With as much desert and untouched land as there is in the UAE, the region is perfect for off-road driving.

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For those who want to take advantage and learn how to drive off-road, Almost 4×4 Off-Road Club has you covered.

The group boasts experience and expertise and encourage off-road driving in a safe and professional manner.

“The idea of the club is to actually teach the safe way of driving, not only in the desert, but in other off-road activities, like how to drive in the mountains, how to go through wadis, and ensure that everybody sees it as an open activity,” said Geni Cabre, Almost 4×4 crew member.

“When we are teaching people, we don’t want people to do unsafe things.

"Dune driving is very different from dune bashing. Bashing is literally going around and destroying the dunes.

"We are taking the dunes in a smooth manner. Yes, we teach you how to drive, but we teach you the safe way.”

Started in 2006 by a group of friends, the club has exponentially grown to now include 2,000 active and non-active members.

While off-roading is mostly associated with locals in the UAE, Almost 4×4 is changing the perception with over 48 nationalities represented in its group.

“It’s certainly not a very well-known activity,” Cabre said.

“People tend to think that the driving is mainly for safaris or the local boys. We’re trying to make it open to all nationalities.”

No matter the terrain or the vehicle, off-roading has an element of excitement that attracts Cabre.

“It’s like going on a roller coaster but you’re the one in control,” she said. “There’s the outdoors, the nature, the adventure side of it, the unknown – you don’t know what’s behind the next dune – the fear and the adrenaline.”

When she joined four years ago in the early stages of the club, Cabre was the first female driver.

She encourages more women and families as well to get involved.

Almost 4×4 has a member grading system.

When first joining, you’re simply a club member (no stars). Once you experience your first drive and bring the necessary tools, you become a newbie (one star).

From there, it takes an average of five to six months to get to intermediate (two stars) and then roughly the same amount of time to become advanced (three stars). 

The more drives and trips you attend, the faster you’ll progress.

Almost 4×4 normally has at least one drive every Friday, usually to the deserts across the UAE.

There are also other organised trips going to mountains or wadis for picnics.

On Thursday nights, there are camping trips near Dubai, which are open to everyone and don’t require much skill. 

The trips consist of a barbecue, a bonfire and other activities until around midnight.

The club also organises a once-a-year anniversary event with a drive in the morning and a party in the afternoon.

Membership for Almost 4×4 is free. To join and for more information, visit www.almost4x4.com.

What: Almost 4×4 Off-Road Club
Founded: 2006
Geared towards: Off-road enthusiasts
When & where: Across the UAE throughout the year
Contact & info: Visit the club’s website at www.almost4x4.com