Every day we receive an avalanche of confused mails from would-be guests trying to figure out how to choose the Best Dubai Desert Safari . It would be nice to say Arabian Desert Safari does offer nothing short of the best desert safaris; but then again, there is really no one-size-fits-all answer to this. Before anything, however, there are a few crucial questions your safari company should answer before you even start booking;
1) Type of camp and Group Size
Most international visitors have no idea just how many types of camps there are, and that is why this question is important.
This is a shared camp with other companies. Camps like these are oriented toward budget customers mainly. It makes sense for those on budgetary constraints to go for them. However, the privileges it comes with is probably non-existent. There is no control with the company you booked for regarding hygiene, food quality, entertainment, and facilities since most companies go in for dinner to the same camp. Even when you encounter a problem, usually there’s nothing your company can do.
Large private camps (50 to 600 guests): Some Safari companies have their own camps but cater to large numbers of guests, sometimes as large as 500-600 guests per night. If you feel secure with large groups around, then this might be a good choice for you; Just one of the many downsides is it’s a very busy desert long buffet lines and almost no personalized service.
Small private camps (-100 guests): There are not so many of these available but a much more personal service and customization is what these sites have for clients, plus the romantic vibe. It is meant for couples, well-travelled guests, families and those celebrating special events.
Private set-up: This is truly the best safari experience. Here, you will have the benefit of a staff-to-guest ratio of three or four to one, which means every desire will be attended to and your experience is entirely tailored to you. It also guarantees privacy and quality. But, beware of those setups that were not built with bathroom facilities in place. Nothing can put a hold on a romantic dinner like being forced to “go in the dunes”.
2) Is the company a wholesaler or safari provider?
Safari Wholesaler: Most of them are wholesalers for other activities. They will choose 1 or 2 safari suppliers and sell to these companies. Ask the question about which company/camp they are using and then research the reputation of that company. The biggest drawback with wholesalers is that there are no recourses or contending if you are not happy or if anything goes wrong.
Safari Provider: It is the one which directly and actually runs the final product. With these companies, you also tend to get more likelihood of amendments, changes or special requests.
3) Company staff or Freelance staff
The best safari thing is that a good safari guide can make or break your experience altogether.
Ask the safari company whether they can guarantee that the safari will be conducted by their staff. Some companies have no staff and rely on freelance safari guides. While some freelancers are really good, others can be quite disappointing.
However, relying solely on freelancers means a company is unable to say with certainty which freelancer one will have. Other companies have some of their own staff but outsource to Freelance guides when they are busy.
If this happens, they will also not be able to ensure the quality of your safari guide. The best service will come from a company that can guarantee that you will have a company trained safari guide. These guides will have First Aid training, product knowledge, safety training and customer service training.
4) Type of drive – dune bashing or wildlife safari
Love adventure sports? Fit and healthy? Not suffering from any back or neck condition? Not a victim of Motion Sickness? Love Roller Coaster? Traveling without children or older guests? Loves motorsport? If all well it would be apt to say that you love dune bashing.
These high impact adrenaline drives are not for the faint hearted and can be incredibly fun. However, the adventure generally lasts for a very limited time and is sometimes barely up to 10-30 minutes.
If you answered NO to one or more of these questions, you will probably prefer a wildlife drive. These are more like African safaris and can be enjoyed by anyone.
There are only two companies permitted to conduct wildlife safaris inside the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve (Yes, Arabian Desert Safari is one of them) and it will provide the most interesting, safest and visually appealing adventure. The drives are longer in nature and generally last more than an hour.
5) What’s for Dinner?
Everyone understands why food sold at fast food restaurants cost relatively less than at dining restaurants. Ask what the safari menu offers. Is it freshly prepared, or will it be pre-cooked? Is a Chef on-site, or is the food being catered?
Is it local cuisine, or should I expect BBQ or curry? You wouldn’t just pick any restaurant, and the same level of care should be used in planning your safari; obviously, the better and higher quality the food, the higher the price of your safari.
6) Reputation
I would place it at the top as I consider it to be the crux of what makes a safari just right for an individual. A recommendation from a friend who shares the same taste is also most priceless.
Check TripAdvisor for honest traveler reviews and don’t hesitate to leave messages to reviewers and ask for their opinions. You should also ask the Hotel Concierge for more input, but inquiring if his hotel has an affiliated provider, because he may not be able to offer you an impartial suggestion.
7) Price
It would generally be the first thing that everyone would ask. But just like everything in life, on pays for such safaris. Below is a summary, which could indicate how each safari is being priced:
| Service Type | Camp Type | Safari Guides | Safari Activities | Price Range (AED) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ultra Budget | Shared camp | Freelancer safari guides | Dune bashing, safari provider | AED 75-100 |
| Budget | Same as Ultra Budget | Freelancer safari guides | Dune bashing, safari provider | AED 120-180 |
| Economy | Big private camp | Freelancer safari guides | Dune bashing, safari provider | AED 220-275 |
| Premium | Big private camp | Combination of in-house & freelance | Wildlife driving, safari provider | AED 275-375 |
| Exclusive | Small private camp | Only in-house safari guides | Wildlife driving, safari provider | AED 545 |
| Luxury | Private set-up | In-house & freelance safari guides | Wildlife driving, safari provider | AED 895 |
| Ultra Luxury | Private set-up | Only in-house safari guides | Wildlife driving in luxury SUV, includes entertainment & facilities, safari provider | AED 1,500 |
Now you would fairly go with all facts that you know the experience you would like to spend your hard-earned vacation on. And just remember to put it into perspective, with the cut-throat competition; even the priciest safaris cost less than an average dinner in a 5-star hotel.