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A 150km arc of villages and farms, the Liwa Oasis hugs the edge of the Rub Al Khali (Empty Quarter) desert – an endless landscape of undulating sand dunes shimmering in shades of gold, apricot and pink.
This is the Arabia described by British explorer Sir Wilfred Thesiger, but it’s also the birthplace of the Al Maktoum and Al Nahyan families, now the rulers of Dubai and Abu Dhabi respectively. Once you visit, you’ll understand why the Liwa Oasis has a special place in the hearts of nationals, who come here to get back to their roots, relax and just take in the arid splendour of this glorious landscape.
The commercial heart of the oasis is Mezairaa, with activity centred on the junction of Hwy E43 from Madinat Zayed and Hwy E90, the main road through the oasis. Here you’ll find a gas station, an ATM, a supermarket and a hospital.
These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Liwa Oasis.
Dunes
The paved road out to the Moreeb Dune (Tal Moreeb) is a decent taster of desert scenery if you don't have a 4WD. This is the edge of the beautiful but fearsome Rub Al Khali and undulating, orange sand-dune fields rim both sides of the road along the route. The bitumen runs out at the foot of Tal Moreeb (the name translates as 'scary mountain'), one of the world's tallest dunes, soaring almost 300m high.
Fort
This modest fort is one of a handful of strongholds scattered throughout the oasis that once helped guard the area from attack by rival tribes. There's nothing to see inside, but it's worth a quick stop to climb the stairs to the roof for views of the surrounding dunes and to get an idea of the region's 19th-century mud-brick architecture.