Desert Safari Dubai By Desert Journey DXB — Local services in Dubai

Overall a good experience at a reasonable price, as long as you know what to expect (and don’t fall for scams)!

You are picked up and dropped off at your hotel or wherever, I was picked up near Dubai frame and dropped off in Deira.

First we went to a quad rental place which I read about, where you visit a shop to spend 120 AED on a scarf to cover your face and an overpriced 30 minute ride. I didn’t pay for either, but the ladies with me begrudgingly paid 500 AED for a bike for two + VAT. If you don’t pay you wait in the air-conditioned waiting room for however long it takes, this was the only waste of time for me.

Next, you go to the sand dune bashing which was SOOO FUN!! Our driver drove especially crazy so you get thrown around but I loved it!! Lasts about 7-10 minutes they say, it was enough for me. You then have about 15 minutes or so to take pictures, again my favorite part, however there’s soooooo many other cars it’s hard to get a shot without them. The guide can help you.

Next, we went to the camp where they have free camel rides but the camels are ABUSED! All of them have their mouths covered and one that was being ridden kept groaning. The handler kept yanking on the rope so hard to force them up and back down… worst part of the tour by far, I wish it wasn’t included.

The main show is fine, but again they try to upsell you 50 AED for the VIP section to eat food faster but I think it’s not needed.

Here’s the schedule:

Unlimited tea for about 30 min waiting Veg starter (pakora) and soft drink First dance 💃 Dinner served around 30 min later Last two dances start right after dinner (belly dance, then fire dance) drive home

I was worried about the food due to other reviews but there was a LOT to choose from, however 98% of it was vegetables. If you are someone who only likes kebab, you will be disappointed! They give two pieces of chicken and one of mutton for the meat. The food was DELICIOUS! And plentiful.

Everywhere we went had soap, and the show camp had unlimited water, which I appreciated. You do have to get used to telling people no thank you when they try to sell you something, but for the affordable price tag I think it was worth the travel to the desert!

My guide was Ali and he wasn’t rude but definitely not the friendliest person, and he was not happy to have to drop me off deep in Deira near Al Marhaba...

I had booked a Desert Safari package ( Private Vehicle ) for 18th Nov'23 and it was a very seamless and comfortable experience.

The whole booking was done over WhatsApp with prompt and comprehensive response to all my queries.

Booking and operator support : 5/5

Our guide on the day of safari was Mr. Ali ka who was punctual , helpful and an amazing safari guide. The sand dune bashing was an amazing experience with Mr. Ali ka being very skillful in desert driving. He was very helpful with the bookings for Quad bike and the choice of Quad biking operator camp was great! Must say he was also a great photographer who clicked some really good sunset desert pictures.

Note: Dune bashing was great because it was private vehicle. Shared vehicle experience may not be as good because the guide will have to cater to copassenger's request and comfort.

Pick up -Drop off : 5/5 Dune bashing and Quad bike : 5/5

Atlantis Tourism Desert Camp was the desert camp for evening food and entertainment. Food was honestly not at all great. It was international cousine but lacked flavour. The BBQ chicken was also not that great! It might have been better in VIP section for additional 50 AED/Pax but I didn't opt so not sure. Based on my choice I would rate

Food : 2/5

Entertainment was good with belly dancing, fire show and tanoura show all the three show performers were skilled and it was great viewing experience.

Entertainment : 5/5

I would rate the complete experience a solid 4.5 with only the food being a major disappointment but Dune bashing, desert camp entertainment and great a guide in Mr. Ali ka surely made it a memorable desert safari experience....

Personally wouldn't recommend booking through this agency. I initially was told the desert safari and quad biking that i wanted was 250 Aed each, when on the website it said 200 each. When i said this, the person on the phone agreed and i confirmed multiple times i would be paying 400 Aed for 2 persons for safari and quad biking. If one person safari and quad is 200 aed, it means paying 400 means safari for 2 and 2 quads for 2 people, 1 each. When we got there, the atlantis tours driver which seems to be the agency that the website books on behalf of, advised us we paid 400 for just one quad bike , where 2 people can sit on 1. I said to the driver when i booked i confirmed it was 1 each he disregarded what i said . Had i not been in the middle of the desert i would have left without paying . All the whilst from my understanding, another 2 that were in the same car paid 250 Aed for both of them to jump on one quad, when i was charged 400. Overall, I'd say book with someone who has more reviews, as for me trying to save 100 aed, seeing the reviews i believed i wad getting a good deal but was turned down what i paid for when i got there, out in the middle of nowhere with nobody other than the driver to get back. If you have the extra disposable income to spend on a slightly more expensive safari, i would recommend doing that with a more...