Traditional Bedouin Food You’ll Taste on Safari Tours

A desert safari in the Red Sea region isn’t complete without tasting the authentic flavors of Bedouin cuisine. After hours of adventure across dunes and rocky trails, there’s something magical about sitting under the stars, sipping herbal tea, and enjoying a freshly prepared Bedouin meal. It’s more than a dinner—it’s a cultural journey.

Here’s what you can expect on your plate during a safari tour that includes a Bedouin-style dinner.

1. Freshly Baked Bedouin Bread (Arbood or Taboon)

This flatbread is baked on hot stones or in simple sand ovens. It’s warm, earthy, and slightly smoky, making it the perfect pairing for dips and stews. Watching it baked right in front of you is part of the experience, and many tours let you try your hand at making it!

2. Rice Dishes with Vegetables or Meat

Bedouin rice is usually cooked with onions, spices, and sometimes chicken or lamb. It’s simple, hearty, and designed to fuel desert dwellers. The rice may be served in large communal trays to reflect the Bedouin tradition of sharing.

3. Grilled Meat (Kebab or Kofta)

On evening safaris, you might enjoy grilled meat prepared over open flames or charcoal. Kofta (minced meat with herbs) or skewered kebabs are commonly served, offering rich, smoky flavors.

Vegetarian? No worries. Many tours offer vegetable-based stews or lentil dishes to accommodate different dietary preferences.

4. Stewed Vegetables and Beans

You might find a slow-cooked tomato and pepper stew, or a bowl of ful medames (mashed fava beans with olive oil and garlic). These traditional dishes are filling, flavorful, and cooked with love over a fire.

5. Bedouin Tea & Herbal Infusions

No Bedouin meal is complete without herbal tea. Made from desert herbs like sage, mint, or hibiscus, it’s served sweetened and steaming in small glasses. It helps with digestion and is often enjoyed during sunset or after the meal as you relax under the stars.

6. Dates, Nuts, or Local Sweets

To finish your meal, you may be offered dates or simple pastries. Some tours include local sweets like basbousa or honey-dipped fritters — a light, sweet treat after your meal.

What Makes It Special?

• Cooked on-site, often over traditional firepits
• Shared in a communal setting — great for socializing
• Reflects the resourcefulness of desert life
• Enhances the authentic safari experience beyond just landscapes

Book a Safari with a Traditional Dinner

To enjoy these authentic flavors, look for safari tours that include:

• Evening Jeep or quad safaris with Bedouin dinner
• Cultural experiences at Bedouin villages
• Desert stargazing or folklore shows paired with food

Taste the Red Sea desert’s heritage with every bite. Book your cultural food safari at:
https://safariredsea.com