As the clock strikes midnight on December 31, residents in the MENA region are gearing up for a long weekend getaway. If travelling isn't on your radar, consider embracing the great outdoors with a desert camping trip.

Forefeel waking up to eye-popping sunrises, surrounded by majestic dunes, and spending evenings under star-lit skies. The region offers a plethora of camping spots, each promising unparalleled views, a tranquil ambience, and endless fun for the whole family. The Sandy Times have picked out the best places for camping in MENA. Let us start with the UAE as its travel and camping markets are on the rise.

Dubai's camping market is booming, with revenue projected to reach $32.08 million by 2024 and $40.24 million by 2029. Join the thousands of outdoor enthusiasts and families seeking a special escape from urban life.

Discover the best campsites, luxury camping options, and desert experiences that make Dubai a camping paradise, even in the desert heat. Get ready for an adventure of a lifetime and create indelible New Year's Eve memories.

In Dubai, Al Qudra's artificial lakes and dunes provide a stunning backdrop for a sunset selfie. Enjoy a barbecue under the stars, away from the city's buzz.

Ras Al Khaimah's Wadi Shawka Valley offers free entry and camping facilities, complete with hiking trails and flowing streams. For a scenic drive, take the Masafi-Dibba road, where desert plains give way to rocky mountains. Fujairah, with its hidden gems and pristine beaches, is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts.

For a no-frills experience, pitch your tent at Jebel Jais Ras in Al Khaimah or head to Al Wathba Lake Camp, ideal for families with kids. Liwa Oasis in Abu Dhabi provides an authentic desert experience amidst undulating dunes and sparkling night skies.

Hatta's glamping opportunities offer great Instagram value, while Mleiha, just an hour from Sharjah, serves as a base for hiking and camping enthusiasts.

Cast off the usual party scene and plan the New Year under the stars in Saudi Arabia's spectacular desert landscape. Overnight camping is the ultimate way to celebrate this special occasion, and desert safaris are a staple in Saudi, especially in Riyadh.

Riyadh's desert safari is legendary, offering a day filled with thrill and luxury that will be fixed in your mind. While Saudi Arabia may not be known for grand New Year's celebrations, cities like Riyadh and Jeddah are stepping up their game with fireworks and events. You might not find the dazzling nightlife, but you will still enjoy comfort, entertainment and memorable moments. Saudi Arabia's diverse terrain offers a range of camping experiences.

Head to Wadi Al-Disah in Tabuk, where picturesque views and calm ambience invite picnics and relaxation. Bring a blanket, snacks, and firewood for a cosy evening under the stars.

For adrenaline seekers, Thumamah Desert offers quad biking, camel rides, and bouncy castles. Meanwhile, Wadi Hanifa in Riyadh transformed from a waste site to a stunning valley, perfect for city dwellers.

Al-Asfar Lake, surrounded by dunes, provides a tranquil spot for barbecues and camping. Wildlife enthusiasts will love Salboukh Valley, 50 kilometres north of Riyadh.

Explore Moon Valley near Jabal Al-Jadib in Jeddah for a hiking adventure before camping under the stars. Celebrate New Year's Eve amidst Saudi Arabia's natural beauty. Choose your perfect camping spot and make this year's countdown special.

Welcome new year amidst Qatar's remarkable desert landscapes, surrounded by towering dunes and endless expanses of sand. 

Khor Al Adaid, or the Inland Sea, is a UNESCO-recognised natural wonder that offers a unique desert camping experience. Start your day with thrilling activities like dune bashing, sandboarding, and off-road driving. As night falls, witness the stars transforming the sky into nature's masterpiece canvas. This spot is perfect for solitary adventurers seeking isolation and thrill.

For a luxurious touch, opt for fully equipped camping packages, complete with traditional tents, campfires, and warm Arabic hospitality. You might even spot migratory birds and desert-adapted animals.

Other top camping spots in Qatar include Al Ghariya Beach, Fuwairit Beach, and Zekreet Peninsula. Each offers a blend of adventure, relaxation, and stunning natural beauty.

Al Ghariya Beach boasts pristine sands and crystal-clear waters, perfect for swimming, dune buggy rides, or jet skiing. Fuwairit Beach is a sanctuary for kitesurfers and water sports enthusiasts. Zekreet Peninsula offers unparalleled desert landscapes and stunning coastal scenery.

For a truly out-of-this-world experience, head to Galactic Core Bay, a secluded paradise perfect for stargazing and astrophotography.

For a great New Year's Eve celebration, head to Oman, where the desert landscape transforms into a magical wonderland under the starry night sky.

Just a short drive from Muscat, discover the breathtaking cove of Bandar Al Khiran, nestled between sandy cliffs and crystal-clear waters. Pitch your tent beside the lake and wake up to the sound of waves gently lapping at the shore. Explore the nearby Sumhuram ruins, an archaeological site that whispers secrets of Oman's rich history.

In the Dhofar region, observe the rugged beauty of the desert, where camels roam free and creeks flow with freshwater from Wadi Darbat. Or, venture into the majestic Sharqiya Sands, also known as the Wahiba Sands, where towering dunes stretch towards the horizon.

For truly unique camping, book a desert safari and indulge in thrilling activities like camel rides, quad biking, and hot air ballooning. Let experienced operators like Desert Nights Camp and Arabian Oryx Camp handle the logistics, so you can focus on soaking up the desert's mystical atmosphere.

If you are seeking a more secluded oasis, head to the Ash Shariqiyah region, where turquoise waters meet mystical white sands. Visit Al Khaluf village and revel in the tranquillity of this untouched paradise.

To make your desert camping adventure even more memorable, consider glamping with luxurious tour operators like Desert Retreat Camp or Al Wasil Desert Nights Camp. Enjoy pre-set-up tents, Bedouin-style hospitality, and unforgettable desert experiences.

Camping in Morocco's Sahara Desert is an experience like no other. Travel to see galvanising sand dunes, painted with delicate hues of sunrise, and falling asleep under a star-studded canopy. 

Morocco's desert camping scene has witnessed significant growth, with Erg Chebbi dunes now boasting over 40 luxury camps. These eco-friendly retreats, mostly owned by locals, harness solar power for electricity, making your desert escape a sustainable choice.

Explore the Agafay Rocky Desert, just south of Marrakech, or venture into the Merzouga Desert, where Erg Chebbi's towering dunes await. Zagora's Tinfou dunes offer a more intimate experience, while Erg Lihoudi by Mhamid and Erg Chigaga provide untamed wilderness.

Camping in Morocco's desert is generally safe and free, although regional variations apply. Join a guided tour or set to a self-supported excursion to discover the Sahara's mystique.

In the MENA region, Morocco's desert camping stands out for its unique blend of adventure, luxury, and sustainability. Escape the modern world and indulge in the Sahara's timeless beauty.

Celebrate the new year amidst the tranquil beauty of Egypt's desert landscape. Wake up to awesome sunrises, spend days exploring the oasis, and nights gazing at star-studded skies. 

Escape to Fayoum's awe-inspiring oasis and undergo a luxury desert camping at Remal El Rayan. Nestled among rolling dunes and serene lakes, this eco-friendly glamping site offers a distinctive New Year's Eve getaway.

Get into nature's splendour, surrounded by architecture that seamlessly blends beechwood and marble motifs with the desert's natural hues. Remal El Rayan's commitment to sustainability shines through in its locally sourced, eco-friendly materials.

Moreover, Egypt's vast Western Desert beckons to camp under starry skies and many more things to do. 

Explore the White Desert's ethereal white rock formations and the Black Desert's volcanic landscapes, just an hour and a half apart. Enjoy safari adventures, stargazing, swimming in natural oases, and capturing Instagram-worthy moments.

Siwa Oasis offers an escape from modern life. Camp amidst palm trees, natural oases, and dunes, and experience the Great Sand Sea's mesmerising beauty. Activities include safari, swimming, sandboarding, and feasting on traditional Siwa cuisine.

Discover Wadi Degla, Cairo's hidden gem, just 30 minutes from Maadi. Marvel at beautiful rock formations, and enjoy rock climbing, biking, and a serene atmosphere.