Makadi Bay: Horse Riding in Desert & Sea w Guide + Transfers

Hooves, sand, and the Red Sea make a fine trio. This three-hour outing from Hurghada combines a two-hour horseback ride with hotel pickup, taking you from Makadi Bay’s golden desert to the coast. I like the mix of open desert and sea views, and I like that the ride can suit both beginners and confident riders when the guide handles it well. The main concern is consistency: most experiences sound careful and well run, but one serious account raises questions about horse welfare, helmets, English-language guidance, and enforcement of the 100-kilogram weight limit.

The best reports praise guides Didi and Anita for calm handling, clear attention, and safe riding. Some riders were allowed to gallop through the desert and along the beach, while first-time riders received close help. I would treat the faster riding as something earned during the outing, not something guaranteed for every booking.

Key points at a glance

• Two hours in the saddle: The actual riding time is substantial for a three-hour tour, with the remaining time used for pickup, arrival, introductions, and return.
• Desert and Red Sea in one ride: You get wide golden sands, sea air, and a changing view instead of a single trail setting.
• Good fit for mixed ability groups: Experienced riders may have the chance to gallop, while beginners can receive more direct help.
• Guides can make or break the outing: Didi and Anita receive especially strong praise for care and reassurance.
• Safety details need checking: Helmets are included in the package, but one account says a helmet was provided only after asking.
• $35 includes useful basics: Transfers from Hurghada, the ride, guide, water, a welcome drink, and safety gear are included, but food is not.

From Hurghada to Makadi Bay

The tour begins with pickup in Hurghada. You wait at your hotel reception for a driver holding a Gamila Horse signboard, which is a useful detail in a resort area where several vehicles may be arriving at once.

The drive itself is part of the three-hour schedule, though the exact transfer time is not given. That means your time around the horses is more important than the headline duration. The ride lasts two hours, leaving roughly an hour for transportation and the arrival and departure process.

I like the simplicity here. You do not need to arrange a taxi to a stable or work out where Makadi Bay begins. Pickup is included, and one particularly positive account describes the transfer as punctual and uncomplicated. Still, give yourself a little patience at hotel pickup. Resort transfers can take longer than expected if the vehicle is collecting more than one party.

The final arrival point is Makadi Bay, a coastal resort area south of Hurghada where the desert reaches toward the Red Sea. The setting gives this outing its real appeal. You are not simply circling an arena or following a short path beside a hotel. The scenery changes between sand, open sky, and water.

Meeting Your Horse Before the Ride

At the riding point, the guide introduces you to your horse. The horses are described as having different personalities, from gentle and steady to more spirited and energetic. That matters because a suitable horse can make a first riding experience feel calm rather than overwhelming.

You should use this moment to tell the guide your riding level plainly. Say if you have never ridden before, if you are comfortable at a trot, or if you want to gallop. The strongest reports describe guides who checked in often, took the reins when needed, and adjusted the experience to the rider.

The horses are also described by several riders as friendly, well behaved, and in good condition. One experienced rider and a mother with no previous riding background both felt well supported, which suggests the activity can work for a group with different abilities. That is a real advantage. Nobody wants the confident rider bored and the beginner frightened.

But this is also the point where I would ask practical questions. Confirm that helmets are available and put yours on before mounting. Safety gear is included, yet one very negative account says helmets were offered only after being requested. That is not a detail to ignore. You should not need to negotiate for basic head protection.

The same account raised concern about horses waiting in strong sun without water. I cannot verify that situation, but it is serious enough to make horse care part of your own decision. Look at the horses before you ride. If something feels wrong, ask questions and speak up.

Riding Through Makadi Bay’s Desert

Once you leave the starting point, the desert provides the broadest part of the experience. The sound of hooves on sand is softer than on a hard road, and the open setting gives the ride a quiet, spacious feel.

The descriptions focus on golden sand, scattered desert plants, and the steady warmth of the sun. These are not dramatic archaeological sights in the usual sightseeing sense. The appeal is the simple rhythm of moving through a large, uncluttered setting, with the horse’s pace setting the mood.

I like this kind of activity because it asks you to slow down. You are watching the horse, balancing in the saddle, feeling the wind, and noticing the ground ahead. Even a short stretch of desert can feel much larger from horseback than it does from a minibus window.

The desert also provides the best chance for faster riding. Confident riders may be able to gallop, and one highly positive account describes galloping both in the desert and near the sea. That sounds thrilling, but do not assume it is automatic. The guide decides what is safe based on the horse, the terrain, and the ability of the group.

If you are new to riding, your own experience may be more controlled. That is not a disappointment. A steady walk or gentle trot gives you time to learn how to sit, hold the reins, and respond to the horse without panic. The account from a first-time rider suggests that careful supervision can make the experience enjoyable even without speed.

One concern deserves clear attention. A negative account says people with no riding experience were galloping after only a few minutes, while the guide allegedly had weak English. That conflicts sharply with the more reassuring accounts. Since English is the listed guide language, ask at the start how instructions will be given and make sure you understand the signals before any faster riding begins.

Following the Red Sea Shore

The sea adds a second mood to the ride. After the dry openness of the desert, the Red Sea brings a bright horizon, a breeze, and the sound and scent of coastal air. The contrast is the tour’s most memorable feature.

You may see the water sparkling beside the pale sand, with the desert stretching behind you. It is a simple scene, but it gives the ride a sense of place. Makadi Bay is not just a generic riding center. You are experiencing the meeting point of Egypt’s dry interior and its famous eastern coast.

The coastal section is also where photography becomes especially tempting. Some riders praise the guides for making high-quality videos during the outing. That is a welcome extra if the guide can film without distracting from safety, but it is not listed as an included service, so I would not book solely on the promise of video.

The ride along the shore may also be where stronger riders get the chance to move faster. Again, listen carefully to the guide. Sand, horses, and mixed riding abilities can create a very different experience for each person in the group. If you want a quiet walk beside the sea, say so. If you are hoping to gallop, ask what is possible that day.

The coast is not presented as a swimming stop, and food is not included. This is a horseback outing, not a beach day with a meal. Bring your expectations into line with that, and the format makes sense.

Guides Didi and Anita Matter

The guide is the central part of this experience. A horse can be gentle, but you still need someone who can match you with the right animal, explain basic control, and notice when a rider is losing confidence.

Didi receives strong praise for being friendly and reassuring. Anita is also singled out for careful attention, along with a second guide who was described as kind and helpful. The most useful detail is not simply that the guides were pleasant. They reportedly asked often if everything was fine, took the reins when necessary, and helped less experienced riders without making them feel incapable.

That is exactly what you want from a riding guide. Good instruction is quiet and practical. It helps you sit correctly, keep a safe distance, and understand what the horse is doing.

The language point needs a balanced note. English is the stated tour language, and several accounts describe supportive communication. One poor account says the guide did not speak English. If clear spoken instruction is important to you, confirm it at the beginning and do not move to a faster pace until you understand what is being asked.

Guide quality can also affect horse welfare. A guide who watches the animals, controls the pace, and gives them proper care creates a better experience for everyone. A guide who pushes horses forward by voice or force raises a different set of concerns. Your comfort and the horses’ condition should both matter.

Is $35 Good Value?

At $35 per person, this is a reasonably priced way to combine a riding activity with transport from Hurghada. You receive the horse ride, an English-speaking guide, hotel pickup, water, a welcome drink, and safety gear.

The two-hour riding period is the strongest value point. Many activity listings use a long total duration while providing a much shorter time on the main activity. Here, the saddle time is clearly stated as two hours within the three-hour outing.

The package is less useful if you are expecting a meal or a full-day excursion. Food is not included, and there is no mention of a meal stop or extra sightseeing. Bring that distinction into your budget. The value comes from the riding time and the convenience of transfers, not from refreshments or a packed schedule.

There is also a practical financial safety net. You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and the reserve-now-pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately. Those terms are helpful if your Red Sea plans may change.

The one unclear point is the welcome drink. It is listed as included, but one account says no drink was provided. Water is also listed, so I would still carry personal water and ask about the welcome drink at arrival rather than count on it as a major part of the package.

What to Wear and What to Ask

Wear long trousers and closed shoes if possible. The provided information does not specify a dress code, but practical riding clothes make more sense than swimwear or loose beach clothing. The sun and sand are part of the setting, so sun protection is sensible.

Before mounting, ask these questions:

• Which horse is best for my riding level?
• Is a helmet fitted and included today?
• Will beginners remain at a walk or gentle trot?
• Where, if anywhere, is galloping allowed?
• Is the guide comfortable giving instructions in English?
• Has the horse had water and rest?

The 100-kilogram limit deserves special attention. One account says the limit was not enforced. The provided activity information does not explain how the limit is measured or what happens if a rider is above it. If your weight may be close to or above that figure, confirm eligibility before booking. This is about safety for you and the horse, not embarrassment.

Also remember that a horse ride is not passive sightseeing. You need to be comfortable sitting on a moving animal for two hours. If you have back, hip, or balance problems, think carefully before choosing this activity.

Who Will Enjoy This Ride Most?

I would recommend it most strongly to a small group with mixed riding backgrounds, provided the guide takes time to match the pace to each person. A confident rider can hope for a more active outing, while a beginner can stay with a calm horse and receive close help.

It also suits you if you want a break from resort pools and organized water activities. The desert and coast offer a quieter kind of excitement. You get movement, scenery, and contact with the setting without committing to a full day away from Hurghada.

Families and friends should be honest about ability differences before booking together. The best experience comes when nobody feels pressured to gallop. A beginner who is enjoying a careful walk is having a successful ride, even if another person in the group wants more speed.

I would be cautious if horse welfare is your top concern and you cannot ask questions before mounting. The positive accounts describe cared-for horses, but the one serious complaint cannot be brushed aside. Check the animals, insist on a helmet, and refuse any pace that feels unsafe.

Should You Book Makadi Bay Horse Riding?

I would book this for the desert-to-sea setting, the two hours of riding, and the chance to be guided by people such as Didi or Anita. At $35, included transfers and basic equipment make it good value for a short Hurghada activity.

I would not book it blindly. Confirm the weight rule, helmet availability, English instruction, and planned pace before you ride. If those basics are handled properly, this can be a peaceful and exciting way to see Makadi Bay from a saddle. If they are not, the low price is no bargain.

FAQ

Where does the horse riding activity take place?

The riding takes place in Makadi Bay in Egypt’s Red Sea Governorate, where the desert meets the Red Sea.

How long is the activity?

The full activity lasts three hours, including pickup and return. The horseback riding portion lasts two hours.

Is pickup from Hurghada included?

Yes. Pickup is included, and you should wait at your hotel reception for a driver holding a Gamila Horse signboard.

What language does the guide speak?

The listed guide language is English.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the horseback riding experience, guide, welcome drink, water, safety gear, and pickup from Hurghada.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The activity also offers a reserve-now-pay-later option.