From Hurghada: Makadi Bay Horse Riding Tour

The best part of this Makadi Bay outing is the change of scenery: one minute you are crossing quiet desert, and the next you are riding beside the Red Sea. Calm horses and patient guides make it workable for first-timers, while experienced riders can sometimes enjoy a faster stretch under supervision.

I like the choice of timing, especially the cool early sunrise and the sunset ride with dinner and stargazing. I also like the practical skill matching, with horses chosen for your ability and groups arranged by riding level. The main consideration is that the standard two-hour ride does not include swimming, and transfer time can reach an hour from some Hurghada-area resorts.

Key points to know before you book

• Ride from desert to sea: The routes pass through sand valleys, open desert, and the Red Sea coast, with photo stops along the way.
• Pick your mood: Sunrise brings cooler air and breakfast, while sunset adds dinner, a live show, and stargazing.
• Good for nervous beginners: Guides such as Hassan, Mohamed, Didi, Yusuf, Mahmoud, and Sabir are praised for calm instruction and careful horse selection.
• The swim is a special upgrade: Horse swimming in the Red Sea is reserved for the four-hour VIP option.
• The combo adds speed and variety: One hour of quad biking followed by one hour on horseback takes place during the cooler early morning.
• Budget-friendly base price: At $20 per person, the two-hour ride offers strong value, though transfers and special add-ons change the total.

From Makadi Bay desert to the Red Sea shore

This is not a short photo ride confined to a stable yard. The main two-hour route carries you through the open desert and toward the coast, giving you two very different views of the Red Sea Governorate in one outing.

The desert section has a quiet, spare feel. You ride through sand valleys and open plains, with the horses setting a steady pace and the guides keeping the group together. Along the coast, the mood changes. The air feels fresher, the sea opens up beside you, and the route may include riding along the beach or splashing through shallow water.

That variety is the reason I would choose this over a simple hotel horseback ride. You get a real sense of the area, not just a few turns around a paddock. The ride is still arranged for comfort rather than speed, so you should think of it as a guided scenic outing, not an equestrian training session or a galloping expedition.

The coast is also where the best photographs are likely to happen. The team takes pictures and videos during the ride, and several guides are specifically praised for helping create memorable shots. You can still bring your own phone, but keep it secure and carry only what you need.

Choosing between sunrise, morning, afternoon, and sunset

The departure time changes the whole character of the ride.

The 5:00 AM sunrise option is the coolest choice and includes an Oriental breakfast. That breakfast is tied specifically to the early departure, so do not assume it comes with every morning ride. You will need to select the sunrise timing when booking if this meal matters to you.

Sunrise also gives you soft light and cooler air, which can be a real advantage in Egypt. Barbara described the sunrise ride with Yusuf as a memorable outing for her and her daughters, followed by breakfast. For families who want an early start and a gentler temperature, this is one of the strongest options.

A regular morning ride is a practical middle ground. You still get daylight for the desert and sea views, but you may avoid the very early wake-up. The exact starting times vary, so check availability for your date.

Afternoon rides offer a slower, softer feel as the heat begins to ease. This may suit you if you do not want to wake early, though weather conditions and sun exposure still matter. Bring a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and clothing suited to the season.

The sunset option has the most built-in entertainment. The ride finishes with an Oriental dinner, a live performance, and stargazing in the desert. Hafsah found the dinner good enough to return for a second helping, while the stargazing gives the evening a clear finish after the coastal ride.

I would choose sunset for couples and families who want a complete evening rather than only time in the saddle. Just remember that it is a longer outing, and the return to your hotel will be later than with a standard daytime ride.

What happens when you arrive at the horse base

If you choose hotel pickup, an air-conditioned vehicle collects you from your accommodation. The pickup window is roughly zero to one hour before the selected activity time, and the exact time is sent the day before. You are asked to wait in the hotel lobby 10 minutes before the confirmed pickup time.

Travel time depends heavily on your resort. From Makadi Bay or Sahl Hasheesh, allow around 25 to 30 minutes. From Hurghada, allow about 40 to 45 minutes. From El Gouna, Soma Bay, Safaga, or Al Ahyaa, the drive can take up to an hour.

That makes the entry-only ticket useful if you are staying nearby or already have your own transport. Private transfers are also available for an extra charge if you prefer not to share a vehicle or want more control over the journey.

At the base, you receive about 15 minutes to rest before the ride begins. This is a useful pause after the transfer, especially if you have arrived early in the morning. Toilets are available, and drinks and face scarves can be bought on site.

One practical detail came from Terence, who paid 50 Egyptian pounds for bottled water and 200 Egyptian pounds for a basic face scarf. Premium scarves cost more. A scarf is particularly useful for the quad-bike option, when dust can rise, and sunglasses help protect your eyes from bright sun and blowing sand.

Horse selection, instructions, and riding pace

Before setting out, the guides introduce you to the horses and give a safety briefing. A short driving test is also conducted before the trip starts, helping the team understand your comfort and control level.

Horses are assigned to suit your ability. This is important if you are nervous, have not ridden for years, or are traveling with children. Claire explained that her group included riders with different levels, and the guides separated their attention sensibly, staying close to less experienced riders while testing more capable riders at a controlled pace.

That arrangement gives experienced riders some freedom without leaving beginners on their own. It also explains why the ride can work for a mixed group. Do not expect everyone to travel at the same speed or receive the same level of challenge.

The horses are described as well trained, calm, and cared for. Sahar noted that Hassan selected horses to match ability and allowed some galloping while making sure everyone remained comfortable. This does not mean galloping is guaranteed. It depends on your group, your ability, the route, and the guide’s judgment.

Helmets are provided and must be worn during the ride. Safety equipment is available on request, and professional guides stay with the group. The aim is a controlled, scenic ride, not a race.

The standard two-hour ride

The basic product is a two-hour horseback ride with either shared hotel transfer or entry-only access. With the transfer option, pickup and drop-off cover the major resort areas. With the entry ticket, you arrange your own transport and meet the team at the base.

The ride usually combines desert and coastal sections. You may cross sandy valleys, open plains, and areas near the water, with photo stops built into the route. The precise path can vary, but the central appeal remains the same: desert stillness followed by the open Red Sea coast.

At $20 per person, this is a good-value activity if you want a half-day break from the resort pool. The price is especially attractive for a simple two-hour ride with shared transfer, guide, horse, helmet, and safety briefing included.

The limits are equally clear. A standard two-hour ride does not include a swim stop, breakfast, dinner, or a live show. If you specifically want to enter the water with your horse, the basic option is not enough. If you are trying to keep the cost low, though, it gives you the central ride without paying for extras you may not want.

Sunrise breakfast and the sunset dinner option

The sunrise program is the most practical choice for hot weather. Set off at 5:00 AM and you receive the included Oriental breakfast after the ride. The early start requires discipline, but the cooler air and soft morning light can make it worthwhile.

For families, the early timing may also help avoid the strongest heat. Barbara’s trip with her daughters was guided by Yusuf, who helped make the morning comfortable and memorable. The experience has a quiet, fresh quality that you will not get later in the day.

The sunset dinner option is more of an evening event. You begin with a sunset ride, then return for Oriental food, live entertainment, and stargazing. This is a better fit if you want a complete night out rather than a straightforward riding lesson.

The sunset program may also suit nervous riders. Hafsah credited Mahmoud and Sabir with patient help during the ride, and the dinner gave the evening a relaxed reward afterward. If you are booking for someone who is unsure about horses, the extra social elements may make the outing feel less focused on riding alone.

The quad-bike and horse-riding combination

The one-hour quad-bike and one-hour horse-riding package is arranged during the cooler early morning. It gives you a faster desert activity first, followed by a slower coastal and desert ride.

Terence’s group of three were all beginners, and the guides helped them feel comfortable on the horses after the quad-bike portion. The route took the group out into the desert toward Makadi Bay before returning to the horse base.

This option gives you more variety than a two-hour ride, but it is also more active. Dust is more likely around the quad bikes, so sunglasses and a face scarf are sensible. It is a good pick if you want to compare two ways of crossing the desert in one morning.

I would not choose it if your main aim is a calm, unhurried horse ride. Half the time is spent on a quad, and the transition between activities adds movement and gear changes. For a first visit to Hurghada, though, it packs plenty into a cooler part of the day.

The four-hour VIP ride with a Red Sea swim

The four-hour VIP program is the choice for the most unusual feature: swimming with your horse in the Red Sea. This is not included in the standard ride or the two-hour sunset program.

The longer format gives you more time for the desert and seaside route, plus the water stop. It is offered as a private program, so it may suit you if you want a more personal pace and fewer compromises between riding abilities.

The swim is also the option most likely to appeal to confident riders looking for something beyond a standard scenic ride. Bring swimwear, a towel if needed, sunscreen, and clothing that can handle water. The supplied information confirms the swim stop, but it does not promise a specific water depth or exact duration, so think of it as a special stop within a guided four-hour program.

The extra cost is not given here, so check the price before booking. At the base price of $20, only the standard experience can be assessed as a clear budget bargain. The VIP option may be worth it if swimming with the horse is your main reason for going.

Guides, group size, and the human side of the ride

The strongest part of this experience is the guide support. Mohamed, also called Didi by some visitors, is praised for patient instruction, photos, and a good connection with children and nervous riders. Yusuf receives similar praise for the sunrise program, while Hassan is noted for matching horses to ability and supervising faster riding carefully.

Mahmoud and Sabir are especially useful names to know if you are worried about horses. Their patient approach helped one nervous rider gain confidence. Zizu and Joe are also singled out for friendly, joking guidance.

Small groups and private options help keep the outing personal. Group size can still vary, and one sunset ride had around eight or nine people with different levels. That is not a problem if the guides divide attention well, but it means the pace may be set by the least experienced riders.

The photo and video service is another welcome touch. Several guides take pictures during the ride, saving you from constantly handling your phone. You should still leave jewelry, large bags, and valuables at the hotel.

Who should book, and who should skip it

I would recommend this for first-time riders, families with children, couples wanting a sunset activity, and experienced riders who prefer scenery over serious training. The calm horses, helmets, skill matching, and professional supervision make it more approachable than a free-form riding excursion.

It also suits you if you want to see both desert and sea without committing to a full day. The two-hour option is long enough to feel like a real outing, but short enough to fit around other Hurghada plans.

You should skip it if you are pregnant, have back problems, have a mobility impairment, use a wheelchair, or weigh over 243 pounds, or 110 kilograms. It is also not suitable if you want a racing session or a highly technical riding lesson.

Bring comfortable shoes, light practical clothing, sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, and weather-appropriate layers. On windy days, long clothing helps protect you from sand. Pets, large bags, jewelry, smoking in the vehicle, alcohol, and drugs are not allowed.

Booking value and the final decision

The reported rating is 4.4 out of 5 from 271 ratings, with especially strong praise for the horses, guide patience, coastal route, sunrise light, and photo help. That pattern matters because those are the parts most likely to shape your day, while dinner, shows, and swimming depend on the option you choose.

The $20 starting price is fair for a two-hour guided ride with shared transfer, but read the option name carefully. Entry-only means no hotel transport. The standard ride means no swim stop. Breakfast is only included with the 5:00 AM sunrise departure, and the four-hour swim program is a separate VIP choice.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and reserve now while paying later. The operator provides English-speaking guides, and you should give a WhatsApp-connected phone number so the team can send pickup details the day before.

Should you book the Makadi Bay horse ride?

Book it if you want an affordable way to see the desert and Red Sea from horseback, especially at sunrise or sunset. I would choose the two-hour shared-transfer ride for value, the sunrise option for cooler air and breakfast, and the sunset package for dinner and stargazing.

Choose the four-hour VIP program only if swimming with your horse is central to your plans. The main weakness is that the standard ride is not designed for serious riders seeking sustained speed, but for most visitors, the calm pace, kind horses, and attentive guides are exactly the point.

FAQ

How long does the Makadi Bay horse-riding tour last?

Options range from two to five hours, depending on the package. The standard ride lasts two hours, while the VIP horse ride with a swim stop lasts four hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed starting price is $20 per person. The final cost can vary depending on your choice of transfer, private arrangements, dinner, stargazing, quad biking, or the VIP swim program.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included when you select the shared-transfer option. The entry-only ticket requires you to arrange your own transport. Private transfers are available for an extra fee.

How long is the transfer from Hurghada?

The drive takes around 40 to 45 minutes from Hurghada. It takes about 25 to 30 minutes from Makadi Bay or Sahl Hasheesh, and up to an hour from El Gouna, Soma Bay, Safaga, or Al Ahyaa.

Is breakfast included?

Oriental breakfast is included only with the 5:00 AM sunrise departure. It is not included automatically with other riding times.

Can I swim with my horse?

Yes, but the swim stop is included only with the four-hour VIP horse-riding option. It is not included in the standard two-hour ride.

Are beginners allowed to join?

Yes. The guides arrange groups and horses according to riding ability, provide instructions, and conduct a short test before the ride. The activity is guided at a relaxed pace rather than run as a race.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, swimwear, comfortable clothing, and weather-appropriate layers. Long clothing can help protect you from sand on windy days.

Who cannot take part?

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, people with mobility impairments, wheelchair users, or anyone over 243 pounds, or 110 kilograms.