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Fancy going on a treasure hunt? Here's what you need to find the secret caches hidden throughout the UAE.
26 August 2014
| Last updated on 14 January 2020
Did you know there's treasure hidden in Safa Park? Well, not real treasure but there is a "cache" for you to find! We take a closer look here at this great hobby that you can really get hooked on- not just in the UAE but also wherever else you go on your travels. there are 592 caches hidden in the UAE... ready and waiting for you to seek them out.
Geocaching is a real-world, outdoor treasure hunting game using GPS-enabled devices. Participants navigate to a specific set of GPS coordinates and then attempt to find the geocache hidden at that location all around the world.
Geocaches are currently placed in over 100 countries around the world and on all seven continents, including Antarctica.
SEE ALSO: See the Old Dubai
A typical cache is a small waterproof container containing a logbook where the geocacher enters the date they found it and signs it with their established code name. Larger containers such as plastic storage containers (Tupperware or similar) or ammunition boxes can also contain items for trading, usually toys or trinkets of little value. Geocaching is often described as a game of high-tech hide and seek.
Typical cache "treasures" are not high in monetary value but may hold personal value to the finder. Aside from the logbook, common cache contents are unusual coins or currency, small toys, ornamental buttons, CDs, or books. Also common are objects that are moved from cache to cache called "hitchhikers", such as Travel Bugs or Geocoins, whose travels may be logged and followed online. Cachers who initially place a Travel Bug or Geocoins often assign specific goals for their trackable items.
There are over 500 caches hidden throughout the UAE, everywhere from Dubai Marina to The Empty Quarter so that should keep you busy for a very long time. It is a great way to get out and about and explore the UAE while taking part in the challenge. It is also a great hobby to have whilst travelling, back in your home country or on holiday. Once you get the hang of it you can start to create your own geocaches too… check out www.geocaching.com for all the information you need to join in the fun!
Handy Geocaching Terms
• Geoswag- The items that can be found in some larger caches.
• Muggle- A non-geocacher.
• Muggled- Being caught by a non-geocacher while retrieving/replacing a cache; also, a muggled cache has been removed or vandalized by a non-geocacher, usually out of misunderstanding or lack of knowledge.
• Smiley- A cache find. Refers to the "smiley-face" icon attached to "Found It" logs on some listing sites.
• BYOP- (Bring Your Own Pen/Pencil) The cache in question lacks a writing device for the logbook.
• CITO- (Cache In Trash Out) and refers to picking up trash on the hunt.
• CO- (Cache Owner) The person who is responsible for maintaining a cache, usually the person who hid it.
• DNF- (Did Not Find) Did not find the cache container being searched for.
• FTF- (First To Find) The first person to find a cache container.
• GPS- Short for Global Positioning System, also occasionally refers to the receiver itself.
• GPSr- Short for GPS receiver.
• PAF- Phone-A-Friend.
What you need
• A GPS receiver
• A compass
• A pen
Here's a link to the Geocaching locations in the UAE- best you start with the beginner ones as some are quite tricky and one is even under water! Take Me There>>
