A desert safari in Dubai with kids has a child rate for ages 5 to 11: AED 210 per child on the Morning Desert Safari With Land Cruiser 4X4 and AED 225 per child on the Shared Classic Evening Desert Safari With BBQ Dinner. Hotel pickup is included, and private safaris are priced per car.
Key takeaways
- Children aged 5 to 11 pay a child price per person on the shared safaris. From age 12, guests pay the adult price.
- The facts give no price or rule for children under 5, so ask the team about toddlers before you book.
- Every safari includes hotel pickup. Buggy, quad and dirt bike prices do not, so a transfer or the emailed meeting point is needed for those.
- The Kids Quad Bike Single Seater runs in a fenced area only and is recommended for ages 9 to 12, from AED 150 per quad bike for 30 minutes.
- Children can ride as passengers beside an adult in a dune buggy. Buggy drivers are adults with photo ID.
- Cancellation terms depend on group size: fewer than 4 guests and 4 or more guests follow different scales.
Is a desert safari suitable for kids?
For most families with children of primary school age, a shared safari is the simplest way into the desert. The Morning Desert Safari With Land Cruiser 4X4 and the Shared Classic Evening Desert Safari With BBQ Dinner both list a child price for ages 5 to 11, which tells you this age group is expected on board.
A safari is also the one desert product where you do not have to arrange transport yourself. Hotel pickup is part of the price, so the day starts at the hotel door rather than at a meeting point you have to find.
There is one thing parents should weigh honestly. Dune bashing in a Land Cruiser is a rough ride. Some children love the bumps, and some find them too much. If your child gets car sick easily or has any health condition, see a doctor before the trip and tell the team when booking. The team can explain what the drive involves so you can decide.
What about toddlers and children under 5?
The safari prices cover children from 5 to 11 and adults from 12. Nothing in the price list covers children younger than 5, so there is no published price or rule to share here.
If you are travelling with a toddler or a baby, ask the team when booking. Give the exact age of each child, and ask how they would be seated and whether the trip you are looking at is suitable. Do not assume either way until the team has answered.
What about older children and teenagers?
From 12, every safari counts your child as an adult. Teenagers also open up activities that are not covered in this guide, such as the COBRA Single Seater Quad Bike for ages 14 to 17. For that age group, plan separately.
Desert safari Dubai child price: what each trip costs
The table below lists every safari with a child price, plus the two private safaris, which are priced per car. Each price stands alone with its unit.
| Safari | Adult (12+) | Child (5 to 11) | Unit and pickup |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morning Desert Safari With Land Cruiser 4X4 | AED 225 | AED 210 | Per person, hotel pickup included |
| Shared Classic Evening Desert Safari With BBQ Dinner | AED 240 | AED 225 | Per person, hotel pickup included, BBQ dinner and shows |
| Morning safari + 30 Min ATV Quad Bike | AED 290 | AED 285 | Per person, pickup included |
| Evening safari + 30 Min ATV Quad Bike | AED 375 | AED 340 | Per person, pickup included |
| Private Morning Desert Safari With Land Cruiser 4X4 | AED 799 | AED 799 | Per car for up to 6 guests, pickup included |
| Private Evening Desert Safari With BBQ Dinner | AED 1,400 | AED 1,400 | Per car for up to 6 guests, pickup included, BBQ dinner and shows |
For the private safaris, the adult and child columns show the same figure because the price is per car, not per person. Children and adults count the same toward the limit of 6 guests.
What the evening child price includes
The Shared Classic Evening Desert Safari With BBQ Dinner includes a BBQ dinner and live shows: belly dance, a fire show and tanoura. The child price for ages 5 to 11 is AED 225 per child, against AED 240 per adult.
What the morning child price includes
The Morning Desert Safari With Land Cruiser 4X4 is the morning outing, with no dinner. The child price is AED 210 per child, against AED 225 per adult. Full details of both trips are on the morning desert safari page and the evening desert safari with BBQ page.
The + 30 Min ATV versions
Both shared safaris also come with a 30 minute ATV quad bike session added. On the morning version, the child price is AED 285 per child and the adult price AED 290 per adult. On the evening version, the child price is AED 340 per child and the adult price AED 375 per adult.
The price list gives these child rates, but it does not say which quad a 5 year old would use or how a young child takes part in the ATV session. Before you book an ATV version for a younger child, ask the team how it works for their age. If the answer does not suit your child, the standard safari at the lower child price may be the better fit.
Shared or private: which suits a family?
A shared safari charges each guest separately, so a small family pays only for the seats it uses. A private safari charges one price for the car, whether you fill it or not, with room for up to 6 guests.
The Private Morning Desert Safari With Land Cruiser 4X4 is AED 799 per car. The Private Evening Desert Safari With BBQ Dinner is AED 1,400 per car. Both include pickup, and the evening one includes the BBQ dinner and shows.
To decide, add up the shared per person prices for everyone in your group, using the adult and child rates above, and set that figure against the per car price. The comparison is yours to make, because it depends on how many adults and children are travelling.
Money is not the only factor. A private car means the vehicle is for your group alone, which some parents prefer with young children who need a quick snack stop or a quiet moment. A shared safari suits families who are happy to travel alongside other guests and want to pay per seat.
Morning or evening desert safari with kids?
The choice between morning and evening often comes down to your child's routine rather than the price. The two trips are close in cost: the child price is AED 210 per child in the morning and AED 225 per child in the evening.
The morning safari and a child's routine
The morning trip has no dinner, so it fits around a normal lunch and an afternoon rest at the hotel. For younger children who still nap, or who fall apart after a long day, this is usually the easier choice.
It also leaves the evening free. Families who want a pool afternoon or an early night tend to find the morning trip less tiring overall. Ask the team for the pickup time from your hotel when you book, so you can plan breakfast around it.
The evening safari and bedtime
The evening trip includes the BBQ dinner and the belly dance, fire show and tanoura shows, so it runs into the evening. That means a later night than many children are used to.
For children who stay up well, the evening is the fuller experience: the drive, a meal and a show in one outing. For children who need an early bedtime, think about whether they will enjoy the shows or simply be tired. The pickup and return times for your hotel are confirmed by the team when you book.
How to choose between them
| If your child | Consider |
|---|---|
| Still naps or tires easily | The Morning Desert Safari With Land Cruiser 4X4 |
| Stays up late without trouble | The Shared Classic Evening Desert Safari With BBQ Dinner |
| Is a fussy eater | The morning trip, with meals back at the hotel |
| Loves music and performance | The evening trip, for the belly dance, fire show and tanoura |
| Travels with a group of up to 6 | Either private safari, priced per car |
The desert safari Dubai overview lists all safari versions side by side if you want to compare them in one place.
Hotel pickup: what is and is not included
Every safari includes hotel pickup from Dubai hotels. You do not need to book a transfer for the Morning Desert Safari With Land Cruiser 4X4, the Shared Classic Evening Desert Safari With BBQ Dinner, the + 30 Min ATV versions or the two private safaris.
The rule is different for other desert activities. No buggy, quad bike or dirt bike price includes pickup. If you add one of those as a separate booking, you can choose:
- A sharing transfer at AED 175 per person, for two or more guests from one pickup point.
- A private car at AED 450 per car for 5 to 6 guests.
- Meeting on site, with the location emailed after booking.
Transfer pickup comes 1 hour before the ride starts. With children, the private car can be easier to manage, but it is a separate cost from the ride itself.
Adding a camel ride for children
A camel ride is a gentle, slow way for children to meet the desert. The Camel Ride Experience in Dubai Desert lasts 15 to 25 minutes and costs AED 150 per person. It runs daily from 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
There is also a 20 to 25 minute camel ride add-on at AED 150 per person, chosen alongside another activity. The price list does not give a minimum age for camel rides, so ask the team when booking if your child is young.
Kids quad bike in Dubai: the fenced area for ages 9 to 12
For children who want to drive something themselves, the Kids Quad Bike Single Seater is the option built for them. It is a 90 CC quad that runs in a fenced area only, and it is recommended for ages 9 to 12.
The prices are per quad bike:
| Kids Quad Bike Single Seater | Price |
|---|---|
| 30 minutes | AED 150 per quad bike |
| 1 hour | AED 250 per quad bike |
| 2 hours | AED 400 per quad bike |
Every quad rider wears a helmet and gets gloves. Closed-toe shoes are required, and sandals or flip-flops are not allowed, so pack trainers for your child.
For most children trying it for the first time, the 30 minute session is a sensible start.
Things to know before booking the kids quad
The Kids Quad Bike price does not include pickup. Book a sharing transfer at AED 175 per person or a private car at AED 450 per car, or meet on site at the emailed location. If your child is younger than 9, the recommendation does not cover them, so ask the team before booking.
Children 14 to 17 move up to the COBRA Single Seater Quad Bike, also in the fenced area. The quad biking Dubai page lists every quad bike, from the kids model up to the open deep desert machines for adults.
Can kids ride in a dune buggy in Dubai?
Buggies are not the main event for younger children, but they come up often in family plans. The short answer is that children ride as passengers beside an adult. Buggy drivers are adults and carry photo ID.
Every buggy is self-drive and priced per buggy, not per person. A 4 seater carries the driver and three passengers for the one price, which suits a parent driving with children beside and behind. For example, the 4 Seater Polaris Dune Buggy RZR 1000 CC is AED 800 per buggy for 30 minutes.
Each rider wears a helmet and goggles, and each buggy has a roll cage and harnesses. The price list does not give a minimum passenger age, so ask the team when booking and give your children's ages.
Plan for about 90 minutes on site for a 30 minute buggy ride. That covers check-in, the liability form, fitting helmets and goggles, the safety briefing, the drive and a photo stop on a ridgeline. Buggy prices do not include pickup, so add a transfer or use the emailed meeting point.
Hot air balloon with children aged 7 to 11
A sunrise balloon flight is another option for families with children of 7 and over. Children aged 7 to 11 have their own price per person:
| Flight | Adult (12 to 80) | Child (7 to 11) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Flight | AED 1,049 per person | AED 999 per person |
| Deluxe Flight | AED 1,149 per person | AED 1,049 per person |
| Premium Flight | AED 1,349 per person | AED 1,149 per person |
Pickup for balloon flights is between 3:45 and 4:30 AM, and the sharing pickup comes at no extra charge. That is a very early start for a child, so think about how your family copes with broken sleep before you book. Children under 7 are not covered by the child price, so ask the team.
Cancellation rules for family bookings
Family groups often cross the line between the two cancellation scales, so check which one applies before you book. The scale depends on the number of guests in the booking, and children count as guests.
| Booking size | Notice before departure | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer than 4 guests | 96 hours or more | No fee, refunded less a 5% processing fee |
| Fewer than 4 guests | At least 48 hours | 50% fee |
| Fewer than 4 guests | Under 24 hours | 100% fee |
| 4 or more guests | 7 days before | 50% fee |
| 4 or more guests | 5 days or less | 100% fee |
Refunds go to the original card within 7 to 10 business days. Cancellations are accepted by email only, and the time the email arrives sets the fee.
Moving to another date costs nothing, subject to availability, which is useful if a child falls ill. If the team cancels for weather, guests get a refund less 5% or a new date. The full terms are on the cancellation policy page.
Planning a family desert safari: practical tips
What to tell the team when booking
- The exact age of every child, especially any child under 5.
- Your hotel name, so the pickup can be arranged.
- Any health condition, car sickness or allergy. See a doctor first if you are unsure.
- Whether you want the shared or private version, and morning or evening.
What to bring for children
- Closed-toe shoes. They are required for buggy and quad rides, and they help on soft sand too.
- A hat and sunglasses for each child.
- A light layer for the evening trip.
- Wet wipes and a spare set of clothes, because sand gets everywhere.
- Snacks your child likes, especially on the morning trip, which has no meal.
How to build a day around the safari
Keep the rest of the day light. A morning safari pairs well with a quiet afternoon at the hotel. An evening safari works best after a calm morning and a rest after lunch, so children have energy left for the shows.
If you want to add a kids quad or a camel ride, think about whether one long outing or two shorter ones suits your family. Young children often do better with one activity a day.
Booking the right product
The safari names are similar, so check the exact product before you pay. Payment is by Visa or Mastercard in AED, in full when booking online, with no card processing fee. The booking confirmation arrives by email.
Booking your family desert safari
For families with children aged 5 to 11, the shared morning and evening safaris give a simple, priced per person way into the desert with hotel pickup included. Choose the morning trip for an easier routine, the evening trip for dinner and shows, or a private car for up to 6 guests.
When you are ready, choose your safari on the booking page. For questions about toddlers, the ATV versions or any child under 5, call +971 52 440 9525 or email [email protected] before you book.
