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, sometimes splashing through the shallows. The horses are matched to your ability, and guides such as Mohamed, Yusuf, Hassan, and Didi keep the pace calm and friendly.

I like the choice of timing, especially the cool 5:00 AM sunrise ride and the sunset option with dinner and stargazing. I also like the small-group approach, where beginners can stay with a guide while confident riders may be tested at a faster pace. The main drawback is that the standard two-hour ride does not include swimming, and hotel transfers can take up to an hour from some resorts.

Key points to know before booking

• Ride from desert to sea: The route mixes sand valleys, open plains, and Red Sea shoreline, with photo stops along the way.
• Horses suit different abilities: Beginners receive instruction, while stronger riders may be checked for comfort before any faster riding.
• The 5:00 AM option includes breakfast: The Oriental breakfast is tied to the sunrise departure, not every morning tour.
• Sunset adds dinner and stargazing: The evening program combines a two-hour ride with an Oriental meal, live entertainment, and sky watching.
• Swimming is a special upgrade: A swim stop with your horse is included only on the private four-hour VIP option.
• The $20 starting price can be good value: Check carefully whether your selected price includes transport, meals, or extras.

Riding from Makadi Bay’s desert to the Red Sea

This is not a formal riding lesson or a racing session. It is a guided outing built around scenery, fresh air, and a relaxed pace. You begin at the base near Makadi Bay, meet your horse, receive a safety briefing, and take a short driving test before setting off.

The route depends on the package and the time of day. You might cross pale desert valleys, pass over open sandy ground, or follow the coast toward the water. The most memorable section is the meeting of desert and sea, where the broad, quiet setting gives the ride a sense of space that you do not get around the hotel pool.

The horses are described as calm, trained, and cared for. That matters if you have ridden before but feel uncertain in an unfamiliar country, or if this is your first time on horseback. The team groups riders by ability, so you should not be expected to keep up with an advanced rider if you are still learning the basics.

The standard ride lasts two hours. That is long enough to feel like a real outing, but not so long that a first-time rider is likely to regret choosing a saddle over a sun lounger. You should still expect some stiffness if you are not used to riding.

What happens when you arrive at the horse base

If you book transport, a vehicle collects you from your hotel and returns you afterward. Pickup is normally about 25 to 30 minutes from Makadi Bay or Sahl Hasheesh, 40 to 45 minutes from Hurghada, and up to one hour from El Gouna, Soma Bay, Safaga, or Al Ahyaa.

The exact pickup time is sent the day before, and it may fall between zero and one hour before the activity time. Wait in your hotel lobby 10 minutes before the confirmed pickup. Keep your phone connected to WhatsApp if possible, since that is used for quick updates.

Once you arrive, allow about 15 minutes to rest before the ride begins. The base has toilets, and drinks and face scarves are available for purchase. One rider found a face scarf useful for dust, especially during the quad biking option, and sunglasses are a smart choice in bright sun.

You should bring only what you need. Large bags, jewelry, alcohol, drugs, and pets are not allowed. Leave valuables at the hotel, since there is no reason to carry extra items into the desert.

At the start, the guide introduces the horses and explains the basic controls. Helmets and safety equipment are provided on request, and helmets must be worn throughout the ride. A short driving test helps the team place you with a suitable horse and decide how closely you need to be accompanied.

Sunrise, morning, afternoon, or sunset

The time you choose changes the whole mood.

The 5:00 AM sunrise departure is the most distinctive morning choice. You ride during cooler air and watch the desert and sea brighten with early light. This option also includes an Oriental breakfast, but the breakfast is not included with every morning ride. If breakfast matters to you, select the early departure specifically.

A morning ride is a practical pick during hotter months. It avoids the strongest midday heat and gives you a fresh start before a day at the beach. The tradeoff is the early alarm and the need to be ready in the lobby before dawn.

Afternoon rides offer softer light than midday, though the desert can still feel hot depending on the season. This timing may suit you if you want a slower start to the day and do not need breakfast or evening entertainment.

The sunset ride is the most atmospheric option. The changing light gives the shoreline and sand a warmer look, and the evening package continues with dinner, a live show, and stargazing. It is a longer social outing than the basic ride, so you should choose it for the full evening rather than only for the horseback portion.

Choosing the right package

The basic two-hour ride with shared transfer is the sensible choice for most people. It includes hotel pickup and drop-off from major resort areas, transport in an air-conditioned vehicle, a guide, safety instruction, and two hours on horseback. It does not include a swim stop.

If you arrange your own transport, the two-hour entry-only ticket costs less hassle for independent visitors who are already nearby. You meet the guide at the entrance, where the team will wait and greet you by name. Contact by phone or WhatsApp is available if you have trouble finding the meeting point.

The quad bike and horse combo gives you one hour on a quad and one hour on horseback. It is scheduled during the cooler early morning period, which makes practical sense for two outdoor activities. You get more variety, but less time riding horses. It is a good fit if your group contains people who want engines, sand, and a quicker pace as well as a quiet ride.

The sunset dinner and show program begins with the horse ride and continues with an Oriental meal, live performance, and stargazing. It costs more than the simple ride, but the added meal and evening program can make it better value if you want one organized night away from the resort.

The private four-hour VIP option is the choice for the biggest upgrade. It includes an extended ride and a swim stop with your horse in the Red Sea. This is the only package that includes swimming, so do not assume the coastline route means you can enter the water on a standard booking.

How the guides handle beginners and stronger riders

The strongest praise for this outing centers on the guides. Mohamed, also called Didi by some riders, is repeatedly singled out for patient support, personal attention, and taking photos and videos. Yusuf is associated with a well-run sunrise ride and breakfast, while Hassan is noted for choosing suitable horses and helping nervous riders gain confidence.

The staff do not treat all riders alike. A beginner may remain with the guide on foot, while a more experienced rider may be checked by a guide on horseback and offered a canter if comfortable. That arrangement was especially useful for one couple with different ability levels.

You should tell the team honestly how much riding you have done. The horses are selected for your ability, and the point is a safe, enjoyable ride rather than proving how fast you can go. If you are nervous around horses, say so at the start. The available guidance is one of the better reasons to choose this outing over an unsupervised rental.

Still, this is not suitable for everyone. Pregnant women, people with back problems, people with mobility impairments, and wheelchair users should not book. The stated maximum weight is 243 pounds, or 110 kilograms.

The beach ride and the optional Red Sea swim

The coastal section is the main visual payoff. You ride beside the Red Sea, with the option routes reaching the water and, on the VIP program, entering it with the horse. One rider described riding along the beach and splashing through shallow water, which gives you a clear idea of why the shoreline section is so popular.

The swim stop is not part of the normal two-hour ride. It belongs only to the four-hour private VIP option. That longer format gives you more time to ride, pause, and enjoy the water, but it also demands more stamina and costs more than the basic package.

Bring swimwear if you select the VIP program. For all other options, swimwear is still listed among the recommended items, but you should not count on a water stop unless your booking specifically says it includes one.

The beach can also be bright and windy. Sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat, and clothing suited to the season are practical. On windy days, long sleeves or longer trousers help protect you from blowing sand.

Photos, dinner, and the small extras

Photography is a useful part of the outing. Guides may take photos and videos during the ride, giving you a record of the beach, desert, and sunset without needing to manage a phone from the saddle. If photos matter to you, ask the guide early about the best stops and keep your phone secure.

The sunset program adds an Oriental dinner and live show after riding. The meal gives the evening more substance than a simple return to the hotel, and the stargazing works best as a quiet finish after the show and desert ride.

The sunrise breakfast has a narrower rule. It is included only with the 5:00 AM departure. An ordinary morning ride should not be assumed to include food.

At the base, water and face coverings may cost extra. One visitor paid 50 EGP for bottled water and 200 EGP for a basic face scarf, with premium scarves priced at 400 EGP. These are optional purchases, but carrying a little local cash may be useful if you want them.

Is $20 good value for this Makadi Bay ride?

At about $20 per person, the basic two-hour option is fairly priced if shared hotel transport is included. You are paying for the horse, guide, safety setup, route, and return transport rather than simply renting an animal for a short turn around a yard.

The value changes with the package. Entry-only is useful if you already have transport. The quad and horse combo gives you two activities in one morning, but only half the riding time. The sunset option earns its higher price through dinner, entertainment, and stargazing. The VIP four-hour option costs more because it is private, longer, and includes the Red Sea swim.

Compare the details before paying. Transport, private transfers, a private guide, breakfast, dinner, and swimming are not all included in every option. A private transfer and guide are available for an extra fee, while cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the activity and reserve-now-pay-later booking is offered.

Practical tips for a smoother ride

Wear closed, comfortable shoes and clothes that allow you to move easily. A sun hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses are useful in every season. Add a light long-sleeved layer when wind and sand are expected.

Avoid jewelry and large bags. Helmets are provided and must remain on, and smoking is not allowed in the vehicle.

Be ready for a short wait at the base and for pickup times to shift with hotel location. The exact collection time arrives the day before, so check your messages rather than relying only on the headline start time.

If you have children in the group, explain their age and riding ability when booking. The available information confirms instruction and horse matching for different levels, but it does not give a minimum age, so this point should be confirmed directly.

Who should book the Makadi Bay horse ride?

You should consider it if you want more than a resort activity but do not want a demanding expedition. It suits first-time riders, couples, families with suitable children, and confident riders who are happy with a guided pace.

The sunrise ride is best for cool air and breakfast. The sunset package suits anyone who wants a complete evening with food and entertainment. The quad combo works for mixed groups, while the VIP package is the clear choice if swimming with your horse is the main goal.

You may want to skip it if you dislike sitting in a saddle, have a back or mobility condition, or want complete independence. This is a guided adventure, not a private free ride, and the standard package does not include swimming.

FAQ

How long does the Makadi Bay horse riding tour last?

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

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included only when you select an option with shared transfer. Entry-only tickets require you to arrange your own transport. Private transfers are available for an extra fee.

How long is the transfer from Hurghada?

The drive from Hurghada usually takes about 40 to 45 minutes. Makadi Bay and Sahl Hasheesh are around 25 to 30 minutes away, while some resorts can take up to one hour.

Is swimming with the horses included?

Swimming is included only with the private four-hour VIP horse riding option. The regular two-hour ride does not include a swim stop.

Does every sunrise tour include breakfast?

No. The Oriental breakfast is included only with the 5:00 AM sunrise departure. Select that specific departure if you want breakfast.

Are beginners allowed to join?

Yes. The team gives safety instructions, tests your basic control, groups riders by ability, and chooses horses to match your level. Tell the guides honestly about your riding experience.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, comfortable clothing, weather-appropriate layers, and swimwear if you select the swim option.

Who cannot take part?

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

Should you book it?

Book this Makadi Bay ride if you want a low-cost way to combine desert scenery, Red Sea views, and a little local-style adventure. The calm horses, careful ability matching, and patient guides make it more approachable than the word horseback riding may suggest.

For the best value, choose the two-hour shared-transfer ride. Choose sunrise for cooler conditions and breakfast, sunset for dinner and stargazing, and the private four-hour option only if swimming with your horse is worth the extra cost. Check the inclusions closely, pack light, and be honest about your riding level. That is the simplest way to get the relaxed, personal outing this tour is designed to provide.