Sharm: Quad Bike or Car Buggy, Camel ride & optional VIP Bedouin Dinner & Show

Desert dust gets the pulse going. This Sharm el Sheikh safari combines an hour of quad biking or dune buggy driving with a short camel ride and a stop for echoes among the Sinai mountains. I like the sunset setting, especially when the ride returns in the dark, and I like the friendly guides, with Ibrahim and Magde receiving especially warm praise for their care and help.

The $22.50 base price is attractive for a five to six-hour outing with hotel pickup, a vehicle transfer, a quad or buggy ride, and camel photos. The main catch is consistency: some people receive a fun, well-run evening, while others report a much shorter ride, poor quad maintenance, missing scarves, long waits, and a disappointing dinner show.

Key points before you book

• The advertised hour-long ride may feel much shorter: Several people reported only 10 to 15 minutes of actual quad driving, so set your expectations carefully.
• The mountain echo stop is the unusual highlight: You can call out names in the rocks and hear the sound return from the desert.
• Camel time is brief: The planned ride is five to 10 minutes, but some people experienced only a few seconds or a quick turn up and down a path.
• Sunset and night rides can be memorable: The mountains, changing light, and return after dark add atmosphere, though some people reported inadequate lighting.
• The VIP dinner is optional and uneven: It includes mixed grill, salads, pasta, rice, vegetables, and stage shows, but food and service quality can vary.
• Bring water and confirm every extra: Scarves, drinks, shisha, photographs, videos, and tips may cost more than expected.

What the Sharm desert safari actually offers

This is a straightforward desert activity rather than a quiet cultural visit. You are collected from your hotel in an air-conditioned vehicle, driven to the safari area, given a quad bike or dune buggy, and guided through a sequence of short stops.

The package lasts about five to six hours from hotel pickup to return. That sounds long for an hour of riding, but much of the time is spent on transportation, organizing groups, changing vehicles, waiting around the camp, taking photos, and watching the evening entertainment if you choose the dinner option.

The operation can handle up to 100 people. That matters because the experience may feel intimate in a small group and much more like a production line in a large one. The most positive accounts describe good communication, friendly staff, and guides who actively help people. The less positive accounts describe delays, idle time, and pressure to buy extras.

I would treat this as a low-cost introduction to desert activities, not as a carefully timed private expedition.

Pickup from Sharm el Sheikh

Pickup begins about 45 minutes before the scheduled tour time, depending on where your hotel is located. The operator says it will contact you the day before to confirm the collection time, and the experience includes an air-conditioned vehicle.

That advance message matters. Several problems reported with this activity involve timing, including changed start times, late collection, and confusion over bookings made close to departure. If you book on the same day, pay close attention to messages and confirm the pickup point yourself.

Transport quality varies. Some people had a comfortable air-conditioned SUV or van, while others experienced delays or an inconvenient drop-off near, rather than directly at, their hotel. This is one reason to allow extra time in your evening plans.

Choosing a quad bike or dune buggy

You can select an individual quad bike, a shared quad, or a dune buggy option, depending on the choice available when you book. One family used a combination of single quads, a double quad, and a double buggy, and the children enjoyed the outing.

A quad gives you the most direct feel for the desert track, but it also demands more attention and balance. A buggy may suit families or people who prefer a seated vehicle with more room. A four-seat buggy was supplied to one family after they requested it, so it is worth confirming the exact vehicle needed before pickup.

Do not assume that every quad will be in perfect condition. Several accounts describe older vehicles, worn tires, broken body panels, or weak brakes. Other people found the bikes perfectly usable and enjoyed the ride. That difference is important: inspect your vehicle before setting off and tell staff immediately if the brakes, steering, or engine seem faulty.

Safety arrangements also appear inconsistent. Some people reported no helmets, no special eye protection, and poor lighting on late rides. Dust can sting your eyes, especially when several vehicles are moving close together. The included face scarf may help, but reports about receiving one conflict with the stated inclusions, so bring a scarf or confirm this before departure.

The first ride and the mountain echo

The central activity is the quad or buggy ride through the safari area. The planned riding time is one hour, but the practical experience depends heavily on the group, vehicle condition, and how the day is organized.

You should expect a guided convoy rather than free riding. The group follows a lead guide, usually at a controlled pace, with stops along the route. That makes the activity approachable for first-time riders, but it can frustrate experienced drivers who want speed or longer open stretches.

The mountain echo stop gives the outing its most distinctive moment. After roughly 20 minutes of riding, the group pauses between the mountains. The guide encourages you to call out a name or phrase and listen for the echo coming back from the rocks.

It is simple, but it makes a good photo stop and gives the ride a welcome pause. Do not expect a long geological visit or a private mountain walk. The stop is brief, and some people found the surrounding area untidy or crowded with other groups.

The biggest issue is the gap between the promised riding time and the time some people actually spent on the quads. Accounts range from an enjoyable hour to only 10 or 15 minutes of movement, broken up by stops and waiting. If riding is your main reason for booking, this is the point to consider carefully.

The camel stop: photos first, riding second

The camel section takes place near a small Bedouin-style tent. The planned camel ride lasts five to 10 minutes, with time to take photographs beside the animals.

In practice, camel time may be very short. Some people had a reasonable brief ride, while others were given only a minute or even a few seconds on a single camel, taking turns along a short path. This is not a long trek across the desert.

I would view the camel stop as a photo opportunity with a small ride attached. That can be enough for children or for someone who simply wants a camel picture without committing to a longer animal excursion. It will disappoint you if you expect a proper ride across the sand.

The stop also adds to the waiting time. You may spend longer lining up, posing, or watching other people take photos than actually riding. Bring patience, especially if the safari area is busy.

The optional VIP Bedouin dinner and show

The VIP package takes you to a larger camp after the riding and camel stop. The dinner is served at a table and includes mixed grill, salad, pasta, rice, and vegetables. The entertainment includes belly dancing, tanoura spinning, and a fire show.

The shows are often the strongest part of the evening package. The belly dancer and fire performer have been praised as entertaining, and a tanoura performance adds the expected swirl of color and movement. If you enjoy a light stage show after an outdoor activity, the combination can round out the night nicely.

The meal is less reliable. Some people found it good enough for the price, while others described dry or cold meat, average side dishes, and food that caused illness. The camp can also feel basic, with reports of dirty bathrooms, poor locks, and dogs wandering near the tables.

Drinks are not included. Shisha is also extra, and staff may offer both repeatedly. Take enough water for the whole outing, particularly if you are bringing children. One useful rule is to carry at least a litre per person, since water may not be available during long portions of the trip.

The word VIP should not lead you to expect a luxury dining room. Here it mainly means a designated dinner area and table service within a large desert camp. It may improve comfort, but it does not remove the basic setting or guarantee a better meal.

If dinner is not important to you, choosing the riding-only option may be wiser. You can avoid the meal, drinks, shisha, and much of the waiting. If you want an all-in-one Egyptian evening and accept simple food, the extra package may still offer decent value.

Photos, scarves, and other extra charges

A professional photographer may be present, and photos or videos are not included. You may be encouraged to buy them after the activity. Some people liked the quality of the pictures, including work by a photographer called Geno, while others felt pressured or had trouble receiving their photos.

There is also an unusual paid option to have your name written in fire, reportedly for an extra $15. One person found the resulting pictures blurry and advised skipping it. I would not make this add-on part of your budget unless you have seen a clear sample first.

The scarf situation deserves special attention. The package information says a scarf is provided to protect your face from dust, but several people were asked to buy one on arrival, with one account citing a $5 charge. Others received their scarves without a problem.

That contradiction is easy to avoid. Ask directly before you leave your hotel: Is the scarf supplied, and are there any compulsory charges at the safari center? You can also bring your own lightweight scarf and sunglasses.

Tipping is not mandatory, though it is appreciated. Keep small cash available if a guide gives you especially good help, but do not confuse a tip with a required fee.

Safety and comfort: the details that matter most

This is the section I would read twice before booking. The desert ride itself is not necessarily unsafe, and some people felt well cared for by the staff. Guides such as Ibrahim were praised for being friendly, helpful, and attentive, while others found the quad team responsive when a vehicle had trouble.

Still, mechanical and safety reports are mixed. Problems described include bald tires, weak or non-functioning brakes, broken plastic panels, engine trouble, absent helmets, and quads without working lights after sunset.

You have the right to refuse a vehicle that seems unsafe. Test the brakes before leaving and speak up if the quad stalls or pulls to one side. If you are riding after dark, confirm that the vehicle has working lights and that you can clearly see the guide and the track.

Dust is unavoidable. Cover your nose and mouth, protect your eyes, and wear clothing that can get dirty. The supplied scarf is useful if you receive one, but it is sensible to bring your own backup.

The activity is listed as suitable for most people, but the material does not give a minimum age, weight limit, or detailed medical guidance. If you have a condition that affects balance, mobility, or tolerance for heat and dust, ask the operator before booking rather than guessing.

How good is the value at $22.50?

At $22.50 per person, the base option is inexpensive for hotel pickup, transport, an hour of planned quad or buggy time, a camel ride, and the mountain stop. Even if the actual riding is shorter than advertised, the price can make sense for a family or group wanting a simple desert evening without spending heavily.

The value drops if you are mainly paying for a full hour of riding. Several people received far less than that, and long waits can make the day feel thin. You are paying for the whole outing, not just time on the vehicle.

The VIP dinner and show should be judged as a separate choice. It adds a meal and entertainment, but drinks, shisha, photos, videos, and tips remain extra. Food quality is uneven, so I would select it for the atmosphere and performances rather than for a special meal.

The best value comes when the staff keeps the day moving, the vehicle works properly, and you enjoy the simple camp entertainment. The poor value scenario is a short ride, a long wait, extra charges, and a meal you do not enjoy.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would recommend it most to first-time quad riders, families who want several activities in one outing, and people looking for an affordable change from the beach and hotel pool. Children enjoyed the buggy and quad experience in one family group, though the lack of clear age information means you should confirm arrangements for younger children.

It also suits people who like a social evening and do not mind a large group. Sunset riders can get particularly attractive mountain views, while the return in darkness adds a little excitement.

I would hesitate to recommend it to experienced off-road riders, anyone expecting a serious desert expedition, or anyone who dislikes sales pressure and waiting. A person looking for reliable safety standards and carefully measured riding time should ask detailed questions before paying.

Booking advice and cancellation terms

The experience is usually booked around 22 days ahead, which suggests that advance planning is sensible during busy periods. You receive confirmation when booking, and a mobile ticket is accepted.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations inside 24 hours are not accepted for a refund. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

I would message the operator before the day of departure to confirm the pickup time, vehicle choice, scarf arrangement, and dinner option. That short check may prevent the most common misunderstandings.

My verdict: book the ride, but keep expectations modest

I would book this if you want a cheap, easy desert outing with several different elements: a quad or buggy, mountain echoes, a camel photo, and optional stage entertainment. Friendly guides, a sunset setting, and the chance to ride back after dark can make the evening genuinely fun.

I would not book it expecting a full hour of uninterrupted riding, a polished dinner venue, or a long camel trek. Confirm the details, carry water, bring eye protection and a scarf, inspect the quad, and treat the dinner as optional.

For the lowest-risk choice, select the riding package only and ask for the best available vehicle. Add the VIP dinner if you value the show and do not mind simple food, waiting, and possible extra sales. At $22.50, it can be worthwhile, but your enjoyment will depend more on the day’s organization than on the headline description.

FAQ

Where does this experience take place?

It takes place in the safari area of Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt, with hotel pickup offered from Sharm el Sheikh hotels.

How long does the experience last?

The full outing takes approximately five to six hours, including pickup, transportation, riding, stops, and the optional dinner and show.

How early is hotel pickup?

Pickup begins about 45 minutes before the tour time, with the exact timing based on your hotel location.

What is included in the base price?

The base package includes an air-conditioned vehicle, fees and taxes, an hour of planned quad or buggy riding, a five to 10-minute camel ride, and a scarf to cover your face from dust.

Can I choose a quad bike or a dune buggy?

Yes. The experience offers a choice between a quad bike and a dune buggy, subject to the option you select when booking.

Is the VIP dinner and show included?

No. The VIP Bedouin dinner and show are only included if you select that option.

What does the VIP dinner include?

The dinner includes mixed grill, salad, pasta, rice, and vegetables served at a table. The entertainment includes belly dancing, tanoura, and a fire show.

Are drinks, shisha, photos, and videos included?

No. Drinks, shisha, professional photographs, and videos are not included. Tips are also not mandatory, though they are appreciated.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted. If poor weather cancels the experience, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.