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Yes, with the right expectations. Liwa is two to three hours from Abu Dhabi, involves real off road driving, and the desert heat is a genuine factor for most of the year, this is not a manicured day out. What makes it work for families is choosing the right product for your children's ages rather than assuming every Liwa tour suits every age, and being upfront about which parts of the day are active versus which are simply scenic.
Done well, it is a genuinely memorable family trip: dune bashing that most children find thrilling rather than frightening, a camel farm stop that is popular with almost every age group, and a historic car museum en route that appeals well beyond just the kids in the car. Choosing one of the guided family safaris in the Liwa desert rather than attempting the drive independently is what actually makes the day manageable with children in tow.
Arabiers does not take children under 3 years old on dune bashing or other active desert activities. From age 3 upward, children are welcome on guided dune bashing, with an experienced guide driving throughout and speed and intensity naturally moderated for a family vehicle. This is a genuine safety policy, not a marketing line, and it is worth planning around rather than working around.
| Tour | Best for | Consider |
|---|---|---|
| Liwa Day Tour | Families with children 3+ | Full day, around 9 to 10 hours, plan for a tired car ride home |
| Qasr Al Sarab Lunch Tour | Families wanting a proper sit down meal midway through the day | Morning desert activities still apply the same age 3 policy |
| Overnight camping or trekking | Older children and teens | Cold nights in winter, real heat in summer, and a full night away from home, worth weighing against a younger child's stamina |
| Self Drive Adventure | Not really a family product | Built around an adult driving themselves under supervision, better suited to couples or groups without young children |
For most families, the Liwa Day Tour is the natural starting point: a single day, home in your own bed that night, and a route that already includes the Emirates National Auto Museum, where children under 10 enter free, alongside dune bashing, the Liwa Oasis and a camel farm stop.
Tell us your children's ages and we will point you to the right tour, or build family friendly touches into the day, from a slower dune bashing pace to a longer stop at the camel farm.
Yes, from age 3 upward. Arabiers does not take children under 3 on dune bashing or other active desert activities, but from 3 years old, guided dune bashing and the wider Day Tour route are genuinely popular with families.
Yes, 3 years old. This applies to dune bashing and other active desert activities across Arabiers' Liwa tours.
The Liwa Day Tour is the best fit for most families, a single day, home the same night, with the Emirates National Auto Museum, dune bashing, the Liwa Oasis and a camel farm stop built in. Ask when booking about pacing the dune bashing section for younger children.
Qasr Al Sarab, Anantara's resort in the Empty Quarter, is the well known luxury option in the area and features on several of Arabiers' own tours, including a dedicated lunch tour. For families who want a full guided day rather than a resort stay, a Liwa tour with an experienced operator is the more practical route to the same desert.
Not for dune bashing or the active parts of a desert safari, Arabiers' minimum age for these activities is 3 years. Contact us directly if you are travelling with an infant to talk through what is realistic for your trip.
It can work for older children and teens, but a full night away from home, real desert temperature swings, and the physical length of an overnight tour are worth weighing against a younger child's stamina. The single day Liwa Day Tour is usually the more comfortable starting point for younger families.