTEND BUTTON OR NOT ABLE TO REGISTER FOR THE DRIVE.

IMPORTANT:
a. The Driver of the vehicle must have a Valid UAE Driving License and the vehicle, Driver, and passengers must be covered by an appropriate insurance cover.
b. The Driver and all passengers of the vehicle should have read and be aware of the disclaimer of Dubai Offroaders, that they indemnify all the officials and Marshals of Dubai Offroaders and that they bear full responsibility for any risk of property damage, bodily injury, or death while participating in this Adventure sport.
c. This drive is not recommended for children under the age of 3 years.
d. Any child on the drive must be secured in an age-appropriate car seat, or bolster seat.
e. Seat belts must always be worn by the Driver and all/ any passengers.

Checklist:
a) Fully functional four-by-four vehicle with a full tank of fuel.
b) Air compressor in working condition.
c) Recovery rope/strap.
d) Compatible radio pre-programmed to DO frequencies.
e) Refreshments for you and your passengers (if you have them).
f) Offroad flag attached to the vehicle.

Etiquette:
1) Registering and not coming along may stop others from joining and is easily avoidable – so please be courteous and withdraw if you can’t make it.
2) Be punctual.
3) Any participants not registered on the forum site will not be allowed to join the drive.
4) Passengers in Registered participant’s vehicles are not counted as participants and are free to join.