Planning a holiday in Dubai with children is a balancing act. You want adventure, but you need safety. You want to see the magnificent golden dunes, but you are worried about putting your toddler in a car with strangers or stuck on a bus if they have a meltdown.
This is where a family private desert safari Dubai changes the game.
Forget the stress of shared tours. Imagine a clean, air-conditioned 4×4 arriving at your hotel. The driver smiles, helps you install your child’s car seat, and asks, “How fast would you like to drive today?” You control the temperature, the music, and the pace.
If you are searching for a family private desert safari, you likely have specific concerns: Is dune bashing safe for my 4-year-old? Can we skip the scary parts? What happens if we need to leave early?
At Maverick Safari UAE, we specialize in hosting families. We understand that a happy kid equals happy parents. In this guide, we will break down everything you need to know about booking a private family adventure in 2025, from safety protocols to pricing that might surprise you.
Quick Answer: What You Need to Know (Fast Facts)
- What is it? Renting a dedicated 4×4 Land Cruiser for your family (up to 6 or 7 people) with a private driver.
- The Big Benefit: Total Control. You decide if the drive is thrilling or gentle. You can stop for bathroom breaks or photos whenever you want.
- Safety: We provide child car seats upon request. For infants (under 3), we do a “Nature Drive” (no bashing) to ensure safety.
- Price Range (2025): 750 AED – 1,100 AED per car (Not per person).
- Best For: Families with infants/toddlers, grandparents, or anxious travelers.
What Is a Family Private Desert Safari in Dubai?
A family private desert safari is a bespoke experience designed around your family’s comfort zone. Unlike shared tours where you are mixed with other tourists who might want extreme adrenaline, a private tour is yours to command.
The itinerary generally follows the classic evening safari flow, but the logistics are exclusive to you.
A Typical Family Timeline
- 03:00 PM: Private pickup from your hotel/residence in Dubai or Sharjah. (We can come earlier or later to suit nap times).
- 04:00 PM: Arrival at the desert. Tire deflation stop (Restrooms available).
- 04:15 PM: Custom Dune Drive. (Choose: Mild, Medium, or Wild).
- 05:00 PM: Family Photo Stop. (Our drivers are great at getting the whole family in the frame).
- 05:45 PM: Sandboarding & Camel Ride (Driver assists the kids).
- 06:15 PM: Arrival at Camp. Reserved table.
- 08:30 PM: Drop-off back at your hotel.
Current Packages & Price Range in 2026
One of the biggest myths is that “Private” means “Expensive.” In reality, if you are a family of 4, 5, or 6, a private car is often cheaper per person than buying individual VIP tickets.
Here is how Maverick Safari UAE structures the options:
1. The Private Family Land Cruiser (Best Value)
- Price Range: 750 AED – 950 AED per vehicle.
- Capacity: Up to 6 people (plus driver).
- The Experience: You get the car exclusively. Includes pickup, custom dune drive, water, and standard camp access.
- Math Check: For a family of 5, that’s only 160-190 AED per person for a private experience!
2. VIP Private Family Package
- Price Range: 1,100 AED – 1,500 AED per vehicle.
- The Experience: Private car transport + VIP Table Service at the camp.
- Why choose this? Parents love this because you don’t have to carry plates of food and supervise kids in a buffet line. The food is served to your table.
3. The “Nature Drive” (For Infants/Pregnant Moms)
- Price Range: 700 AED – 900 AED per vehicle.
- The Experience: We pick you up and drive around the big dunes, not over them. It is a smooth, scenic drive suitable for babies, pregnant women, or grandparents with back pain. You still get the sunset photos and the camp dinner, just without the shaking.
What’s Included (And What Most Companies Don’t Tell You)
When booking a family private desert safari dubai, details matter. Here is what we include to make your life easier.
Transport & Pickup Details
- Door-to-Door: We pick up from your hotel lobby or your villa in Dubai/Sharjah.
- Car Seats: We have child safety seats available. Please request this when booking.
- Space: Plenty of room in the trunk for a folded stroller or a diaper bag.
Dune Bashing & Safety
- Custom Speed: This is the most important inclusion. You can tell the driver “Go slow, the kids are scared” or “Go faster, the teenagers are bored!”
- Safety Cage: All our cars have roll cages.
- Motion Sickness: In a private car, we can stop instantly if a child feels sick. In a shared bus/car, you can’t always do that.
Activities
- Camel Ride: Included (Short ride).
- Sandboarding: Included.
- Henna: Small tattoo included for ladies and kids.
Food & BBQ
- Menu: Buffet with kid-friendly options like rice, noodles, plain chicken, fruits, and bread.
- High Chairs: Available at the camp (limited availability, first come first serve).
Hidden Costs to Watch Out For
- Quad Bikes: Always paid extra at the desert station.
- Stroller Access: While you can bring a stroller, pushing it through soft sand at the camp is very difficult. Be prepared to carry the stroller or the child inside the camp area.
- Souvenirs: Your kids will ask for the flashing light toys sold at the camp. Be ready!
How to Choose the Best Package for Your Family
| Family Type | Recommended Package | Why? |
| Family with Teenagers | Private Land Cruiser (Standard) | Teens want action. You can ask the driver for “High Dune Bashing” to keep them entertained. |
| Family with Toddler (1-3 yrs) | Private “Nature Drive” | You must skip the bashing. We take a flat route to the sunset spot so the baby is safe. |
| Family with Grandparents | VIP Private Package | The elderly appreciate the smooth drive and the comfortable sofa seating with table service at dinner. |
| Large Family (7+ people) | 2 Private Cars | Don’t squeeze. Book two cars so everyone has a window seat. We drive in a convoy together! |
Real Experience: What a Typical Family Day Looks Like
3:00 PM: Your driver, Ali, arrives. He helps buckle the car seat for your 4-year-old. The car is cool and smells fresh.
4:00 PM: You reach the desert. While Ali deflates the tires, you buy the kids an ice cream at the rest stop.
4:20 PM: You enter the dunes. Your 4-year-old says “I’m scared!” so you tell Ali, “Gentle please.” Ali drives smoothly over small ripples. Ten minutes later, the kid is laughing and shouting “Faster!” Ali smiles and speeds up slightly. You are in control.
5:00 PM: You stop on a high peak. The sand is soft. You take a family photo with the sunset behind you—perfect for this year’s Christmas card. The kids roll down the sand dune (and get sand everywhere, but they love it).
6:00 PM: You arrive at the camp. Because you have a private reservation, you have a designated table. You grab some corn on the cob and juice for the kids.
7:00 PM: The fire show starts. The kids are mesmerized. By 8:00 PM, the little one is falling asleep. You don’t have to wait for other tourists. You nod to Ali, and he drives you straight back to the hotel.
Practical Tips & Mistakes to Avoid
1. The Snack Rule
Dinner is served around 7:00 PM or 7:30 PM. For kids, that is a long wait since lunch. Bring snacks. Chips, biscuits, and juice boxes are lifesavers during the drive.
2. What to Wear
- Shoes: Sandals or Crocs. Sneakers fill with sand instantly, which kids hate.
- Layers: In winter (Nov-Mar), the desert gets cold at night. Bring a hoodie or jacket for the little ones.
3. Motion Sickness
Even with a gentle drive, the swaying motion can affect kids.
- Tip: Don’t give them a heavy meal/milk right before pickup.
- Tip: Keep the windows cracked open a little for fresh air during the drive.
4. Bathroom Breaks
Use the restroom at the “Deflation Point” (before entering the desert). There are no toilets in the open dunes. The next toilet is at the camp (1.5 hours later).
Why Choose Maverick Safari UAE?
- Patience is Key: Our private drivers are selected for their patience. They are fathers themselves and know how to handle kids.
- Safety Record: We strictly adhere to safety protocols. We never take risks with children on board.
- Flexible Fleet: We have ample luggage space and well-maintained AC systems.
- No Hidden Fees: The price for the car is fixed.
Ready to Make Memories?
Give your family the adventure of a lifetime without the stress. Book a family private desert safari and experience the magic of Dubai at your own pace.
Private cars are limited on weekends book early!
- Check Availability & Family Rates
- WhatsApp Us (We reply instantly): [+971552525075]
- Call Us: [+971552525075]
Your family adventure awaits!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is dune bashing safe for a 2-year-old? A: No. Extreme dune bashing is not safe for infants due to the violent shaking. For children under 3, we strongly recommend our Private Nature Drive, where we drive on flat sand and avoid steep drops.
Q: Do you provide car seats? A: Yes, we can provide child safety seats suitable for toddlers. Please request this at the time of booking so we can have it installed in your private car.
Q: Can we bring a stroller? A: Yes, the private car has trunk space. However, strollers are difficult to push in the loose sand at the camp. We recommend a baby carrier/sling instead.
Q: What if we want to leave the camp early? A: That is the best part of a private safari! You don’t have to stay until the end. If the kids are tired at 7:30 PM, we can leave immediately.
Q: Is the food spicy? A: The buffet includes mild options (rice, noodles, bread, grilled chicken, fruits). It is generally suitable for children.
Q: Do you pick up from Sharjah? A: Yes, we provide door-to-door pickup from Sharjah and Dubai.
About the Author
This guide is written by the operations team at Maverick Safari UAE. As local experts and parents ourselves, we know exactly what it takes to turn a desert trip into a safe, fun, and hassle-free family memory.