Sharm El-Sheikh: ATV and Camel Ride with BBQ Dinner and Show

The desert gets better after sunset. This Sharm El-Sheikh outing combines ATV or buggy riding, a camel trip, Bedouin food, live entertainment, and telescope stargazing for $35 per person. I especially like the generous mix of activities and the friendly guides, including Ibrahim, known as Coconut, Omar, Sabry, and Youssef. The main consideration is that some quad bikes and helmets show wear, so inspect your equipment before setting off.

You are picked up at your hotel, driven to the safari station, and guided through the desert in a planned series of stops. I also like that the tour includes working toilets at the stops, air-conditioned transport, dinner, soft drinks, and a professional astronomer. Bring cash for optional photos, tips, or extras, and do not assume a scarf or protective goggles are included unless your booking option says so.

Key points before you book

• Fifty minutes on the quad or buggy: The riding time includes two breaks, giving you a proper desert outing rather than a quick spin around a small track.
• A real evening program: After the ride, you get Bedouin tea, camel riding, dinner, fire and Tanura performances, dancing, and stargazing.
• The telescope session is a highlight: The astronomer explains stars and planets, and you can ask for a photograph of the moon through the telescope using your phone.
• Guides make a big difference: Ibrahim, called Coconut, received repeated praise for his humor and warmth, while Sabry was singled out for his astronomy explanations.
• Equipment deserves a check: Some ATVs may need adjustment, and one rider reported a shaking quad. Helmet buckles can also be worn.
• The $35 price covers a lot: Hotel transport, riding, camel time, dinner, drinks, shows, and astronomy are included, making this one of the fuller-value excursions in Sharm El-Sheikh.

From your hotel to the Sinai desert

Your evening starts with pickup from your hotel in an air-conditioned van. The exact pickup time depends on your hotel and the day’s schedule, but the transport is intended to take you to the safari station, where the guides organize the group.

At the station, you receive basic instructions for the ATV or dune buggy. The team helps wrap a desert scarf if you have one and explains how to operate the vehicle. This matters because the machines are simple but not entirely effortless. One rider found the accelerator and brake difficult to manage, while another noted that some quads need attention.

Leave your passport, phone, money, and other loose belongings in a secure bag before riding. Dust, vibration, and sudden stops are not kind to phones. You will want your camera later, but it is sensible to keep it packed during the ride unless you have a secure way to carry it.

The tour can use single or double quads depending on the option selected. For safety, a double quad may be changed to a single quad based on weight or balance, with an extra fee of €10 per person possibly applying. If this matters to your family or couple, check the selected option before booking.

Fifty minutes of ATV or buggy riding

The main ride lasts about 50 minutes, including two breaks. That is a good length for first-time riders. You get enough time to feel the desert beneath the wheels, but you are not committed to a long endurance trip.

The ATV section is an adventure through the Sinai desert, with guides leading the group. The experience is more about open desert views, dust, and the thrill of driving than technical off-road riding. If you expect high-speed racing or difficult trails, adjust your expectations. The instructions and group format are designed for a broad range of visitors.

The condition of the machines varies. Most riders found the quads usable and safe enough for the outing, but one ATV had a fuel-injection issue that caused heavy shaking at certain speeds. Another rider felt the equipment was part of the experience, though not in perfect condition.

Before you leave, check the throttle, brake, steering, and helmet strap. Tell the guide at once if the vehicle shakes, stalls, or feels hard to control. You do not need to prove anything in the desert. A slower, steady ride is the sensible choice, especially for families and beginners.

The helmets are another point to watch. One rider reported very worn buckles, which could be a concern in a fall. The tour is not described as a high-speed activity, but basic safety equipment should still fit properly. If your helmet does not feel secure, ask for an adjustment or replacement.

Echoes among the giant mountains

The first riding break is designed for the echo of your voice among the large Sinai mountains. It is a simple stop, but it gives the trip a memorable sense of place. You are not just crossing an empty stretch of sand. The surrounding rock formations shape the sound and provide a striking setting for photos.

This is also a useful pause after the first part of the ride. You can stretch your legs, check your belongings, and take pictures without trying to hold a phone on a moving quad.

The tour program uses the desert’s natural quiet well. During the day, the rock walls are a visual feature. Later, after dark, the lack of city light becomes important for the astronomy stop. The two parts of the trip work together: first you experience the desert as a place of movement and noise, then as a place of stillness.

Bedouin tea, bread, and a short camel ride

The second break takes place at a Bedouin camp. Here you are served Bedouin tea and can see or taste Bedouin bread. You also get a camel ride with a wide view toward the mountains.

The camel ride is not the main event, and it is relatively short compared with the ATV section. Still, it adds a cultural element that a quad-only excursion would miss. Sitting above the camel gives you a different view of the desert, and the slower pace makes a pleasant contrast with the motorized ride.

Be aware that camel handlers may ask for tips. The guides reportedly warn visitors about this, and tipping is not presented as mandatory. Carrying a few Egyptian pounds can make these small encounters easier, but you should feel free to decide what you want to give.

Clothing matters here. Wear comfortable clothes and closed, comfortable shoes. Long trousers are practical for the quad and camel portions, and a scarf helps protect your face from dust. A scarf or protective goggles may cost extra, and one rider felt the scarf price was high at about £4. If you already have suitable protection, bring it.

BBQ dinner and three very Egyptian shows

After the camel stop, the group moves to another Bedouin camp for dinner and entertainment. The BBQ is served as an open buffet and includes grilled meat, kofta, chicken, rice, vegetables, salads, water, and a soft drink. Several people rated the meal very highly, with some finding it better than the food at their hotel.

That is useful praise, but keep the setting in mind. This is a desert camp meal, not a restaurant tasting menu. The appeal is the hot, filling food after the ride, the shared tables, and the chance to eat in a setting far from the resort strip.

The entertainment includes a fire performer, a Tanura show, and Bedouin dancing. The program gives the evening a festive rhythm without asking you to spend extra money on a separate cultural dinner show.

The shows are designed for a general audience, so do not expect a quiet or deeply private dinner. You will be part of a group program, and the atmosphere can be lively. For families and groups of friends, that is likely part of the fun. Solo visitors can also fit in easily, and one solo participant found the outing comfortable and enjoyable.

You can taste Bedouin bread at the camp, which adds a small but worthwhile local detail. Food and entertainment are included in the $35 price, so the dinner stop is one of the strongest reasons the tour offers good value.

Stargazing with telescopes after dark

The astronomy portion is the most distinctive part of the evening. After dinner and the shows, you move to the stargazing area to look at stars and planets through astronomical telescopes.

A professional astronomer explains the night sky and helps you identify what you are seeing. The quality of this stop depends heavily on the guide, and Sabry received particularly strong praise for clear, attentive astronomy explanations. If you are interested in the sky, ask questions rather than simply waiting for a turn at the telescope.

The desert setting helps. Sharm El-Sheikh’s resort lights are not the main feature here, and the open surroundings give the sky a stronger presence than you get from a hotel balcony. The experience is not an observatory visit with a large indoor facility. It is an outdoor astronomy session, so comfort depends on the weather, the amount of dust, and how long the group spends at each telescope.

Bring your phone for a useful trick: the astronomer or guide may be able to photograph the moon through the telescope with your phone if you ask. This can produce a much better souvenir than a standard desert snapshot.

The stargazing is also why the evening departure makes sense. An earlier daytime safari would provide stronger views of the mountains, but it would miss the night sky. If you are choosing between day and evening options, pick the evening version if planets and stars matter to you.

Returning through the desert at night

After stargazing, you return to the safari station with about 30 minutes of night riding. This is a shorter drive than the initial route, but it adds another mood to the outing.

Driving through the desert after dark can feel exciting, though you should follow the guide’s pace and keep your vehicle under control. You are not expected to race. Once you reach the station, air-conditioned vehicles wait to take you back to your hotel.

The full program can feel packed because it includes several separate activities. That is part of its value, but it also means the experience is not built around long periods of quiet. You move from driving to a mountain stop, then tea and camels, then dinner and shows, then telescopes. If you prefer a slow desert sunset with plenty of time alone, this is not the right format.

What $35 really gets you

At $35 per person, this is a strong package for an excursion from Sharm El-Sheikh. You are paying for hotel pickup and drop-off, air-conditioned transport, a guide, the ATV or buggy ride, a camel ride, tea, bread, an open buffet dinner, water, a soft drink, entertainment, and telescope stargazing.

Buying each activity separately would likely cost more, and arranging transport to a desert camp on your own would be inconvenient. The value is especially good if you plan to eat dinner out anyway. The meal alone removes one common extra cost on a full evening tour.

Some expenses are outside the advertised package. Shisha is not included. Scarves and protective goggles may not be included unless you select an add-on, and optional photo or video packages are sold separately. One photographer reportedly asked about £15 per person for photos and video, while another charged per picture. You can decline, and you should agree on the price before accepting any photo service.

Tipping is not required, but it is sensible to carry some Egyptian pounds if you want to thank your guide or camel handler. One person suggested around 500 Egyptian pounds as useful cash, though you do not need that much simply to take part.

Who should choose this desert night?

I would recommend this trip to first-time visitors who want several classic Sharm El-Sheikh activities in one outing. Families with teenagers are a good match because the ATV ride provides energy, the camel stop adds variety, and the dinner show keeps the evening moving.

It also suits couples, groups of friends, and solo visitors. The guides create a social mood, and Ibrahim, or Coconut, was repeatedly praised for being funny, welcoming, and attentive. Omar, Youssef, Nana, Mario, and Sabry were also singled out for helpful service and good group spirit.

You should think twice if you are pregnant or have back problems, as the tour is specifically not suitable for you. The ATV ride involves vibration, and the camel ride may also be uncomfortable for anyone with back trouble.

This is not the best pick for someone who wants polished, high-end equipment or a private astronomy session. The quads may show wear, the group format limits personal time, and optional photo sellers can be persistent. Still, the guides generally left people alone after a clear refusal, and the activity itself was widely described as friendly and well run.

Booking tips for a smoother evening

Wear comfortable clothes and sturdy shoes that you do not mind getting dusty. Bring a camera, but keep phones and passports packed safely during the ATV section.

Take a scarf if you own one, and consider bringing eye protection. Dust can be unpleasant at speed, and the supplied scarf and goggles may involve an extra charge.

Ask for a quick equipment check before departure. Make sure your helmet buckle works, the throttle returns properly, and the brake feels manageable. If you are riding double, understand that a single quad may be required for safety and may carry an extra fee.

The tour is offered in English, Russian, Italian, and Arabic. You can reserve now and pay later, and cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. These policies make it easier to fit the trip into a changing holiday schedule.

FAQ

How much does the experience cost?

The listed price is $35 per person.

What activities are included?

The experience includes hotel pickup and drop-off, air-conditioned transport, an ATV or dune buggy ride depending on your option, a camel ride, Bedouin tea and bread, a BBQ dinner, drinks, oriental shows, and stargazing with telescopes.

How long is the ATV or buggy ride?

The driving portion lasts about 50 minutes and includes two breaks.

What happens during the two riding breaks?

The first stop is for enjoying the echo among the giant mountains. The second is at a Bedouin camp for tea, bread, and a camel ride with mountain views.

What food is served at dinner?

The open buffet includes grilled meat, kofta, chicken, rice, vegetables, salads, water, and a soft drink.

What shows are included?

The entertainment includes a fire performer, a Tanura show, and Bedouin dancing.

Can I see stars and planets through a telescope?

Yes. The tour includes a stargazing session with astronomical telescopes and a professional astronomer who explains the night sky.

Is the tour suitable for everyone?

It is not suitable for pregnant women or people with back problems. Double quads may also be changed to single quads for safety based on weight or balance, with a possible €10 per person extra charge.

Should you book this Sharm El-Sheikh desert tour?

Book it if you want a busy, good-value evening that packs riding, camels, dinner, entertainment, and astronomy into one outing. The warm guides, especially Ibrahim, Omar, Youssef, and Sabry, add real value, and the telescope session gives the trip something more memorable than a standard quad-bike ride.

Skip it if you need perfect equipment, a private desert experience, or a long, quiet night under the stars. For everyone else, $35 buys a lot: just bring your own scarf if possible, check the helmet and quad before riding, carry modest cash for optional extras, and ask questions during the astronomy session.