VIP-avond Desert Safari, Camel Ride, Dune Bashing, Sand Boarding, exclusief

We were a group of five people and booked a “Desert VIP Safari with Quad” with “Luxury Tours UAE” through Groupon. Our own research indicates that the different company names are always the same organizer “Atlanta Dubai”. In any case, the camp is operated by this very provider. He also organizes the camp and handles the payments. Below we describe our personal experience. This is intended to help other travellers get a realistic picture. Pick up & drop off Pick up at the hotel (Dubai Marina) was on time. However, the vehicle was a very old Jeep (over 513,000 km mileage), visibly unkempt and not clean. Inside, all seats had handles damaged or torn out (“dune bashing” without handles is not very pleasant), outside the car was badly dented. A total of eight people were in the vehicle, which made the journey very tight. We found the driver's driving behaviour unsafe: from our perception traffic rules were disregarded (risky overtaking maneuvers, driving over restricted areas), in addition the driver navigated with his mobile phone in his hand, making phone calls and composing messages while driving. We did not feel comfortable for long distances. Unnecessary sales stop After about an hour’s drive, we were stopped at a sales stall where we were told with the words “come-on guys” and without further explanation to buy typical headscarves that were supposedly necessary for the safari. In our view, this was not true. Other guests bought these shawls anyway. Then we drove the same way back again, which meant an unnecessary loss of time of about 30 minutes for us. Overall, communication during the outbound journey was sparse, reinforcing the impression of uncertainty. Our guide, by his own account from Pakistan, also spoke very broken English. A refueling stop was made during our precious holiday free time, without excuse, without explanation. The transport did not have the appearance of the booked “VIP Safari” in the beginning, but rather the character of collecting substantial revenue sources for the organizers, more in the style of a Western cattle transport. Safari & VIP Quad Arrival starting point then around 16:00 (ca 1:45h to there). The following “highlight” Dune Bashing lasted only about 9 minutes after our measurement. The advertised “VIP Quad Tour” did not meet our expectations: Old, throttled quad bikes with loose cables hanging out, slow driving in circles (estimated maximum about 15 km/h), always around a concrete block. For us, this had no VIP or desert character. Anyone who drove slightly outside the circle because, as illustrated in the advertising photos, he wanted to drive a dune was admonished. Every car scooter at the fair is more exciting to me than that. Without prior booking, the organizer paid 500AED per person/30min for the round trip according to the notice. Exploiting the boredom of carted-in, waiting tourists is unacceptable in this form. Camp, pictures & reality The visited camp (“Atlanta Camp”) is currently rated with about 2.4 stars on Google, which unfortunately reflects our experience. We couldn't comprehend the impressive images and promises from the advertising as well as the discounts advertised on Groupon in any way on site. Our impression was that the alleged discounts offered no real added value and the overall experience did not match the advertised value. The camp was heavily frequented, seemed unlovingly organized and was characterized by permanent sales pressure (photos with animals, upgrade to “VIP tables” with which you can bypass the lines at the buffet for a negotiable surcharge, many additional offers for a fee). A photographer appeared very intrusive. The “free” soft drinks, supposedly brands of the Coca-Cola Company, could be tapped from containers of the kind known from fresh orange juices of a hotel buffet. Hygienic conditions like those from the Third World and certainly not enough in approach to the tourist standards as they are otherwise known from Dubai. A real shame for this great country and the UAE. The toilets were unfortunately very dirty at the time of our visit. The camel riding did not work on us animal-friendly (legs tied together, saddle already grown into the animal). All animals (camels, horses, falcons) made a disturbed and neglected impression on us. If you want to experience the exploitation of living beings live, this is the place for you. Early departure Due to the overall impression, we decided to end the tour early at 4:35 p.m. (time of payment receipt), as we could not imagine giving this spectacle another 4 hours of our precious holiday time. Booking a taxi was unfortunately not possible, we were dependent on the goodwill of the organizer. Fortunately, we only had to pay AED 263 for the early departure on site to be taken back to the hotel immediately. This despite the fact that we had not consumed anything and the return trip is actually included. Honestly, the organizers could have extorted any amount of money from us so that we could leave this place again. In Germany, we call this type of payment “ransom”. Force to Google rating In our view, the most serious point came to the conclusion: The driver showed great concern that our early departure could have negative consequences for him. Under significant pressure, he asked me to connect to his mobile phone’s mobile hotspot while driving and under his guidance to give a positive Google review, citing his name as “Abdullah”, which was then photographed by him and forwarded somewhere. Only after returning to safe Germany have I changed this review again and replaced it with this honest review. Because of this experience, we personally have doubts about the significance of many very positive online reviews on various portals. But again: Everything described here is explicitly the subjective assessment of 5 Europeans, based on the standard we know from Dubai, compared with the other “desert safaris” we have experienced and already carried out. Conclusion For us, this tour was a complete failure and did not meet the description or expectations raised by advertising, discounts and reviews. Especially the safety aspects, the constant pressure to sell, the sharp deviation from the advertised images and reviews and even more importantly: the lack of appreciative treatment of us as people have massively shaken our confidence. We felt like the gold donkeys, whom you want to rob by all methods to the detriment of their freedom. Our sense of security was massively compromised and we would definitely have called for police help had we not been driven home for the separate payment. We strongly recommend that other travellers take a very critical look before booking and do not rely exclusively on promotional promises, discount details or online reviews. Ideally, you prefer to pay more and consult your own accommodation for a suitable recommendation. Under no circumstances should you book through portals yourself, especially not with tempting mock discounts. The provider is active on all relevant Western portals, at different prices and under changing company names. He is often easily recognized by the fact that a certain Abdullah is emphasizedly lavished praise. Special care must then be taken here!

I went to this safari with mayer from this company and this guy he was really so good to us and he was just care how to make us so enjoying our trip also was so caring to takecare of us all the time and he did his best to really make us soo happy, and actully he did and ofcourse so soon again

Today we went to desert safari in dubai , its our fiest time to touch the sand Mayer such lovely guide , camp was nice and full of activity, really worth the money

Awesome food, nice experience!! Great tour overall. Evenning shoes were really nice and the food was amazing!!

I’d have to say one of my best experiences ever. I couldn’t have asked for a better driver. Ajab went above and beyond for me. Also he took some amazing pics for me. I’m so glad I bought the safari experience with them. Other companies would not even text me back, or return my calls or emails. Ajab made sure I was happy with everything. 10 out of 10 stars. Thank you