We had booked the "Private Luxury Romantic Dune Dinner Tour". The bottom line is that we have been disappointed and expected something different. Specifically, the following points: Our driver was very quiet and could barely speak English, so communication was difficult. We did enjoy the private pickup and dune bashing though. At the camel farm, we were let out without comment and a baby camel was dragged out for a photo under loud protest. Afterwards we were taken to the camp where we were offered the standard program with all the other tourists. We actually wanted to avoid this with the PRIVATE tour. The offer itself also left much to be desired (disgusting toilets, old sandboards, annoyed henna lady, 5 meter camel tour). Afterwards we were led to our dinner place (about 100m away from the camp), which was quite nice in itself, but differed greatly from the pictures. The food (from the camp) was lukewarm and served in plastic dishes (with only plastic spoons). Also, we could not smoke the shisha alone as promised, but with everyone in the camp. In the end, we went on the regular tour, only with private pickup and the dinner a few meters away. Unfortunately, this was not worth the extra charge. We have not received any feedback on our report/complaint to the management for several weeks now. All in all, we can only advise not to book with TripArabia.
Tinkerbell111
06 Jan 2020
Well we had actually booked an overnigth trip into Liwa desert. Supposedly the weather in Liwa was a bit windy for an overnight trip, so short of notice the tour operator had made changes to go into Abu Dhabi desert instead.
We where a group of four and had a private tour booked. So just the four of us sat in a vehicle, which was nice.
On our way to the dunes for dune bashing, we had to wait for a convoy of cars, to start our dune bashing. I guess it makes sence not to go thru the dunes with just one car, due to high accident risk.
On our way alon and thru the dunes we stopped a couple of times for pictures, which was nice but also a bit irritating, since we had a private tour booked and did not wanna hang out with others nor wait for others until everybody was ready.
Due to our change of plan we did not know, that we would be going to a big Beduine camp, which wasn´t our intention at all. No comercial at all! Well, I guess we went there anyways and at that point we where quite upset. In general it is not bad at all, but since our tour had been changed, and we did not want to be on a commerial tour with a bunch of other people, we ended up with all which we did not want. Mr. Abu was our contact person and he was there as well. I guess the Beduine camp was just a quick stop for us, to start out with some refreshments and also see the camp as well. Unofrtuntely the sun started to set, and due to a misunderstanding, we had to carry our overnight stuff with us. Too bad, that made it not possible for us to sandboard the dunes. Anyways shortly after we left in a vehicle across the dunes to our night camp.
Wow, amazing!!! This is exactly what we ehere dreaming of. The setting was just beautiful! We felt like in 1000 and 1 night.
I would recommend to be at the overnight before sunset, since our pictures got a bit dark and we would have loved to enjoy the pretty set up longer in the daylight.
Anyways, we where out there inbetween the dunes, sitting on our carpet, enjoying ourselfs. Very yummy and almost too much food was brought to us, which we really enjoyed. A couple of tents where set up for us as well, which we did not end up using. Sleeping under the stars was just amazing! It does get cold in the night and also pretty moist, but we knewbefore and where prepared. Later in teh night, we got a fire started which kept us a bit warm and it was very romantic.
Waking up early in the morning, before sunset and watch sunset from the top of the dunes while it was nice and quiet was the best.
Again, yummy food/breakfast was brought to us. Anything and everything you could possibly want or need.
After breakfast transfer back to Dubai.
I woudl definitely do this again!!! Just without all the commercial things which is just not ours. I would recommend to be at the overnight spot not right at sunset, rather before, s you be able to enjoy the setting n daylight.
Thank you Mr. Abu for making this trip after all a beautiful experience, we absolutely loved it!!!