With friendlier weather around, it’s only natural to want to get out more and explore the UAE beyond the skyscrapers and shopping malls.
But travel always comes at a cost, and often the environment bears the brunt of it.
At Shazza, we believe in driving safely and also looking after the world around us. This responsibility always begins at home first and foremost.
This is why we’ve put together a few tips on how to travel more eco-conscious.
Travel local
After what we’ve all endured over the past 2 years, it’s perfectly understandable to want to hop on a flight to a nearby country. But what about exploring somewhere local? The UAE has so many wonderful things to discover from wadis and oases to mountains and sand dunes. You’re literally spoiled for choice with each emirate home to something unique, just waiting for you to stumble upon. And the best part about opting to drive locally instead of flying abroad? A lot less carbon emissions and pollution and a much smaller impact on the environment.
Go on a road trip
Road trips and Shazza go together like peas in a pod. Combine that with Shazza Streams and our guide on how to prepare for a long road trip, well, you’re all set to hit the road in style. The beauty of the UAE is that you can venture out on road trips at any time, enjoy something incredible and create beautiful memories, and be back home in time for bed on the same day.
Skip the hotels and resorts - go camping
Have you ever camped out in a desert before? Chances are it’s never crossed your mind. But with a fair chunk of the UAE being desert, it’s a great opportunity to pursue. You can easily go it on your own but unless you’re with experienced guides, we suggest starting with something akin to ‘glamping’. Most desert safari packages have an option to spend the night in the desert. From our own experience, we can’t recommend it enough! There’s something truly magical about being out in the desert, away from the noise and light pollution of the city, with nothing but yourself and the stars in the sky. Beautiful!
Take only memories, leave only footprints
Ok so this might be from a motivational book we once read but when it comes to sustainable travel, leaving behind just your footprints is the end goal. If you’re out and about, there may not be many options to dispose of your rubbish. So pack enough garbage bags to take your rubbish back with you home. We always recommend recycling and using recycled and recyclable materials. The desert may be mostly sand dunes, but it doesn’t take much to destroy it. Let’s try and look after what we have and leave it in better shape than when we found it.
Simple things like taking your own reusable water bottles, using less plastic and opting for food items with minimal packaging are all part of treating our environment with kindness and living more sustainably. With the rise of electric cars and a growing shift away from fossil fuels, a greener future is something we can all look forward to.
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