Sharm El-Sheikh: ATV and Camel Ride with BBQ Dinner and Show

The best part of this Sharm El-Sheikh outing comes after sunset, when the desert turns into an open-air astronomy lesson. You ride an ATV or buggy into the Sinai, stop for Bedouin tea and a camel ride, then finish with telescopes aimed at stars and planets.

I like the strong mix of activities for $35, especially the 50-minute desert drive with mountain stops, and I like the guides, including Omar, Sabry, Youssef, and Ibrahim, known as Coconut. The BBQ, shows, and stargazing give the evening more depth than a simple quad-bike trip.

The main consideration is that the quads are not all perfect. Some riders found the machines needed adjustment, and worn helmet buckles and stiff controls were noted. Bring sensible clothes, protect your phone from dust, and expect optional photo sales and possible scarf costs.

Key points before you book

• A full evening for $35: ATV or buggy riding, camel time, dinner, shows, and stargazing are packed into one desert outing.
• Two desert pauses add variety: Stop at giant mountains for an echo and at a Bedouin camp for tea, bread, camel riding, and views.
• The astronomy finale is the real twist: Professional astronomy guidance and telescopes make this more than a standard safari.
• Guides shape the experience: Ibrahim, called Coconut, and guides such as Omar, Sabry, and Youssef are repeatedly praised for humor, care, and clear explanations.
• Prepare for dust and optional extras: Scarves and protective goggles are not included, and photography, tips, and shisha cost extra.
• Safety matters: The activity is not suitable for pregnant women or people with back problems, and a double quad may be changed to a single one for balance or weight reasons.

Why this $35 desert evening offers good value

At $35 per person, this is one of those excursions where the value comes from the number of separate experiences bundled together. You are not paying only for a quad ride. The price covers hotel pickup and return, an air-conditioned vehicle, a guide and astronomer, ATV or buggy use, a camel ride, Bedouin tea and bread, an open buffet BBQ, a soft drink and water, entertainment, and telescope stargazing.

That matters in Sharm El-Sheikh, where a short activity can easily fill only part of an afternoon. Here, you get motors, animals, food, local-style entertainment, and astronomy in one outing. I would choose it if you want to see several sides of the desert without arranging separate bookings.

The tradeoff is polish. This is an active group excursion, not a private luxury safari. The quads can show signs of use, the dinner is served at a desert camp, and the entertainment is designed for a broad holiday crowd. If you want comfort and quiet above all else, the dust, engines, and busy schedule may wear on you.

For most people, though, the price is compelling. You get enough time on the quad to feel that it is a real part of the outing, rather than a five-minute photo stop. The astronomy session also gives the evening a memorable ending.

Hotel pickup and the ride to the safari station

The evening begins with collection from your hotel in an air-conditioned van. One useful detail is that the transport has received praise for arriving early, so you should be ready before the stated pickup time rather than rushing down at the last minute.

At the safari station, the guides explain the route and basic safety rules. They help you wrap a scarf if you have one and show you how to operate the ATV or buggy. This briefing is important because the controls can feel unfamiliar, particularly the accelerator and brake.

You are told to leave money, phones, passports, and other personal papers in your bag while riding. That is good practical advice. Dust, vibration, and sudden turns are a poor combination for loose valuables, and a passport has no business bouncing around on a quad.

The included vehicle is either an ATV or a dune buggy, depending on the option selected. A Quad Runner option may also be available. Check the exact choice when booking, since the riding position and handling differ between a single quad, a double quad, and a buggy.

Fifty minutes across the Sinai desert

The first driving section lasts about 50 minutes and includes two breaks. That length gives you enough time to enjoy the setting, but it also means you should wear clothing that can handle dust and heat.

The first pause is at giant mountains, where the group can try the desert echo. It is a simple stop, but it breaks up the ride and lets you see how sound behaves in the open rock surroundings. This is also a useful chance to catch your breath and check your scarf or goggles before continuing.

The second stop is at a Bedouin camp. Here you receive Bedouin tea and bread, then take a camel ride with a broad view of the mountains. The camel section is not the main adventure, and it is fairly brief compared with the quad ride, but it gives the outing a cultural and slower-paced middle section.

You should expect the camel handlers to offer help and take photographs. Keep small cash handy if you want to tip, but do not feel obliged to buy every photograph or pay every suggested amount. One useful warning is that some photo sellers can be persistent at first. A clear no, thank you usually helps end the sales conversation.

The camel guides are described as friendly and playful, but remember that tipping customs are part of the stop. If you want to give something, small Egyptian pound notes are practical. One previous visitor suggested carrying around 500 Egyptian pounds, although tipping is not mandatory.

ATV handling, helmets, and comfort

The quad ride is fun, but I would not present the vehicles as showroom-new. One rider found the ATV in need of attention, while another reported shaking at certain engine speeds. Other people found their quads in good shape, so the condition may vary from machine to machine.

The controls may also feel stiff. If the accelerator or brake does not feel right during the briefing, tell the guide before leaving. You are better off asking for an adjustment or another machine at the start than trying to manage a problem once you are out in the desert.

Helmet condition deserves attention. Worn buckles were noted, so check that your helmet fastens securely. The riding is not described as high-speed, but basic safety equipment should still fit properly.

For safety reasons, a double quad may be changed to a single quad if the guide decides the weight or balance is unsuitable. The supplied information notes that an extra fee of €10 per person may apply in that situation. This is worth understanding before you arrive, particularly if two adults plan to share one machine.

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women or people with back problems. Comfortable shoes and comfortable clothing are recommended. I would add a practical layer for dust protection, plus a phone case or bag you can close firmly.

Bedouin tea, bread, and the mountain camp

The Bedouin camp stop gives the excursion a welcome change of pace. After the noise and vibration of the quads, tea and bread provide a simple taste of desert hospitality. You are not just passing through the sand on a motorbike, you are also given a small introduction to local camp traditions.

Do not expect a formal cultural lecture or a quiet private meal. This is a group stop built into a larger excursion. Still, the tea, bread, camel ride, and mountain view make the schedule feel less mechanical.

The camel ride is particularly suitable for families and first-time visitors who want a traditional desert photograph without committing to a long animal trek. Teenagers who enjoy quad biking also have another activity to try, although younger children and anyone with back trouble should consider the physical demands carefully.

BBQ dinner and three evening shows

After the camel camp, you continue to another Bedouin camp for dinner and entertainment. The meal is an open buffet with grilled meat, kofta, chicken, rice, vegetables, salads, and cola. Water and a soft drink with dinner are included.

The food has received unusually strong praise, with several people finding it better than the meals at their hotels. Keep expectations sensible: this is a desert buffet, not a restaurant tasting menu. But grilled meat, seasoned kofta, rice, salads, and fresh bread make a satisfying meal after time outdoors.

The entertainment includes a fire performer, a Tanura show, and Bedouin dancing. These are familiar elements of many Egyptian desert evenings, yet they work well here because they follow the meal and give the camp a festive rhythm.

The show is aimed at a holiday audience, so it is theatrical rather than an intimate local performance. I would see it as pleasant entertainment that rounds out the evening, not as a reason to book the entire excursion on its own.

Shisha is not included. If you want to smoke a water pipe, budget separately and confirm the cost at the camp. The same applies to photographs and videos.

Stargazing with telescopes after sunset

The astronomy session is what separates this trip from many standard Sharm desert safaris. After dinner and the shows, you move away from the main activity area to watch the night sky through astronomical telescopes.

The guides explain stars and planets, and the astronomer helps you make sense of what you are seeing. This is especially useful if you can identify only a few bright objects in the sky. Instead of simply pointing at stars, the session gives you a reason to look and a way to understand the scale of the sky above the Sinai.

The timing after sunset is well chosen. The desert setting gives the night portion a different feel from the bright hotel areas of Sharm El-Sheikh. The darkness also makes the telescope session the natural final chapter of the trip.

Ask if you would like a photograph of the moon through the telescope using your phone. This small detail is easy to miss, and it can produce a memorable souvenir without buying a professional photo package.

The quality of stargazing depends on conditions and on how much light is around the camp, but the experience still adds real variety. Sabry has been singled out for careful astronomy explanations, while guides such as Coconut have been praised for keeping the mood lively and welcoming.

Guides and the human side of the trip

The guides receive some of the strongest praise attached to this outing. Names that come up include Hassan, Omar, Sabry, Youssef, Ibrahim, also called Coconut, Nanas, and Mario. You may not meet all of them, since the staffing can vary, but the pattern is clear: the guide can make a long group excursion feel relaxed.

Ibrahim, or Coconut, is often described as funny, kind, and welcoming. Omar and Youssef are also praised for making people feel safe and included, while Sabry is noted for his astronomy explanations. A good guide matters here because the schedule has many moving parts: transport, quad instruction, two desert stops, camel riding, dinner, shows, and telescopes.

There is also a practical advantage when guides communicate clearly. They can help you understand when to hold back, how to ride in line, and where to wait during the group stops. You should still pay attention to the safety instructions rather than relying on the guide to solve every problem.

Scarves, goggles, photos, and small extra costs

Dust is part of the experience. A scarf helps protect your mouth and neck, and goggles help shield your eyes. Neither the Arafat scarf nor protective goggles is included, so bring your own if possible.

One person found the on-site scarf price unreasonable, so purchasing or packing one before pickup may save money. The supplied information also lists cultural Egyptian scarves as an add-on rather than a standard inclusion.

Photos and videos are another possible extra. Photographers may offer images from the riding and camel sections, sometimes at prices that can be negotiated. You can buy them if you like, but you are not required to do so. Keep your own phone safely packed during the ride and take personal photographs during the designated stops.

Tips for guides and camel handlers are optional. Small cash is useful if you want to thank someone, but the basic price already covers the listed services. One of the better signs from the experience is that several people felt there was little pressure to hand over money, although the camel and photography areas may feel more sales-focused.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would recommend this for first-time visitors to Sharm El-Sheikh who want a full evening outside the resort. It works particularly well for couples, families with teenagers, groups of friends, and solo visitors who like having a structured day with plenty going on.

You will probably enjoy it if you like:

• Motorized desert rides with a reasonable amount of time on the quad
• A short camel experience rather than a full-day animal trek
• Simple Egyptian food and camp entertainment
• Astronomy presented in an accessible way
• A group setting with energetic guides

I would think twice if you have back problems, are pregnant, dislike dust, or want a private and quiet desert experience. The itinerary is full, and the combination of quad vibration, camel riding, and a late return may feel tiring.

The languages offered are English, Russian, Italian, and Arabic. That makes the outing easier for a mixed international group, though the exact language support may depend on the guide assigned to your departure.

Should you book this Sharm El-Sheikh desert tour?

I would book it if you want maximum variety at a modest price. The ATV ride is the headline activity, but the camel stop, Bedouin tea, dinner, shows, and telescope session make the evening feel complete. The strongest parts are the friendly guiding, tasty buffet, good amount of quad time, and the unusual astronomy finish.

Go in with practical expectations. Check your helmet, speak up about any quad problem, bring a scarf and goggles, and carry some cash for optional tips and purchases. If you do that, this is a lively, value-focused way to experience the Sinai after sunset.

FAQ

What is included in the $35 price?

The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off, air-conditioned transport, a professional guide and astronomer, an ATV or buggy experience depending on the selected option, a camel ride, Bedouin tea and bread, BBQ dinner, water, a soft drink, oriental shows, and stargazing.

How long is the ATV or buggy ride?

The main desert driving section lasts 50 minutes and includes two breaks. The return to the safari station involves about 30 minutes of night driving.

Is a camel ride included?

Yes. The camel ride takes place at a Bedouin camp after the first desert driving section and includes a mountain view.

What food is served at dinner?

The open buffet includes grilled meat, kofta, chicken, rice, vegetables, salads, and cola. Bedouin bread is also included earlier at the camp, along with tea.

Are scarves and protective goggles included?

No. The Arafat scarf and protective goggles are not included. Cultural Egyptian scarves may be available as an add-on, so bringing your own scarf and eye protection is sensible.

Can I book if I am pregnant or have back problems?

No. The activity is listed as unsuitable for pregnant women and people with back problems.

Can I cancel the booking for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve and pay later option also lets you hold a place without paying immediately.