Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Liwa International Festival
SPORTS
(
www.admc.ae
)
The large flat area at the base of Moreeb Hill is the staging ground of the Li-
wa International Festival, usually held in January, and featuring car and bike races along-
side shooting competitions, falconry, camel racing, hot-air balloon rides and other events.
Liwa Date Festival
FOOD
(
www.liwadatesfestival.ae
)
In July, the quest for the best date is on at the Liwa Date Festival,
which also features cooking competitions, a souq and a kids' tent.
Sleeping & Eating
Camping
is hugely popular in the Liwa, although there were no designated camp sites at the
time of research. If you do decide to camp, make sure to take out all your trash. Discarded
rubbish, especially anything made of plastic, is highly dangerous when ingested by camels
and other local wildlife. If you don't have camping gear, you can get fully kitted out by
Li-
wa Oasis Picnic
( 050-812 0288)
in an industrial area off the road to Moreeb Hill.
The best place to stock up on food and water is
Al Dhafra Hypermarket
( 8am-9pm)
at the
end of a commercial strip on the road to Madinat Zayed, next to the 24-hour petrol station.
The market also has an ATM.
Liwa Resthouse$
GUESTHOUSE
( 02-882 2075; fax 02-882 9311; Mezaira'a; d from Dh200; )
This government-run resthouse is
frill-free and functional but run by friendly folk. Faded furnishings, including an ancient
TV and a fridge, characterise the big rooms. A cafeteria serves three meals a day. To get
here, head west of Mezaira'a and pass through the unmarked gate at the second round-
about, just past the local police office. Cash only.
Liwa Hotel$$
HOTEL
( 02-882 2000;
www.liwahotel.net
;
Mezaira'a; r from Dh500; )
This hilltop contender set
amid gardens offers dust-free respite after a day in the desert. Enjoy sunset drinks on your
balcony facing a palace of the late Sheikh Zayed's (itself on a green sand dune!). There's
an all-day coffeeshop for light meals and a restaurant (mains Dh40 to Dh85) serving inter-
national standards - don't expect any culinary flights of fancy. Alcohol available.
Qsar Al Sarab$$$
RESORT
( 02-886 2088;
http://qasralsarab.anantara.com
; 1 Qsar Al Sarab Rd, near Hameem; r from Dh1500, villa from
Dh3400;
)
Modelled on an actual Al Ain fort, this discreet retreat perfectly captures
