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 quiet and the stars take over. You ride an ATV or dune buggy through the Sinai desert, stop for Bedouin tea and a camel ride, then finish with telescopes aimed at the moon, planets, and night sky.

I like the generous mix of activities for $35, especially the tasty open-buffet dinner and the skilled guides, including Ibrahim, nicknamed Coconut, and Sabry. I also like that the trip includes hotel pickup, return transport, drinks, shows, and stargazing. The main consideration is that some quad bikes and helmet buckles may need better maintenance, and optional scarves, photos, and extra quad fees can raise the final cost.

Key points to know before booking

• About 50 minutes of ATV or buggy riding: The drive includes two stops, so you get desert time without spending the whole evening on the vehicle.
• A proper Bedouin-style dinner: Expect grilled meat, kofta, chicken, rice, vegetables, salad, Bedouin bread, cola, and water.
• Stargazing is the quiet finale: Astronomers use telescopes to show you stars, planets, and the moon after the desert activities.
• Friendly guides make a difference: Ibrahim, Omar, Sabry, Youssef, and other guides are praised for humor, safety checks, and help with first-time riders.
• Bring cash and your own scarf if possible: Scarves, photos, tips, and a possible €10 single-quad charge may cost extra.
• Not suited to everyone: Pregnant women and people with back problems should not book this outing.

From hotel pickup to the Sinai desert

The evening begins with pickup from your Sharm El-Sheikh hotel in an air-conditioned van. The vehicle takes you to the safari station, where the guides organize the group, explain the route, and show you how to operate the ATV or buggy.

That introduction matters. You do not need to be an experienced rider, but you do need to listen carefully. You will be shown how to use the accelerator and brake before setting off. The guides also help wrap your scarf, which protects your face from dust and adds a little desert style.

Leave money, phones, passports, and other loose belongings in your bag before riding. The instructions specifically advise keeping valuables secure rather than carrying them on the motorcycle or buggy. Comfortable clothes and shoes are the sensible choice. A camera is useful at the stops, but protect it from dust and keep it secure while riding.

The exact vehicle depends on the option you choose. Some bookings include an ATV, while others offer a dune buggy or Quad Runner experience. Double quads may be changed to single quads for safety if the rider’s weight or balance makes that necessary. An additional fee of €10 per person may apply, so check this point before you pay.

Riding for 50 minutes with two useful stops

The total riding time is about 50 minutes, followed by a 30-minute return ride at night. That is a good amount of time for a first desert outing. You get a real taste of the ride without committing to several hours of jolting over rough ground.

The route includes two stops. The first is at giant mountains where you can test the echo of your voice. It is a simple idea, but it breaks up the ride and gives you a chance to look at the surrounding rock formations. It also gives the group time to catch up and gives new riders a brief rest.

The second stop is at a Bedouin camp. Here you receive Bedouin tea and have time for a camel ride with a wide view toward the mountains. The camel portion is short and scenic rather than a serious expedition. You sit high above the sand and rock, enjoy the view, and get a very different pace from the noisy ATV ride.

The camel handlers may ask for tips, so carry small notes if you wish to thank them. You are not required to tip, but having a little Egyptian cash makes these small exchanges easier. One practical warning: the camel handlers and photographers may offer extra services or pictures. Say no clearly if you are not interested.

What the ATV and buggy ride is really like

The riding is the action part of the evening, but it is not a racing experience. You follow the group through the desert, with the guides managing the pace and stopping at set points. That makes the trip approachable for families and first-time riders.

Several guides are singled out for helping riders feel safe. Omar, Sabry, Youssef, and Ibrahim, known as Coconut, are praised for staying attentive and keeping the mood light. That personal help matters more than fancy equipment when someone is nervous about handling an ATV.

The machines are generally described as usable, though condition can vary. One rider found an ATV that shook badly at certain rev ranges, and another felt some machines needed adjustment. The accelerator and brake may also feel stiff to inexperienced riders. A careful check before departure is worthwhile. Tell the guide at once if your ATV behaves oddly rather than trying to push through the problem.

Helmet condition is another point to watch. A few helmet buckles have been described as worn. You will not be traveling at a high speed for most of the route, but check that your helmet fits and fastens properly before moving off.

Dust is part of the deal. The supplied information advises bringing comfortable clothing, and an Arafat scarf and protective goggles are not included unless you purchase them separately. If you already own a scarf or goggles, bring them. A scarf is especially useful for an evening ride behind other vehicles.

Bedouin tea, bread, and dinner at the camp

After the camel stop, the group continues to a second Bedouin camp. This is where the outing shifts from an active ride to a dinner and entertainment program.

You can try Bedouin tea and bread, then sit down to an open buffet dinner. The meal includes grilled meat, kofta, chicken, rice, vegetables, salads, cola, and water. The food is a major part of the value here. Some visitors rate it as better than the meals at their hotels, and the barbecue receives repeated praise for its seasoning and generous selection.

Do not expect an intimate village meal with a small family kitchen. This is an organized desert camp serving a tour group. Still, the meal gives you a chance to try familiar Egyptian and Middle Eastern flavors in a setting far removed from a hotel dining room.

The entertainment includes a fire performance, a Tanura show, and Bedouin dancing. The Tanura performer spins in a colorful costume, while the fire act supplies the louder visual moment. The dancing adds a cultural element, though the evening is clearly arranged for tourists rather than presented as an unplanned local celebration.

The camp also has working toilets, which is worth knowing on an evening that lasts several hours. Do not assume every desert stop lacks basic facilities. This outing provides toilets at the stops, according to the experience details.

Stargazing under Sharm El-Sheikh’s dark sky

The astronomy segment is the most unusual part of the package. After dinner and the shows, you move to the stargazing area, where a professional astronomer explains the stars and planets and uses telescopes to bring the sky closer.

Sharm El-Sheikh’s desert setting gives the group a better chance of seeing the night sky than it would have near bright hotel areas. The appeal is not just looking through a telescope. A guide explains what you are seeing, which makes the activity useful even if you know little about astronomy.

You may be able to view stars, planets, and the moon. One especially nice touch is asking the astronomer to photograph the moon through the telescope using your phone. This is a simple souvenir, but it turns a fleeting view into something you can keep.

The astronomy portion depends on the conditions of the night. Clouds, haze, or bright moonlight can affect what is visible, and the supplied details do not promise a particular planet or star. Still, the telescope experience adds something different from the usual quad-bike and dinner package.

If stargazing is your main reason for booking, choose the evening departure and keep your expectations sensible. This is a guided introduction to the night sky, not a private observatory session. You will share the telescope and explanation with the group.

The guides and the feel of the evening

The guides are one of the strongest parts of this outing. Ibrahim, called Coconut, receives frequent praise for being funny, welcoming, and helpful. Omar and Sabry are also noted for keeping the trip calm and organized, while Youssef is praised for making families feel safe.

That matters because the schedule has many moving parts. You are changing vehicles, riding across rough ground, mounting a camel, eating at a camp, watching a show, and then gathering for astronomy. A guide who explains the next step clearly can prevent the evening from feeling chaotic.

The languages listed are English, Russian, Italian, and Arabic. Guide quality can vary from group to group, but the named guides have a strong reputation for warmth and attention. You should still ask questions if you are unsure about the vehicle, the route, or an extra charge.

The tone is generally friendly rather than pushy. Several accounts describe no pressure from the main guides for tips or extra money. The photo sellers are a different matter. Photographers may offer individual pictures or videos at the camp and can be persistent at first. You can decline, negotiate, or buy only what you want.

What the $35 price includes

At $35 per person, this is a strong value if you want several experiences in one evening. The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off, air-conditioned transport, a guide, an astronomer, ATV or buggy riding depending on your option, a camel ride, tea, bread, barbecue dinner, water, a soft drink, shows, and telescope stargazing.

The value comes from the combination. A separate desert ride, camel stop, dinner show, and astronomy activity could easily take up more planning and cost more when booked individually. Here, transportation and coordination are handled for you.

The price does not cover everything. Arafat scarves and protective goggles are not included. Shisha costs extra, and photos or videos are sold separately. The double-to-single quad change may add €10 per person. Tips are optional, but small cash is useful for local service providers.

One practical point: you may hear different prices for scarves and photographs at the camp. Bring your own scarf if you can, and decide in advance how much you are willing to spend on pictures. That keeps a fun evening from turning into a series of small, unexpected purchases.

Who should book this desert evening

I would recommend this outing to families with teenagers, couples, groups of friends, and solo visitors who want a full evening rather than one short activity. It works particularly well for people who want a first ATV ride, a taste of Bedouin culture, a meal, and a little astronomy without arranging each part separately.

Teenagers tend to have enough riding time to feel satisfied, while the camel ride, dinner, and shows give non-riders something to enjoy. Solo visitors can also fit in easily because the group format provides transport and structure.

You should think twice if you dislike dust, rough riding, group entertainment, or commercial photography. It is also not suitable for pregnant women or people with back problems. The ATV ride involves vibration and uneven ground, so comfort and physical condition matter.

This is not the right choice if your goal is a private, slow-paced desert trip. It is an active group excursion with a set route and several planned stops. The payoff is variety and convenience, not solitude.

Booking advice and final verdict

Book this tour if you want a good-value introduction to the Sinai desert and like the idea of finishing the day beneath a telescope. The combination of ATV riding, camel views, Bedouin tea, a filling barbecue, live shows, and astronomy gives you plenty for the price.

Before you go, wear closed comfortable shoes, bring a camera, and pack a scarf and goggles if you have them. Keep valuables in your bag during the ride, bring some Egyptian cash for optional tips and purchases, and check the quad carefully before setting off.

The equipment may not be perfect, and the photo sellers can be persistent. Those are fair warnings, but they do not outweigh the strong points: helpful guides, good food, a well-filled schedule, and a memorable view of the desert sky. For $35, this is an easy recommendation for an active evening in Sharm El-Sheikh, especially if Ibrahim, Omar, Sabry, or Youssef is leading your group.

FAQ

Does the tour include hotel pickup and drop-off?

Yes. You are collected from your hotel in an air-conditioned vehicle and returned after the evening drive back to the safari station.

How long do you ride the ATV or buggy?

The main ride lasts about 50 minutes and includes two breaks. After the camp and stargazing, the return ride to the safari station takes about 30 minutes at night.

Is dinner included?

Yes. The Bedouin barbecue dinner is an open buffet with grilled meat, kofta, chicken, rice, vegetables, salads, Bedouin bread, cola, and water.

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 is a practical choice.

Is the tour suitable for pregnant women or people with back problems?

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

What happens during the stargazing session?

A professional astronomer guides you through the night sky and uses astronomical telescopes to help you see stars, planets, and the moon. You may also be able to photograph the moon through the telescope with your phone.