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 engines fall quiet and the sky takes over. You ride through the Sinai by ATV or dune buggy, stop for Bedouin tea and a camel ride, then use astronomical telescopes to look at stars and planets far from the hotel lights.

I like the useful mix of activities: the 50-minute desert drive has two stops, and the $35 price includes transport, dinner, shows, a camel ride, and stargazing. Guides including Omar, Sabry, Youssef, and Ibrahim, nicknamed Coconut, receive especially warm praise for being friendly and attentive. The main drawback is that some quads need maintenance, and helmet buckles or controls may not feel as polished as you expect.

Key points at a glance

• Telescope stargazing after dinner: Professional astronomers explain the night sky and help you view stars and planets.
• A proper desert outing: You get about 50 minutes of ATV or buggy riding, with two breaks among the Sinai mountains.
• Bedouin camp dinner: The open buffet includes grilled meat, kofta, chicken, rice, vegetables, salad, bread, water, and a soft drink.
• Three types of entertainment: Expect a fire performance, Tanura dancing, and Bedouin dancing.
• Good value at $35: Hotel transport, guides, camel riding, dinner, drinks, and shows are included.
• Bring cash and your own scarf: Scarves, photos, tips, shisha, and goggles may cost extra.

From your hotel to the Sinai desert

Your evening begins with pickup from your Sharm El-Sheikh hotel in an air-conditioned van. The transport is a useful part of the package, particularly if you are staying away from the safari station and do not want to arrange a taxi in the dark.

At the safari station, the guides explain how to operate the ATV or buggy and help wrap your scarf. This briefing matters. The machines are simple to use, but first-time riders should pay close attention to the accelerator, brakes, and spacing between vehicles.

You are asked to leave money, phones, passports, and other loose belongings in your bag while riding. That is sensible advice. Dust, vibration, and sudden turns are not kind to a phone, and a passport has no place in a desert pocket.

The outing is offered with different vehicle choices. You may ride an ATV, a dune buggy, or a Quad Runner, depending on the option selected when booking. A double quad may be changed to a single quad for safety reasons if weight or balance is a concern, and an extra fee of €10 per person may apply.

Fifty minutes of riding and two mountain stops

The main drive lasts about 50 minutes and includes two breaks. That is enough time to make the desert riding feel like the main event, without leaving you on a quad for hours.

The first stop is near giant mountains, where the guide demonstrates the echo of your voice. It is a simple activity, but it gives you a reason to pause and notice the scale of the rock around you. The desert is not just a track for motor vehicles. The silence and the bare mountain walls are part of the appeal.

The ATV route is an adventure rather than a technical driving course. You do not need professional riding experience, but you should be comfortable handling a motorized vehicle on uneven ground. One rider found the accelerator and brake difficult to manage, while another noted that some machines need maintenance. A separate report described shaking at certain engine speeds, and worn helmet buckles were also mentioned.

That does not mean every vehicle has a problem. Several riders found the quads to be in good shape, and the activity was described as fun and safe. Still, I would inspect your machine before setting off. Check the throttle, brakes, seat, and helmet strap, and tell the guide at once if anything feels wrong.

Wear closed, comfortable shoes and clothes you do not mind getting dusty. A scarf helps protect your face from grit, but the cultural Egyptian scarf is an add-on rather than a guaranteed inclusion. One practical tip is to bring your own scarf instead of buying one at the station.

Bedouin tea, bread, and a camel ride

The first camp stop includes Bedouin tea and bread, followed by a camel ride with mountain views. This is not a long camel expedition. Think of it as a short cultural interlude that breaks up the motorized part of the evening.

The tea and bread give you a taste of Bedouin hospitality, while the camel ride provides a slower way to see the desert. If you have never ridden a camel, the most important moment is mounting and dismounting, when the animal rises or kneels. Listen to the handler and hold on securely.

You should also know that local camel handlers may expect a tip. The guide can explain what is customary, but you should not feel pressured into paying more than you wish. Bring small Egyptian notes or a few dollars if you want to tip, although tipping is not listed as a required part of the tour.

Toilets are available at the stops, which is a useful detail on an evening spent far from the city. This makes the outing easier for families and anyone who worries about spending several hours in the desert without facilities.

Dinner under the desert sky

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

The meal is one of the stronger parts of the package. Several people found the food tastier than expected, with some comparing it favorably to meals at their hotels. You should keep expectations sensible: this is a desert camp buffet, not a fine dining restaurant. But for $35, a hot meal with several choices is a substantial part of the value.

The evening entertainment includes a fire performer, a Tanura show, and Bedouin dancing. The Tanura dancer spins in a colorful costume, while the fire act adds a louder, more dramatic moment. The dancing gives the dinner stop a social feel rather than making it just a meal between activities.

This part can feel tourist-oriented, and that is worth saying plainly. The camp is arranged for visitors, and the show is designed as entertainment. Still, it offers a pleasant introduction to Egyptian performance traditions, especially if you want a busy evening with several different activities rather than a quiet dinner.

Shisha is not included. If you want to smoke a water pipe, expect to pay separately.

Stargazing is the quiet highlight

After dinner and the shows, the pace changes. You move away from the brighter camp area to look at the stars and planets through astronomical telescopes.

This is more than a quick photo stop. A professional astronomer explains the night sky and helps you use the telescope. The strongest value here is the setting: the Sinai desert offers a darker sky than the center of Sharm El-Sheikh, and the absence of city noise makes the stars easier to appreciate.

You may be able to photograph the moon through the telescope with your phone. Ask the astronomer or guide to help you before the telescope moves to its next target. A phone photo will not look like a professional astronomical image, but it makes a memorable souvenir.

The stargazing depends on conditions that can change from night to night. Clouds, haze, or a bright moon can affect what you see. The activity is still worthwhile for the explanation and the desert setting, but you should not book it expecting a private observatory visit or a guarantee of seeing every planet.

For me, this is what gives the outing a better shape than a standard quad-bike ride. The engines, camel ride, food, and shows keep the evening active, then the telescope session gives you a calmer finish.

Guides make a real difference

The guide team is central to the experience. Omar, Sabry, Youssef, Ibrahim, often called Coconut, Nanas, and Mario are all singled out for being friendly, funny, helpful, or attentive.

Ibrahim, or Coconut, appears to be a particularly memorable guide for many groups. He is described as welcoming, energetic, and good at creating a relaxed atmosphere. Sabry is praised for explaining the stars, while Omar is noted for helping throughout the activity and keeping the group comfortable.

Guide quality matters here because the evening has several moving parts. You need clear instructions before riding, help during the camel stop, an explanation of the shows, and useful information during stargazing. A good guide also helps you judge when to ignore sales pressure and when a tip is appropriate.

The languages offered are English, Russian, Italian, and Arabic. That range is useful for mixed groups, although the exact guide assigned to you may vary.

What the price really includes

At $35 per person, this is a strong-value outing if you want several activities in one evening. The package includes:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Air-conditioned transport
• A professional guide and astronomer
• ATV or dune buggy riding, depending on your selection
• Camel riding
• Bedouin tea and bread
• Open buffet barbecue dinner
• Water and a soft drink
• Fire, Tanura, and Bedouin shows
• Stargazing with telescopes

You would pay extra for shisha, an Arafat scarf, protective goggles, and possibly a single quad if the double vehicle is changed for safety reasons. Photos and videos may also be offered for an additional charge.

Photo sellers can be persistent at times. One person was quoted about £15 per person for a photo and video package, while another negotiated individual photos to about £1 each. You do not need to buy anything. Say no clearly if you are not interested, and keep your cash for the parts you actually want.

I recommend bringing a modest amount of cash in Egyptian pounds for tips and optional purchases. It is not mandatory, but small notes make things easier. Keep your main money and documents secured in the vehicle or your bag, as instructed.

Who will enjoy this most

This suits you if you want a full evening rather than one isolated activity. Families with older children and teenagers can get a lot from the mix of riding, camels, food, shows, and stars. Solo visitors can also fit in easily because the group format provides company without requiring a private booking.

It is a good choice for first-time ATV riders who want instruction and a moderate ride. The route is not presented as an extreme off-road challenge, so experienced riders looking for speed or demanding terrain may find it tame.

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women or people with back problems. The ride involves vibration and uneven ground, and the camel mounting process can also put strain on your back. If you have another medical concern, ask before booking rather than relying on the short safety briefing.

The outing is less suitable if you dislike dust, group entertainment, sales pitches, or sitting on a camel. You should also avoid wearing delicate clothes or shoes.

Practical tips for a smoother evening

• Bring comfortable closed shoes and clothes suitable for dust.
• Pack your camera, but keep it secure during the ATV ride.
• Bring your own scarf if you have one.
• Consider bringing goggles, since protective goggles are not included.
• Take a little cash for tips and optional photos.
• Check your quad before departure and report any mechanical issue.
• Keep passports, phones, and loose items in your bag while riding.
• Ask the astronomer to help photograph the moon through the telescope.
• Do not feel obliged to buy photos, scarves, or shisha.
• Remember that double quads can be changed to single quads for safety reasons.

The return drive to the safari station takes about 30 minutes at night. Air-conditioned vehicles then take you back to your hotel. The exact pickup and return time can vary, so keep the rest of your evening free.

Should you book this Sharm El-Sheikh desert tour?

I would book it if you want excellent variety for a modest price. The combination of ATV riding, a camel stop, Bedouin food, live shows, and telescope stargazing gives you a broad taste of the Sinai in one outing. The astronomer-led sky viewing is the most distinctive feature, and the guides can make the difference between a routine group trip and a genuinely enjoyable evening.

I would hesitate if you need top-condition vehicles, a quiet private desert visit, or a long, serious off-road ride. Some quads and helmets may need attention, and optional sales can appear around the photo and scarf stops.

For most visitors staying in Sharm El-Sheikh, this is a sensible value choice. Bring a scarf, comfortable clothes, a little cash, and realistic expectations about a busy group program. Do that, and you get an entertaining desert evening with a memorable finish beneath the stars.

FAQ

How much does the Sharm El-Sheikh ATV and camel tour cost?

The listed price is $35 per person.

What activities are included?

The tour includes hotel transport, ATV or dune buggy riding depending on the selected option, a camel ride, Bedouin tea and bread, a barbecue dinner, shows, and stargazing with telescopes.

How long is the ATV or buggy ride?

The driving portion lasts about 50 minutes and includes two breaks.

What happens during the two riding breaks?

The first stop is for an echo experience among the giant mountains. The second includes Bedouin tea, a camel ride, and mountain views.

What food is served at dinner?

The open buffet includes grilled meat, kofta, chicken, rice, vegetables, salads, and Bedouin bread. Water and a soft drink are included.

What shows are included?

The entertainment includes a fire performer, a Tanura show, and Bedouin dancing.

Is stargazing included?

Yes. A professional astronomer explains the night sky, and you can view stars and planets through astronomical telescopes.

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 should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, comfortable clothes, and a camera. A scarf and protective goggles are useful, but they are not included unless selected or purchased separately.