Sharm El-Sheikh: Desert Buggy Safari Adventure

The best part of this Sharm El Sheikh outing is the chance to drive through the South Sinai desert, rather than simply look at it from a tour bus. You’ll pass broad, barren mountains, feel the dry air, and stop at a Bedouin tent for Egyptian tea. If your departure lines up with sunset, the views become the trip’s most memorable scene.

I like the hotel pickup in an air-conditioned vehicle, especially after a hot day in Sharm El Sheikh. I also like the family setup: children can ride in the buggies, and you can choose a single buggy, a double buggy, or a family buggy for larger groups.

The main drawback is dust. You should expect a gritty ride, and the experience may feel less fast or wild than some visitors hope. Bring water, wear comfortable shoes, and keep your expectations focused on a fun desert outing rather than a serious motorsport session.

Key points to know before you book

• About one hour behind the wheel: The buggy ride itself is roughly an hour, not an all-day desert expedition.
• Double and family options: Two people can share a double buggy, while families with more than three people can request a family buggy.
• Bedouin tea in the desert: The stop adds a simple cultural touch to the driving and gives you time to catch your breath.
• Sunset depends on departure time: Ask for the pickup time before the outing if sunset views matter to you.
• Good value at $29 per person: Hotel transfers, a guide, the buggy, and tea are included, though extras cost more.
• Allow for a small mandatory fee: One dollar, euro, or pound is collected from each person for intelligence services.

Leaving Sharm El Sheikh for the South Sinai desert

Your outing begins with pickup outside your hotel. The exact time depends on where you are staying, so confirm it one day before departure. A delay of up to 10 minutes is possible, which is normal for a shared transfer.

The drive to the buggy site takes about 20 minutes. That short transfer matters because it gets you away from the resort streets without turning the activity into a long transport day. You’ll travel in an air-conditioned vehicle, a welcome feature in South Sinai’s heat.

Pickup is outside the hotel rather than inside the lobby. Keep an eye on the meeting point and be ready a little early. If you are staying farther from the main resort area, your pickup time may differ from another member of your party.

The service is offered in English, Italian, and Arabic. That gives you a useful choice when asking about the buggy controls, the route, or the timing of the tea stop.

A short safety briefing before you drive

At the desert site, you receive a short lesson on how to operate the buggy safely. This is not presented as a long training course. It is a practical introduction before you set off.

The vehicles have seatbelts and are built for desert ground. That makes the activity suitable for families, including children, but you still need to follow the guide’s instructions and drive at a sensible speed.

You can choose a single sand buggy or share a double buggy with another person. Families with more than three people can use a family buggy. That choice affects both the cost and the feel of the outing. A single buggy gives you control of your own ride, while a double buggy lets two people share the experience and makes it easier to keep a family together.

If you are booking for children, check the family arrangement when reserving. The information supplied describes the buggies as suitable for children, but it does not give a specific minimum age, height rule, or weight limit. Those details are worth confirming before you pay.

What the one-hour buggy ride feels like

The main activity is a roughly one-hour ride across the desert. You’ll see wide South Sinai views and dry mountain country, with the buggy providing a more active way to experience the setting.

This is a guided ride, not an independent rental. A guide accompanies the group, helps keep the outing organized, and sets the pace. That is useful if you are new to buggies or are bringing children. It also means you should not expect to race freely across the desert.

The feedback on speed is mixed in a useful way. Some people found the ride exciting and enjoyed being allowed to open up toward the end. Another person wished the buggies could go faster. In other words, the thrill depends partly on the guide, the group, and the conditions on the day.

You may get a burst of speed, but safety comes first. The most satisfying part is the combination of control, dust, open space, and mountain views. If you want a high-speed competition, this is not the right product. If you want a straightforward desert adventure with a guide and transport included, it makes more sense.

The buggies are described as easy to handle and powerful enough for the sandy ground. Still, dust is part of the deal. It can settle on your clothing, shoes, hair, and face. Comfortable shoes are specifically recommended, and I would avoid wearing anything precious or difficult to clean.

Bring plenty of water. Drinks are not included, and the dry air can make you thirsty faster than expected. The tea stop is pleasant, but it should not be your only drink for the outing.

The Bedouin tent and a cup of Egyptian tea

The ride includes a stop at a Bedouin tent for Egyptian tea. This is a small part of the program, but it gives the trip a better rhythm. You get a pause from the vibration and dust, sit for a moment, and take in the desert setting without concentrating on the track.

The tea also gives the excursion a cultural element. It is not a long village visit or a full cultural program, so keep your expectations modest. You are receiving a traditional-style refreshment in a desert tent, not taking part in an extended Bedouin experience.

Tea is included, while other drinks are not. If you want bottled water or another beverage, budget for it separately. The included tea is best understood as a welcome stop rather than a complete meal or refreshment service.

One detail needs careful attention: a customer account refers to camel rides as part of a sunset outing, but camel rides are not included in the listed program. I would not book this buggy experience expecting a camel ride. Ask about any extra activity before paying for it.

Sunset over the mountains, if the timing works

The sunset is one of the strongest reasons to choose this outing, but it is not guaranteed. It depends on your departure time and hotel pickup schedule.

If your ride reaches the right point late in the day, the desert mountains can take on warm evening color. The open setting gives you a broad view, and the tea stop can make the pause feel more special. Several people found the sunset memorable, particularly when sharing the trip with a partner or children.

If sunset matters to you, ask for the exact pickup time before the day of the trip. Do not assume every departure is a sunset departure. The tour is sold as a desert buggy experience first, with sunset as a possible bonus tied to timing.

Bring a phone or camera if you want photographs, but be ready for dust. Photography costs extra if you use the operators’ photographers, and one person found those prices high even though there was no hard sales pressure. You can decide in advance whether official photos are worth the added cost.

Is $29 good value for this Sharm El Sheikh outing?

At $29 per person, the package offers a fair amount for a short activity. You get hotel pickup and drop-off, an air-conditioned transfer, a guide, the buggy ride, and Bedouin tea. For a family or couple wanting a half-day-style diversion without paying for a full desert program, that is a sensible price.

The value is strongest if you use the included transport. A separate taxi to a desert activity site would add cost and hassle, while the air-conditioned transfer keeps the outing simple. The one-hour ride is also long enough to feel like a real activity without taking over your entire holiday.

The price does not cover drinks, optional extras, or photography. There is also a mandatory collection of $1, €1, or £1 from each person for intelligence services. Treat that as part of the final cost rather than a surprise at pickup.

You should compare this activity with longer safari packages if you want dinner, a larger cultural program, or several desert activities. This one is more focused: transport, buggy riding, tea, and possibly sunset. That narrow focus is a strength if you want an easy booking and a clear plan.

Why families tend to fit this activity well

The family-friendly design is one of the most useful features. Children can ride in the buggies, and the double and family options let you keep younger family members with an adult.

A family of four or more should ask specifically for the family buggy arrangement. The information provided says a family buggy is available for groups over three people. That can be easier than splitting everyone into separate vehicles.

The ride still involves dust, engine noise, bumps, and desert heat. A four-year-old and an eight-year-old were included in one successful family outing, but the program does not state a formal minimum age. You should confirm suitability for your own children before booking.

I would also choose practical clothing. Comfortable shoes are required advice, and water is important. Avoid carrying loose valuables, and expect your clothes to come home dusty. The activity is family-friendly, but it is not a polished indoor attraction.

Couples, solo riders, and first-time drivers

Couples can share a double buggy or choose separate vehicles. Sharing keeps the cost and group arrangement simple, while separate buggies give each person more control.

This also works for first-time drivers because the guide gives an operating and safety briefing before the ride. You do not need to arrive as an experienced off-road driver. The buggies are described as easy to handle, although you still need to pay attention to the instructions.

Solo visitors can join the guided outing, but the supplied information does not explain the exact group size or how solo bookings are assigned to buggies. If you are traveling alone and want your own vehicle, ask about that before confirming.

The team receives strong praise for being friendly and safe. Mr. Elsharqawey is mentioned by name in connection with the safari team, and Square Safari is also named. Staff may vary by departure, so treat those names as useful points of reference rather than a promise that one particular guide will lead your trip.

What to bring and what to leave behind

Keep your packing simple:

• Comfortable, closed shoes
• Plenty of drinking water
• Clothing you do not mind getting dusty
• A phone or camera for the mountain and sunset views
• A little extra money for drinks, photos, or other optional items

The tour includes cultural Egypt scarves if you select that add-on. They can be a practical souvenir and may help shield your neck or face from the sun and dust, but they are not part of the basic $29 package.

Do not count on included drinks beyond the Bedouin tea. Do not assume camel rides or professional photographs are covered. Clear questions before departure will help you avoid unexpected costs.

Booking flexibility and the small details that matter

You can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Sharm El Sheikh plans are still changing. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours in advance, according to the supplied booking terms.

Confirm your pickup time one day before the outing. Pickup is outside your hotel, and a delay of up to 10 minutes may occur. Those details sound minor, but they make a shared transfer much less stressful.

The activity is run by FTS Travels and is available in English, Italian, and Arabic. The booking price is listed per person, while the buggy choice determines how people sit and ride together.

Should you book this buggy safari?

Book it if you want a short, active desert outing with hotel transport, simple family arrangements, and a reasonable price. It is particularly well suited to couples and families who want mountain views, a sandy ride, and the chance of sunset without committing to a long safari program.

Think twice if you dislike dust, need a guaranteed sunset, or want serious off-road speed. The ride is guided, and the pace can vary. You should also confirm child requirements, the exact pickup time, and the price of any photos or extra activities.

For most visitors staying in Sharm El Sheikh, this is a good-value way to spend part of a day. Pack water, wear shoes you can clean, and treat the Bedouin tea and sunset as welcome additions to the main event: an hour of driving through the South Sinai desert.

FAQ

How long does the buggy ride last?

The sand buggy ride lasts about one hour. The full outing also includes hotel pickup, a roughly 20-minute transfer to the desert site, safety instructions, the tea stop, and the return transfer.

How much does the experience cost?

The listed price is $29 per person. Drinks and extras are not included, and a mandatory $1, €1, or £1 is collected from each person for intelligence services.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included in an air-conditioned vehicle. Pickup takes place outside the hotel.

When will I be picked up?

Pickup time depends on your hotel location. You should confirm the exact time one day before the trip, and a delay of up to 10 minutes may occur.

Can two people share one buggy?

Yes. A double buggy is available for two people. A family buggy is available for families with more than three people.

Can children take part?

The buggies have seatbelts and are described as suitable for children. The supplied information does not give a specific minimum age, so confirm the rules for your children before booking.

Is Bedouin tea included?

Yes. The program includes a stop at a Bedouin tent for Egyptian tea. Other drinks are not included.

Is sunset guaranteed?

No. Sunset views depend on the departure time. Ask about the timing if seeing sunset over the mountains is important to you.

What languages are available?

The experience is available in English, Italian, and Arabic. You should bring comfortable shoes and plenty of water for the dusty desert ride.