A family desert safari in Dubai costs from around AED 150 per adult and AED 125 per child on a shared evening trip as of September 2026, with under-3s usually free. Age rules differ by operator, so the right choice depends on how young your children are and how much dune driving they can handle.
Indicative prices from Dubai operator websites checked in September 2026. Age bands and prices vary between operators and change often. Confirm before paying.
There is no standard "family package" price across Dubai. What you pay depends on the format you choose and how each operator splits adult, child and infant rates. These are the three formats most families pick between.
| Format | Adult | Child | Infant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared evening safari (standard operator example) | AED 150 | AED 125 (ages 3 to 10) | Free under 3 |
| Private 4x4 (Land Cruiser or Nissan Patrol, up to 6) | From about AED 750 per vehicle | Seat on request | |
| Heritage wildlife safari (Platinum Heritage, no dune bashing) | AED 795 | AED 695 (ages 5 to 11) | Under 5: private car only |
* Budget listings are often discounted well below these rates. Check that the child price covers dinner and activities, not just transport.
Worked examples for two adults and two children aged 5 and 8, using the published rates above:
| Option | Calculation | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Shared evening safari | 2 x AED 150 + 2 x AED 125 | AED 550 |
| Private 4x4, standard camp | 1 vehicle, up to 6 seats | From about AED 750 |
| Heritage safari (shared vehicle) | 2 x AED 795 + 2 x AED 695 | AED 2,980 |
The gap between shared and private shrinks as the family grows. With five or six people, a private car can cost the same as shared tickets, and you get your own driver, room for child seats and the option to leave early. See our private desert safari prices for how per-vehicle pricing works.
Operators set their own age rules, so use this as a guide and confirm with the company you book.
For advice on heat, snacks, motion sickness and what to skip with young children, read our desert safari with kids tips.
As of September 2026, a shared evening safari from a standard Dubai operator is listed at around AED 150 per adult and AED 125 per child aged 3 to 10, with under-3s free. A private 4x4 for the whole family starts from about AED 750 per vehicle for up to six people. The no-dune-bashing heritage safari from Platinum Heritage is AED 795 per adult and AED 695 per child aged 5 to 11.
There is no single legal minimum age for joining a desert safari, but each operator sets its own rules. Most budget operators let babies and toddlers come to the camp free of charge but advise against dune bashing for infants. Some conservation reserve operators, including Platinum Heritage, only take children under five in a private vehicle.
UAE traffic law requires a child seat for children under four, and children under 10 or shorter than 145 cm cannot sit in the front. Many operators supply baby or booster seats on request, and one budget operator lists an infant seat in a shared car at AED 100. Request seats when you book and give each child's age and height.
Yes. You can ask for a gentle drive in a private car, choose a heritage wildlife safari in the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, which uses vintage Land Rovers and does not include dune bashing, or book a camp-only evening where available. Tell the operator at booking so you are not placed in a standard shared vehicle.
For families of four to six it often is. A private 4x4 from about AED 750 per vehicle can cost roughly the same as four or five shared tickets, and you control the dune drive, fit child seats easily and can leave camp early if the children are tired.
Planning more of your trip? Our Dubai with kids guide covers the rest of the city, and the UAE desert safari overview compares every safari format.
The standard shared format with camp dinner and shows.
View evening prices
The lowest realistic prices and what gets cut to reach them.
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