In the UAE, the cooler months of mid- October to mid-May are the best for off-road exploring and camping, making seven months of comfortable adventure possible. While not impossible at other times of the year, the experience may not be as pleasant, although the writer has gone camping in July and August (the UAE’s hottest months) and enjoyed these trips thoroughly.

Proper preparation and a little experience can minimise the difficulties of summer camping and your vehicle should obviously be air-conditioned and well-maintained to prevent overheating or any other problems along the way.

There are numerous gadgets you can take along but experience will teach you what's really essential. 

Develop a note-taking system to jot down all thoughts that come to you, starting withg gear to take, food to take (bearing in mind some items may be bought on the way or near the camp-site), questions to ask about your proposed destination, details for locking up the house, clothing to pack, vehicle check-up.

When deciding where to go, consider the distance and calculate how much time is required. Allow for plenty of time on the road so the driving can be part of the fun. Restrict the options to areas that offer activities you enjoy — such as mountain hiking or biking, exploring historical forts and watch-towers, photography, sightseeing, swimming in wadi pools or spending the day at the beach. Researching a destination is where the fun begins.

Plan to arrive during daylight hours, allowing time to put up your tent, unpack and organise things. Setting up the tent is something the whole family can do together. The children will soon learn how to do the job, which can also be a lot of fun.

Before setting up the tent check the slope of the ground and establish your camp away from any water run-off. Find a spot where the tent can be in the shade during the heat of the day and try to position it a safe distance from the fireplace.