If watching Dune: Part Two made you want to try out sand-walking or yell “Lisan al Ghaib!” into a vast desert landscape, here are two locations where you can do just that.
When talking about what made the Dune films into the stunning, much-lauded masterpieces they are, people often mention the magnificent cinematography, judicious use of special effects, and deftly handled world-building. But not enough has been mentioned about the beauty of Dune and Dune: Part Two’s settings, which deepen the movies’ immersiveness.
We check out two gorgeous locations where Dune and Dune: Part Two were filmed, and what to do there if you’re visiting.
Wadi Rum (Jordan)
Also known poetically as the Valley of the Moon, this famous locale in Jordan is commonly used for film settings. It first caught the attention of tourists in 1962, with the release of the historical epic Lawrence of Arabia, about the exploits of British army officer/writer T E Lawrence during the Arab Revolt. Thereafter, it has been the filming location of choice for movie scenes set in Mars (The Martian) or involving off-world space wars (at least two Star Wars films); it has also served as a cool backdrop for intense action sequences (Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen and John Wick 4).
With its red sand, mysterious towering sandstone, and granite rock formations, it’s no wonder tourists flock to this valley. You will need an official tour guide if you wish to enter the wadi (river valley in Arabic). One could easily get lost in the vast red sand, so be sure to book a proper jeep safari tour.
On a four-hour tour, you could see all the main sights, like the Burdah Rock Bridge — the tallest natural arch in Wadi Rum — and the Lawrence Spring, where Lawrence had his military base. Full-day tours will take you to Mushroom Rock, a rock that literally looks like — you guessed it — a giant mushroom, the Abu Khashaba Canyon, the Um Fruth rock bridge (a 15-metre-high bridge, one of the most photographed landmarks of the wadi), and the White Dune.
But to fully experience the magic of the place, opt for at least an overnight stay. Look at the petroglyphs, remnants of the ancient Nabataean civilisation, etched in Khazali Canyon, and marvel at how close you’re getting to a piece of history. See the ruins of a once grand Nabataean temple by the cliffs of Jabal Rum just outside Wadi Rum village and what’s left of their dams, water channels, and reservoirs.
As the day winds down, you have accommodation options ranging from basic set-ups to luxury eco-lodges with bubble tents that allow you to see the vast night sky from your bed. For a truly special experience, opt for a stay with a Bedouin host family in their bayt shacar, a tent made from strips of goat hair and sheep’s wool.
History and nature-gazing aside, you can also partake in some adventure in Wadi Rum. Hiking, biking, camel-riding, and even rock-climbing will afford you some nice endorphin-raising fun.
Liwa Oasis (Abu Dhabi, UAE)
The sand dunes in Liwa Oasis are where you’d want to test out your sand-walking skills. Don’t worry, there are no monstrous sandworms or terrifying beasts of that nature here. This 100-kilometre-long oasis is an important date-cultivating region and provides much-needed irrigation for the growing of date palms. It even hosts an annual festival in July, where dates of all varieties go on sale, and they get judged for their quality. At the festival, there are also camel races — an important Emirati tradition — to keep you entertained. If camel racing isn’t your thing, you can also watch camel-milking shows and camel beauty pageants.
So important are the camels to Emirati Bedouin culture that you will see them wandering all over the Liwa Oasis. And in the Bedouin settlements, you will find ubiquitous camel farms where you will be offered a warm glass of camel milk. If you take a liking to these docile animals, you can even embark on a camel trek and see the whole stretch of the oasis atop these gentle giants.
And if watching Dune has got you wanting to do some sand-walking, you could climb up the tallest sand dune in Liwa. The aptly named Tal Mireb (Arabic for scary hill), at 300m high and with an incline of 50 degrees, will make for an arduous trek — but the views will be stunning and well worth it.
Finally, wind down in a luxury resort deep in the heart of the desert as you watch the night sky unencumbered by light pollution. The oasis is located 250km south of Abu Dhabi, on the northern border of the Rub’ al Khali Desert, or the Empty Quarter. And it is within this bit of the vast expanse that you can appreciate the true beauty and majesty of the silence and isolation of the desert.
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