Sharm El-Sheikh: Desert Buggy Safari Adventure

The desert gets exciting fast. This one-hour buggy ride takes you from your Sharm El Sheikh hotel into the South Sinai desert, where you can steer across sandy tracks beneath bare mountain ranges. A short safety lesson, a Bedouin tea stop, and the chance to catch sunset give the outing more shape than a simple vehicle rental.

I like the hotel pickup in an air-conditioned bus, which makes the short trip to the desert easy, and I like the family setup, with single buggies, two-person buggies, and larger family buggies available. The main drawback is that the ride may feel brief if you want a long, high-speed off-road session. Dust, heat, and optional extras also mean you should arrive prepared.

Key points at a glance

• About 20 minutes from Sharm El Sheikh: The air-conditioned transfer gets you out of town and into the desert without arranging a separate taxi.
• One-hour off-road ride: You drive through the South Sinai desert with a guide leading the way.
• Good for families: Seatbelts, easy-to-handle buggies, double buggies, and family buggies make this suitable for groups with children.
• Bedouin tea stop: The pause at a traditional tent adds a quiet cultural moment to an otherwise active outing.
• Sunset depends on timing: Choose an afternoon departure if mountain sunset views are important to you.
• $29 per person: The price includes transport, guide, buggy use, and tea, but not drinks or extras. A mandatory $1, €1, or £1 charge is collected from each person.

Leaving Sharm El Sheikh for the South Sinai desert

The day starts with pickup outside your hotel. The exact time depends on where you are staying, so confirm it one day before the trip. A delay of up to 10 minutes is possible, which is normal for a shared hotel transfer.

The bus is air-conditioned, a useful detail in a hot desert region. The drive to the buggy area takes around 20 minutes, so you do not lose much of the day sitting in traffic. You get a quick change of scenery: hotel buildings give way to the dry mountain country around Sharm El Sheikh.

The pickup point is outside the hotel rather than inside the lobby. That matters if your resort has several entrances or a large driveway. Be ready at the agreed time and keep your phone available in case the local team needs to find you.

The transport is practical rather than luxurious. Its job is to get you to the starting point in reasonable comfort, and it does that. If you are prone to motion sickness or simply dislike waiting, allow for the shared nature of hotel collection and the possible short delay.

Getting your bearings before the buggy ride

At the desert base, you receive a short explanation of how to operate the vehicle safely. This is important even if you have driven a quad bike, buggy, or similar machine before. You need to understand the controls, the group rules, and how to follow the guide across uneven ground.

The buggies are designed for desert use and fitted with seatbelts. The experience is presented as suitable for children, but every child should remain secured and follow the safety instructions. You can choose a single buggy, share a double buggy with one other person, or use a family buggy if your group has more than three people.

That choice makes the outing easier to arrange for mixed-age families. One adult can share with a child, two adults can ride together, and larger groups do not need to split into an awkward collection of separate bookings. You should still check the arrangement at the start so everyone knows who is riding with whom.

The buggies have been praised for being powerful yet easy to handle. That balance is useful here. You get the feeling of driving through open desert without needing advanced off-road skills. The guides also keep safety in view while allowing the group to enjoy faster sections.

One hour across the sandy tracks

Once the briefing is complete, the guide leads you out into the South Sinai desert. The main attraction is not a long list of stops. It is the simple pleasure of steering across open sand with dry mountain views all around you.

The scenery is spare and dramatic. You see arid peaks, broad sandy stretches, and the changing light of the desert. The breeze feels welcome when the buggy is moving, though you should expect dust. One family described the ride as great fun but very dusty, which is exactly the trade-off here.

Wear comfortable shoes, as advised, and clothes you do not mind getting dusty. Bring water too. The trip includes tea, but drinks beyond that are not included, and riding in warm, dry air can leave you thirsty. A scarf or face covering can also be useful, especially during faster sections, though the listed requirements only specify comfortable footwear.

The pace depends on the guide and the group. Some sections may feel moderate, while others give you room to open the throttle and enjoy the speed. Several riders particularly liked the final stretch, when they were allowed to let loose under the guide’s supervision. If you want an extreme motorsport session, keep your expectations in check. This is a guided recreational ride, not a full-day rally course.

That guided format is a plus for first-time drivers and families. You are not left to find your own way through unfamiliar terrain. At the same time, experienced drivers may wish the ride lasted longer or offered more time at top speed. The one-hour driving period is enough for a taste of desert off-roading, but it may pass quickly.

A Bedouin tea break with a view

The ride includes a stop at a Bedouin tent for Egyptian tea. This pause changes the mood. After the engine noise and dust, you get a chance to sit, drink something warm, and take in the desert at a slower pace.

The tea is included, while other drinks are not. It is a small part of the outing, but it gives the experience a cultural touch that a bare buggy rental would lack. You are not only driving out, turning around, and returning. You also get a brief look at a traditional desert hospitality setting.

The length of the stop is not specified, so do not expect an extended cultural program. Think of it as a pleasant break built into the route. Depending on the departure time, you may also see the sun dropping behind the mountains.

Sunset over the South Sinai mountains

Sunset is one of the strongest reasons to choose a later departure. The timing depends on when your group leaves, so sunset is not guaranteed on every booking. If that view matters to you, ask about the departure time before confirming your plans.

The desert is well suited to sunset watching. With few buildings around, the bare mountains and open sand create a wide view as the light changes. You can enjoy the colors without needing a formal sightseeing platform.

The sunset stop also gives families and couples a quieter memory from the day. The ride supplies the fun, while the mountain views supply the calm. That contrast helps the outing feel more complete.

Do not book solely for sunset without checking the schedule. The tour is built around the buggy ride, and departure times vary by hotel location and operating arrangements. If the schedule works, the sunset is a welcome extra. If it does not, the off-road ride and tea stop remain the main parts of the experience.

Why families find this outing manageable

The family-friendly setup is one of the tour’s best features. Double buggies can carry two people, and a family buggy is available for groups of more than three. The vehicles have seatbelts and are described as suitable for children.

A family with children aged four and eight enjoyed the outing, and another group rode with three children under nine. That does not mean every child will react the same way. The ride is noisy, dusty, and active, so you should consider your children’s comfort with open vehicles and desert conditions.

The shared buggy option also lets an adult stay with a younger child. Older children may enjoy the thrill while still having an adult nearby. Ask the team to explain the seating arrangement before departure if your group includes several children.

For couples, a double buggy is an easy choice. You can share the driving or let one person take the controls while the other enjoys the view. For solo participants, a single buggy offers more independence, though the group still follows the guide.

What the $29 price really covers

At $29 per person, this is a reasonably priced half-day outing once transport and the included services are considered. You are paying for hotel pickup and return, the air-conditioned transfer, a professional guide, buggy use, the safety briefing, and Bedouin tea.

The driving itself lasts one hour. The total time away from your hotel will be longer because of the transfer, briefing, tea stop, and return journey. That makes the price attractive if you want a simple desert activity without committing to a full-day excursion.

The value is strongest for families and couples who would otherwise need to arrange separate transport to a buggy base. The included transfer removes that extra task. The guide also adds structure and safety, which matters if you are new to desert driving.

Budget for a few extras. Drinks are not included, and photographers may offer pictures at an additional cost. One rider found the photography expensive but appreciated the lack of hard selling. You can decide for yourself if the images are worth the price.

Each person must also pay a mandatory $1, €1, or £1 charge for intelligence services. It is a small amount, but you should know about it before pickup. If you do not have cash, one guide reportedly allowed a participant to settle the amount later. Do not rely on that arrangement, though. Carry the required amount if possible.

The provider is FTS Travels, and the activity is offered in English, Italian, and Arabic. You can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Sharm El Sheikh schedule is still changing. Cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund.

Dust, speed, and the practical trade-offs

The main pleasure is movement. You are not simply sitting in a vehicle while someone else shows you the desert. You get to steer, feel the turns, and manage the buggy over sandy ground.

The main nuisance is dust. It can cover shoes, clothing, and faces, especially when you follow another buggy. A scarf is useful, and you may want to keep phones and cameras protected. The provided information only requires comfortable shoes, but the dusty conditions make sensible clothing and water good ideas.

Speed also varies. Some riders wanted to go faster, while others enjoyed that the guides kept the ride controlled. This is a good sign for safety, but it means the experience may not satisfy someone seeking nonstop racing.

The guide team has received strong praise for being friendly, fun, and safe. Mr Elsharqawey was specifically thanked for helping make the journey enjoyable, while Square Safari was also praised by name. The important point for you is the balance: the guides aim to let you enjoy the speed without abandoning basic control.

The activity received a 4.6 rating from 164 reviews, which supports the picture of a well-liked, straightforward excursion. The praise is especially strong for the guides, sunset views, easy-to-handle buggies, and family suitability. The criticisms are mild but useful: dust, paid photography, and a ride that some people wished were longer or faster.

Who should book this buggy safari?

I would recommend it if you want an active desert outing that fits easily into a Sharm El Sheikh holiday. It works especially well for:

• Families who want a shared buggy and a simple hotel transfer
• Couples looking for a sunset activity
• First-time buggy drivers who prefer a short briefing and a guided route
• Visitors who want desert scenery without a full-day commitment
• Budget-conscious visitors who value transport and equipment included in one price

I would think twice if your main goal is a long, technical off-road drive. The actual buggy portion lasts one hour, and the pace is controlled by the group and guide. You should also reconsider if you dislike dust, heat, or open vehicles.

Should you book it?

Book this safari if you want good-value desert fun, especially with children or a partner. The air-conditioned pickup, seatbelts, easy-to-handle vehicles, friendly guides, tea stop, and possible sunset make it more than a quick spin around a parking area.

Before booking, confirm your hotel pickup time, ask if your departure should line up with sunset, and carry water plus a small amount of cash. If you accept the dust and understand that one hour of driving goes by quickly, this is a lively and practical addition to a Sharm El Sheikh stay.

FAQ

How long is the buggy ride?

The off-road buggy safari lasts one hour. The complete outing takes longer because it includes hotel pickup, a roughly 20-minute transfer to the desert, the safety briefing, the Bedouin tea stop, and the return transfer.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off in Sharm El Sheikh are included in an air-conditioned vehicle. Pickup takes place outside the hotel, and the exact time depends on your hotel location.

Can children ride the buggies?

Yes. The buggies have seatbelts and are designed to handle desert terrain, making the activity suitable for children. A double buggy is available for two people, and a family buggy is available for families with more than three people.

Is Bedouin tea included?

Yes. Egyptian tea at a Bedouin tent is included. Other drinks are not included, so you should bring water.

Is sunset guaranteed?

No. The sunset view depends on the departure time. Confirm the pickup and departure schedule if seeing the sun set over the mountains is important to you.

What languages are available?

The activity is offered in English, Italian, and Arabic. You should confirm your preferred language when booking if that matters for your group.