One of the most common inquiries people have when they book a desert safari in Dubai is whether a BBQ Dinner Included in Desert Safari Dubai. The answer depends on the safari you choose, but knowing what is in your package can help you make the most of your trip. This full guide tells you everything you need to know about the food served at a BBQ supper, the menu options, and what to expect when you eat in the desert.
Evening Desert Safari—Dinner Included
A BBQ supper is often included in the regular evening Desert Safari package. One of the key factors that sets evening travels apart from morning ones is this, which is why travelers select them the most.
What’s Included in the BBQ Dinner
Many evening safari packages come with a spectacular BBQ dinner served at traditional Bedouin-style camps in the desert. The supper combines local delicacies with foreign ones to gratify a wide range of preferences, giving you a true Arabian dining experience beneath the stars.
Typical Menu Offerings:
- Grilled Meats: The centerpiece of any Desert Safari BBQ includes freshly grilled meats such as chicken kebabs, lamb chops, beef kofta, and marinated chicken pieces. These are prepared on-site by experienced chefs who specialize in traditional Arabian grilling techniques.
- Arabic Specialties: Authentic Middle Eastern dishes form the core of the buffet, including hummus, baba ganoush, mutabal, tabbouleh, fattoush salad, Arabic rice with nuts and raisins, lamb ouzi, chicken machboos, and fresh Arabic bread.
- International Options: Most camps include pasta dishes, fresh salads, coleslaw, several kinds of potatoes, steamed vegetables, and a number of side dishes that people from other countries like. This is to please a wide range of tastes.
- Vegetarian and Vegan Options: Desert safari firms are learning more about what people need to eat. Vegetarians can choose from a lot of various things, like grilled veggies, falafel, stuffed grape leaves, salads, rice dishes, and mezze. There are a lot of Arabic dishes that use plants and do not have any animal components in them.
- Desserts: After the dinner, there are traditional desserts like baklava, Arabic pastries like kunafa, fresh fruits, and sometimes sweets from other countries, like chocolate cake or pudding.
- Beverages: You can get free refreshments such as soft drinks, water, Arabic kahwa tea, and coffee. Remember that desert camps do not provide alcohol because it is against the law in the UAE, and it is not polite to the culture.
Dining Experience Timeline
Dinner service normally starts at 7:30 PM after fun things to do like sandboarding, dune bashing, and riding camels. This gives you time to relax, clean up the camp, and watch the sun set before dinner.
The table stays open for about an hour to an hour and a half, so people have plenty of opportunity to consume several different things. Most proprietors advise their customers to take their time, which allows for a relaxed, convivial meal.
There are usually entertainment shows like belly dancing, Tanoura dance routines, and fire shows that start at 7:45 PM and last until 8:45 PM. These shows are usually after or during supper. This timing works well so that guests may eat and attend engaging cultural programs at the same time.
Morning Desert Safari—No Dinner Included
Morning desert safari deals only include adventure activities; dinner is usually not included. These shorter activities usually take place between 7 a.m. and 12 p.m. or 8 a.m. and 1 p.m., and they terminate long before most people eat.
However, some morning safari operators provide light refreshments such as
- Bottled water and soft drinks
- Tea and coffee
- Light snacks or breakfast items (select packages)
- Fresh dates and Arabic coffee upon arrival
If you want breakfast to be included in your morning safari, be sure to ask about breakfast options or check for packages that state they include morning snacks.
Overnight Desert Safari—Multiple Meals Included
An overnight desert safari package usually includes more than any other type of eating event:
- Dinner: Dinner is a complete BBQ meal, similar to evening safaris, and it starts at 7:30 PM and ends at 8:30 PM.
- Breakfast: You can have a traditional Arabic breakfast or a more casual one the next morning between 7 and 8 AM.
For food lovers, the overnight stay is a wonderful deal because you get two complete meals and as many drinks as you want. People often consume Arabic bread, cheese, olives, eggs, beans, fresh vegetables, cereals, and hot drinks for breakfast.
Private Desert Safari – Customizable Dining
With a private desert safari offer, you can choose where to eat. Most private desert safari packages include a BBQ dinner; however, you can often enhance your experience by:
- Upgraded Menu Options: Some premium offers come with superior menus that have seafood, nicer cuts of meat, gourmet dishes, and unique desserts.
- Special Dietary Requirements: Private safaris are better for addressing unique dietary demands, such as gluten-free, kosher, halal-certified, or allergen-free meals, or meals that are specialized to a certain area.
- Romantic Setups: Certain restaurants offer private dining rooms specifically designed for couples, separating them from the main group. These rooms have candles, customized service, and menus that are hand-picked for special occasions like proposals or anniversaries.
What About Lunch Options?
Most of the time, desert safari offers do not include lunch because most of the activities take place in the morning or evening. Some full-day desert trips or luxury packages, on the other hand, may include lunch.
If you care about lunch, seek for “full-day Desert Safari with lunch” packages or ask the tour companies if you can adjust how the food is made.
Understanding Package Variations
Not all Desert Safari packages are created equal. When booking, carefully review what’s included:
- Budget Packages: The cheapest options normally include a simple BBQ supper with common menu items, shared transportation, and activities that are necessary. The food may not be as tasty or as varied as it is with premium packages.
- Standard Packages: Most mid-range alternatives feature full BBQ buffets with a lot of diverse foods, nice products, and a choice of cuisines. This is the best deal for most tourists.
- Premium/Luxury Packages: On high-end safaris, you can enjoy gourmet meals made with fresh, high-quality ingredients, a wider selection of menu items, individualized service, and sometimes à la carte options. Some of these packages may also include private seating areas and superior camp amenities.
Special Dietary Requirements
There are tight standards about food safety in Dubai, and Desert Safari operators who have been certified by the government also follow these rules:
Common Accommodations:
- Vegetarian and vegan meals
- Halal-certified meats (standard in UAE)
- Gluten-free options
- Nut allergies
- Dairy-free alternatives
- Religious dietary requirements
Reputable businesses will do these things for free, but they require 24 to 48 hours’ notice to make sure they are ready.
Food Quality and Hygiene Standards
Dubai maintains strict food safety regulations, and licensed Desert Safari operators adhere to high hygiene standards. Camps typically have:
- Proper food storage and refrigeration
- Licensed food handlers and chefs
- Regular health inspections
- Clean serving areas and utensils
- Fresh, quality ingredients
However, if you have specific health problems or a sensitive stomach, you should only eat foods that are well-heated and avoid items that are raw or barely cooked.
Value Assessment
Most evening desert safari packages cost between 150 and 300 AED per person and include food, transportation, activities, and fun. The price is very reasonable for the meal. Buffet dinners like this one in Dubai generally cost AED 100 to 150 per, so the all-inclusive package is a terrific price.
Tips for Maximizing Your Dining Experience
- Arrive Hungry: The buffet offers substantial variety and generous portions, so save your appetite.
- Try Local Dishes: Do not miss out on the true Arabic food; this could be your only chance to eat real Emirati food.
- Pace Yourself: If there is entertainment during dinner, enjoy the cuisine and the shows.
- Stay Hydrated: People who live in the desert lose water quickly; therefore, drink a lot of water before, during, and after each meal.
- Ask Questions: If you do not understand something, camp staff will usually be pleased to explain what meals are and what they are composed of.
- Dietary Restrictions: If you have any allergies or food restrictions that you neglected to tell the staff about before you leave, let them know immediately.
Conclusion
To answer the key question: Yes, a BBQ meal is included in the Desert Safari Dubai packages that take place in the evening and overnight. But it is not part of the morning trips. The included meal is a vast buffet with grilled meats, traditional Arabic cuisine, international dishes, vegetarian options, and desserts. It is a wonderful lot and a big element of getting to know the culture.
When you book your Desert Safari, make sure to check the package details carefully to make sure the meals included are what you require. Dinner safaris at night are the ideal way to see everything that Arabia has to offer in one wonderful night. You will get to see the sights, learn about the culture, have fun, and eat. If you love cuisine or are just hungry after a fun day of dune bashing, the traditional BBQ meal beneath the stars in the desert is a terrific way to remember the trip.
Book your evening Desert Safari today and prepare to feast on authentic Arabian flavors while immersed in the timeless beauty of Dubai’s golden desert landscape.
