From Hurghada: Makadi Bay Horse Riding Tour

The best part of this Makadi Bay outing is the change of scenery: you leave the hotel zone, cross quiet desert, and reach the Red Sea on horseback. The horses are matched to your ability, and guides such as Mohamed, Yusuf, Hassan, and Mahmoud keep the pace calm and controlled.

I like the sunrise and sunset choices, which give you cooler air and better light than a midday ride. I also like the mix of desert and beach, plus the option to add breakfast, dinner, a show, stargazing, or a swim with your horse.

The main caution is heat and transfer time. Pickup can take up to an hour from some Hurghada-area resorts, and the standard two-hour ride does not include swimming. This is a guided ride, not a fast horse-racing session.

Key points before you book

• Desert to sea in one ride: Follow sandy valleys, open plains, and Red Sea shoreline routes from the Makadi Bay base.
• Good for nervous beginners: Horses are selected for your ability, with a safety briefing, short driving test, and professional guides.
• Sunrise includes breakfast: The Oriental breakfast is included only with the 5:00 AM departure.
• Choose your level of adventure: Pick a basic two-hour ride, a quad-bike and horse combo, or a four-hour private ride with a swim stop.
• Sunset adds more than pretty light: The evening option can continue with dinner, a live show, and desert stargazing.
• Plan for sun and sand: Bring sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat, comfortable shoes, and long clothing on windy days.

Why Makadi Bay works so well on horseback

Hurghada is famous for boats, beaches, and hotel pools. This ride gives you a different view of the Red Sea coast. Instead of seeing the desert through a vehicle window, you move through it at walking pace, with time to notice the open ground, the sea air, and the changing light.

The base is in the Makadi Bay area. Depending on your chosen route, you may ride through sand valleys and broad desert plains before reaching the coastline. Some routes include photo stops, and the beach sections can bring you close to the shallows. One particularly appealing option lets you splash through shallow seawater with the horse, but that is reserved for the four-hour VIP program.

The horses are the heart of the experience. They are described as calm, well-trained, and selected to suit different abilities. That matters more here than speed. A first-time rider needs a steady horse and a patient guide, while a confident rider may want a little more freedom after the staff checks their ability.

Hassan, Mohamed, Yusuf, Mahmoud, Sabir, and other named guides are praised for being patient and attentive. Claire’s experience is a useful example of how ability levels are handled: riders were separated by experience, with one guide staying near less confident riders while another tested stronger riders at a more suitable pace. That is the sort of practical supervision you want on a group horse ride.

Pickup from Hurghada and the Makadi Bay base

If you choose the transfer option, pickup is shared from your hotel in an air-conditioned vehicle. You should wait in the lobby 10 minutes before the scheduled pickup, but allow for the actual pickup time to fall roughly 0 to 1 hour before the selected activity time. The exact time is sent the day before.

The drive takes about 25 to 30 minutes from Makadi Bay or Sahl Hasheesh and around 40 to 45 minutes from Hurghada. From El Gouna, Soma Bay, Safaga, or Al Ahyaa, it can take up to an hour. A private transfer is available for an added fee if you prefer not to share the ride.

Independent visitors can choose the entry-only ticket and arrange their own transportation. Your guide waits at the entrance and greets you by name. If finding the meeting point proves difficult, WhatsApp or phone support is available, so provide a working WhatsApp number when you book.

At the base, you get about 15 minutes to rest before the ride. Toilets are available, and the site sells drinks and face scarves. One rider paid 50 Egyptian pounds for bottled water and 200 Egyptian pounds for a basic scarf, with premium scarves costing more. Prices can change, but the practical lesson is simple: bring water money, and consider a scarf if you are also taking the quad-bike combo.

Leave large bags and valuables at the hotel. Luggage, jewelry, pets, alcohol, and drugs are not allowed, and smoking is not permitted in the vehicle.

The safety briefing and choosing your horse

Before mounting, you receive an introduction to the horses, basic riding instructions, and a short driving test. Helmets and safety equipment are available, and helmets must be worn throughout the ride.

The staff groups people by riding ability. This is especially important if your party includes both beginners and experienced riders. You should tell the guide honestly if you are nervous, have never ridden, or are comfortable at a faster pace. The horses are not being used for a racing session, and the ride is meant to stay controlled.

The strongest praise goes to the horses’ temperaments and the guides’ patience. Several riders describe the horses as calm and suitable for beginners, while one first-time rider said the team helped overcome a fear of horses. That does not mean you can ignore the instructions. A horse is still a large animal, and you need to follow the guide’s pace and handling advice.

The ride is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, people with mobility impairments, wheelchair users, or anyone over 110 kilograms. You should also check with the operator if you have a medical concern that could make horse riding uncomfortable.

The standard two-hour desert and beach ride

The regular ride lasts two hours, not counting the transfer and preparation time. It is the best all-round choice if you want to experience the setting without committing to a full day or evening program.

The route can cross open desert, sandy valleys, and the Red Sea coast. The desert section gives you space and quiet, while the coast provides the most memorable change in scenery. On beach routes, you may ride beside the water and, depending on the selected route and conditions, pass through shallow areas.

Expect a relaxed pace rather than constant cantering. The guides stay with the group and adjust the ride to ability. More confident riders may be given a chance to move faster after the guide has checked their handling, but you should not book this if your main goal is galloping across the desert.

Photo stops are part of the experience. Guides and staff are known for taking photos and videos, which is useful because carrying a phone while riding is awkward. Still, carry only what you need, and protect any device from sand and seawater.

The standard ride does not include a swim stop. This is an important booking detail because the coast can make you expect one. If swimming with your horse is the main reason for booking, choose the four-hour VIP option instead.

Sunrise at 5:00 AM, plus an Oriental breakfast

The sunrise departure is the most practical choice during hot months. You start in cooler air, see the desert change from dim tones to warm morning light, and finish with an Oriental breakfast.

The breakfast is included only with the 5:00 AM sunrise departure. Do not assume that every morning ride includes food. Select the exact early departure when booking if breakfast is important to you.

This option suits families and photographers, as well as anyone who dislikes riding under strong midday sun. Barbara’s trip with her daughters included a sunrise ride and breakfast, with Yusuf providing particularly attentive guidance. The early start does mean a very early hotel pickup, so check the timing carefully once it arrives by WhatsApp.

The quad-bike and horse-riding combo

The double adventure combines one hour of quad biking with one hour on horseback. It takes place during the cooler early morning period and gives you two very different ways to see the desert.

The quad section reaches farther into the desert and adds engine noise, dust, and a faster pace. Then you return to the base and switch to the calmer rhythm of the horses. That contrast makes the combo a smart pick if you want more action than a standard ride.

A group of three beginners found that the guides made both sections manageable. The practical advice is to wear sunglasses and, if you dislike dust on your face, buy or bring a scarf. The quad-bike portion can stir up sand, especially when several vehicles are moving together.

The combo is less suitable if your priority is a long, peaceful ride beside the sea. You only get one hour on horseback, so choose the two-hour ride if the horses and coast are your main interests.

Sunset, dinner, live show, and desert stargazing

The sunset program begins with a two-hour horse ride and continues into the evening. After riding, you have an Oriental dinner, a live performance, and time for stargazing in the desert.

Sunset is likely the most atmospheric choice. The light is softer, the air can feel more comfortable than midday, and the end of the ride naturally leads into an evening meal. Hafsah found the dinner generous enough to return for a second helping, though food preferences can vary and should not be the sole reason to book.

This option takes more of your evening than the basic ride. That is a benefit if you want one organized outing rather than separate activities, but it may feel long if you only want time on the horse. Ask about the full schedule and transfer timing before booking, particularly if you have a hotel dinner reservation.

The show and stargazing also make this the strongest choice for a special occasion. You get the ride, food, entertainment, and night sky in one plan, rather than paying for several separate evening activities.

The four-hour VIP ride with a Red Sea swim stop

The VIP option lasts four hours and is private. Its defining feature is the chance to swim with your horse in the Red Sea, a rare and playful addition to the normal desert-and-coast route.

This is the option to choose if the water matters as much as the riding. Bring swimwear, a towel if available to you, sunscreen, and clothing that dries comfortably. The supplied details confirm the swim stop, but do not promise a specific time in the water or a particular beach, so treat it as one part of a longer ride rather than a full beach day.

The private format gives you more personal attention and avoids being tied to a larger group’s pace. It costs more than the $20 basic price, but the extra time, private arrangement, and swim stop may justify the difference for couples or families seeking a more personal outing.

The swim stop is not included in the regular two-hour tour or the quad-bike combo. Check the option name carefully before paying.

What the $20 price really buys you

At $20 per person, the basic experience offers strong value if you want two hours of guided riding, safety preparation, a matched horse, and desert and coastal scenery. The value is even better for a first-time rider who wants an organized introduction rather than a short photo session at a hotel stable.

The price does not cover every version of the outing. Transfers may depend on the selected option, private transportation costs extra, and the swim stop is limited to the four-hour VIP ride. Breakfast applies only to the 5:00 AM sunrise departure, while dinner, the show, and stargazing belong to the sunset evening option.

Personal expenses are extra. Plan for drinks and, if needed, a face scarf. A private guide is also available for an added charge. Before booking, compare the total cost of the exact option, not just the headline price.

A 4.4 rating from 271 bookings suggests a generally strong experience, with the most consistent praise directed at the horses, guide care, photographs, and attractive beach routes. The main value is not luxury. It is a well-organized way to reach scenery that you would not see from the hotel grounds.

Small details that make the ride better

Wear comfortable shoes and clothing that allows you to sit securely. Sunglasses and sunscreen are essential, and a sun hat is useful before and after the ride. On windy days, long sleeves or long trousers help protect you from sand.

Swimwear is worth packing for the VIP option, but do not expect a swim on the standard ride. Keep your belongings light. Large bags are not allowed, and jewelry is a bad idea around horses, reins, and seawater.

Give yourself time to listen during the briefing. Tell the guide your real ability, not the ability you wish you had. The staff can only match you well if you are clear about your experience.

If you want photos, ask the guide about the arrangement before setting off. Several guides, including Mohamed and Didi, have been praised for taking memorable photos and videos, but your priority should remain safe riding and following instructions.

Who should book this Makadi Bay ride?

I would recommend the standard two-hour ride to first-time riders, couples, families with suitable children, and anyone who wants a break from resort routines. The calm horses and ability-based groups make it more approachable than a fast, open-country riding trip.

Confident riders can still enjoy it, especially if they choose a guide who gives them a suitable pace after the initial test. Just keep your expectations realistic. The focus is a guided adventure with desert and sea views, not technical riding or long periods of speed.

Choose the sunrise ride if you want cooler air and breakfast. Pick the quad-bike combo if you want a dose of engine-powered desert fun. Select sunset if you want dinner, a show, and stargazing after the ride. Go for the VIP four-hour option only if the private format and swimming with your horse are worth the higher cost.

Should you book it?

Yes, if you want a reasonably priced, easy-to-arrange horse ride with a real change of scenery. The strongest reasons are the calm horses, careful guides, beach routes, and range of start times and add-ons.

I would hesitate only if you dislike early starts, long shared transfers, desert dust, or sitting on horseback for two hours. Also check the exact package before booking, since breakfast, transfers, dinner, and swimming are not included in every version.

For most visitors staying around Hurghada, Makadi Bay, or Sahl Hasheesh, the basic two-hour ride offers the clearest value. If you want the most memorable version, book the 5:00 AM sunrise with breakfast or the sunset ride with dinner and stargazing. For a special private outing, the four-hour swim-stop program is the one to consider.

FAQ

How long does the Makadi Bay horse-riding tour last?

The available programs last from 2 to 5 hours, depending on the option you choose. The basic horseback ride lasts two hours, while the VIP swim-stop ride lasts four hours.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included only when you select an option with shared transfer. An entry-only ticket is available if you arrange your own transportation.

How long is the transfer from Hurghada?

The drive takes about 40 to 45 minutes from Hurghada. Makadi Bay and Sahl Hasheesh take about 25 to 30 minutes, while El Gouna, Soma Bay, Safaga, and Al Ahyaa can take up to an hour.

Is breakfast included?

Oriental breakfast is included only with the 5:00 AM sunrise departure. It is not included with every morning or horse-riding option.

Can beginners ride the horses?

Yes. Beginners receive a safety briefing and short driving test, and groups are arranged by riding ability. The horses are selected to suit different experience levels.

Does the regular two-hour ride include swimming?

No. A swim stop is included only with the four-hour VIP horse-riding option. The standard two-hour ride includes desert and seaside trails but no horse swim.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, comfortable clothing, and weather-appropriate layers. Bring swimwear for the VIP swim-stop option.

Who cannot participate?

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

Can I cancel my booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Reserve-now-and-pay-later booking is also available.