Top 10 Desert Holiday Destinations
After many months of restrictions, the call of the great outdoors may be singing in your ears more than ever. And of all nature experiences, a dessert holiday is arguably among the ultimate "getting away from it" trips.
From camel treks to witnessing sunsets over singing sand dunes, from sandboarding to seeing herds of grazing springbok - a desert adventure can offer tranquility and adventure in equal measure.
Here are our top 10 desert holiday destinations to really blow away those cobwebs.
Kalahari (Namibia, Botswana and South Africa)
If you're in the market for an unforgettable safari, the Kalahari is ranked among the best places to try one.
Alongside awe-inspiring desert views, you can expect to see giraffes, wildebeest, springboks and of course lions.
Located in Namibia, Botswana and South Africa, one of the best times to visit the Kalahari is after the summer rains, when the Makgadikgadi Salt Pan attracts thousands of grazing animals.
Gobi Desert, Mongolia
Featuring mountains, an evergreen forest and a stunning dune system called the Khongoryn Els, the Gobi Desert is truly vast.
Stretching from Northern China to southern Mongolia, the wind moving over the sand makes a unique sound, earning it the 'Singing Dunes' moniker.
The Gobi is also home to the Flaming Cliffs, famed for its dinosaur fossil bed.
A number of tour operators offer trips from the Mongolian capital, Ulan Bator.
Atacama Desert, Chile
Boasting the El Tatio geysers and the Miscanti hot springs, not to mention sunset views over Moon Valley - the Atacama Desert is one of the best all-round desert holiday destinations.
Using the chi-chi frontier town of San Pedro de Atacama as a base, you can enjoy horseback riding, hiking, stargazing and safaris.
The Atacama Desert is also known as a "fog desert" - because fog drip supplies most of the moisture required by its plants and animals.
Sahara Desert
For Brits, the Sahara is the most easily-accessible desert, laid out across Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt and Algeria.
By far the world’s largest desert, the Sahara is a spellbinding place of oases and crumbling villages.
The easiest way to experience the Sahara is through southeastern Morocco. This area is home to the Draa Valley, famed for its earth-red fortified houses (kasbahs), it's beigel palm groves and its authentic Berber villages.
While the classic 50-day trans-saharan camel trek to Timbuktu once started from the Draa valley, today visitors prefer the shorter trek to the Erg Chebbi dunes at Merzouga - considered a must visit while in Morocco.
Thar Desert, India/Pakistan
Popular among India-bound backpackers and adventurers, the Thar Desert is a wonderful location for a camel trek. It is also conveniently located near some of Rajasthan's most spellbinding sights - including the town of Jaisalmer with its vast yellow sandstone fortress.
If you don’t fancy camels, you can opt for a 4x4 safari (less bruising will occur).
The Thar is one of the most densely populated of all the world’s deserts - so don’t be surprised if a man carrying a bag of Kingfisher beers emerges from over a sand dune, eager to sell his wares.
Namib, Namibia
Boasting the second largest sand dunes in the world (Sossusvlei), the Namib is perfect for sand boarding and hot air ballooning, and offers some of the finest desert views on the planet.
The loftiest sand dune rises to a staggering 325m - not bad for a pile of sand.
For a touch of the surreal, pencil in a trip to the mesmerising Deadvlei, a white clay pan dotted with the dark skeletons of camelthorn trees - thought to have died around 700 years ago.
There are also oryx, springbok and Burchell’s zebra to glimpse, alongside a wide variety of lizards. March to October is the best time for cloudless skies - perfect for stargazing and photography.
Sedona, United States
This is one of the cooler deserts on our lists, with chilly December-March temperatures. Indeed, snow capped mountain views are all but guaranteed in this period.
If you love deserts and golf, Sedona should meet your needs, boasting as it does numerous golf courses, including the Seven Canyons resort with its Wild-West mountain views.
Visit in December and you can experience the annual Festival of Lights, offering a range of live music and entertainment.
Australia’s Red Centre
Known as the spiritual heart of Australia, in the Red Centre you'll find the mighty Uluru (ayers Rock), a red plateau rising starkly against the endless desert.
Alice Spring is the logical base from which to explore the area, where you can absorb the local Aboriginal culture and explore outback watering holes.
The best experience, though, is arguably seeing the dusk light change the colour of Uluru as night descends.
White and Black Deserts, Egypt
Dramatic volcanic mountains are the prime draw of the Black Desert, while the White Desert is popular for its overnight camping, as well as its salt lakes and hot springs. Sunrises provide exceptional light in which to capture the other-worldly landscapes.
Usually visited as part of a wider trip to see Luxor, the Sphinx and the Great Pyramids of Giza, the White and Black Deserts are attractions in their own right.
Dubai Desert
If, while in Dubai, you tire of the glamorous malls and hotels of this shopaholic's mecca, you might find respite in the vast Dubai Desert.
That said, most adventures are undertaken in highly Instagrammable modes of transport. Jeep safaris, hot air balloon rides and quad biking adventures are all available. But if you're in the market for something more old school, camel treks can still be booked.
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