Desert Adventures: The Ultimate Family Guide to Exploring Wadi Rum, Jordan

When I first mentioned taking Olivia to a desert in Jordan, my Minneapolis friends raised their eyebrows in that polite Midwestern way that clearly communicates, 'Are you sure about this?' Their concern wasn't entirely misplaced—venturing into a Middle Eastern desert with a young child does sound daunting on paper. But having transitioned from corporate finance to travel content creation precisely to show families how enriching thoughtful travel can be, I knew Wadi Rum would deliver an experience worth every grain of sand we'd inevitably bring home in our shoes.

What makes Wadi Rum exceptional for families is its accessibility despite its otherworldly appearance. This isn't an extreme environment requiring military-grade preparation (though preparation is certainly key). The infrastructure for tourism here has evolved to welcome visitors of all ages while maintaining the desert's pristine character.

For children, Wadi Rum is essentially nature's greatest playground—massive sand dunes perfect for sliding down, ancient rock bridges to marvel at, and fascinating wildlife from desert foxes to resilient plants. The Bedouin guides who lead excursions here have a natural affinity for children and take special delight in showing them desert survival skills and traditions.

For parents, the landscape provides a rare opportunity to disconnect from digital distractions (though most camps now offer at least basic WiFi) and reconnect with your children through shared wonder. There's something about the vastness of the desert that puts life's priorities into perspective, creating moments of genuine connection that are increasingly rare in our overscheduled lives.

Perhaps most importantly, Wadi Rum offers that perfect balance between adventure and comfort. You can spend the day exploring dramatic landscapes by jeep or camel, then retreat to surprisingly comfortable accommodations ranging from traditional Bedouin tents to luxurious 'bubble' domes with transparent ceilings for stargazing. This isn't roughing it—it's experiencing nature on terms that work for the whole family.

When I began researching our Wadi Rum adventure, the variety of accommodation options surprised me. This isn't just a choice between basic camping or luxury glamping—there's a whole spectrum of experiences available, each offering a different perspective on desert life.

For our weekend adventure, I opted for a mid-range Bedouin camp that specifically catered to families. After years of evaluating sustainable tourism ventures as an angel investor, I've developed a keen eye for operations that balance authentic cultural experiences with necessary comforts. The sweet spot for families in Wadi Rum tends to be camps that offer traditional Bedouin-style tents with proper beds (not just mattresses on the ground), clean shared bathroom facilities, and communal dining areas where meals become social events.

Our home for the weekend was a spacious goat-hair tent with colorful rugs, two comfortable beds, and surprisingly effective natural ventilation. At roughly $120 per night including all meals and basic activities, it represented excellent value compared to other family travel experiences we've had.

For those seeking more luxury, several camps now offer what locals call 'martian domes' or 'bubble tents'—partially transparent structures that allow you to stargaze from your bed. Olivia was mesmerized by these when we visited a neighboring camp, though the premium price point (starting around $250-300 per night) kept them in the 'special splurge' category for our trip.

On the more authentic end, traditional Bedouin camps offer a deeper cultural immersion with simpler accommodations. These typically feature communal sleeping areas separated by gender according to Bedouin tradition, which works well for some families but presents obvious challenges for others.

Regardless of which accommodation style you choose, I strongly recommend bringing a quality headlamp for each family member. Desert camps are typically lit by lanterns and small solar lights, which add to the atmosphere but aren't always sufficient for finding your way to bathroom facilities or locating that stuffed animal that's fallen under the bed.

When booking, don't hesitate to ask specific questions about sleeping arrangements, meal options for picky eaters, and bathroom facilities. The best camps understand that families have unique needs and will be transparent about what they can offer. I found that camps with clear, prompt email communication before booking generally delivered the best experience on the ground.

The beauty of Wadi Rum for families lies in its natural balance between structured activities and free exploration. Having visited numerous destinations where every moment feels programmed, I appreciated how our Wadi Rum experience allowed for both guided adventures and unscheduled moments of discovery.

The classic jeep tour remains the cornerstone of any Wadi Rum visit, and with good reason. These 4x4 excursions can be tailored to your family's interests and energy levels, ranging from 2-hour introductory tours to full-day expeditions. Our guide, Mohammed, customized our 4-hour morning tour to include plenty of stops where Olivia could explore safely on foot, including the natural rock bridge at Jabal Umm Fruth and ancient Nabataean inscriptions that fascinated her despite not being able to read them.

For families with children under five like mine, I recommend splitting longer jeep tours into morning and late afternoon segments, avoiding the midday heat and allowing for rest time at your camp. Most camps are flexible with this arrangement if you discuss it in advance.

Camel rides offer another perspective on the desert and were a highlight for Olivia. While the full Bedouin camel trekking experience might be too intensive for younger children, most camps offer 30-minute to 1-hour rides that are perfect for little ones. The gentle swaying motion actually lulled my typically energetic daughter into a peaceful trance as we plodded across the sand.

For families with older children (8+), rock climbing and scrambling opportunities abound among Wadi Rum's distinctive formations. Several camps partner with professional guides who can provide appropriate safety equipment and instruction. Watching a Jordanian family whose tweens fearlessly scaled a moderate rock face under expert guidance made me look forward to returning when Olivia is older.

Sandboarding has also gained popularity in recent years, offering a desert equivalent to sledding that delights children and adults alike. Our camp provided simple wooden boards that worked surprisingly well on the steeper dunes. Pro tip: apply a natural wax to the bottom of rental boards for a significantly faster ride.

Beyond organized activities, some of our most meaningful moments came from simply allowing Olivia unstructured time to play in the sand, collect colorful stones, and observe the desert's subtle wildlife. I brought along a child-friendly desert field guide that turned our casual walks into educational treasure hunts for plants, insects, and animal tracks.

In the evenings, most camps offer sunset viewing at prime locations followed by traditional music around the campfire. These gatherings typically include Bedouin tea and stories that entrance children, creating a natural wind-down routine before bedtime under the stars.

Food often makes or breaks family travel experiences, especially with younger children whose culinary comfort zones may be limited. Thankfully, Jordanian cuisine offers a wonderful entry point for young palates—familiar enough not to intimidate while still providing authentic cultural experiences.

Most Wadi Rum camps include full board with your stay, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner in communal dining areas. The signature culinary experience is zarb—a traditional Bedouin barbecue where meat and vegetables are slow-cooked underground in a sand oven. Watching our dinner being unearthed from the sand was theatrical enough to convince even Olivia to try the tender chicken and roasted vegetables that emerged.

Breakfasts typically feature flatbread, hummus, labneh (strained yogurt), olives, cucumber, tomato, and eggs—a spread that allowed Olivia to stick with familiar options while I enjoyed more traditional preparations. Most camps are also surprisingly accommodating with simple alternatives for children—plain rice, grilled chicken, or basic pasta dishes appeared whenever little guests seemed hesitant about the main offerings.

One aspect of dining that particularly impressed me was the communal nature of meals. Unlike the isolated family tables typical in Western tourism, Wadi Rum camps encourage shared dining experiences. This resulted in Olivia making fast friends with children from Germany, Japan, and Jordan itself—language barriers dissolving through shared games of peek-a-boo around tent poles and impromptu dance performances after dinner.

For parents concerned about hydration, most camps provide bottled water (though bringing a insulated water bottle for each family member is both environmentally friendly and practical for day excursions). Fresh juice and Bedouin tea sweetened with sage and sugar are served throughout the day, with the tea-making process itself becoming a fascinating demonstration for children.

Dietary restrictions are generally well-accommodated with advance notice. When I mentioned a friend's nut allergy during booking, our camp was careful to prepare separate dishes and clearly identify safe options. Vegetarian meals are readily available, though strict vegan requirements may need more detailed discussion before arrival.

One unexpected culinary highlight was the impromptu cooking lesson our camp offered to interested guests. Olivia was delighted to help knead dough for the evening's flatbread, creating memories far more valuable than any souvenir we could have purchased. These hands-on cultural experiences—where children can participate rather than merely observe—transform tourism into education in the most natural way.

Having transitioned from corporate finance to family travel content creation, I've developed a methodical approach to trip preparation that balances thorough planning with flexibility. For Wadi Rum specifically, this balance is crucial—the desert environment demands certain essentials while the experience itself benefits from a willingness to embrace the unexpected.

First, the practical necessities: Desert temperatures fluctuate dramatically, even in fall which is arguably the ideal season for family visits. During our October weekend, daytime temperatures reached 85°F (29°C) while nights dipped to around 50°F (10°C). This necessitates a layering strategy that allows for quick adjustments throughout the day.

For each family member, I recommend: - Lightweight, long-sleeved shirts and pants (offering sun protection during day and warmth at night) - A warm fleece or light down jacket for evenings - Closed-toe shoes with good grip (sand gets extremely hot; flip-flops are impractical) - Wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses - Light scarf or buff (multifunctional for sun protection, dust, or evening warmth)

Sun protection is non-negotiable in the desert environment. Beyond the standard high-SPF sunscreen, I found that a UV-protective sun shirt made a significant difference in comfort during our jeep tours. For children, consider sun-protective clothing with UPF 50+ ratings to minimize the need for frequent sunscreen reapplication.

Regarding electronics, most camps offer at least some charging facilities, typically available during specific hours when generators are running. I recommend bringing a robust power bank for keeping phones and cameras charged between access to outlets. While disconnecting is part of the desert experience, having a charged phone for photos and emergencies remains important.

Medical preparations should include basic first aid supplies, any personal medications, and remedies for common travel ailments. Sand-related eye irritation can be an issue, so include saline eye drops in your kit. Motion sickness remedies may help sensitive children during bumpy jeep rides.

For families with young children, consider these additional items: - Favorite comfort item/stuffed animal (the strange environment may affect sleep) - Headlamp with red light mode (helps with nighttime bathroom trips without disrupting night vision) - Wet wipes (sand gets everywhere, especially on little hands and faces) - Portable white noise machine if your child is sensitive to unfamiliar sounds

From a financial perspective, while most camps include activities in their rates, it's wise to bring cash (Jordanian Dinars) for tips and any extra experiences you might add. Credit cards are accepted at larger operations but smaller, more authentic camps often operate on cash only.

Finally, prepare your children for the experience through age-appropriate books or videos about desert environments and Bedouin culture. Olivia's understanding of our trip was greatly enhanced by reading simple children's books about desert animals and watching short videos of traditional Bedouin music before we arrived. This pre-trip education created a framework of understanding that made her experience richer and more meaningful.

While Wadi Rum deserves its place as a highlight of any Jordan family adventure, its geographic position makes it an ideal component of a broader itinerary exploring this fascinating country. Having spent considerable time evaluating sustainable tourism ventures across the Mediterranean region, I've found that thoughtful itinerary planning can transform good family trips into extraordinary ones.

Most families visiting Jordan will arrive through Amman, the capital city. Rather than rushing directly to Wadi Rum, I recommend spending at least two days exploring Amman's blend of ancient and modern attractions. The Children's Museum Jordan offers interactive exhibits that provide an excellent introduction to the country's culture and history in a kid-friendly format. Nearby, the ancient Citadel gives children their first glimpse of Jordan's archaeological treasures with room to explore safely.

From Amman, the logical next stop is Petra—Jordan's crown jewel and a site that captivates children with its Indiana Jones connections and natural hide-and-seek landscape. I suggest visiting Petra before Wadi Rum, as the ancient city provides historical context that enhances understanding of the desert's Nabataean rock carvings and trading history.

After your Wadi Rum adventure, the Dead Sea makes an ideal recovery destination. The novelty of floating effortlessly delights children of all ages, while parents appreciate the restorative properties of the mineral-rich waters and mud. Most Dead Sea resorts offer family-friendly facilities including shallow pools and kid-oriented activities.

For families with more time, the Red Sea coast at Aqaba offers excellent snorkeling and diving opportunities just a short drive from Wadi Rum. The contrast between desert landscapes and vibrant coral reefs provides a powerful lesson in ecological diversity that children remember long after returning home.

Logistically, I recommend hiring a private driver for transfers between these destinations rather than attempting self-driving or navigating public transportation with children. The cost (approximately $75-150 between major destinations) is reasonable considering the convenience and local knowledge gained. Our driver became an unofficial cultural ambassador, sharing insights about Jordanian family life that created meaningful connections for Olivia.

When planning your broader itinerary, consider the rhythm of your trip—alternating days of active exploration with more relaxed experiences helps prevent the family meltdowns that can occur when everyone is exhausted. I've found that following intense experiences like Wadi Rum with recovery days at places like the Dead Sea creates a natural flow that keeps energy levels balanced.

Finally, don't underestimate the value of building relationships with local families during your journey. Some of our most meaningful experiences came from spontaneous interactions with Jordanian families at restaurants and public spaces. Olivia's impromptu play session with local children at a Bedouin rest stop created cross-cultural connections that embodied the true purpose of thoughtful family travel.