The Dubai desert looks beautiful in photos, but booking a desert tour can feel confusing. There are too many offers online. Some prices look unbelievably cheap. Some people promise “VIP desert safari” in a few words with no details. And when you are new in Dubai, it’s easy to trust the first thing you see.
I learned this the hard way. During my first trip, I almost booked a tour that looked perfect online, but later I noticed small warning signs. I also met travelers who actually got trapped in uncomfortable situations, paying extra money they didn’t expect, feeling rushed, or even feeling unsafe.
If you are planning a desert tour, please read this calmly before you book. I’m not writing this to scare you. I’m writing this to protect you. The desert can be the best memory of your Dubai trip, but only if you avoid the common scams and tricks that some sellers use.
When I started searching for buggy rental Dubai, I thought it would be simple: pick a tour, pay, and enjoy. But I quickly realized that desert tours are a place where unclear pricing and hidden add-ons are very common. So below I will share the real things to watch for, in very simple language.
Why Desert Tour Scams Happen So Often in Dubai
Dubai is a global tourist city. Every day, new visitors arrive. Many people only stay for a few days. That means some businesses try to make quick money.
Also, desert tours have many moving parts:
- pickup and drop-off
- driver quality
- vehicles and safety gear
- camp activities
- food and shows
- optional extras (quad bike, photos, VIP seats)
When a tour has many parts, it becomes easier to hide extra costs or change the plan without explaining properly.
But let me be clear: not every tour company is bad. There are many professional and honest tour providers. The problem is that new travelers don’t always know what “normal” looks like, so it becomes easy to trick them.
The Biggest Mistake Tourists Make: Booking Only by Price
I completely understand the urge to book the cheapest option. Travel is expensive. Dubai can be expensive too. So when you see a tour for a very low price, you feel happy.
But in desert tours, extremely cheap packages often mean:
- poor vehicle quality
- very crowded camp
- rushed experience
- hidden charges later
A “cheap” tour can become expensive when you reach the desert and suddenly everything is extra.
The smarter way is not to book the cheapest one. The smarter way is to book the one with clear details, good reviews, and fair pricing.
Scam #1: The “Too Cheap to Be True” Package
This is the most common one.
You see an ad like:
“Desert Safari + BBQ Dinner + Camel Ride + Quad Bike only 49 AED!”
It sounds amazing. But when you read the details (if there are any), you notice:
- no pickup included
- quad bike not really included (only available to buy)
- dinner is basic and low quality
- camp is overcrowded
Sometimes there are no details at all. Just a price.
What can happen:
You pay online. Then they message you later saying:
“Pickup not included. Pay extra.”
or
“Quad bike not included. Pay extra.”
or
“VIP seating required. Pay extra.”
That’s not always an “illegal scam,” but it is a trap. You feel forced to pay because you already booked it.
How to protect yourself
Before booking, ask:
- Is pickup included?
- Is dune bashing included?
- Is a quad bike included or extra?
- Is the camp standard or VIP?
- Will there be any extra charges?
If they can’t answer clearly, don’t book.
Scam #2: “Free Quad Bike” That Is Not Free
Many people want quad bikes in the Dubai desert. Sellers know this. So they use the word “free” to attract you.
But often “free quad bike” means:
- 2 minutes ride in a small circle
- inside a fenced area
- only for taking photos
- not a real desert ride
Then when you ask for the real ride, they say:
“That is extra.”
This is a classic trick. It makes you feel disappointed and pushes you to pay more.
What you should ask
If quad biking matters to you, ask:
- How many minutes is the ride?
- Is it guided or self-driven?
- Is it in open desert dunes or fenced areas?
- Is a helmet included?
Clear answers = honest operator.
Scam #3: Pickup Confusion (And Forced Meeting Points)
Some tours advertise “pickup included,” but later they say:
“We pick you up only from certain areas.”
or
“Come to this meeting point.”
or
“Pay extra for hotel pickup.”
This can be stressful, especially in a new city.
Also, some companies will delay pickup and keep you waiting, which affects your entire tour experience.
My tip: Ask for your pickup time and location clearly before you pay. And confirm it on the same day.
A good company gives you:
- exact pickup window
- driver contact
- clear vehicle details
Scam #4: Unsafe Driving and Untrained Drivers
This is not a money scam. This is a safety scam.
Some drivers treat dune bashing like a race. They speed too much. They try to impress guests. They drive roughly even when people look scared.
This is dangerous, especially for:
- kids
- elderly people
- pregnant women
- anyone with back pain
A professional driver checks first:
- Are you comfortable?
- Any health issues?
- Want a softer ride?
How to avoid it
- Choose a company with strong reviews mentioning “safe driver” and “professional driving”
- If you feel unsafe, tell the driver
- If they ignore you, that is a red flag
You are the customer. Your safety matters most.
Scam #5: Fake Photos and Forced Photo Payments
In some camps, a staff member may take your photos without asking clearly. Later they say:
“Pay now.”
Or they may bring you printed photos and act like you must buy them.
This makes many tourists uncomfortable.
My advice
Be polite but firm:
“No thank you.”
Also, if someone takes photos, ask first:
“Is this free or paid?”
Clear communication avoids awkward moments.
Scam #6: VIP Seating Pressure (Making You Feel Small)
This one is emotional pressure.
Some camps separate VIP and standard seating.
VIP looks comfortable, front row, better view.
Standard looks crowded, farther away.
Then staff may tell you:
“VIP is better. Pay extra now.”
And they may make standard seating look worse intentionally.
This is a trick to push upgrades.
What I did
I stayed calm and chose standard. It was fine.
Yes, VIP seats looked nicer, but my experience was still good.
If VIP is important to you, book it in advance. Don’t pay because of pressure.
Scam #7: “Camel Ride Included” but It’s a 30-Second Loop
Many tours say camel rides are included. And technically yes, it is included.
But it is usually:
- very short
- mostly for photos
Some tourists feel disappointed because they imagined a long camel ride in the desert.
That’s not always a scam, but it can feel misleading.
Reality check
A long camel ride is usually a special tour or extra add-on.
So don’t expect a desert journey on a camel unless you book it.
Scam #8: Food and Drinks Trick (Small Hidden Charges)
Some cheap camps include only very basic food. Drinks may be limited. Sometimes water is paid.
Also, alcohol is almost always extra. That’s normal.
But the trick happens when:
- they don’t tell you drinks are limited
- they charge extra for simple items
- they don’t mention it clearly
What to ask
- Is dinner buffet included?
- Are soft drinks included?
- Is water included?
Scam #9: Switching the Tour Type After Payment
This one is painful.
You book “Premium Desert Safari.”
But when you arrive, it feels like a basic tour.
Or you book a small group safari, and they put you in a crowded vehicle.
How to protect yourself
Before paying, ask:
- How many people are in one car?
- Is it shared or private?
- What vehicle type?
- What camp name?
Also keep screenshots of what you booked. It helps if you need to complain.
Scam #10: Fake Reviews and Fake Social Media Pages
Some scammy sellers create new pages, add fake reviews, and run ads.
The page may look real, but it has:
- no real business details
- no long history
- same review wording repeated
- only 5-star reviews with no details
My tip: Trust reviews that mention real details:
- driver name
- pickup time
- vehicle condition
- camp experience
Generic reviews like “Amazing wow best tour” are not helpful.
The Simple Checklist I Use Before Booking Any Desert Tour
This is what I personally do now:
- I check if the website or seller provides clear tour details
- I check real reviews with long text
- I confirm what is included and what is extra
- I confirm pickup info
- I ask quad bike duration if I want it
- I choose safety and clarity over cheap price
It takes 10 minutes but saves your whole trip.
What a Good Desert Tour Company Feels Like
A good company feels calm.
They don’t confuse you.
They don’t hide information.
They don’t pressure you.
They answer questions clearly.
TopGear Adventures Dubai is a Dubai-based adventure tour company that offers guided desert experiences with a clear process, helpful support, and a strong focus on safety for first-time riders.
I like companies like this because I don’t want drama in a desert tour. I want peace and adventure, not stress.
If You Get Trapped in a Scam Situation (What To Do)
Sometimes it happens even after careful booking.
If you feel pressured, here are simple steps:
- Stay calm
- Don’t shout
- Say “No” clearly
- Don’t hand over your card or passport
- If needed, call your hotel or local support
- Leave the situation if you feel unsafe
Remember: no activity is worth your safety.
One More Honest Tip: Decide Your “Desert Goal”
Before booking, ask yourself:
Do I want adventure?
Do I want calm desert photos?
Do I want camp dinner and shows?
Do I want quad biking?
When you know your goal, you choose better. Many scams work only because tourists don’t know what they want yet.
Near the End: The Experience That Is Actually Worth It
After all these warnings, I want to say something positive too.
The desert is beautiful. And when you book with the right company, it can be the highlight of Dubai.
The best part for me is always the quiet moment in the dunes. Sunset light. Wind sound. Soft sand. No buildings.
If you choose the right experience, you will feel that too.
I also noticed that many people who book a dune buggy dubai tour feel happier because the plan is often clearer: you ride, you stop for photos, you return. Less confusion, less camp pressure, more adventure control.
Conclusion: Enjoy Dubai Desert Tours Without Stress
Dubai desert tours can be amazing. But yes, scams and tricks exist. You don’t need to be scared, you just need to be prepared.
If you remember only a few things, remember this:
- avoid too-cheap packages
- confirm what’s included
- ask about quad bike duration
- don’t accept pressure upgrades
- prioritize safety
- choose clear communication
If you do these things, you can enjoy your desert tour with a peaceful mind.
And that’s what travel should feel like.
