Dubai desert safari with ATV (quad biking) is one of the most exciting experiences in the UAE. There is quad biking in the golden dunes, dune bashing in 4×4 land cruisers to give you the kick of adrenaline and a relaxed, laid-back evening in a Bedouin camp.
But there are so many packages and operators that it can be difficult to choose the right package. Many people make unnecessary mistakes in their booking, which affects the price, quality, timings and even safety.
To avoid these mistakes, here are 10 mistakes you should avoid when booking a desert safari with an ATV in Dubai and some easy tips to make it the most memorable experience to help you get it right.
Mistake 1: Booking the Cheapest Package without Checking its inclusions
This has been listed as the number one complaint of Dubai desert safaris by TripAdvisor. Affordable packages between 50-80 AED are usually provided with old vehicles, crowded camp and rush dune bashing (that lasts for 5-10 minutes). The menu is a simple cold buffet, and promised activities are often nonexistent.
The big tell is the quad bike ATV ride: this is promised as part of the package,e but is sold separately in the desert.
Advice: Ask for a written confirmation of inclusions (WhatsApp/e-mail).
Mistake 2: Not checking if the operator is DTCP licensed
Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (shortly known as DTCM) issues licenses to tour operators. And the license is not just that. The non-licensed operators can be cheaper, but you may not have good insurance, lower standards and little to no liability in case of an accident.
Some travellers have complained about car breakdowns in the desert, inexperienced drivers, no first aid kits, and poor maintenance of ATVs.
Tip: ask the operator for the DTCM license number when you book – it should not be a secret for a reputable and established company like Royal Journey Tourism company.
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Mistake 3: Booking a Group Safari when you want a Private one
The benefits of the shared safari can be frustrating at times if you want a more exclusive trip. You typically get five to six other groups and are stuffed into one vehicle. Then you have a 1-2-hour sightseeing trip around Dubai to the dunes. People usually complain that they spend more time travelling than being in the desert.
At the camp, there are over 200 people, queues for food, short activities and little attention to individuals. In the case of an evening desert safari with a quad bike, time can also be wasted.
Tip: ideally, go private, or prearrange group size and time of pick-up.
Mistake 4: Going wrong with the time of day
Time is also a factor in the combo desert safari and ATV adventure. The Desert Safari with Quad bike in the morning is calmer, cooler, safer and more enjoyable to ride the golden sands of the Arabian desert. But it does not normally include a BBQ dinner and shows.
The package with sunset views, dinner and entertainment is available in the evening, but the quad biking is generally earlier (3-4 PM) when it is hot, and this may be rushed. Tourists usually expect the ATV to be available during sunset, which is rare.
Tip: For quad biking, go for a esert safari in the morning, & for complete entertainment,t go for an evening safari.
Mistake 5: Not Asking About the Length of the ATV Ride
Many packages mention an ATV ride, but without mentioning its time duration. For most of the regular packages, the duration of Quad Biking in Dubai is 15-20 minutes in an enclosed sandpit at the meeting point, not in the desert. There are more expensive packages where you will do a guided ride through the desert dunes (such as the Lahbab red dunes), 30-60 minutes of riding.
Suggestion: When booking, ask (1) How many minutes? (2) Sandpit or desert? (3) Will I be given a guided ride?
Mistake 6: Dressing up in the Wrong Attire
Never bring inappropriate clothes and footwear to a Dubai desert safari. The greatest mistakes include flip-flops, heels, tight jeans and all black clothes. During the ATV, you must wear sneakers or boots as the open ones are not suitable for a quad bike.
The sand will be all around, you,u and so avoid any loose scarves, heavy chains and anything you don’t want to be covered in sand. Evenings in the desert are usually cooler than the afternoons, and the lady should take along a jacket.
Advice: It is recommended to wear closed-toe shoes, long trousers, a light long-sleeve shirt, sunglasses and sunscreen; leave valuable items at the hotel.
Mistake 7 – ATV Riding with no regard for Health and Safety
ATV riding is not a simple task and requires coordination, flexibility and strength. It is contraindicated in pregnancy, severe back or neck problems, recent surgery and heart disease. A single passenger should be 15- 16 years old, but the operators can set a higher age limit. Kids six years and above can be passengers ona a double-seater ATV. Most tourists skip the safety briefing, thinking that it is a bike and that’s how accidents happen.
Suggestion: Attend the briefing, wear all safety gear (helmet, goggles, gloves), and if you have any concerns about health issues, talk to the operator before you book and not when you are in the desert. This is required for a safe desert safari with a quad bike in Dubai.
Mistake 8 – Booking an ATV add-on during the peak season in Dubai
The temperature can reach 45 -50 C0 from June to September, it would be normal to get dehydrated, sunburned, tired, and to have a poor time when riding on an ATV. People are usually lured by the lower prices, but these conceal poor conditions.
The temperature of the sand can be over 70C0 in July under your quad bike. For the desert safari with a quad bike in Dubai, it is booked in the fall and winter months, from October to March, with the temperature at 25C0 to 35C0.
Tip: If you want to be on the island in summer, you can either opt for a pickup between 7-8 AM or skip the ATV.
Mistake 9: Choosing not to know about the cancellations and refund policy
The majority of low-cost companies ask for the full payment upfront and do not give refunds if you are ill or there is bad weather. Some even charge 100% cancellation fee within 24 hours after booking, and not 24 hours before the activity. With reputed Royal Journey Tourism, the policy and rescheduling options are liberal.
Tip: When you book a desert safari in Dubai, make sure you save a screenshot of the policy, and choose at least 24 hours as free cancellation, and not the deals that say that there is no refund in any case.
Mistake 10: Not Reading Latest Reviews (or Reading the Star Rating Only)
A score of 4.5 with the last 20 reviews as 1-star is meaningless. The majority of the desert safari tour operators buy and encourage fake 55-starreviews where the experience is bad.
Warnings: “additional charge for quad bike, waiting for 2 hours for pickup, congested camp, food is too cold, sunset missed and 10 minutes on ATV in a circle.
Tip: For a desert safari and ATV combo in Dubai, look at the most recent 15-20 reviews on Google or TripAdvisor and select those that mention ATVs.
Desert Safari and ATV Combo Quick Checklist
Be sure before booking your Desert Safari + ATV combo in Dubai that the operator is DTCM licensed to operate and has insurance coverage, and can provide proof if asked. Have the exact time for the ATV, the type of desert (sandpit, open desert) and if it is included or not, in writing. Ensure that hotel drop off and pick up iareincluded in the price, and read the last 15 Google/ TripAdvisor reviews.
Ask if there is a cancellation and refund policy in place, the size of the group and whether it is a group or private tour, and book at least 48 hours before sunset tours from October to March. Go for an ATV desert safari in the morning or a cultural safari in the evening; Royal Journey Tourism does not have any hidden fees, and all the costs are there.
Conclusion
Dubai ATV safari is indeed one of the things to do in the UAE, given you have scheduled it well. It is these 10 pitfalls that can determine whether you have a good, stress-free trip or a bad, money-wasting trip with too many delays and a lack of quality. Be a peace-loving person, choose a well-licensed, reliable operator like Royal Journey Tourism, which has clear inclusions and safari + ATV packages that are reliable. Research, plan, and enjoy the desert experience”.
