The best desert safari for family in Dubai is the Private Family Desert Safari at AED 999 per vehicle, run by Roar Adventure Tourism from Dadabhai Camp at the Lahbab red dunes. This package gives your family a private 4×4 SUV with a personal chauffeur and three driving modes, Eco, Family, and Sports, so you control the ride speed for infants, kids, and grandparents in one trip. For budget travelers, the Evening Safari at AED 99 and VIP Safari at AED 149 also work well for families. This guide explains every option, what each one includes, and how to pick the right one for your group.
What Makes a Desert Safari Family Friendly?
A family friendly desert safari controls dune bashing speed for kids and elders. The driver picks Eco Mode for infants, Family Mode for balanced fun, or Sports Mode for thrill-seeking teens. Family safety comes first, then fun activities second.
Example: A driver carrying a family with a 4-year-old will choose Eco Mode and skip steep dune drops, while a family with two teenagers can ask for Sports Mode instead.
Family safaris also include calm activities. These are camel riding, henna painting, sandboarding, and a BBQ dinner with live shows. Each activity suits both young kids and grandparents.
Best Desert Safari Options for Families in Dubai
Roar Adventure Tourism offers six safari types that work well for families. Each one fits a different budget, group size, and time of day.
| Safari Type | Price (AED) | Duration | Best For | Key Family Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Evening Desert Safari | 99 (offer 79) | 6-7 hours | Budget families | Sunset photos, BBQ dinner |
| Morning Desert Safari | 149 | 3-4 hours | Families with toddlers | Cooler weather, shorter ride |
| VIP Desert Safari | 149 (offer 129) | 6-7 hours | Families wanting shows | Sufi Dance Show included |
| Premium Desert Safari | 259 | 6-7 hours | Active families with teens | Quad bike add-on |
| Overnight Desert Safari | 349 | 24 hours | Families who want camping | Tent stay under stars |
| Private Family Desert Safari | 999 per vehicle (6-7 guests) | Flexible | Large families, no sharing | Private SUV, Eco/Family/Sports modes |
Morning vs Evening: Which One Fits Your Family?
This is the first decision most families face. Morning safari suits toddlers and early sleepers, while evening safari suits families who want the full show-and-dinner experience.
| Factor | Morning Safari | Evening Safari |
|---|---|---|
| Pickup time | 6:00–7:30 AM | 3:00–3:30 PM |
| Best for | Kids under 6, summer visits | Kids 6+, photo lovers |
| Weather | Cooler, less harsh sun | Warmer until sunset |
| Dinner included | No (light refreshments only) | Yes (BBQ buffet) |
| Entertainment shows | No | Yes (VIP/Private only) |
| Return time | Before noon | After 9:00 PM |
Example: A family flying out the same evening should pick the morning safari, since it ends before lunch and avoids a late-night return.
Age Guidelines for Family Desert Safari
Roar Adventure Tourism sets no fixed age limit on the family safari, but each activity has its own comfort range. Knowing these age ranges helps you pick the right activities before you arrive.
| Age Group | Dune Bashing | Camel Ride | Sandboarding | Quad Biking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Infant (0-2 years) | Eco Mode only, booster seat | With adult, gentle pace | Not recommended | Not allowed |
| Toddler (3-5 years) | Eco or Family Mode | With adult or handler | Gentle dune, with help | Not allowed |
| Child (6-12 years) | Family Mode | Solo with handler nearby | Yes, any dune size | Passenger only |
| Teen (13-17 years) | Family or Sports Mode | Solo | Yes | With adult supervision |
| Adult (18+) | Any mode | Solo | Yes | Yes (16+ to drive) |
Strollers do not work well on loose sand. A baby carrier works better than a stroller for infants at the desert camp. The camp has flat seating areas with carpets, so parents can set infants down safely once at the dining area.
Why Morning Desert Safari Suits Families with Toddlers
A morning desert safari runs in cooler temperatures than evening tours. This makes it easier for babies and toddlers to stay comfortable. The morning desert safari also has a shorter dune bashing segment, which means less motion for small children.
Example: A family with a 1-year-old can join the morning safari and skip the late-night drive home, since the tour ends by midday.
Why VIP Desert Safari Suits Families Who Want Entertainment
The VIP desert safari is one of only two Roar Adventure Tourism packages with the Sufi Dance Show, a spinning dervish performance exclusive to VIP and Private tours. Families also get a Tanoura show and live BBQ dinner. This package gives the most entertainment value at AED 149 (offer 129).
The VIP desert safari includes camel riding, sandboarding, and henna painting for kids and adults in one ticket.
When a Private Family Desert Safari Works Better for Big Families
A private desert safari uses one vehicle just for your group, up to 6-7 guests. This works better when a family has more than 6 people or wants to set their own pace. Private safari removes the wait time shared safaris have at each stop, and lets you choose Eco, Family, or Sports driving mode on the spot.
Example: A family of 7 with grandparents books the private desert safari for AED 999 per car instead of buying 7 shared seats. If the group is larger than 7, a second private vehicle is added at the same rate.
Activities Included in Family Desert Safari Packages
| Activity | Included In | Kid Safe? | Senior Safe? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Camel Riding | All packages | Yes (with adult) | Yes |
| Sandboarding | All packages | Yes (age 5+) | Limited |
| Henna Painting | VIP, Private, Premium | Yes | Yes |
| BBQ Dinner | Evening, VIP, Premium, Overnight, Private | Yes | Yes |
| Tanoura Dance Show | VIP, Private only | Yes | Yes |
| Falconry Photo | VIP, Private | Yes (with adult) | Yes |
| Quad Biking | Premium only | No (age 16+ to drive) | Limited |
| Dune Bashing | All packages | Yes (Eco/Family mode) | Yes (Eco mode) |
If a family does not want dune bashing at all, Roar Adventure Tourism also runs a desert safari without dune bashing for nervous riders, pregnant travelers, and seniors with back conditions.
Food Options for Families on Desert Safari
Desert safari dinner includes a BBQ buffet with grilled meat, rice, salad, and bread. Families with dietary needs get separate menus. Roar Adventure Tourism offers a vegetarian food menu and a Jain food menu on request. Kid-friendly items like rice, pasta, and grilled chicken are always available at the buffet.
Best Time of Year for a Family Desert Safari
The cooler months from November to March give the most comfortable conditions for families with young kids or seniors. Daytime temperatures stay between 20-30°C during this period. Summer safaris, June through September, run hotter, so the morning slot or the air-conditioned camp lounge area works better for families visiting during these months.
What to Expect (and What’s Not Included)
Souvenir vendors sometimes walk around the camp during dinner. Families can simply say no thank you, and vendors will not return after the first decline. Tipping the driver is optional but common practice; AED 50-100 per family is a fair amount based on service quality. Professional photo packages, private tents on shared tours, and extra quad bike rounds are paid add-ons not included in the base package price.
Age Limits and Safety Rules for Family Desert Safari
Children of any age can join dune bashing if seated with an adult and Eco Mode is selected. Quad biking has a minimum age of 16 years to drive, though younger kids can ride as passengers with an adult. Roar Adventure Tourism guides hold the driver seat steady for kids under 5 by choosing gentler dune paths. Full age rules are listed on the desert safari age limit page.
Pregnant travelers should read the desert safari safety guide for pregnancy before booking. Senior citizens can check the senior citizen desert safari guide for comfort tips.
How to Book a Family Desert Safari with Roar Adventure Tourism
Roar Adventure Tourism holds DTCM and DET dual licenses and has run desert safaris since 2016. The company has 1,000+ verified Google reviews and operates from Dadabhai Camp at Lahbab. Named guides Asad Ullah Jan, Ibadat, Majid, Afzal, Shahmir, Hamid, and Adnan lead family groups daily.
Families can book by WhatsApp at +971 55 605 4570 or through roaradventuretourism.com. Hotel pickup is included from Dubai Marina, Downtown Dubai, Deira, and Bur Dubai. Payment can be made by cash, bank transfer, card via WhatsApp invoice, or online payment gateway.
For a longer family day trip outside the dunes, Roar Adventure Tourism also runs the Hatta Mountain Tour, a family-friendly option away from sand and heat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which desert safari is best for family in Dubai? The Private Family Desert Safari at AED 999 per vehicle is the best choice. It gives your family a private SUV with a personal chauffeur and the choice of Eco, Family, or Sports driving mode, so every age group rides comfortably in one trip.
Is dune bashing safe for kids on a family desert safari? Yes, dune bashing is safe for kids when seated with an adult. Guides use Eco Mode and choose gentler dune routes for cars carrying children. Kids must stay buckled or held during the ride.
What age can a child join desert safari in Dubai? There is no strict minimum age for dune bashing if a child sits with an adult in Eco Mode. Quad biking requires a minimum age of 16 years to drive. Check the age limit page for full details.
Does the family desert safari include food for kids? Yes, the BBQ dinner buffet includes kid-friendly food like rice, grilled chicken, bread, and soft drinks. Vegetarian and Jain menus are available if requested at booking.
Is morning or evening desert safari better for families with toddlers? Morning desert safari suits toddlers better. Cooler temperatures and a shorter dune bashing segment make the morning tour easier on small children than the evening package, which runs later and includes a longer dinner program.
Should I bring a stroller on a family desert safari? No, a stroller does not work well on sand. A baby carrier is the better choice for infants, since the camp has flat seating areas where parents can set babies down once seated.
Is tipping the driver expected on a family desert safari? Tipping is optional. AED 50-100 per family is a common amount based on how the driver handled dune bashing and how attentive the guides were during the tour.
