Sharm: Quad Bike or Car Buggy, Camel ride & optional VIP Bedouin Dinner & Show

Catch the desert at sunset. This Sharm el Sheikh safari pairs an hour of quad biking or dune buggy driving with a short camel ride, mountain photo stop, and echo game. I like the easy hotel pickup and the choice between a cheaper ride-only outing and a dinner-and-show package. The main concern is that ride times, camel time, equipment, and included scarves may not always match the advertised plan.

I also like the low price, about $22.50 per person, and the chance to return across the desert after dark on some departures. But this is a busy commercial safari operation, not a quiet wilderness trip. You may spend as much time waiting, eating, or browsing paid photo and drink services as you do driving.

Key points before you book

• Two ways to ride: Choose a quad bike or a dune buggy, with single and shared options available depending on the group and vehicle supply.
• The echo stop is the odd little highlight: Your guide leads you between the mountains and invites you to call out names for the natural echo.
• Camel time is brief: The advertised ride lasts 5 to 10 minutes, but some departures have provided only a minute or two.
• The VIP package adds the evening program: Expect a mixed grill, salads, pasta, rice, vegetables, belly dancing, tanoura, and a fire show.
• Bring water and prepare for dust: A scarf is advertised as included, yet some people have been asked to buy one on arrival.
• Quality can vary: Friendly guides and smooth transfers earn praise, while quad condition, safety equipment, delays, and dinner quality have drawn complaints.

What this Sharm el Sheikh desert trip is really like

This is a half-day outing into the safari area outside Sharm el Sheikh. The advertised duration is about five to six hours, but the active driving portion may feel much shorter, especially when you add hotel transfers, stops, waiting, dinner, and entertainment.

I would think of it as a light adventure package rather than a serious off-road expedition. You get a taste of Sinai desert scenery, a motorized ride, a camel photo stop, and the option of a camp dinner. It works well if you want several classic holiday activities in one inexpensive booking.

The average score is 3.8 out of 5 from 75 ratings, which tells you plenty. Many people have had a fun, well-run evening, especially when guides such as Ibrahim or Magde were involved. At the same time, complaints about short rides and tired equipment are too consistent to ignore.

Hotel pickup and the ride to the safari area

Pickup begins about 45 minutes before the scheduled tour time, based on your hotel. The operator says it will contact you the day before to confirm the exact time. Transport is by air-conditioned vehicle, though the vehicle may be an SUV or shuttle van rather than one fixed type.

This transfer is an important part of the experience. Several departures have had smooth pickup, while another had a delay or confusion over the meeting point. A same-day booking can make things harder, so I would confirm the pickup through the supplied WhatsApp contact and keep your phone available.

The operation can handle up to 100 people. That does not mean every outing will contain 100 people, but it gives you a useful idea of the scale. If you want a private-feeling desert ride, this is not the safest choice unless your booking specifically confirms a private group.

Choosing a quad bike or dune buggy

You can select a quad bike or a dune buggy car. The available vehicles have included single quads, double quads, and a four-seat buggy, which matters for families and couples who do not want to drive separately.

Quad bikes provide the more direct, open-air feel. You steer your own machine and follow the guide in a line. A buggy is a better fit if you want more shelter from the dust or need to keep several family members together, although the exact vehicle should be confirmed before pickup.

The strongest praise goes to the fun factor. First-time riders have enjoyed the experience, including some who rode at night. Families have also found it entertaining, and children particularly liked the buggy option.

The weak point is mechanical condition. Some reports describe quads with worn tires, damaged body panels, and faulty or weak brakes. Other departures have operated without trouble. Before setting off, check the brakes, tires, throttle, and lights. If something feels unsafe, ask for another vehicle immediately.

Safety practice also appears inconsistent. Some riders report no helmets, no protective eyewear, and no lights on an evening return. That is especially important if you select a late afternoon or sunset departure. Ask what safety gear is supplied before you pay, and do not treat the guide’s presence as a substitute for working brakes or lights.

The first hour in the desert

The plan calls for about an hour of quad or buggy riding. You follow a guide through the safari area, usually in a group. The desert setting gives the ride its appeal, with rocky mountain forms, dust, open space, and the changing light of late afternoon.

Sunset departures can be especially attractive. The mountains take on warmer colors, and the return ride may happen in darkness, which some people find exciting. That same darkness brings practical problems if the vehicles lack good lights or if dust blows into your eyes.

The advertised hour should be treated cautiously. Some outings have delivered a ride close to the planned time, while others have felt like a series of short five to fifteen minute runs interrupted by stops and waiting. If the main reason you are booking is sustained driving, ask the operator to confirm how much actual riding is planned.

Guides are often the best part of the operation. Ibrahim has been praised for being helpful, friendly, and attentive. Magde has also gone out of his way to help with photographs and return lost images to a resort. A good guide can make a basic commercial safari feel much more personal.

The mountain echo and photo stop

After roughly 20 minutes of riding, the group stops between the mountains for photographs and the echo activity. Your guide encourages you to call out names or words, then listen for the sound returning from the rock walls.

This is a simple stop, but it gives the trip a welcome change of pace. You can stretch your legs, take pictures, and see the mountain setting without the engine noise. If you are traveling with children, the echo game is an easy bit of fun.

Do not expect a long walk or a remote mountain visit. The stop is brief, and the surrounding area may feel busy or untidy. Some people have disliked the commercial activity around the stops, including sales pressure and waiting near basic facilities.

Bring a phone or camera with a secure strap. Dust is part of the deal, and you may want to protect your phone when riding. The operator provides a scarf according to the package details, but several people have been asked to buy one for about $5. Clarify this before departure, and bring your own face covering if possible.

The camel stop: more photo opportunity than ride

The camel portion is described as a 5 to 10 minute ride at a small Bedouin tent. In practice, the time can be much shorter. Some departures have offered a quick turn up and down a path, with one camel serving a large group.

I would set your expectations low here. You will probably get a camel photograph and a brief taste of mounting and riding. If a proper camel trek is important to you, this package may disappoint.

Still, the stop has value as part of a first-time Egypt experience. You can take pictures with the camel, see the small tent, and break up the motor ride. For many families, a short turn is enough, especially for younger children.

The phrase Bedouin tent should also be understood in context. This is a prepared tourist stop connected to a large safari operation, not a visit to a private desert household. That does not make it worthless, but it does mean you should come for the activity rather than an intimate cultural encounter.

The VIP dinner and show at the camp

Only the option with VIP dinner and show includes the evening meal and entertainment. After the ride, you relax in the camp’s VIP area while the program takes place. The meal is listed as mixed grill, salad, pasta, rice, and vegetables served at your table.

The evening show includes belly dancing, tanoura spinning, and a fire performance. The fire and tanoura acts have received particularly warm praise, and the program can be a pleasant way to finish a dusty afternoon. The atmosphere is relaxed when the schedule runs well.

Food quality is less reliable. Some people have found it good or acceptable, while others describe dry or cold chicken and average salads. One person reported becoming ill afterward, though a single report cannot establish the cause. I would avoid treating the dinner as a major food event. Think of it as a convenient included meal attached to the entertainment.

The VIP label does not mean every drink is included. Shisha, drinks, and photographs are excluded unless stated otherwise, and some people have felt pressured to buy extras. Carry cash only if you are comfortable spending it, and ask the price before ordering.

The professional photographers can produce attractive desert pictures, but the cost is extra. One photographer named Geno has been praised for clear images. Optional add-ons such as writing your name in fire have not always produced good results, so I would skip that unless you have seen a sample first.

Returning after dinner and getting back to your hotel

Once the show and meal finish, you return the quads or buggies to the center. An air-conditioned shuttle van then takes you back toward your hotel.

The return can be memorable if you ride at sunset and finish in darkness. It can also be the least comfortable part if the vehicles lack lights, the group is large, or transport is not ready. One departure involved a wait of about 30 minutes for a taxi, followed by a drop-off some distance from the hotel.

This is where the five-hour estimate can stretch. I would avoid scheduling a dinner reservation, airport transfer, or other fixed appointment immediately afterward. Keep your evening open.

Price and value at $22.50

At about $22.50 per person, the ride-only option is inexpensive for a hotel transfer, motorized desert activity, camel stop, and scarf provision on paper. The price becomes even more attractive for a family that wants a short introduction to desert activities without paying for a full private excursion.

The value depends on what you want. If you mainly want a quad ride lasting close to an hour, the deal is less convincing when the driving time falls to 10 or 15 minutes. If you see it as a broad sampler with transport, photographs, camel contact, and an optional show, it can be worthwhile.

The VIP dinner package costs more, though the supplied price does not specify the exact supplement. I would choose it only if you want an easy evening program and do not expect restaurant-quality food. The shows are part of the appeal, but drinks, shisha, and photographs cost extra.

A nearby alternative may offer better vehicle maintenance or longer riding time, but no comparison price is provided here. If your holiday budget is tight, this remains a reasonable low-cost add-on. If safety and ride quality matter more than price, ask detailed questions before committing.

Who will enjoy it most

I think this outing suits you if you want a simple, energetic holiday activity and enjoy trying several things in one afternoon. First-time quad riders, families with older children, couples seeking a sunset activity, and people who like camp entertainment are the best match.

The buggy option may suit families who want to sit together. The tour can also help solo visitors get photographs, since a photographer is present, although those pictures cost extra.

I would be more cautious if you need strong safety standards, a long uninterrupted ride, a quiet desert setting, or a serious camel trek. Very young children may find the dust, heat, waiting, and noise tiring. The supplied information says most people can participate, but it does not give a detailed age or medical policy, so ask before booking for a child with specific needs.

What to bring and what to confirm

Bring at least one liter of water per person. This is the most useful practical tip in the whole package, since drinks may not be readily available during the ride and children can become thirsty.

Wear clothes that can get dusty, closed shoes, sunglasses, and a face covering. Confirm whether the promised scarf is actually included in your selected option, because the handling of this item has varied.

Before departure, ask:

• How long will the actual quad or buggy riding last?
• Is a single, double, or four-seat vehicle confirmed?
• Are helmets, glasses, and working lights available?
• Is the camel ride five to ten minutes, or only a photo turn?
• What exactly is included in the VIP meal?
• How much do photographs, drinks, shisha, and other extras cost?

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund. Poor weather may lead to another date or a full refund.

Should you book this Sharm el Sheikh safari?

Book it if you want a low-priced sampler of quad biking, a camel photo stop, mountain echoes, and a desert show. Choose the ride-only option if driving is your priority, and add the VIP dinner only if you like the entertainment and can accept an average meal.

I would not book without confirming safety gear, vehicle condition, riding time, scarf arrangements, and pickup details. The guides can be excellent, the sunset setting can be lovely, and the activity can be great fun. But the experience varies too much to recommend it blindly. Go with modest expectations, plenty of water, and a willingness to speak up when equipment or timing falls short.

FAQ

How long does the Sharm el Sheikh quad or buggy safari last?

The experience lasts approximately five to six hours, including pickup, riding, stops, the optional dinner and show, and the return transfer.

What riding options are available?

You can choose an hour-long quad bike ride or a dune buggy car option. Available vehicles may include single quads, double quads, and a four-seat buggy.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup is offered in an air-conditioned vehicle and usually begins about 45 minutes before the tour time, depending on your hotel location.

Is the camel ride included?

Yes. The package includes a camel ride advertised as lasting 5 to 10 minutes, along with time for photographs. The actual riding time can be shorter on some departures.

Is the VIP dinner and show included in the basic price?

No. The VIP Bedouin dinner and show are included only if you select that option when booking.

What food is served with the VIP dinner?

The meal includes mixed grill, salad, pasta, rice, and vegetables. Drinks and shisha are not included.

Are photographs and videos included?

No. Professional photographs and videos cost extra. Tipping is also not mandatory, though it is appreciated.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded.