Sonara Camp's Dubai eco-desert dining experience is now open

The venue, located about 30 minutes from Dubai, offers archery, astronomy talks and adrenalin-pumping activities, as well as a fine-dining menu

Sonara Camp, an eco-friendly desert dining experience in Dubai, has opened. Courtesy Sonara Camp 

Sonara Camp's eco-desert dining experience has officially opened, welcoming visitors to its chic but laid-back Dubai camp.

Expect cosy seating areas, hammocks, a spacious dining table and atmospheric lighting at the desert experience, as well as a bar and live entertainment.

"Sonara Camp is home to a unique restaurant nestled in the heart of the Arabian Desert," the website reads. "The one-of-a-kind desert restaurant offers a delicious fine-dining and beverage menu that can be enjoyed while watching on as the carefully curated entertainment plays out."

The experience costs Dh860 for adults with soft beverages and Dh380 for children aged 5 to 12.

The fine-dining menu, created by French chef Franck Sanna, includes regional and western influences. Stand-out options are the beef tacos marinated in dak bulgogi; chicken shawarma in a cone; perch fish in a banana leaf; lamb chops marinated with kaffir, sweet spices and mint; and a Mediterranean ratatouille.

For dessert (in the desert) there is a cocoa ganache served with avocado emulsion and cumin chocolate tuile; a lemon and mint pie; and chiboust cream with strawberry ginger juice in an apple puff. An alcoholic drinks menu is available at an extra cost.

Across the menu, there are vegan, vegetarian, meat and seafood options, as well as a separate selection for kids. Dishes are prepared in the camp's open-air kitchen.

Activities, such as archery, drumming classes, sandboarding and astronomy talks, are available to guests, while fire shows and belly-dancing performances will entertain visitors. There is also the option to upgrade to a bespoke itinerary at the camp, which includes activities like quad-biking, dune-bashing and dune driving lessons.

You can also expect to get up close to nature, with wild oryx and gazelles roaming around.

Where is Sonara Camp?

The camp is a 35-minute drive from Downtown Dubai, driving east on the E66 Dubai Al Ain Road.

To access the camp, you can either drive yourself to the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve gate or upgrade to the private chauffeur service, which starts at Dh880 for a BMW 520I for three people.

When guests arrive at the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve gate, they can then choose to arrive at the Sonara Camp via a Land Cruiser dune drive, which takes 10 minutes, or a 20-minute camel ride.

How is Sonara Camp eco-friendly?

"Our authentic camp is eco-friendly and sustainable with a core belief in sourcing ethical products and material. We use solar energy and have a zero-waste policy," the camp explains on its website.

Daily, 3pm to 12am, Dhs860 adults, Dhs380 children aged 5 to 12; Sonara Camp, Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, Dubai; 050 336 0397; nara.ae/sonara

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