I have been working in the Abu Dhabi desert safari industry for more than 15 years. I live in Abu Dhabi, operate desert safari tours locally, and have seen this industry grow from simple off-road trips to a world-famous tourism experience.
Over the years, I have also seen a worrying rise in desert safari scams in Abu Dhabi. Many travellers unknowingly book through fake websites, unlicensed agents, or middlemen who have no vehicles, no desert camps, and no responsibility toward guests. Some tourists lose money, while others face unsafe experiences in the desert.
Recently, I came across several reviews on TripAdvisor where travellers shared their experiences of being misled or scammed while booking desert safari
I am writing this blog to honestly inform travellers who are searching for Abu Dhabi desert safari tours. The goal is simple: help you identify fake tour operators, avoid scams, and book a genuine, licensed desert safari operator with confidence and peace of mind.
Table of Contents
Why Abu Dhabi Desert Safari Scams Are Increasing
Desert safari bookings are mostly done online. This makes it easy for anyone to:
- Create a professional-looking website
- Run ads on Google or social media
- Collect payments without owning vehicles or camps
Many fake operators do not run tours themselves. They only collect leads and pass them to third-party operators, often without quality control or legal responsibility.
Because tourists are usually visiting for a short time, scammers rely on urgency, discounts, and limited-time offers.
Common Types of Abu Dhabi Desert Safari Scams
Understanding how scams work is the first step to avoiding them.
1. No Local Office or Physical Presence
Many fake operators:
- Have no office in Abu Dhabi
- Do not mention an address
- Use generic contact pages or only WhatsApp numbers
- Operate as online middlemen without any on-ground team
When something goes wrong—such as a missed pickup, refund issue, or safety concern—there is no real office to contact and no accountable team to support you.
How we are different (Proof of Authorisation):
- We operate with a physical office in Abu Dhabi, where our desert safari operations are managed locally
- Our offices are backed by real staff, licensed operations, and local contact numbers
- Guests can reach us before booking, during the safari, and even after the tour
A genuine desert safari operator always has a real office, real people, and real responsibility.
If an operator cannot clearly show where they are located, it is best to avoid booking with them.
2. Websites That Only Collect Leads
Some websites:
- Do not operate tours
- Sell your booking details to unknown operators
- Disappear after payment
You may get picked up by a completely different company than the one you booked with.
How we are different (Proof of Genuine Operations):
- We operate through our own official website, which represents our licensed desert safari company
- Bookings made on our website are handled directly by our in-house team
- We do not resell leads or pass bookings to unknown operators
- The company you see on our website is the same company that operates the safari and picks you up
A genuine Abu Dhabi desert safari operator always uses an official website linked to real operations, real vehicles, and real accountability.
3. Unrealistically Cheap Prices
Prices far below the market rate are a major red flag.
Examples:
- “Full Abu Dhabi desert safari with dinner for AED 99”
- “VIP private safari at 70% discount today only”
These offers usually result in:
- Hidden charges later
- Poor-quality service
- Tour cancellation without refund
4. No Trade License or Tourism Approval
Genuine operators are registered and approved by authorities such as Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi.
Fake operators:
- Do not display license numbers
- Avoid legal questions
- Change topics when asked about approval
5. Payment Requests Through Personal Accounts
Scammers often ask for:
- Personal bank transfers
- UPI or personal wallet payments
- Screenshots instead of official receipts
A genuine company always provides proper invoices and business payment options.
Warning Signs of Fake Abu Dhabi Desert Safari Operators
Use this checklist before booking:
- No office address in Abu Dhabi
- Only WhatsApp or Instagram contact
- No company name on invoice
- Poor or fake Google reviews
- Website has copied content or no clear branding
- Pushy sales tactics like “Book now or lose slot”
If you notice more than two of these signs, do not book.
How to Identify a Genuine Abu Dhabi Desert Safari Operator
Here is how smart travellers book safely.
1. Check for a Physical Office in Abu Dhabi
A genuine operator will clearly mention:
- Office address
- UAE landline number
- Business email (not free email IDs)
Local presence means accountability.
2. Verify Trade License and Tourism Approval
Reliable operators:
- Display their trade license
- Mention tourism approval clearly
- Operate under UAE regulations
You can politely ask for their license details before payment.
3. Read Real Customer Reviews
Check reviews on:
- Google Business Profile
- TripAdvisor
- Trusted travel platforms
Look for:
- Detailed reviews
- Photos from real travellers
- Consistent service feedback
Avoid operators with only 5-star reviews posted within a few days.
4. Confirm Who Is Operating the Tour
Ask clearly:
- “Do you operate the safari or outsource it?”
- “Which company vehicle will pick us up?”
Genuine operators are transparent about this.
5. Use Secure and Professional Payment Methods
Always pay through:
- Company bank account
- Official payment gateway
- Invoice-based payment
Never rush payments through personal accounts.
Why Booking Through Middlemen Is Risky
Middlemen often:
- Have no control over vehicles or staff
- Cannot handle complaints
- Avoid responsibility during accidents or delays
If a pickup is missed or a safari is cancelled, middlemen usually stop responding.
Booking directly with a licensed Abu Dhabi desert safari operator ensures:
- Clear responsibility
- Better safety standards
- Faster customer support
Safety Matters: Not Just About Money
Desert safaris involve:
- Off-road driving
- High-speed dune bashing
- Remote desert locations
Unlicensed operators may:
- Use old or unsafe vehicles
- Hire untrained drivers
- Ignore insurance and safety rules
This puts travellers at serious physical risk, not just financial loss.
Step-by-Step: How to Book a Genuine Abu Dhabi Desert Safari
Follow these steps for a safe booking:
- Shortlist operators with Abu Dhabi offices
- Check license and tourism approval
- Read recent customer reviews
- Confirm tour inclusions clearly
- Ask who operates the safari
- Pay only through official channels
- Save invoice and contact details
This process takes only 15–20 minutes and saves you from scams.
What to Do If You Suspect a Scam
If something feels wrong:
- Do not send payment
- Ask for written confirmation
- Compare with other operators
If already affected:
- Keep payment proof
- Save all messages
- Report to relevant consumer authorities
Final Advice for Travellers
Abu Dhabi desert safari is a beautiful and safe experience when booked correctly. Scams happen mainly when travellers rush, trust discounts blindly, or skip verification.
A genuine desert safari operator will never hide information.
Transparency is the biggest sign of trust.
Key Takeaways
Desert safari scams in Abu Dhabi are increasing, mainly through fake websites, unlicensed agents, and online middlemen.
A genuine desert safari operator always has a physical office in Abu Dhabi (and reliable local contact details).
Official websites matter — real operators manage bookings directly and do not resell leads to unknown third parties.
Very cheap desert safari prices are a warning sign, often leading to hidden charges or poor service.
Licensed operators follow Abu Dhabi tourism regulations, use trained drivers, insured vehicles, and approved camps.
Never rush payments or send money to personal accounts without an official invoice.
Ask questions before booking — genuine operators welcome verification and transparency.
Booking directly with an authorised local operator is always safer than booking through middlemen or social media ads.
Final Takeaway
If an Abu Dhabi desert safari deal looks too cheap, unclear, or rushed — it is not worth the risk. Choose licensed, local operators and book with confidence.
