Nomad Ways is the world’s first curriculum-based programme founded on the knowledge, values and skills of the nomads to ensure that they are not lost in the sands of time.
The course embraces the best current ecological, conservation and self-sustaining practices. With roots in local culture and heritage, Nomad Ways inspires children of all ages through activities and stories.
This enables them to develop a meaningful connection with nature that sows the seeds for a lifelong love of the wilderness.
How the programme works
We equip schools with the resources required to deliver the programme, as well as delivering it ourselves during spring and summer holidays by Nomad Ways accredited teachers.
We have developed a comprehensive manual, workbook and a series of inspiring stories for Nomad Ways. We provide schools and participants with training materials, learning support materials, equipment to deliver the course and certification.
Theory and basic practicals for some course elements are delivered in a classroom or outdoor environment, while the desert practicals are delivered in conjunction with Sand Sherpa at the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve (DDCR).
We also use the new Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve Visitor Centre as a learning resource for desert practicals delivered during day visits and overnight experiences (residentials) with Sand Sherpa.
Each level of Nomad Ways is designed to be delivered over the school year. Due to the focus of the programme on natural desert habitats, levels adopt the names of indigenous species.
The Inspiration
Much of the practical work of the Nomad Ways programme takes place in the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve (DDCR), a protected area of approximately 225 square kilometres in the southeast part of the United Arab Emirates. However, the DDCR lies on the edge of a much greater desert — the legendary Rub’ al Khali or Empty Quarter. Said to be the world’s largest continuous area of sand, the Rub’ al Khali stretches across almost the entire southern third of the Arabian Peninsula, including parts of Saudi Arabia, Oman and Yemen, as well as the UAE.
Nomad tribes have wintered here since the earliest times, finding rich grazing for their flocks and herds, especially after the rains between October and March. For them, perhaps, the fact that they could find such abundance in this great desert only increased their feeling that it was an enchanted region — a place to be regarded with awe.
Meet Reem & Jamal
Earn Nomad Ways patches at every level
In this course, the students will meet two characters, Reem and Jamal, young teenage cousins brought up in the city, who are spending their holidays with nomad relations in the desert. These nomads live in a traditional way, without modern technology and know little of the outside world.
To adapt to their new situation, Reem and Jamal must leave behind many of the ideas they have grown up with in the city and acquire the skills and values of an almost forgotten time.
At first, they find it difficult as there are none of the comforts that they are used to. But slowly, they begin to appreciate many aspects of nomad ways and develop knowledge, values and skills that apply to all spheres of life. This enables a greater appreciation of nature, sustainability (both for themselves and the environment), independence as well as teamwork and a cooperative approach that will remain with them for life.
Navigate the dunes by following the sun, moon and stars
Learn how to read weather patterns
Master the art of storytelling
Discover the poet in you
Start a fire using traditional methods
Delve into the history of the desert
Become an expert in desert cooking
Study weather patterns and forecast seasonal changes
Discover desert flora and fauna
Reading time: 5 mins / Level: Dhub
Omar & Bakhait
Reem: One of the first trips we took from the nomad camp was to a well called Ayn al-Arnab to get water for the tent. It was half a morning’s journey through the dunes, walking with the camels. Mansour called them jimaal al-bait (house camels) because they were used mainly for carrying water. They were loaded with bunches of empty waterskins.
We travelled with a small herd of she-camels belonging to a nephew of Mansour’s, tended by a herdsboy named Dahat, who couldn’t have been much older than me and Jamal. I did ask him how old he was, but he said he didn’t know.
Duration: 8 hours / Participants: 3-8
The Here and the Now
Jamal: This morning, we went with Mansour to visit the camel herd grazing in the abal and rimth pastures on the other side of the dunes. Reem and I have our own she-camels now — mine is called Sabrina and hers, Atiya. We have to feed them, water them and look after them. It’s hard work but I think they’ve got used to us and see us as friends.
We were following the sabkha and came around a steep dune to see a party of nomads riding towards us on camels. They couched their camels, jumped off and we all shook hands and exchanged greetings. Reem and I know the ropes now as far as greetings go. You have to grip the other person’s hand, not squeeze it as that’s rude. You look them in the eye and go through the ritual:
Our stories
Storytelling forms the foundation of the Nomad Ways programme and plays a key role at every level. Each lesson integrates both theory and practical knowledge, supported by related stories that engage participants by sparking their imagination and imparting knowledge. These stories not only convey values and culture but also teach essential skills.
LET'S HAVE A CHAT ABOUT OUR PROGRAMME
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This is the entry level of Nomad Ways. Many of the activities at this level involve developing a basic understanding of the desert, environmental responsibility and adopting fundamental self-sustaining skills during practical activities (requiring moderate exertion).
Dhub
Level One
This builds on the foundations of Level One, learning more about the history and culture behind desert activities and requires a higher level of academic focus and physical exertion.
Falcon
Level Two
This is the ultimate level of Nomad Ways and is all about understanding and sustaining life in challenging environments and working as a team/community just like the nomads and the Arabian oryx. Many of the activities have a team element while allowing scope for initiative and leadership to emerge within the group.
Oryx
Level Three
Firestarter:
Building a fire using matches, flint and steel, and firesticks
Our Earth:
Understanding the earth’s rotation, how the seasons change, the phases of the moon and forecasting the weather by reading natural signs
Mindfulness:
The importance of being aware in the present moment and to be aware of our surroundings and environment. Practices and tasks progress with each level
Tall Tales:
Demonstrating the art of nomad storytelling, learning how to compose stories, developing engaging narratives
Rhyme and Rhythm:
Poetry traditions, composing nabati and slam poems
Desert Kitchen:
Preparation of food in the wilderness
Sand Nomad:
Learning about the evolution of the desert, how the winds shape the dunes, identifying different dune types and how to cross them
Desert Life:
Desert flora and fauna and how they’ve adapted to their surroundings, learning to identify animals and studying their behaviours by reading their tracks in the sand
Get Shelter:
Finding refuge and building shelters in the desert, including emergency sand shelters and nomad tents
Trail Hunt:
Learning to read and prepare topographical and sketch maps
Day Crossing:
From following a basic map to following cardinal directions determined by the sun and compass trekking across the sands
Night Crossing:
From trekking at night using a map to being able to navigate while referencing the North Star and major constellations
Course components
Every level of Nomad Ways builds on the knowledge of the last as participants progress from Dhub to Falcon and then onto Oryx. Course components include:
About Us
The Nomad Ways programme has been developed by Rob Nicholas and Michael Asher.
Rob Nicholas
Rob first moved to Dubai in 1986 where he developed a passion for the desert and the natural environment of the UAE. This led to him founding the eco-adventure company Sand Sherpa, which he operates with his business partner, Pete Bergh. Based in the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, Sand Sherpa provides accessible and safe adventures that are immersive in nature but also provide an educational and comfortable experience for all participants.
Realising that natural landscapes are disappearing along with the knowledge, values and skills that once accompanied nomadic life, Rob aims to continue the development of a well of content in Nomad Ways that can be drawn upon to educate, inform and inspire.
Michael Asher
The programme has been written and prepared by Michael Asher — desert explorer, author, teacher and historian. He is acknowledged as one of the world’s leading experts on the desert and its nomadic people. Michael has written works of both fiction and non-fiction based on his experiences and has presented several TV documentaries.
Michael has served with the UK Special Forces; he speaks fluent Arabic and was mentored by Sir Wilfred Thesiger, about whom he wrote a biography. Like Thesiger, he was awarded the Lawrence of Arabia Memorial Medal of the Royal Society for Asian Affairs for his achievements, which include the first recorded west-east crossing of the Sahara desert by camel and on foot. Michael’s unique combination of experience and skills has formed the basis for a programme unlike any other, with a wealth of content providing tremendous educational value.
Nomad Ways is owned and produced exclusively by NPI Media FZ LLC. The content, including but not limited to text, images, illustrations and other materials, is under copyright to the publisher and cannot be reproduced or transmitted in any form, without first obtaining written permission.