Sharm El Sheikh: Quad bike, Safari, Camel With Dinner & Show

The desert gets exciting fast. This $20 Sharm El Sheikh safari combines quad biking across South Sinai, a camel ride, Bedouin hospitality, dinner, and an evening show in one afternoon and night out. It offers plenty for the price, especially if you want more than a short quad-bike spin near town.

I especially like the long quad-bike ride, often around an hour or more, and the friendly guides who stay close to the group. The Bedouin stop also gives the outing a welcome change of pace, with chai, food, music, and a taste of desert life.

The main caution is that some extras are optional, and the experience can lose its calm when photographers or sellers press you for attention. Confirm exactly which options you have paid for, and ask about extra charges before setting off.

Key points to know before booking

• Quad biking is the main event: You may spend an hour or more riding over golden sand and uneven desert ground, depending on the selected package.
• Small groups can make the ride better: A smaller group may move more quickly and stop more easily than a large convoy.
• The camel ride and stargazing may cost extra: They are listed as included only if you select those options.
• Bedouin tea, dinner, and entertainment add variety: The evening is more than a motorized desert trip, with food, music, dancing, and songs.
• Hotel pickup and drop-off are included: This is useful in Sharm El Sheikh, where the desert departure point is outside the main resort areas.
• Bring a passport with at least six months’ validity: This is a stated requirement, so do not leave it behind at the hotel.

What the $20 price really gives you

At $20 per person, this is priced as a budget-friendly package rather than a private desert expedition. You get transport, a guide, quad biking, and the chance to add the camel ride, dinner, and show. That combination gives the outing strong value if all the main parts are included in your selected option.

The price needs a little reading before you book. The information lists the camel ride, dinner, and stargazing as included only when selected, so the cheapest rate may not contain every activity described in the headline. I would check the exact package name and inclusions before paying.

The low price also means you should expect some commercial touches. Scarves and goggles are not included, personal spending is separate, and tips are optional. One small-bottle-of-water purchase was reported as costing 100 Egyptian pounds, so ask for prices before buying anything at the desert stops.

The overall rating is 3.9 out of 5 from 280 ratings. That suggests a generally enjoyable experience with a few repeated concerns about sales pressure, photography, and optional activities not being clear enough.

Hotel pickup and the journey into South Sinai

The day begins with pickup from your hotel in Sharm El Sheikh. Private transfers have arrived early and been described as friendly, while the standard arrangement includes both pickup and return transport.

That matters more than it may sound. You do not need to arrange a taxi to a desert meeting point, and the return ride comes after dinner and the evening entertainment. Since the activity begins in the afternoon, you get the cooler part of the day for riding and the darker hours for the meal and show.

Exact pickup times are not supplied, so check your confirmation carefully. If you are choosing a morning departure instead, one useful piece of advice is to aim for 9am, since the heat can become tiring later in the day. The afternoon version has the benefit of sunset colors, but it may feel warm during the first part of the ride.

The tour is offered in English and Arabic. That should help with safety instructions and practical guidance before you ride, though the exact guide depends on the departure.

Quad biking over the desert tracks

The quad-bike section is the heart of the outing. You climb onto a powerful four-wheeled bike and follow sandy tracks over rolling dunes and rougher ground, with wide desert views around you.

The word safari here means an organized recreational ride, not a wildlife trip. You are there for speed, sand, open space, and the fun of handling the bike across uneven ground.

The strongest praise goes to the length of the ride. Some people had more than an hour on the quads, with two stops along the way. That is far better value than a quick ten-minute circuit, especially at this price.

The stops serve two purposes. They give you a chance to look across the desert and take photos, and they break up the physical effort of riding. Quad biking can be tiring for your arms and back, particularly when the ground is rough or you are trying to keep pace with the group.

The small-group format is another advantage. A compact group may let the guide set a livelier pace, and one small group was able to move quickly past larger groups. If you prefer a relaxed ride, tell the guide early. If you want more speed, make sure you are comfortable with the safety instructions first.

Safety guidance appears to be a strong part of the experience. Guides have stayed nearby throughout the ride, checking that nobody was struggling. That is reassuring in an open desert, where even a minor problem can become awkward if the group spreads out.

Still, quad bikes are machines, and machines can fail. One person reported that the brakes stopped working halfway through the route. That appears to have been an isolated problem, but it is worth checking the controls before leaving and telling the guide at once if the bike feels wrong. Do not keep riding a bike with a brake problem just to avoid slowing the group.

Desert views, photo stops, and the sales pitch

The scenery is a major reason to book this activity. You get broad views of golden sand, distant mountains, and dramatic South Sinai desert terrain. The best light arrives as the sun drops, when the sand takes on warmer colors and the shadows stretch across the tracks.

The photo stops can be enjoyable, but they are not always as restful as you might hope. Some guides or photographers may spend a lot of time arranging photos and videos. Farid, one guide praised for being friendly and helpful, took pictures and videos throughout the ride, which can be a welcome bonus if you want a record of the day.

The downside is interruption. One person found the photographer too involved, with repeated requests to pose and look toward the camera. This meant less time simply riding and taking in the view. If you prefer to drive without frequent direction, say so at the start.

There was also a complaint about four people selling bracelets during a brief photo stop. Repeated requests after a clear no made that pause uncomfortable. You can expect some selling at tourist stops, but you do not have to buy anything. A firm, polite refusal is enough, and ask about the price of drinks or souvenirs before accepting them.

The camel ride at sunset

After the quad-bike section, you may trade the motor for a camel. The camel ride offers a slower and more traditional way to cross the sand, with the animal’s rolling pace providing a sharp contrast to the noise and speed of the quad.

This part has cultural value as well as novelty. Camels have been used by Bedouin communities for generations, and riding one gives you a small sense of how different desert travel feels without an engine.

Do not assume the camel ride is part of every $20 booking. It is listed as included only if that option is selected. One person who expected the camel ride and stargazing was disappointed not to receive either, so confirm both before departure.

The ride can also be physically demanding. Getting on and off a camel involves height and movement, and the swaying motion may not suit everyone. If you have health concerns, tell the guide before you mount. One older participant found the quad biking difficult because of a health issue, even though a younger family member loved it.

Tea and Bedouin hospitality

The Bedouin village stop changes the mood of the day. Instead of engines and dust, you get welcoming smiles, chai tea, and time to hear about local customs and daily life.

The setting is designed for visitors, so you should not treat it as a complete picture of Bedouin culture. Still, it gives you a useful pause and a chance to connect the desert around you with the people who have long made their homes in this harsh environment.

The tea is a small detail, but it helps make the stop feel social rather than purely commercial. You can sit, look around, and let the evening cool the air before dinner.

Guides make a difference here. Friendly staff can explain what you are seeing and help the group move from one activity to the next. The tour received praise for guides who were attentive, cheerful, and careful with the group, including Farid.

Bedouin dinner beneath the stars

Dinner is served after the village visit, around a fire and beneath the night sky. The meal is intended to feature traditional Bedouin dishes made with local ingredients, giving you something more substantial than a snack at a roadside stop.

Food quality has been one of the most praised parts of the experience. One meal was described as excellent, and the dinner adds real value to the package when it is included. After a dusty ride, sitting down to eat is welcome, even if you are not normally interested in organized evening shows.

The exact menu is not provided, so I would not book this expecting a particular dish. Think of it as a shared desert meal connected to the evening program, not a restaurant visit with a choice of courses.

Drinks and personal purchases are separate. Keep that in mind when working out the true cost, particularly after the water pricing complaint. Tips are optional, and you should never feel obliged to pay more than you planned.

Music, dance, and the evening show

The final main event is a Bedouin performance. You can expect rhythmic music, dance, and songs linked to desert life and local traditions.

The show gives the evening a lively finish after the quieter dinner. It is also a good reason to choose the full package rather than quad biking alone. The experience moves through several moods: speed on the bikes, calm on the camel, conversation over tea, food by the fire, then music and dancing.

Keep your expectations sensible. This is a tourist performance created for an excursion, not a private village ceremony. Even so, it can be enjoyable and gives the evening a clear sense of occasion.

The return takes place under moonlight, according to the planned program, with hotel drop-off afterward. Exact finish times are not stated, so keep your evening open rather than booking a fixed dinner reservation elsewhere.

Who will enjoy this desert safari?

I would recommend this for couples, families with older children, and first-time visitors who want several classic Sharm El Sheikh activities in one outing. It works especially well if you want action but also like having a meal and cultural performance built into the same day.

The experience suits you if:

• You want a long quad-bike ride rather than a short practice loop.
• You like open desert views and sunset photography.
• You are happy with a group setting.
• You want a budget package with several activities.
• You enjoy a dinner and performance after an active afternoon.

I would be more cautious if you dislike sales pitches, staged photos, or organized entertainment. You may also find the quad biking uncomfortable if you have back, joint, or other health problems. The ride is not simply sitting on a vehicle over smooth ground.

Families should think about age, confidence, and physical ability before booking. The guides have been praised for keeping close to the group, but that does not remove the need for each rider to control the quad safely.

Practical advice for a smoother day

Bring your passport with at least six months of remaining validity, as this is specifically required. Wear clothes you do not mind getting dusty, and expect the desert sun to feel strong even when the air later cools.

Scarves and goggles are not included. You can ask what is available before the ride, but check the price first. The same applies to water, photos, bracelets, and any other personal purchase.

Tell the guide what kind of ride you want. If you want fewer photo stops, say so. If you need a slower pace, say so. A small group gives you a better chance of getting personal attention, so use that advantage.

The tour allows you to reserve and pay later, which helps if your plans are not settled. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Those terms are useful, but still check the selected package so you know if camel riding, dinner, and stargazing are included.

Should you book it?

Book this safari if you want strong value and a full desert evening for about $20 per person. The long quad ride, hotel transport, friendly guides, sunset scenery, dinner, and show make it a generous package when the selected option includes the extras.

Choose carefully if the camel ride or stargazing is important to you. Confirm those inclusions before booking, and be ready for photographers, souvenir sellers, and extra charges at stops.

For most active visitors, I think the experience is worth considering. It is not polished at every moment, but it gives you a lot of South Sinai in one outing: dust on the quad tracks, quiet camel steps, chai, a firelit meal, and music under the night sky.

FAQ

What is included in the $20 Sharm El Sheikh desert safari?

The experience includes hotel pickup and drop-off, a tour guide, and a quad-bike ride. Camel riding, dinner, and stargazing are included only if you select those options.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included in the tour arrangements.

Do I need to bring a passport?

Yes. You need a passport with at least six months of remaining validity.

Is the camel ride included in every booking?

No. The camel ride is listed as included only when you select that option. Confirm this before booking if it is important to you.

Which languages are available?

The experience is offered in English and Arabic.

Can I cancel or pay later?

Yes. You can reserve and pay later, and cancellation up to 24 hours in advance qualifies for a full refund.