Dubai Tips & Guides > Dubai Desert Safari With Kids
A desert safari is one of the best family activities in Dubai. Kids love the dune bashing, the camels, the sand, and the camp. Parents love that it fills an entire afternoon and evening without having to plan anything.
But a safari with a 3-year-old is a very different trip from a safari with a 12-year-old. The right preparation — choosing the correct safari type, knowing which activities suit which ages, and packing for your kids specifically — turns a good family outing into an easy one.
This guide is written for parents. It covers what every family guide should but most do not: age-specific activity restrictions, practical logistics like car seats and bathroom facilities, and honest advice about what kids actually enjoy versus what the brochure suggests.
See our Complete Desert Safari Guide →
Not every activity is suitable for every age. This table gives you the answer at a glance.
| Activity | Under 3 | Ages 3–5 | Ages 6–11 | Ages 12+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dune bashing | Skip | Gentle ride only (request from operator) | Safe | Safe |
| Sandboarding | Skip | Skip | Safe (with guidance) | Safe |
| Camel riding | Skip | With adult on same camel | Safe | Safe (solo) |
| Quad biking | Skip | Skip | Skip | With supervision (16+ solo at most operators) |
| Henna painting | Skip | Safe (short attention span) | Safe (popular) | Safe |
| BBQ dinner | Safe (bring own food for infants) | Safe (kid-friendly options available) | Safe | Safe |
| Live entertainment | May find it loud/scary | Enjoys tanoura (colourful spinning), may dislike fire show | Enjoys all shows | Enjoys all shows |
| Evening camp general | Safe but demanding for parents | Safe and enjoyable | The sweet spot — old enough to enjoy, young enough to be impressed | Safe but may find camp "boring" without friends |
The safari type matters more when you have children than when you do not. A 6-hour evening safari with a toddler requires very different planning from a 3-hour morning run with a 10-year-old.
Best for: Families with children under 5, families who want adventure without the long evening commitment, summer visits.
| Advantage for families | Limitation |
|---|---|
| Short duration — finished by noon | No dinner, no entertainment, no sunset |
| Aligns with toddler nap schedules (back by 12 PM) | Fewer activities overall |
| Cooler temperatures for younger children | Less "complete" experience |
| Kids are fresh and energetic in the morning | Early hotel pickup (6:00–8:00 AM) |
Best for: Families with children aged 6+, families who want the full experience (sunset, dinner, shows), winter visits.
| Advantage for families | Limitation |
|---|---|
| Complete experience — sunset, dinner, camp, shows | 6–7 hours is long for children under 5 |
| BBQ dinner means no separate dinner planning | Returns at 9:30–10:00 PM (past most kids' bedtime) |
| Multiple activities keep older kids engaged | Afternoon heat in summer can be harsh for young kids |
| Sunset and camp lighting are magical for kids | Shared vehicles mean less flexibility to leave early |
Best for: Families with children aged 8+ who are comfortable with basic camping.
| Advantage for families | Limitation |
|---|---|
| Stargazing and sunrise — experiences kids remember | Young children do not sleep well in desert tents |
| Campfire after crowds leave is intimate and calm | Basic bathroom facilities (difficult with toddlers) |
| Breakfast in the desert is a unique experience | Very long total commitment — afternoon to next morning |
If your children are all under 5, book a morning safari. If your youngest is 6 or older, book an evening safari. Overnight safaris work best when your youngest child is at least 8 and comfortable sleeping in unfamiliar places.
Safari brochures list activities. Parents need to know whether their kids will actually enjoy them or lose interest in 3 minutes. Here is what to realistically expect.
They will love: Playing in the sand (this alone can occupy a toddler for an hour), watching the camels, the camp lights and lanterns, the tanoura dancer (the colourful spinning skirt is mesmerising for small children), and the open space to run around.
They will not enjoy: Sitting through the full dinner, the fire show (loud and potentially scary for sensitive children), long waits between activities, and the vehicle ride to and from the desert (30–45 minutes each way).
Parent tip: Bring sand toys if you have space. A small bucket and spade turns the camp area into a playground. The sand is the entertainment at this age.
They will love: Dune bashing (the bouncing and speed thrill kids at this age), sandboarding (falling in the sand is funny, not frustrating), camel riding (they feel independent and brave), henna painting, the fire show, and the BBQ dinner eaten on cushions on the ground.
They will not enjoy: Long gaps between activities, the belly dancing (some kids at this age find it awkward or uninteresting), and the shisha area (nothing for them here).
Parent tip: This is the golden age for desert safaris. If your children are between 6 and 11, the evening safari with the full camp experience will be a highlight of their Dubai trip.
They will love: Dune bashing (especially from the front seat), sandboarding, quad biking (if available — this is the activity most teens rank highest), and the photography opportunities at sunset.
They will not enjoy: Sitting at the camp after the activities are done. The entertainment programme is geared toward tourists, not teenagers. The 2–3 hour camp portion can feel slow for teens who have finished eating.
Parent tip: Book a package that includes quad biking. It is the activity that keeps teenagers engaged and gives them something to do at camp beyond sitting on cushions. A portable phone charger also helps — they will want to photograph and film everything.
This is the section no other guide covers and the one parents actually need.
| Factor | Shared Safari | Private Safari |
|---|---|---|
| Price | AED 150–350 per person | AED 800–1,500 per vehicle |
| Schedule flexibility | Fixed group schedule | Leave when you want |
| Vehicle space | Shared with other tourists | Your family only |
| Car seat guarantee | Request in advance, not guaranteed | Easier to arrange |
| Driver communication | Standard briefing | Can request gentle driving, stops, pace |
| Best for | Families with kids 6+ who are comfortable in groups | Families with toddlers, infants, or children with special needs |
Shared safaris are fine for most families with children aged 6 and above. If your youngest is under 4, or you have a child who may need to leave early, the private safari is worth the extra cost for the flexibility alone.
Everything from the standard packing list applies, plus these kid-specific additions:
Kids need the same principles as adults — light, loose, covered — but with a few age-specific additions.
A few things to communicate at the time of booking — not on the day of the safari — that make the experience smoother.
Yes. Desert safaris with licensed operators are safe for children of all ages. The camp and dinner portion is suitable for everyone, including infants. Adventure activities (dune bashing, sandboarding, quad biking) have age-specific restrictions. Children under 3 should skip dune bashing. Children under 12 should skip quad biking. All other activities are safe with age-appropriate supervision.
There is no minimum age for attending a desert safari — infants can come to the camp and enjoy the dinner and entertainment. Individual activities have their own age limits: dune bashing typically requires age 3+ (with gentle driving), sandboarding age 6+, quad biking age 12+ (16+ for solo riding), and camel riding age 3+ with an adult.
For children under 5, a morning safari (3–4 hours, finished by noon) is usually the best fit. It is shorter, aligns with nap schedules, and avoids the late return time of the evening safari. For children aged 6 and above, the evening safari provides the full experience — sunset, dinner, and entertainment — and is the most popular choice for families.
Some do. The rapid turns and elevation changes trigger nausea in children and adults alike. Prevention: give children age-appropriate motion sickness medication 30 minutes before the drive, request a front seat (less motion), eat a light meal beforehand, and tell the driver to adjust intensity if needed. Most operators carry sick bags in their vehicles.
Most operators provide child car seats upon request, but you must arrange this at the time of booking. Specify your child's age and weight so the correct type is provided. If you have a travel car seat, you can bring your own — confirm with the operator that there is compatible seatbelt anchoring in the vehicle.
The BBQ buffet typically includes rice, grilled chicken, bread, hummus, salads, and sometimes pasta — options most children will eat. Fussy eaters may need their own snacks. For infants and toddlers on formula or specific baby food, bring everything yourself — camps do not stock these. Mention any food allergies to your operator at booking so the kitchen can prepare alternatives.
Every parent overthinks the first desert safari. Will the kids enjoy it? Is dune bashing too rough? Will the toddler survive 6 hours in the desert? What if someone has a meltdown?
Here is the reality: families do this every single day in Dubai, and the vast majority come back with sand in their luggage and photos they frame. The safari operators are experienced with children. The camp is set up for mixed groups. And kids — especially kids between 5 and 12 — remember the desert safari as one of the best things they did on holiday.
Choose the right safari type for your youngest child. Pack snacks. Bring a warm layer. And let the desert do what it does best — give your family something to talk about for years.
Book a family-friendly desert safari and create memories your kids will cherish forever.