When planning a desert safari, families often face the dilemma of choosing between a private desert safari and a normal shared safari. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore both types of safaris, compare the key differences, and help you determine which one is best suited for your family’s preferences, budget, and travel style.
What is a Private Desert Safari?
A private desert safari is a personalized, exclusive experience designed for one group of guests, typically a family or a group of friends. With a private safari, you and your loved ones will have a dedicated guide, a private vehicle, and a tailored itinerary, giving you full control over the adventure. Whether you want to go dune-bashing at dawn, enjoy a camel ride at sunset, or have a private BBQ in the desert, the experience is customized to suit your needs.
Key Benefits of a Private Desert Safari:
- Personalized Experience:A private guide tailors the safari to your family’s preferences, ensuring you do what you love.
- Flexibility:The timing, route, and activities can be adjusted, allowing you to take your time and enjoy the experience without feeling rushed.
- Comfort and Privacy:With no other guests around, you and your family can enjoy the solitude and tranquility of the desert.
What is a Normal Desert Safari?
A normal desert safari, also known as a shared safari, is a group experience where several tourists share the same vehicle and follow a set itinerary. These safaris are usually more affordable, as they cater to multiple groups of travelers at once. While you’ll still experience all the exciting activities that a desert safari has to offer, such as dune-bashing, camel rides, and desert dinners, the experience is less personalized and more communal.
Key Features of a Normal Desert Safari:
- Group Experience:You’ll share the journey with other tourists, making it more social and lively.
- Fixed Itinerary:The activities, schedule, and timing are predetermined, leaving less room for flexibility.
- Affordable:A shared safari is generally more budget-friendly compared to a private one.
Private Desert Safari vs. Normal Desert Safari: Key Differences
To help you make an informed decision, let’s break down the key differences between a private and normal desert safari.
- Customization and Flexibility
From choosing the activities you want to do to adjusting the timings of your safari, a private experience gives you complete control. You can opt for longer dune-bashing sessions, enjoy a relaxing desert picnic, or even schedule a private falconry show. In contrast, a normal desert safari follows a fixed itinerary with scheduled activities. While the experience is still exciting, you may not have the freedom to change things around based on your family’s preferences. The activities are generally shared with other participants, which means less flexibility.
- Comfort and Privacy
A private desert safari ensures that you and your family have a vehicle all to yourselves, giving you ample space to relax and enjoy the journey in comfort. While these vehicles are designed for comfort, the presence of strangers may reduce the level of privacy and personal space that some families desire. Additionally, shared safaris often have more scheduled stops, which might lead to a less relaxing pace.
- Cost Considerations
The cost of a private desert safari is generally higher due to the exclusivity, personalized service, and customization involved. Families willing to splurge for a more intimate, tailored experience will find this option rewarding. However, the price may be a limiting factor for those traveling on a budget. A Sharjah desert safari, on the other hand, is more affordable.
- Social Interaction
A private safari offers a quiet, intimate experience where you can bond with your family away from crowds. If your family prefers solitude or enjoys quiet time together, a private desert safari will provide that atmosphere. However, if your family enjoys meeting new people and socializing, a normal desert safari creates a more dynamic environment. You’ll share the adventure with other families and tourists, which can lead to new friendships and fun interactions.
- Range of Activities
You can also request special activities like a private dinner, a henna session, or a customized cultural performance. On a normal desert safari, the activities are generally pre-scheduled and offered to all guests in the group. You’ll have less control over the timing of each activity, which might not be ideal if you have specific preferences or if you want to spend more time on a particular experience.
Which is Better for Your Family: Private or Normal Desert Safari?
To help you decide which safari is best for your family, consider the following points:
- Choose a Private Desert Safari If:
- You want a personalized, exclusive experience with a dedicated guide.
- Your family values privacy, comfort, and flexibility.
- You’re willing to invest in a premium, tailor-made experience.
- You prefer a more relaxed, intimate adventure without other tourists.
- Choose a Normal Desert Safari If:
- Your family enjoys socializing and meeting other travelers.
- You’re happy with a fixed itinerary and don’t need customization.
- You’re looking for a fun, shared adventure without the need for privacy.
Conclusion
However, if you’re looking for a more budget-friendly and social adventure, a normal desert safari provides a great way to explore the beauty of the desert safari Dubai with others. Whichever option you choose, a desert safari is sure to be a thrilling and memorable experience that your family will cherish for years to come. Happy adventuring!