The complete Al Qudra camping checklist

Al Qudra is Dubai's favourite stretch of desert — rolling dunes, the famous lakes, fire pits under a sky full of stars, all 30 minutes from the city. But it comes with one rule every first-timer learns the hard way: there are no shops inside the dunes or around the lakes. Once you turn off Al Qudra Road, the last place to buy anything is behind you.

That last place is us. Zad sits right at the Last Exit on Al Qudra Road, open 24/7, and we've packed thousands of camping trips. This is the checklist we'd give a friend — what to bring, why, and what it costs to grab at Zad on your way past.

1. Fire & cooking — the heart of the camp

No campfire, no camp. Fire is the single most-forgotten item because people assume they'll "pick it up on the way" — and then there's nowhere to pick it up. Sort this first.

• Firewood — clean, dry, ready-to-burn bundles. A medium bundle does an evening; a large one carries a long winter night. Zad: from AED 40
• Charcoal — for the BBQ, separate from your firewood. Flame On, Mr. Charcoal and hardwood in 3–10kg bags. from AED 32
• Fire-starters & lighter fluid — cubes, gel or eco lighters. Desert wind makes a lighter alone a frustrating night. AED 8–22
• BBQ grill & tools — portable, foldable or disposable, plus tongs and skewers.
• Gas stove & cartridge — for the morning karak and eggs when you don't want to relight the fire.

2. Ice, water & food — the desert is hot and dry

Two things the desert takes from you fast: cold and hydration. Over-pack both.

• Bags of ice — straight from the freezer. Buy this last, on your way out, so it's still solid when you arrive. Zad: AED 15 / bag
• Water by the case — far more than you think. A litre per person per hour in summer is not dramatic.
• A cooler / icebox — and pre-chill your drinks before they go in.
• Cold drinks & snacks — soft drinks, juice, PRIME, crisps, dates, biscuits, chocolate. Dates are tradition for a reason.
• Breakfast & coffee — fresh coffee, karak, wraps and pastries to grab hot before sunrise. (See our café menu.)

3. Shelter & comfort — a good night's sleep

Desert nights swing cold, even in the warmer months. Comfort is what turns a one-off into a tradition.

• Tent — 2 to 4-person or quick pop-up. Zad: from AED 80
• Sleeping bags & mats — nights drop cooler than the forecast suggests.
• Camp chairs & a folding table — the difference between sitting in sand and actually relaxing.
• Lanterns, torches & head-lamps — there is zero ambient light out there. Bring spare batteries.
• Power bank — no sockets in the dunes; your phone is also your map and your safety line.

4. Safety & desert essentials — the stuff that matters most

This is the section people skip and regret. The desert is forgiving until it isn't.

• Tow rope & a small shovel — getting stuck in soft sand is a when, not an if.
• Tyre pressure gauge — deflate for soft sand, re-inflate before the tarmac. A jump-starter pack is cheap insurance.
• First-aid kit — plus any personal medication.
• Sunscreen, hat & a light layer — burn by day, chill by night.
• Bin bags — leave no trace. Take everything out with you; Al Qudra stays beautiful because campers carry it home.
• Fully charged phone + offline map / pin — drop a location pin before you lose signal.

5. The shortcut: pre-order on WhatsApp

Here's how the regulars do it. Don't load a trolley at the end of a long week — send us your list on WhatsApp, tell us your pickup time, and we'll have firewood, charcoal, ice and snacks bagged and waiting. Pull in, grab it, head to the dunes.

Zad Food Store is open 24/7 at the Last Exit, Al Qudra Road (Seih Al Salam), Dubai — the last stop before the desert since 2013.