Hurghada Desert Safari Experience, ATV Quad, Camel Ride & Dinner

The desert gets better after the engines stop. This six-hour Hurghada excursion combines 45 minutes on an ATV, a short spider-car ride, a Jeep trip to a Bedouin village, a camel ride, dinner, and a traditional show. I like the low $21 price and the chance to see more than the hotel strip, especially the open-air meal and sunset setting.

I also like the cultural part of the trip. Arabian tea, fresh flatbread, camel riding, and time in the desert village give the outing more character than a simple quad-bike rental. The main drawback is uneven equipment: one account describes tired quad bikes and dune buggies, while another praises the ATV and buggy rides. If you have back problems, the bumpy spider car and Jeep ride may not suit you.

Key points to know before booking

• 45 minutes on an ATV: You get a proper stretch of quad-bike time, not just a brief photo stop.
• Bedouin village visit: Tea, fresh flatbread, camel riding, dinner, and a traditional show add a cultural side to the motorized fun.
• Spider car option: The 10-minute ride is playful but rough, and it may not be included unless you select that option.
• Sunset dinner in the open air: The evening meal is one of the strongest parts of the outing, particularly if you want a break from resort buffets.
• Groups can reach 40 people: The price is appealing, but this is a shared excursion rather than a private desert trip.
• Extra pickup charges apply: Transfers from Sahl Hasheesh, Makadi, El Gouna, Soma Bay, and Safaga cost extra.

What the Hurghada desert safari includes

New City Travel sells this as a full desert evening rather than a single ATV activity. Pickup from your accommodation and return transport are included for the standard service area, along with expert guidance, water, Bedouin tea, dinner, a camel ride, and the 45-minute quad-bike session.

The listed price is $21 per person, which is strong value if you use most of the program. An ATV session alone can cost a fair portion of that amount elsewhere, while this outing adds transport, food, village time, and entertainment. You should still read the inclusions carefully. The spider driving lasts 10 minutes only if you choose the option, and government fees or tourist taxes are not included.

The group limit is 40 people. That helps explain the low price, but it also tells you what sort of outing this is. You will likely share the transfer, activity area, village stop, dinner space, and show with a sizeable group. If you prefer quiet rides and personal attention, a private desert trip would be a better fit. If you want an affordable evening out with several activities, the group format is easier to accept.

Hotel pickup and the ride to the desert

The day begins with pickup from your accommodation in Hurghada. The exact pickup time is not supplied, but the complete activity lasts about six hours, so you should keep a large part of the day or evening free.

Pickup and drop-off are included for the normal service area. Extra charges apply from Sahl Hasheesh and Makadi, listed as €5 or £5 per person, and from El Gouna, Soma Bay, and Safaga, listed as €10 or £10 per person. Confirm the charge before booking if you are staying outside central Hurghada, as the transfer fee can change the value of the deal.

At the desert station, you receive an introduction to the quad bike and its basic features before riding. That short briefing matters. You do not need advanced riding skills, but you should listen carefully, keep a sensible distance from the rider ahead, and follow the guide’s pace.

The activity is described as suitable for most people, but that does not mean every section feels easy. The desert route is dusty and uneven. The spider car and Jeep sections can be especially rough, so anyone with back or neck problems should think carefully before booking.

The 45-minute ATV ride across the sand

The ATV ride is the main shot of adrenaline. You spend around 45 minutes crossing the desert on a quad bike, with the sand and distant mountains providing the setting. This is long enough to feel like a real activity rather than a quick turn around a marked area.

The ride may appeal most if you want hands-on action. You control the quad, feel the changes in the sand, and get a clearer sense of the desert’s scale than you would from a vehicle seat. The multicolored dunes and mountain views also give you good photo opportunities, although dust is part of the deal.

Here is where expectations matter. One strong account praised the ATV and buggy ride, calling the mountain views remarkable. Another found the quad bikes worn and the buggy area dusty, advising people to skip the motorized section and go directly to the Bedouin stop. That difference may come from the condition of individual vehicles or from the day’s group and route.

I would treat the quad ride as an enjoyable part of the package, not the entire reason to book. The low cost makes it easier to accept that this may not feel like a premium motorsport experience. Check the bike before setting off, follow the guide’s instructions, and do not expect a smooth, polished course.

The 10-minute spider car ride

The spider car adds a second type of motorized fun. The ride lasts about 10 minutes, making it a short extra rather than a major part of the schedule. It is described as funny and unusual, but also very bumpy.

That rough movement is part of the appeal for some people. You get a brief burst of silly, jolting desert driving that differs from controlling your own ATV. It can break up the program nicely before the village visit.

It is not a good choice for everyone. One account specifically warns people with back problems to avoid it, and the same caution makes sense for anyone who dislikes hard jolts. Also check that you have selected the spider-driving option, since it is not automatically included in every package.

Jeep ride to the Bedouin village

After the ATV and spider car, you board a 4×4 Jeep for the trip to a Bedouin village. The Jeep ride is described as dune bashing, and one account found parts of it extremely bumpy. You should expect a lively ride rather than a calm transfer.

This section connects the action to the cultural side of the evening. Instead of spending the whole time around engines and dust, you move to a place designed to show aspects of desert life. The change of pace is welcome, especially after the quad session.

The village visit is also where the outing feels more distinctive. You can drink Arabian tea, try fresh flatbread, and see how the activity presents traditional hospitality. I would keep your expectations sensible. This is a short organized visit, not a long study of Bedouin culture, but it gives the evening a human focus that a standard desert ride lacks.

Camel riding and the open desert setting

The camel ride is a simple, classic addition. You get a chance to sit on a camel and take part in one of the desert’s best-known forms of transport. It is not presented as a long trek, so think of it as a short activity and photo opportunity.

The setting is the real attraction. The desert, dunes, mountains, and late-day light create a strong backdrop. The calm atmosphere after the louder ATV and Jeep sections may be the moment when you appreciate the surroundings most.

The trip description says you can enjoy sunset views before dinner. Timing can vary, so do not assume the sun will set at exactly the same point in the schedule every day. Still, the open-air setting gives the meal more appeal than eating in a hotel dining room.

Bedouin tea, flatbread, dinner, and the show

Food is one of the most praised parts of this outing. Dinner is served in the open air, with Bedouin tea and water included. Fresh flatbread adds a small but memorable touch, and one account particularly enjoyed the change from an all-inclusive hotel buffet.

That comparison is useful. You should not book this expecting a fine-dining meal. The appeal is the setting, the traditional touches, and the chance to eat outside after an active afternoon. The meal helps make the $21 cost feel worthwhile, especially if you value atmosphere as much as the food itself.

After dinner, a traditional oriental show completes the evening. The entertainment gives the group something to watch while the desert quiet returns around you. The show is part of the package, but its exact program and length are not specified, so it is best to see it as a pleasant final activity rather than the central reason to book.

The overall rhythm works well: ride, slow down, eat, and watch a performance. I like that the schedule does not leave you on a quad bike for six straight hours. The cultural and food stops make the outing more varied.

Guides, photography, and the group atmosphere

The tour includes guide support, and Houssam receives specific praise for his work on one outing. A good guide matters here because the program has several moving parts, from the quad briefing to the convoy, camel ride, meal, and show.

You may also encounter a photographer during the excursion. One highly positive account says the photos were good and delivered as promised. That can be a nice extra if you want a record of the ATV ride, camel stop, or desert views, but photography is not listed as an included service, so check the price before agreeing to buy pictures.

With up to 40 people, the mood will depend partly on the group. A larger group can make the activities feel social and keep the price low. It can also mean more waiting, less individual attention, and a busier dinner or show area.

This is best approached as a shared outing with a lively schedule. If you want a private guide, a personal route, or long quiet stops, this is not the right format. If you enjoy meeting other people and want several activities in one booking, the group size is manageable.

Who will get the most from this experience

I would recommend the tour to first-time visitors who want a broad taste of the Hurghada desert without paying for a private excursion. You get transport, a quad ride, a camel ride, a village visit, food, and entertainment in one package.

It also suits anyone staying at an all-inclusive hotel who wants a change of scenery. The open-air dinner and fresh flatbread provide a welcome break from resort dining, while the mountains and dunes offer views you will not find around the pool.

Families and mixed-age groups may like the variety, though the rough vehicle rides require care. The activity is stated to suit most people, but the bumpy Jeep and spider car are worth considering before you book for anyone with back problems.

This is less suitable for serious ATV enthusiasts. The equipment may be basic, and the route is part of a larger group program. It is also not ideal if you want an in-depth cultural visit. The Bedouin village adds context and atmosphere, but the visit is one part of a fast-moving six-hour schedule.

Price, practical details, and cancellation

At $21 per person, the package offers strong value if your pickup is included and you take part in the main activities. The cost covers hotel transport, 45 minutes of ATV riding, a camel ride, dinner, tea, water, and guide support. The spider car costs extra if you do not select that option.

Travel from some resort areas costs more. Sahl Hasheesh and Makadi add €5 or £5 per person, while El Gouna, Soma Bay, and Safaga add €10 or £10 per person. Government fees and tourist taxes are also excluded.

Confirmation is provided when you book, and mobile tickets are available. Free cancellation applies if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Inside that window, you will not receive a refund, and changes are not accepted.

The experience is often booked around 11 days ahead, so booking early is sensible if your holiday dates are fixed. You should also allow room in your schedule for pickup timing and the full six-hour duration.

Should you book the Hurghada desert safari?

Book it if you want a low-cost, action-filled evening with a real cultural component. The strongest parts are the Bedouin village, tea, flatbread, open-air dinner, sunset setting, camel ride, and the chance to leave the resort for a few hours. Houssam’s praised guiding and the possible photo service add useful touches.

Book with caution if the ATV and buggy quality matters most to you. Equipment may be basic, and the spider car and dune-bashing Jeep can be rough. If you have back problems, skip those sections or choose another type of desert outing.

For $21, I see this as a good-value sampler rather than a luxury safari. You will get the best result if you treat the motorized rides as fun extras and judge the trip by the full mix: desert views, village hospitality, dinner, and evening entertainment.

FAQ

How long does the Hurghada desert safari last?

The experience lasts approximately six hours, including pickup, desert activities, the village visit, dinner, the show, and the return to your hotel.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for the standard service area. Extra charges apply for pickup from Sahl Hasheesh, Makadi, El Gouna, Soma Bay, and Safaga.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $21 per person. Additional pickup charges, government fees, and tourist taxes are not included.

How long is the ATV ride?

The ATV quad-bike session lasts 45 minutes.

Is the spider car ride included?

The 10-minute spider-driving activity is included only when that option is selected.

Does the tour include a camel ride?

Yes. A camel ride is included in the experience.

Is dinner provided?

Yes. Dinner, Bedouin tea, and water are included. The meal is served in an open-air desert setting.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 40 people.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded or accepted.