El Gouna: Desert & Sea Horse Riding With Swimming Optional

Desert silence, sea air, and a steady horse. This El Gouna horseback riding experience combines sandy trails, Red Sea views, and a gentle introduction to horse care in one flexible outing. I like the chance to ride at sunrise, in the afternoon, or at sunset, and I especially like that beginners are grouped by ability rather than pushed into a fast-moving pack. The main consideration is location: despite the El Gouna name, one recent booking found the activity was actually based in Makadi, so check the exact stable and pickup details before you pay.

The horses are described as well cared for and well trained, which matters if you are new to riding. A two-hour outing costs about $26 per person, making it a fair value if your transport is included. Swimming with your horse is not part of the standard ride, however. That special stop is limited to the four-hour VIP option.

Key points before you saddle up

• The standard ride lasts two hours: You follow desert and seaside routes, with photo stops and guidance throughout.
• The horses suit beginners: A short safety briefing and riding test come first, and the group is arranged by skill.
• Sunrise offers breakfast: The Oriental breakfast is available only with the 5:00 AM departure.
• The Red Sea swim is an upgrade: Only the four-hour VIP ride includes swimming with your horse.
• Sunset adds dinner and stars: The evening option includes an Oriental meal, live entertainment, and stargazing.
• Shared groups affect the pace: Faster riding may be limited so the group stays together.

What the $26 price really covers

At around $26 per person, this is priced as an accessible half-day activity rather than a luxury riding holiday. The standard package includes the horse guide, safety introduction, helmet when requested, the two-hour ride, desert and coastal routes, and photo stops. If you select shared hotel transport, pickup and return are included as well.

That is good value for a visitor who wants more than a short arena ride. You get changing scenery and a little contact with the horses before and after riding. The horse care element is a real plus: you are shown how to wash, groom, and feed your horse, which gives the outing a more personal feel.

The price needs closer inspection if you choose the entry-only ticket. In that case, you arrange your own way to the base, so the low headline rate may not be the final cost once you add a taxi. Private transfers and a private guide cost extra.

The different packages also vary a lot:

• The two-hour ride with shared transport is the straightforward choice.
• The entry-only version suits people already nearby or those who prefer to arrange their own transport.
• The double adventure pairs one hour of quad biking with one hour on horseback.
• The sunset package adds dinner, a show, and stargazing.
• The VIP four-hour option includes the Red Sea swim stop.

Read the package name carefully. A two-hour horse ride does not include swimming, breakfast, dinner, or a private guide unless those extras are specifically shown.

Reaching the stable from Hurghada and El Gouna

Transport can take a fair chunk of your day. Pickup is generally scheduled between zero and one hour before the selected start time, with the exact time sent the day before. You should wait in your hotel lobby ten minutes before the confirmed pickup.

Approximate travel times are:

• 25 to 30 minutes from Makadi Bay or Sahl Hasheesh
• 40 to 45 minutes from central Hurghada
• Up to one hour from El Gouna, Soma Bay, Safaga, or Al Ahyaa

The vehicle is air-conditioned when transport is selected. The shared option saves money, but several hotel stops can make the transfer less direct. A private transfer is worth considering if you are traveling with a small party, have limited time, or want a calmer start.

One point deserves special attention. The activity is sold under an El Gouna title, but a booking note placed the actual stable in Makadi. Ask for the precise meeting point and stable location before departure. Your guide is supposed to wait at the entrance and greet you by name, and WhatsApp is the quickest way to handle confusion.

Pack only what you need. Large bags, luggage, jewelry, and pets are not allowed. Leave valuables at your hotel, and make sure the phone number attached to your booking works on WhatsApp.

The first 15 minutes: meeting your horse

After arriving, you have about 15 minutes to rest before the riding program begins. This pause is useful after the drive, particularly if you chose a sunrise or sunset departure.

The staff then explains the basic safety rules and introduces the horses. A short driving test takes place before the ride, helping the guides group people by ability. That is important here because the activity is intended as a guided outing, not a racing session.

Helmets are provided and must be worn throughout the ride. They are listed as available upon request, so confirm this at the stable if helmet use is important to you. Wear closed, comfortable shoes, practical clothing, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a sun hat for the time before or after riding.

On windy days, long clothing is useful because sand can blow across open areas. Swimwear is worth bringing only if you booked the four-hour VIP option. It will not turn the regular two-hour ride into a swimming trip.

Riding the desert trails at a relaxed pace

The standard ride lasts two hours, with routes through sandy valleys, desert plains, and areas near the Red Sea. The scenery changes gradually rather than through a long list of formal stops. One moment you are surrounded by dry desert tones, and later the sea adds a bright blue horizon and cooler air.

The ride is guided at a relaxed pace. That makes it workable for first-time riders, but it also sets a limit for experienced equestrians. One booking noted that faster riding was difficult in a shared group because the horses had to stay together. If you want more freedom with the pace, choose the private option rather than expecting a group ride to become a gallop.

This is a better fit for people who want scenery and a calm outdoor activity than for riders looking for technical instruction or serious fast riding. The horses are trained for different ability levels, and one first-time rider was comfortable because the horse was steady and the guide kept watch.

Photo stops are built into the route. In a group, the guide has to move everyone through the process, so photographs may be less personal than on a private tour. Still, you should have opportunities to capture the horse, the desert, and the sea.

Horse care gives the outing more character

The horse introduction is not just a practical safety step. You can learn how to wash, groom, and feed the animal, making the experience feel less like a quick ride arranged around a resort timetable.

The condition of the horses is one of the strongest reasons to consider this activity. The available feedback repeatedly describes them as cared for, clean, and well trained, rather than thin or poorly presented. That does not replace seeing the stable yourself, but it is an encouraging sign for anyone concerned about animal welfare.

Approach this part with patience. The goal is not to rush through mounting and leave immediately. You are given a chance to become familiar with the horse, which can settle nervous beginners and help children or inexperienced adults feel more comfortable, provided they meet the participation requirements.

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, people with mobility impairments, wheelchair users, or anyone over 110 kilograms. Those restrictions are important, not minor fine print, because riding places physical demands on your back, balance, and legs.

Sunrise, afternoon, or sunset?

The departure time changes the mood more than the route.

The 5:00 AM sunrise option is for early risers. The desert is cooler and quieter, and the first light gives the ride a softer look. This is also the only time when the Oriental breakfast is included. If breakfast is a deciding factor, do not assume it comes with every morning booking.

Morning is also the scheduled time for the one-hour quad biking and one-hour horseback riding combo. That option gives you two very different ways to see the desert, but each activity is shorter than the standard horse ride.

Afternoon rides offer a less demanding start if you do not want to set an alarm before dawn. The desert light becomes softer later in the day, and the Red Sea adds a pleasant change from the dry interior.

The sunset package is the most event-focused choice. You ride as the light fades, then continue with an Oriental dinner, live performance, and stargazing. It is a good pick if you want an evening out rather than simply two hours in the saddle. You should expect the meal and entertainment to be part of the package’s appeal, not treat them as incidental extras.

The four-hour VIP swim option

The VIP package lasts four hours and includes a private ride with a swimming stop in the Red Sea. This is the option for people who have imagined leading a horse into the water, rather than simply riding beside the coast.

It costs more than the basic outing, but the added time and private format address the two biggest weaknesses of a shared ride: limited pace and limited personal attention. The swim is also a major difference, since it is not included in the normal two-hour packages.

Bring swimwear and a change of clothes. The supplied information does not specify changing facilities, so keep your packing simple and ask the operator what is available at the base. The swim stop is weather and condition dependent in practical terms, though no separate restriction is stated, so confirm the details if this is the main reason you are booking.

How group size changes the experience

Small groups and private departures are intended to keep the outing personal and safer. The guide can watch riders more closely, help with mounting, and respond faster when someone is nervous.

Still, small group does not mean unlimited independence. A shared ride must move at the pace of its least confident rider. If you are an experienced rider and want to go faster, the private format is the sensible choice.

Private arrangements cost extra, but they may be worthwhile for couples, families with different abilities, or anyone focused on photography. One booking specifically preferred a private trip after finding the group pace restrictive. That is useful advice if riding freedom matters more to you than the lowest price.

Who will enjoy this horseback ride?

I would recommend the standard ride to:

• First-time riders who want trained horses and close supervision
• Couples seeking a quiet desert and sea activity
• Families whose members are comfortable meeting the physical requirements
• Resort visitors wanting a break from pools and organized beach time
• Horse lovers who value grooming and feeding as part of the experience
• Photographers looking for desert and Red Sea settings

I would be cautious about booking if you want a long, fast ride. The shared format is designed for control and safety, not speed. I would also skip it if you have back trouble, limited mobility, are pregnant, or exceed the stated weight limit.

For a short holiday, the two-hour ride with shared transport offers the clearest value. The VIP version makes sense when the swim is essential. The sunset ride works best when dinner, performance, and stars sound as appealing as the horse ride itself.

Practical tips for a smoother ride

Book the exact time you want, especially for the 5:00 AM breakfast ride. Confirm the pickup location and ask whether your chosen package includes transport, breakfast, dinner, or swimming.

Use WhatsApp if possible. The exact pickup time is sent the day before, and quick contact can prevent a long wait in the wrong hotel entrance.

Wear clothes you can move in and shoes that will stay secure. Use sunscreen even in the cooler hours, and bring sunglasses to guard against sun and blowing sand. Avoid jewelry, alcohol, drugs, smoking in the vehicle, and large bags.

Keep your expectations sensible. This is a guided desert outing, not an advanced riding lesson. The most enjoyable approach is to appreciate the horse, the open setting, and the changing light rather than demand a fast pace.

Should you book the El Gouna horse ride?

Yes, if you want an affordable, gentle outdoor activity with both desert and Red Sea scenery. The cared-for horses, patient supervision, and beginner-friendly grouping give the standard two-hour ride a solid foundation, and the $26 price is attractive when shared transport is included.

Choose carefully, though. Verify the Makadi or El Gouna location, select private riding if pace matters, and do not expect swimming unless you book the four-hour VIP option. For most people, the standard ride is the best value. For a special evening, choose sunset with dinner and stargazing. For the most unusual experience, pay extra for the private swim stop.

FAQ

Where does the horseback riding experience take place?

The activity is in Egypt’s Red Sea Governorate, with the stable location associated with Makadi in one booking note. Confirm the exact address before departure, especially if you are staying in El Gouna.

How long does the activity last?

The available programs last about three to five hours in total, including transport and activity time. The standard horseback ride itself lasts two hours, while the VIP ride lasts four hours.

Does the price include hotel pickup?

Hotel pickup and return are included only when you select an option with shared transfer. Entry-only tickets require you to reach the base independently.

How long is the ride from central Hurghada?

The transfer from central Hurghada takes approximately 40 to 45 minutes. Travel time varies by hotel and the number of pickups.

Is swimming with the horse included?

No. Swimming in the Red Sea is included only with the four-hour VIP horse riding option.

Is breakfast included?

Oriental breakfast is available only with the 5:00 AM sunrise ride. It is not included with every morning or standard ride.

Are helmets provided?

Yes. Helmets and safety equipment are provided, and helmets must be worn throughout the ride.

Can a beginner join?

Yes. The horses are trained for different riding levels, and a safety briefing and short riding test take place before the tour. The guides group riders by ability.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, and comfortable clothes. Bring swimwear if you selected the VIP swim option.

Who should not participate?

The experience is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, people with mobility impairments, wheelchair users, or anyone over 110 kilograms.