El Gouna: Desert & Sea Horse Riding With Swimming Optional

Horseback riding in the Hurghada desert becomes far more memorable when the route reaches the Red Sea. You can move from sandy valleys and open plains to seaside paths, then finish with a sunset ride, dinner, or even a swim with your horse on the four-hour VIP option.

I like the calm pace and trained horses, which make this a sensible choice for beginners. I also like the chance to learn simple stable skills, including washing, grooming, and feeding your horse. The main catch is location: despite the El Gouna name, the riding base is in the Makadi area, and group rides may limit faster riding.

Key points before you book

• The two-hour ride suits first-time riders, with a safety talk, short driving test, helmet, and groups arranged by riding ability.
• The four-hour VIP option includes a Red Sea swim stop, a rare extra that is not part of the standard tour.
• The 5:00 AM departure is the only option with Oriental breakfast, so timing matters if breakfast is important to you.
• Sunset rides add dinner, a live show, and stargazing, turning a simple ride into a longer desert evening.
• The listed price starts at $26 per person, but transfers, private arrangements, and add-ons depend on the option you choose.
• The base is in Makadi, not El Gouna, so check your pickup time and route before booking.

From the stable to the Red Sea

The outing begins at the riding base, where you have about 15 minutes to rest before the program starts. That short pause is useful after the transfer, especially if you are coming from a resort farther along the coast.

A guide introduces you to the horse, explains the basic safety rules, and checks your riding ability. A short driving test helps the team place riders in suitable groups. Beginners are kept at a comfortable pace, while more experienced riders may be able to move faster when the group allows it.

You receive a helmet and safety equipment on request, and helmets must be worn for the full ride. The horses are described as trained for riders at different levels. That matters here because this is a guided outing, not a free-riding session or a race.

The route depends on the option and the length of your trip. You may ride across sandy valleys, open desert plains, forest paths, or toward the Red Sea. Photo stops are included, so you have chances to take in the scenery instead of spending every minute focused on the horse.

The setting changes with the hour. Sunrise brings cooler air and soft light across the sand. Morning is likely to feel more comfortable during warmer months. Afternoon rides offer stronger light and a slower holiday mood, while sunset gives you the most atmospheric finish.

The seaside section is the real draw. Riding beside the water creates a sharp contrast with the dry interior, and the combination gives this trip more variety than a short stable ride on a single trail.

What the two-hour ride really offers

The standard two-hour horseback ride is the clearest choice if you want the central experience without turning it into a full day. You spend enough time in the saddle to see more than the stable grounds, but the outing remains manageable for a first attempt.

You can book the entry-only version and make your own way to the base. This is useful if you have a rental car, a private driver, or accommodation nearby. The alternative includes shared hotel transfer from major resort areas, which removes the need to arrange transport yourself.

The ride is shaped around safety and group control. That is good news for a nervous beginner, but it also sets a limit for experienced riders. On a group tour, the pace has to work for everyone. If you want a faster ride or more control over stops, the private option is the better choice.

One practical point comes from the location. Travel time is around 25 to 30 minutes from Makadi Bay or Sahl Hasheesh, 40 to 45 minutes from central Hurghada, and as much as an hour from El Gouna, Soma Bay, Safaga, or Al Ahyaa. The activity is promoted for El Gouna, but the stable is in Makadi, so do not assume a quick local transfer if you are staying in El Gouna.

Pickup is optional. If you select it, wait in your hotel lobby 10 minutes before the arranged time. The actual pickup may be 0 to 1 hour before the selected activity time, and the exact time is sent the day before. Keep your phone connected to WhatsApp so the operator can reach you.

Sunrise, afternoon, or sunset?

The departure time changes the character of the ride more than you might expect.

The 5:00 AM sunrise option is for early risers who want cooler conditions, quiet desert views, and an Oriental breakfast afterward. This is the only departure that includes the breakfast, so do not choose a later morning time and expect the same meal.

The morning setting is also the sensible pick if you want the quad bike and horse combination. That package gives you one hour on a quad bike followed by one hour on horseback. It is scheduled in the cooler morning hours and suits you if one activity alone feels too short.

An afternoon ride offers a more relaxed schedule. You can sleep in, enjoy your hotel breakfast, and still reach the desert later in the day. The tradeoff is heat, especially in the warmer season, so bring water, sunscreen, a hat, and clothing that protects you from blowing sand.

The sunset option adds more than a change in lighting. The two-hour horse ride is followed by an Oriental dinner, a live performance, and stargazing in the desert. This makes it the strongest choice for a special evening, though it also means more time away from your hotel and a later return.

You should bring only what you need. Large bags, luggage, jewelry, alcohol, and smoking in the vehicle are not allowed. Sunglasses and a sun hat help in bright conditions, while long clothing is useful on windy days when sand can blow across the trail.

The four-hour VIP ride and Red Sea swim

The four-hour VIP ride is the most unusual version of the experience. It is a private ride with a swim stop in the Red Sea, allowing you to enter the water with your horse. This is not included in the regular two-hour tour, so check the exact option carefully before paying.

The swim stop gives the trip a stronger sense of adventure, but it also calls for preparation. Bring swimwear, sunscreen, comfortable clothes, and a towel if the operator permits one. The supplied information confirms swimwear but does not specify towel arrangements, so ask before departure rather than assuming one will be provided.

A private four-hour ride also solves the main weakness of the shared tour: pace. You have more control over the timing and do not need to match a larger group. It costs more than the starting price, but the extra time, privacy, and water stop may justify the upgrade for couples or families who want one special outing.

Do not confuse the swim option with a standard seaside ride. The regular routes may head toward the Red Sea and include coastal views, but only the four-hour VIP choice specifically includes swimming with the horse.

Meeting and caring for your horse

This outing is not only about sitting in the saddle. Before and around the ride, you learn how to wash, groom, and feed your horse. That small stable component gives beginners a better sense of the animal and makes the activity feel less like a quick photo stop.

The horses have been praised for being well cared for, and the guides are there to watch the group closely. A first-time rider can feel more at ease knowing the horse is trained and the guide is monitoring the ride. Still, you should be honest about your experience during the initial check.

The team groups riders by skill. That is one of the strongest safety features, yet it explains why a shared group may not suit an advanced rider hoping to gallop or ride at speed. The activity is presented as a guided adventure, not a racing session.

Helmets are provided and must be worn. Comfortable shoes are essential, and seasonal clothing is more useful than fashionable holiday wear. Sand, sun, and wind are part of the setting, so pack for practical comfort.

Shared transfer or independent arrival

The transport choice affects both price and convenience.

The entry-only ticket is best if you are already nearby or have reliable transport. You avoid waiting for other pickups and can reach the base on your own schedule. The downside is that you must find the location independently, although assistance is available by WhatsApp or phone.

Shared transfer is easier for most people staying in Hurghada’s resort areas. An air-conditioned vehicle collects you from your accommodation and returns you afterward if that option is selected. Shared pickup can take time because the route depends on other hotel stops, particularly if you are staying far from Makadi.

Private transfer is available for an extra fee. It makes the most sense for families, couples, or anyone staying up to an hour away who does not want a long shared route. If you are booking the private four-hour ride, adding private transport may create a more consistent experience from hotel door to stable and back.

The meeting procedure is simple. Your guide waits at the entrance and greets you by name. If you cannot find the meeting point, contact the operator through WhatsApp or phone.

Is $26 good value?

The starting price of $26 per person is attractive for a two-hour guided ride, especially if you are already near the base and choose the entry-only ticket. It covers the horse guide, safety briefing, horse introduction, riding time, desert and seaside routes, and photo stops.

The value changes once you add transport or choose a longer format. A shared transfer adds convenience, while private transfer costs extra. The VIP ride costs more but includes four hours and the Red Sea swim stop, which makes it a different product rather than just a longer standard ride.

The quad and horse combination may offer better value if you want two activities in one morning. The sunset dinner and stargazing option also adds an evening program, making it useful if you would otherwise book a separate desert dinner.

I would compare the full package price, not just the advertised starting fare. Check if hotel pickup, breakfast, dinner, private transport, or swimming is included in the version you select. The basic two-hour option does not include a swim stop.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms give you some flexibility, but pickup details are only confirmed the day before, so keep your phone available.

Who should choose this ride?

This experience suits you if you want a gentle outdoor activity with strong scenery and a clear safety structure. It is particularly good for beginners, couples, and families with older children who meet the stated requirements.

It also works for experienced riders who prefer a private tour. A shared group may feel too slow if you want to ride at a quicker pace. Ask for the private arrangement if controlling the speed and route matters to you.

You should skip it if you are pregnant, have back problems, have limited mobility, use a wheelchair, or weigh more than 110 kilograms. Smoking, alcohol, drugs, pets, large bags, and jewelry are not permitted.

This is not an ideal choice if you want a high-speed desert ride. The purpose is steady riding, scenery, horse care, and a relaxed connection with the setting. That slower approach is a strength for some people and a limitation for others.

My booking advice

I would book the standard two-hour ride if you are new to horses and want a simple half-day outing. Choose the early sunrise departure if you want breakfast and cooler air. Choose sunset if dinner, a live show, and stargazing appeal to you more than an early start.

For the most distinctive version, select the four-hour VIP ride with the Red Sea swim stop. It costs more, but the private format and time in the water give you something the basic ride cannot provide.

Before booking, confirm the stable location in Makadi, calculate your transfer time, and check exactly what is included in your chosen package. At $26 for the entry-level option, this is good value for a relaxed desert and seaside ride, provided you want a guided pace rather than fast riding.

FAQ

Where does the horse riding activity take place?

The riding base is in the Makadi area of the Red Sea Governorate, even though the activity is promoted for El Gouna and Hurghada. Check the exact meeting details before you travel.

How long does the experience last?

The available programs run for about 3 to 5 hours overall. The standard horse ride lasts two hours, while the VIP horse ride with a swim stop lasts four hours.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included only when you select an option with shared transfer. You can also choose entry-only and travel to the base independently. Private transfer is available for an extra fee.

What time is pickup?

Pickup is usually arranged around 0 to 1 hour before the selected activity time. The exact pickup time is sent one day before the tour, and you should wait in the hotel lobby 10 minutes before the scheduled pickup.

Is swimming with the horse included in every ride?

No. The swim stop is included only with the four-hour VIP horse riding option. Standard two-hour rides do not include swimming.

Is breakfast included?

Oriental breakfast is included only with the 5:00 AM sunrise ride. Later departures do not include this breakfast option.

Who cannot join the horseback ride?

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, people with mobility impairments, wheelchair users, or people weighing more than 110 kilograms.