Dining in The Desert

Hurghada’s desert dinner is built around a fine idea: watch the sun drop behind the mountains, eat a Bedouin-style BBQ by candlelight, then look up at the stars through a telescope. The setting does most of the work here, and the shift from warm sunset to cool night gives the evening a clear sense of occasion.

I like the sunset-to-stargazing timing, which makes this more than a meal in a remote spot. I also like the practical package: hotel pickup, an air-conditioned 4-wheel drive, dinner, soft drinks, and mineral water are all covered.

The main caution is the food. One account praised the desert atmosphere but found the vegetables undercooked and the meal poor value, while the meat was considered acceptable. If you care more about the meal than the setting, this may not be the right $87.24 splurge.

Key points to know

• Sunset sets the mood: The afternoon departure gives you time to see the desert change from daylight to evening.
• Dinner is hosted in a Bedouin tent: Expect a BBQ meal with soft drinks and mineral water, not alcohol.
• Camel riding is included: This adds a traditional desert activity before or around the evening meal.
• The telescope session is the evening’s strongest extra: You can view stars and constellations after dinner.
• Transport is simple: Hotel pickup and drop-off are included in an air-conditioned 4-wheel drive.
• Small-group size helps: The maximum is 15 people, with group discounts available.

From Hurghada to the desert by 4-wheel drive

The experience begins with pickup from your hotel in Hurghada. The stated start time is 5:00 pm, while the dinner and stargazing program runs from about 6:30 pm to 10:00 pm. That gap gives the outing room for the drive, sunset viewing, and desert activities before the meal.

Your transport is an air-conditioned 4-wheel-drive vehicle. That matters in Hurghada, where an open vehicle in the late afternoon can still feel hot and dusty. You also avoid the trouble of arranging a taxi to a remote desert meeting point and finding your way back after dark.

The group limit is 15 people. That is not a private outing, but it is small enough to feel more manageable than a large coach excursion. You should still expect some waiting if several hotel pickups are arranged before the vehicle leaves town.

A moderate level of physical fitness is required. The supplied details do not define the exact walking distance or the length of the camel ride, so I would not book this if you need a fully passive evening. The desert setting can involve uneven ground, and getting on and off a camel requires basic mobility.

Sunset among Hurghada’s mountains

The first real reward is the desert itself. The experience takes you away from Hurghada’s hotels and toward open ground framed by mountains, with the afternoon light doing what it does best: softening the rock and giving the scenery warmer color.

This is why the timing matters. A dinner that began after dark would still offer candles and stars, but you would miss the gradual change in the surroundings. Arriving before sunset lets you see the setting in two distinct moods, first broad and sunlit, then quiet and dark.

Wildlife is also listed among the natural features of the area, but no specific animals or sightings are promised. Keep your expectations sensible. You are booking a desert evening with scenery and sky watching, not a dedicated wildlife safari.

The sunset stop is likely to be the best part for anyone who enjoys photographs. Bring a phone or camera, but remember that the light disappears quickly. Comfortable shoes and protection from the sun are sensible choices, even though the supplied information does not list a required dress code.

Camel riding adds a traditional touch

Camel riding is part of the package, giving the outing a physical link to older desert travel. It is not simply a dinner transfer with a view. You get a short taste of a familiar Egyptian desert activity before settling in for the evening.

The details do not state how long the ride lasts, how many camels are available, or whether every person rides at the same time. That means you should treat it as one element of the program, not the main reason to book.

If you have never ridden a camel, the movement can feel unusual at first, especially when the animal rises or kneels. The moderate-fitness requirement is worth taking seriously. You may also want to wear trousers or other comfortable clothing rather than anything restrictive.

The camel ride will appeal most to first-time visitors who want several classic desert experiences in one short outing. If you have already done a longer camel trek, this portion may feel brief, but the sunset, dinner, and telescope session give the evening more range.

A Bedouin tent and a candlelit BBQ

Dinner is served in a traditional Bedouin tent, with candlelight helping create the romantic setting. The combination is simple but effective: a low-lit meal, mountains around you, and no hotel dining room in sight.

The meal includes dinner, soft drinks, and mineral water. Non-alcoholic drinks are part of the experience, and alcohol is not listed among the inclusions. If you are expecting wine or cocktails with the candles, adjust your plans before booking.

The food is the uncertain part. One detailed account found the meat acceptable but said the vegetables were not cooked properly and felt the meal did not justify the full price. That is a useful warning, especially for vegetarians or anyone choosing this primarily for a special dinner.

At the same time, a BBQ in the desert is not judged by the same standards as a top Hurghada restaurant. You are paying for the setting, transport, entertainment, and convenience as well as the food. Still, the meal needs to meet a reasonable standard, and the criticism about undercooked vegetables should be taken seriously.

I would see the dinner as part of a package rather than a stand-alone culinary event. If you want excellent Egyptian food above all else, spend the $87.24 at a well-regarded restaurant instead. If you want dinner as the center of a sunset and astronomy evening, the meal may feel adequate even if it is not memorable.

Stargazing through a telescope

The telescope session is the clearest reason to stay out after dinner. Away from the bright lights of Hurghada, the desert gives you a better setting for viewing stars and constellations. The program specifically includes telescope observation, not just a casual promise of a clear night.

This portion depends heavily on conditions. Clouds, haze, or poor weather can affect what you see, and the operator states that the experience may be canceled in bad weather. In that case, you are offered another date or a full refund.

The telescope makes the night sky more engaging for people who are not familiar with astronomy. You do not need to know the names of constellations in advance. A guide can point out what you are seeing, though the supplied details do not promise a formal astronomy lesson or specify which objects will be visible.

The star watching may be especially worthwhile for couples. The candlelight, quiet desert, and slow change from dinner to night viewing create the romantic mood the experience is designed to deliver. Families and small groups may enjoy it too, but the atmosphere is clearly aimed at a calm evening rather than high-energy entertainment.

What $87.24 buys you

At $87.24 per person, this is not a cheap meal. The price makes more sense when you count the whole evening: hotel pickup, hotel return, an air-conditioned vehicle, dinner, non-alcoholic drinks, camel riding, the desert setting, and telescope viewing.

You are also buying time and simplicity. You do not have to negotiate transport, find a desert camp, arrange a meal, or work out how to return to Hurghada after dark. For a short holiday, that convenience can matter as much as the activities.

The value becomes weaker if you mainly want food. The meal has received a specific complaint about poorly cooked vegetables, and the overall dinner was judged disappointing for the cost. There is also no promise of an extensive menu, premium drinks, or an upscale dining service.

I would compare it with the cost of arranging these pieces separately. A private hotel transfer, desert outing, meal, camel ride, and astronomy stop could easily become complicated. The group format keeps things organized, but it also means you are sharing the evening with up to 14 other people.

Group discounts may improve the calculation for families or friends. The available information does not state the discount amount, so check the final booking price rather than assuming it will be substantial. Tips are not included, so keep some extra cash available if you receive good service.

The people can shape the evening

The quality of a desert outing often depends on the driver and guide. Tarek is specifically praised as a driver, and Mustafa is praised as a friendly guide who helped make an afternoon memorable. Those names give you a useful point of reference, though staff assignments can change.

Good driving matters on an outing that uses a 4-wheel-drive vehicle and ends after dark. A calm driver helps the transfer feel like part of the experience instead of dead time between hotel and camp. A warm guide can also make the camel ride and telescope session easier to follow.

You should remember that the provider, Gazelle Crossover, may use different staff on different dates. I would not assume Tarek or Mustafa will be assigned to every booking. Still, their names are worth noting if you want to ask who is scheduled for your departure.

The overall recommendation rate is 98 percent, with a five-star score based on 45 reviews. That points to strong satisfaction with the complete evening, but the single three-star account is important because it identifies the exact weak spot: food quality and value. Both points can be true at once.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this to couples who want a low-key evening outside Hurghada. The sunset, candlelight, Bedouin tent, and stars create a clear romantic arc without requiring you to plan several separate activities.

It also suits first-time visitors who want a compact sample of desert culture and scenery. In roughly three hours, you can ride in a 4-wheel drive, see the desert at sunset, ride a camel, eat a BBQ, and look through a telescope.

Families and groups of friends may like the range of activities, especially with group discounts. The 15-person maximum is more appealing than a very large organized outing, though you should not expect complete privacy.

I would hesitate to recommend it to serious food lovers, people seeking a private dinner, or anyone who dislikes activity-based packages. You may find the meal too ordinary for the price, and the camel ride or telescope stop may not hold your interest.

Practical choices before you book

Book at least a day before the 5:00 pm start if you are uncertain about your schedule. Free cancellation is available when you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. A cancellation inside that window is not refundable, and late changes are not accepted.

The experience requires good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. It can also be canceled if the minimum number of people is not reached, with a different date, another experience, or a full refund offered.

The confirmation arrives when you book, and the ticket is mobile-friendly. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, but the supplied details do not list a separate meeting address or hotel coverage area. Make sure your hotel information is correct at booking.

Wear comfortable clothing for the camel ride and uneven desert ground. Since the outing begins in the afternoon and finishes at night, you should be prepared for changing temperatures. The supplied information does not mention blankets, jackets, or special equipment, so do not assume they are provided.

Should you book Dining in the Desert?

Book it if you want a romantic desert evening with several activities in one package, and if the setting matters more to you than gourmet food. The sunset, Bedouin tent, candlelight, camel ride, and telescope session make a fuller experience than a simple dinner transfer.

Think twice if you are paying mainly for the meal. At $87.24, the package needs the scenery and astronomy to carry real weight, and the complaint about undercooked vegetables is a fair concern.

My call: couples, first-time Hurghada visitors, and small groups should consider booking it, especially if hotel pickup and a short schedule are useful. Food-focused visitors should choose another dinner and book a desert trip only if the sunset and stars are the main draw.

FAQ

Where does the experience take place?

The experience takes place in the desert outside Hurghada, Egypt, with mountains, natural desert features, and night-sky viewing.

How much does the experience cost?

The listed price is $87.24 per person. Group discounts are available.

How long does Dining in the Desert last?

The experience lasts about three hours. The dinner and telescope program is scheduled from approximately 6:30 pm to 10:00 pm.

What time does pickup begin?

The stated start time is 5:00 pm. Pickup from your hotel is included.

Is hotel drop-off included?

Yes. Drop-off at your hotel is included in the package.

What food and drinks are included?

Dinner is included, along with soft drinks and mineral water. The experience provides non-alcoholic drinks.

Is camel riding included?

Yes. Camel riding is part of the experience.

How many people can join the group?

The maximum group size is 15 people.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum number of participants can also lead to an alternative date or a full refund.