Family Morning Desert Safari in Abu Dhabi: A Planning Guide

The desert is a different place before the heat arrives. In the early hours the sand is cool underfoot, the light is gentle for photos, and the animals are active, which is exactly when young children and older relatives are at their most comfortable. A morning tour also wraps up around midday, so nobody is worn out and the afternoon is still yours for the beach or the pool.

If this is your family's first taste of the dunes, a family-friendly morning desert tour covers the greatest hits in one gentle run: a camel farm, a camel ride for photos, sandboarding, and time at a traditional camp, all at a pace that works with children aboard.

Aim for October to April. Through the cooler months the mornings are pleasant from pick-up to drop-off, and the desert light is at its best. In summer the sand heats quickly, so an earlier start matters more, and a very early sunrise desert drive is the way to beat the heat while the children are still fresh. Weekends and school holidays are busy, so book ahead in peak season to hold your preferred slot.

Abu Dhabi has more than one kind of morning, and the best pick depends on your children's ages and how much you want packed in. These are the family options worth weighing up, all part of Abu Dhabi's range of desert safaris.

The all-rounder

The standard morning 4x4 safari is the classic family choice: dune bashing, a camel farm, sandboarding and camp time in one three to four hour trip.

For the earliest light

Prefer to be out before the crowds? A sunrise safari gives you the coolest air and the softest photos, ideal in the warmer months.

Make a morning of it with breakfast

Hungry crew? Choose the sunrise safari with breakfast so the kids refuel in the desert before you head back.

Gentler, for little ones

Travelling with toddlers or grandparents who would rather skip the dune bashing? A slow camel trek is calm and hands-on, or you can simply drive out to the desert camp yourselves for the camp experience without the off-road driving.

Would the family rather a lie-in and a later start? You can always swap to an evening safari instead, which trades the cool morning for a sunset and a BBQ dinner.

• Sun protection: hats, sunglasses and sunscreen for everyone, applied before pick-up
• Water and a few snacks, especially if you are not booking a breakfast tour
• Light layers, since early mornings can be cool before the sun climbs
• Closed shoes for the sand, and a spare set of clothes for younger children
• A small towel and wet wipes, and a fully charged phone or camera

The camp, camel farm and camel ride suit all ages, but dune bashing is not recommended for pregnant travellers or anyone with back, neck or heart problems, so tell your operator who is in your group when you book. Infant seats can usually be arranged, and a gentler tour chosen for very young children. Above all, book with a licensed operator that can show its permits and uses insured, seat-belted 4x4s, which matters most when children are aboard.

You are collected from your hotel early, then driven out to the dunes. A typical family morning takes in a camel farm, a short camel ride for photos, sandboarding and some dune bashing, with Arabic coffee and dates at the camp, before you are back by around midday. Confirm the pick-up time, the inclusions and whether your tour is private or shared when you book, so there are no surprises with a young family in tow.

Ready to plan it

Pick your family's morning

Start with the morning desert safari for the full experience, or tell us your children's ages and we will match you to the gentlest tour for your group.