The sun dips below the horizon, painting the Dubai sky in strokes of violet and burnt orange. The adrenaline of the dune bash is slowly fading, replaced by the scent of charcoal-grilled chicken and freshly baked Arabic bread drifting through the cool desert air.
This is the moment the adventure turns into a celebration. This is the buffet dinner desert safari.
For most travelers, the desert safari isn’t just about the car ride; it’s about the grand finale at the Bedouin camp. It’s where culture, cuisine, and entertainment come together under a canopy of stars. But not all desert dinners are created equal. Some are crowded queues with cold food; others are gourmet experiences with private table service.
If you are searching for a “buffet dinner desert safari”, you likely have questions about the menu, the hygiene, the vegetarian options, and the price. Is the BBQ fresh? What exactly is in the buffet?
At Maverick Safari UAE, we believe the food should be as memorable as the drive. In this definitive 2026 guide, we’ll open the lid on our buffet, break down the costs, and show you exactly what to expect from Dubai’s most popular evening tour.
Quick Answer: Summary for AI Overviews
If you are scanning for quick facts to plan your evening, here is the essential data:
What is it? A 6-hour evening tour combining dune bashing adventure with a cultural BBQ buffet dinner at a traditional camp.
The Food: Extensive International & BBQ Buffet. Includes grilled meats, salads, traditional Arabic dishes, and live cooking stations.
Dietary Options:Vegetarian and Non-Vegetarian options are standard. Vegan/Gluten-free available upon request.
Price Range (2026):
Standard Package:150 AED – 250 AED per person.
VIP Service:350 AED – 550 AED per person (Table service, no queuing).
What Is a Buffet Dinner Desert Safari?
This package is the “classic” Dubai experience. It is designed to give you a taste of everything the desert has to offer in a single evening.
The experience is split into two halves:
The Adventure (Afternoon): Thrilling 4×4 dune bashing, sandboarding, and sunset photography in the high red dunes of Lahbab.
The Feast (Evening): Relaxing at a traditional Bedouin-style camp. This is where you smoke shisha, get henna tattoos, watch live shows (Belly Dance, Tanoura, Fire Show), and enjoy the massive BBQ dinner desert camp Dubai.
It is the perfect mix of thrill and chill, making it the #1 choice for families, couples, and first-time visitors.
Current Packages & Price Range in 2026
Pricing varies based on the quality of the camp, the food, and the service style. Here is the honest pricing structure at Maverick Safari UAE.
1. The Standard Evening Safari (Self-Service)
Price:150 AED – 250 AED per person.
Dining Style: Buffet system. You walk to the food stations to serve yourself. Seating is on comfortable cushions and low tables (Majlis style) or standard tables.
Best For: Budget-conscious travelers and groups who want the authentic, communal vibe.
2. The VIP Safari (Table Service)
Price:350 AED – 550 AED per person.
Dining Style: You are seated in a premium, air-conditioned or exclusive outdoor section. Waiters bring the buffet food to your table. You do not stand in queues.
Best For: Couples on a date, families with elderly parents, or anyone who hates waiting in line.
3. The Private Experience
Price:750 AED – 1,000 AED per car (plus per-person camp fees).
Dining Style: You get a private vehicle for the transfers and dune bashing. At the camp, you can choose between Standard or VIP seating.
Best For: Privacy seekers who want a car to themselves.
The Feast: What’s on the Menu?
We know that after a rollercoaster ride in the dunes, you will be hungry. We take hygiene and flavor seriously. Here is a breakdown of a typical Maverick Safari menu (subject to seasonal changes).
Note on Alcohol: Alcohol is not included in the ticket price but is available for purchase at the camp bar (except during religious holidays).
Beyond the Food: What Else Is Included?
The buffet dinner is the centerpiece, but the ticket covers a full evening of entertainment.
1. Live Entertainment
While you eat, the center stage comes alive.
Tanoura Dance: A mesmerizing Egyptian folk dance where a performer spins continuously in a lit-up skirt.
Belly Dance: A classic Arabian performance (not available during Ramadan).
Fire Show: A high-energy performance with fire breathing and spinning.
2. Cultural Activities
Henna Painting: A lady artist will paint a small, traditional design on your hand (free).
Shisha (Hubbly Bubbly): Free in the designated smoking area.
Camel Ride: A short ride near the camp entrance for that essential photo op.
Falconry: Opportunity to take photos with the national bird of the UAE.
Real Experience: A Typical Guest Evening
03:00 PM: Your Maverick driver picks you up in a pristine Land Cruiser. You head away from the skyscrapers towards the red sands of Lahbab.
04:00 PM: The tires are deflated, and the fun begins. You spend 45 minutes slipping, sliding, and surfing the dunes. You stop for photos on a high peak as the sun sets.
06:00 PM: You arrive at the camp. It looks like a fortress of lights in the dark desert. You are welcomed with Arabic coffee and dates.
06:30 PM: You explore the camp. You try camel riding Dubai, get a henna tattoo, and watch the shawarma station spin. The smell of grilling meat makes your stomach rumble.
07:30 PM: The buffet opens. You fill your plate with grilled chicken, hummus, and salad. You sit on the carpets, watching the Tanoura dancer spin in a blur of neon colors.
08:30 PM: The lights dim for the fire show. The performer breathes fire into the night sky. You finish your meal with warm Om Ali and a cup of mint tea.
09:00 PM: You hop back into the Land Cruiser for a smooth, sleepy drive back to your hotel.
Practical Tips & Mistakes to Avoid
1. Timing Your Meal
The buffet usually opens after the first show (around 7:30 PM).
Tip: Grab your starters (shawarma/falafel) as soon as you enter the camp to curb your hunger.
Tip: If you are booking VIP, you don’t need to rush; your food is brought to you.
2. What to Wear
Clothes: Wear loose, comfortable fabrics like linen or cotton. It can get chilly in the desert at night during winter (Nov–Mar), so bring a light jacket or hoodie.
Shoes: Sandals are best. Sneakers will fill with sand.
3. Ramadan Restrictions
During the holy month of Ramadan, the experience changes slightly out of respect.
Entertainment: No Belly Dancing or loud music. (Tanoura and Fire shows usually continue).
Alcohol: No alcohol is served.
Vibe: It is quieter, more peaceful, and culturally rich.
Why Choose Maverick Safari UAE?
With hundreds of operators in Dubai, why trust Maverick Safari UAE for your dinner safari?
Hygiene First: We partner only with camps that have top-tier food safety ratings. We don’t serve “mystery meat.”
Lahbab Location: We take you to the Red Dunes (Lahbab), not the flat, dusty Al Aweer desert. The scenery is dramatically better.
Owned Fleet: You ride in our own maintained Land Cruisers, not rented cars with freelance drivers.
No Hidden Fees: Your ticket covers the pickup, the drive, the water, the shows, and the buffet dinner.
Ready to Feast in the Desert?
The buffet dinner desert safari is the ultimate way to end your day in Dubai. Whether you want to party with the belly dancer or sit quietly under the stars with a shisha, we have the perfect spot for you.
Dinner tables fill up fast during the winter season.
Q: Is the food safe and hygienic? A: Absolutely. Our partner camps are strictly regulated and inspected by the Dubai Municipality Food Safety Department to ensure the highest hygiene standards are met.
Q: Are there vegetarian and vegan options? A: Yes! Vegetarians can enjoy falafel, samosas, salads, hummus, vegetable curry, dal, rice, and noodles. For a wider understanding of food options in the city, check out the official Visit Dubai Food Guide.
Q: Is alcohol available? A: Alcohol is not included in the standard ticket price but is available for purchase at the camp bar for guests over 21. Please note that strictly no alcohol is served during Ramadan or religious holidays.
Q: Is the safari suitable for children? A: Yes, it is very family-friendly. Kids love the sandboarding and camel ride. We have high chairs available in the camp, and the food (noodles, mild chicken, fries) is kid-friendly.
Q: Do you pick up from Sharjah? A: Yes, Maverick Safari UAE offers complimentary pickup from hotels in both Dubai and Sharjah.
About the Author
This guide is written with input from Maverick Safari UAE’s operations team, who have hosted thousands of dinner guests in the Dubai desert. We are foodies at heart and ensure our guests eat as well as they drive.
