Overnight Desert Safari
The biggest scam of my life.
My partner and I did a lot of research. Obviously not enough, but a lot. If this review stops even one person from doing the desert safari, then I will have done my job. Basically there are hundreds of places advertising 'authentic' experiences. Don't be fooled, they're all the same and meet at the same tourist spots and camps. Felt like sheep being hearded with people constantly trying to empty my wallet. Only reason this review is getting one star, is because I can't give it zero.
Pickup was arranged the day prior for 1430 - 1500, we received messages at 1400 saying they were outside ready to pick us up from our hotel, when we weren't even there, then threatened to just leave?
Driver drops us off at the most overpriced and commercialised quad biking facility ever. Everything about it just screamed run.
The Dune bashing while advertised for 30-35 minutes lasted less than 15, which included a rushed photo opp where locals were trying to sell things to you. Besides the thousands of other tourists there, getting a photo without any rubbish in it proved impossible.
There was no sand-boarding, or falcon photo opp as detailed in tour package.
As we arrived at our 'authentic' camp, we quickly realised that we'd been catfished and scammed into a massive tourist trap. We were sat next random's who were also in the same boat. The disaster that had unfolded before us all made for lots of sad laughs.
Food was OK. The camp is massive and loud and people trying to push you into buying more things. The performances were hardly authentic? Belly dancing in UAE?
Now the real nightmare begins. Our driver had introduced me to one of the bar tenders, and said go talk to this man and he'll show you to your accomodation after the show. After the show he sat me down as he cleaned the tent. Took maybe 45 minutes. What a joke. If they hadn't been counting all the money they'd scammed, maybe they could have cleaned it during the day. Come in to the room. Its dirty, smells like a public bathroom thats hasn't been cleaned in a year. We think the workers use the toilet during their shifts. No toilet paper. We saw them exchange the towels out, but not the sleeping bags - they were not washed. I can't even explain how dirty it was, to the point where we almost slept in the dunes. I can't comment on the sleep, because I didn't get any. We went for our previously arranged sunrise camel ride, just to find no camels are ready. The camel ride was a highlight, although it felt like we were trekking through a rubbish dump haha.
Breakfast was boiled eggs, a loaf of bread, a jar of cream cheese, and bad vibes.
After all these low lights i'll list one highlight. Getting picked up and going home. You could not pay me enough money in the world to go on this tour again. I'd rather $#*! in my hands and clap.
Save your money and go literally anywhere else.