Hurghada: Camel Ride & horse ride and Off-Road Jeep Tour

The best part of this Hurghada outing is the mix: you get a lively off-road jeep ride, a slow camel trek, and a proper horse ride through the desert. I like the welcome of Arabian tea, coffee, and dates, and I like that the farm stop adds animals, horses, and a water wheel instead of making the whole trip about sand.

The main catch is comfort and safety. The jeep ride can be rough, and one winter sunset departure felt cold. A past departure also raised concerns about missing seat belts and phone use by the driver, so I would ask about the vehicle and driving standards before setting off.

Quick points to know before booking

• Two full hours in the saddle: Plan for about one hour on a camel and one hour on horseback, with photo and rest stops.
• A proper jeep thrill: The roughly 30-minute off-road ride can be a gentle desert transfer or a loud, bumpy blast with music.
• Three departure styles: Choose around 4:00 a.m. for sunrise, 8:00 a.m. for a morning outing, or 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. for sunset, dinner, and stargazing.
• Farm life is part of the visit: You can see animals, horses, a water wheel, and sometimes small goats that you may be able to feed.
• Good value at $47: Hotel transport, drinks, dates, both rides, and the farm visit are included, though the long sunset version may take five or more hours.
• Not for every body: Pregnant people and anyone with back problems should skip this one.

Why this desert outing works

Many Hurghada excursions offer one short camel ride and call it a desert adventure. This one gives you more variety. You begin with a jeep ride, spend an hour riding a camel, then switch to a horse for another hour. That makes the $47 price easier to justify, especially since hotel pickup and return are included from five Red Sea resort areas.

I also like the human scale of the farm stop. You are not simply driven to a viewpoint, photographed, and rushed back. The visit includes a welcome drink, farm animals, horses, and a water wheel. It gives you something to look at during the breaks and makes the outing feel connected to daily desert life.

The mood changes by departure time. The morning trips are better for cooler temperatures and a clearer, more active start. The afternoon option is the most atmospheric, with sunset from the desert, a candlelit meal according to the late program, and stargazing afterward. It is also the longest version, so do not book it if you want a quick two-hour activity.

Hotel pickup from five Red Sea resorts

Pickup is available from Hurghada, El Gouna, Safaga, Sahl Hasheesh, and Makadi Bay. The operator contacts you the day before with the collection time and transfer details, which matters because the listed duration of two to five hours does not include every transfer from your hotel.

The road portion takes you toward the Hurghada desert. Before entering the desert, you stop at a station where you can use the restroom or smoke. This is a small but useful pause, since facilities become more limited once the jeep heads off road.

You should wear clothes that can handle dust and sun. Comfortable shoes are essential, along with sunscreen and water. The desert can feel surprisingly cold around dusk in winter, so pack long trousers and a sweater, cardigan, or light jacket for a sunset departure.

The 30-minute jeep ride across the desert

The jeep ride is the first real burst of energy. The route includes dune bashing and an off-road section through the desert and toward the farm. Expect a bumpy, active ride rather than a smooth sightseeing transfer.

For some people, this is the highlight. The music may be loud, and the driver can take the rougher lines across the sand. One account described it as feeling almost like a roller coaster. If that sounds fun, you will probably enjoy the pace. If you prefer a quiet ride, tell the guide before departure and sit where the movement is easiest.

I would treat the driving standards as something worth checking. A past departure raised concerns about a lack of seat belts and a driver using a phone. That does not mean every vehicle or driver operates this way, but it is a fair reason to ask for seat belts and to speak up if the ride feels unsafe. The activity says the site is monitored by cameras and follows international health and safety standards, but practical caution still matters.

Arabian tea, coffee, and dates at the farm

At the farm, you receive Arabian tea, Arabian coffee, and dates. This is more than a quick drink stop. It gives you time to settle after the jeep ride, hear the safety briefing, and get ready for the camel.

The welcome is simple and traditional. Do not expect a full meal at this stage. The included refreshments are tea, coffee, dates, and drinks, while the late afternoon program is described as adding dinner and stargazing. If dinner is important to your plans, confirm that you are booking the sunset version rather than assuming every departure includes it.

The farm visit also provides a useful pause between rides. You can see horses and other farm animals, and the setting includes a water wheel. Small goats may be available to feed, and one past outing included an informal Bedouin-style breakfast prepared by women from the nearby village. That extra food is not part of the stated package, so regard it as a possible bonus, not something to count on.

A small shop may sell herbs, bracelets, and bags made by local women. The experience can include a sales stop, but the accounts provided describe the selling as low pressure. You should still bring only the money you want to spend.

One hour by camel between mountains and valleys

The camel ride lasts about an hour and moves between desert valleys and mountain areas. This is not a fast ride. Camels set a slow rhythm, which gives you time to look around, take photos, and get used to the height and movement.

A rest and photo stop breaks up the ride. That helps because sitting on a camel for a full hour can be tiring, especially if you have never ridden before. The guide can help you settle, but you should still keep your balance carefully when the camel kneels or rises.

I would wear long, light clothing. It protects your skin from the sun and reduces rubbing against the saddle. A hat or head covering is useful, but bring your own if possible. A headscarf or cap may be offered for an extra charge, and one family found the price higher than expected.

The camel section is best for people who want a gentle, traditional desert experience rather than speed. It is not a smooth ride. The rocking motion can be tiring, and the activity is not suitable for anyone with back problems.

One hour on horseback through the valleys

After the camel ride, you switch to a horse for another hour. This gives the excursion a very different feel. You sit lower, move more quickly, and get a closer sense of the desert trail.

The route passes through valleys, with photo and rest opportunities built into the outing. Several sunset departures combined the horse ride and camel ride with the changing light, which makes the afternoon schedule especially appealing for photographs.

The riding time is set at one hour, but the actual time in the saddle may feel shorter for children or first-time riders. One family found that about 30 minutes on each animal was enough for the children, even though the scheduled program allowed an hour for each. If you are booking with young children, ask how flexible the riding time is.

Horse-riding ability is not stated as a requirement, so you should tell the guide about your experience level. Stay within the guide’s instructions, especially during mounting, dismounting, and any faster section. The activity is not suitable for pregnant people, and anyone with back trouble should avoid both riding portions.

Farm animals, horses, and the water wheel

The farm tour adds a quieter layer to the day. You can see the animals and horses, and the water wheel gives the setting a practical feature rather than a purely staged photo stop.

This part will appeal most to families. Children can break up the riding with animal viewing, and small goats may sometimes be fed. The farm also gives you a chance to watch how the animals are cared for. One outing left a strong impression that the animals were treated well, with a camel showing clear affection toward its handler.

The farm is not a major historical site, and you should not expect a long educational tour. Its value is in the change of pace and the chance to meet the people and animals connected with the place. For many families, that makes the day feel fuller than a simple ride into the desert and back.

Sunrise, morning, or sunset with stars

You have three broad timing choices:

• Around 4:00 a.m. for a sunrise departure
• Around 8:00 a.m. for a morning outing
• Around 3:00 or 4:00 p.m. for sunset, dinner, and stargazing

The early start is a good choice if you want cooler air and dawn light. It does require a very early hotel pickup, so it may not suit families with small children or anyone who values sleep.

The 8:00 a.m. departure gives you a full morning without the overnight-style start. The desert will usually feel hotter as the day progresses, so sunscreen, water, and loose clothing matter more.

The afternoon option has the strongest mood. The sun lowers over the mountains and valleys, and the desert light becomes softer for family photos. After the rides, the late program includes dinner and stargazing. Guide Arabi has led astronomy explanations, while Nasser has guided visitors through the Bedouin village and explained the stars with enthusiasm. These names are connected with past departures, but you should not assume a particular guide will be assigned to your group.

Stargazing works best after the desert darkens, away from the bright resort strip. The combination of dinner by candlelight, a campfire, and a guide pointing out constellations can make the longer version feel like a complete evening rather than a short riding activity.

Guides, languages, and group size

Guiding is available in Arabic, English, French, German, Russian, and Spanish. This is helpful in a mixed-language resort area, especially during the safety talk and the riding instructions.

Past departures have included guides named Nasser and Arabi, and a photographer named Tommy was praised for being friendly and funny during sunset pictures. The provider is Scorpion Safari, but staff assignments can change, so book for the program rather than for one particular person.

Small groups are available. That can make mounting, photo stops, and questions easier than in a large coach group. Ask about group size if personal attention matters to you, since the exact number is not stated.

What the $47 price really covers

At $47 per person, the package offers a good amount for the money. You receive hotel pickup and drop-off, the jeep transfer, an hour on a camel, an hour on horseback, a farm tour, Arabian tea and coffee, dates, and other drinks.

The strongest value comes from the two different rides. A short camel photo stop alone would not justify the price as well. Here, you get a full hour on each animal, plus the jeep and farm visit.

The sunset package may offer the best overall value if dinner and stargazing are included as described. Confirm the exact inclusions before paying, since the basic inclusion list focuses on drinks and dates, while the late schedule mentions dinner. Also remember that an optional head covering, photographs, or shop purchases may cost extra.

Flexible booking helps if your weather plans are uncertain. You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately.

Who should book this experience

I would recommend it to families, couples, and first-time visitors who want several desert activities in one outing. It suits anyone who enjoys a mix of gentle riding, farm animals, sunset photos, and a little jeep excitement.

The afternoon version is especially good for families because the heat eases later in the day, and the sunset gives you a natural photo backdrop. Children may not need the full hour on each animal, so ask about adjusting the riding time if necessary.

I would be more cautious if you dislike rough vehicle rides, loud music, or animal riding. The jeep can be wild, and both camel and horse riding put strain on your body. Pregnant people and anyone with back problems should not book it.

Practical packing advice

Bring comfortable shoes, sunscreen, and water. I would also pack sunglasses, a hat, long lightweight clothing, and a warm layer for winter sunset trips.

Wear trousers or long, thin fabric for the riding sections. You want protection from the sun without heavy clothing that traps heat. Keep your phone or camera secure during the jeep ride, and save your best photos for the rest stops and sunset.

Ask the driver to confirm seat belts before the vehicle leaves. If the jeep ride feels unsafe, say so clearly. A fun off-road trip should still be a controlled one.

Should you book it?

Book this experience if you want a full desert half-day rather than a single camel photo ride. The combination of jeep, camel, horse, farm, refreshments, and possible sunset dinner gives you a lot for $47.

Choose the morning if you prefer cooler conditions and a shorter program. Choose sunset if you want the strongest atmosphere, dinner, and stars, but bring a warm layer and confirm the meal details. Skip it if you are pregnant, have back problems, or know that rough driving and animal riding are not for you.

FAQ

How much does the Hurghada camel, horse, and jeep tour cost?

The listed price is $47 per person. It includes hotel pickup and drop-off, the jeep outing, a one-hour camel ride, a one-hour horse ride, the farm tour, drinks, Arabian tea, Arabian coffee, and dates.

How long does the activity last?

The stated duration is between two and five hours. The total time depends on the departure option, transfer arrangements, and whether you choose the longer sunset program with dinner and stargazing.

Where is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is available in Safaga, El Gouna, Hurghada, Sahl Hasheesh, and Makadi Bay. The provider contacts you the day before with the pickup time and transfer information.

What departure times are available?

The program runs around 4:00 a.m., 8:00 a.m., and 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. The early option is for sunrise, the morning option begins around 8:00 a.m., and the late option is for sunset, dinner, and stargazing.

How long are the camel and horse rides?

The planned camel ride lasts one hour, followed by a one-hour horse ride. Rest stops and photo stops are included along the desert routes.

What refreshments are included?

You receive Arabian tea, Arabian coffee, dates, and drinks. The late afternoon program is described as including dinner, but confirm the exact meal arrangements when booking.

What languages can the guides speak?

Guiding is available in Arabic, English, French, German, Russian, and Spanish.

Is the tour suitable for children?

Children can take part, and the farm animals and sunset setting can suit families. The riding time may feel long for younger children, so ask whether the camel and horse portions can be shortened.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, sunscreen, and water. Long, light clothing is useful for riding, and a sweater or jacket is wise for a winter sunset departure. The activity is not suitable for pregnant people or anyone with back problems.