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 Sinai sky takes over. You ride through the desert, eat at a Bedouin camp, watch fire and Tanura performances, then use astronomical telescopes to look at stars and planets far from the hotel lights.

I like the strong mix of activities for $35, especially the long ATV or buggy ride followed by a camel trip and open-buffet dinner. I also like the guides, with Omar, Ibrahim, Youssef, Hassan, and Sabry repeatedly praised for keeping the group safe, cheerful, and well informed. The main consideration is equipment: some quads need adjustment, and helmets or buckles may show wear.

Key things to know before you book

• The night-sky session is the real finish: Professional astronomers explain stars and planets, and you can view the sky through telescopes.
• You get about 50 minutes of riding: The route includes two stops, one for mountain echoes and one for tea, camels, and mountain views.
• Dinner is a full Bedouin buffet: Expect grilled meat, kofta, chicken, rice, vegetables, salads, bread, cola, and water.
• The guides make a difference: Omar, Ibrahim, Youssef, Hassan, and Sabry are among the names associated with warm, attentive service.
• Budget for small extras: Scarves, protective goggles, photographs, tips, shisha, and a possible single-quad surcharge are not included.
• This is not a gentle sightseeing trip: Pregnant people and anyone with back problems should not book it.

From your hotel to the Sinai safari station

Your evening begins with pickup from your Sharm El-Sheikh hotel in an air-conditioned van. The transfer takes you to the safari station, where the guides gather the group, explain the route, and show you how to operate the ATV or dune buggy.

That briefing matters. You do not need to arrive as an off-road expert, but you should listen closely to the instructions on acceleration, braking, balance, and spacing. The ride is in a desert setting, not on a smooth paved road, and the machinery can feel different from one quad to another.

You will be asked to leave items such as your passport, phone, money, and personal papers in your bag while riding. That is sensible. Sand, vibration, and a sudden stop are a poor combination for a phone or wallet.

The experience may use a single or double quad, depending on the option selected and the riders’ weight or balance. For safety, a double quad can be changed to a single quad, with an extra fee of €10 per person noted for that change. Ask about this before setting out if you are booking for two people who expect to share.

Fifty minutes on an ATV or buggy

The main ride lasts about 50 minutes, including two breaks. That gives you enough time to get beyond the station and see the desert in a way a short photo stop cannot provide, while still leaving time for dinner, shows, and stargazing.

The ATV option is the more direct choice if you want to control your own machine. A buggy may feel more suitable if you prefer a larger vehicle, but the exact vehicle depends on the option you select. In either case, wear clothes that can handle dust and shoes that stay secure on your feet.

The pace is designed for a mixed group, so do not expect a race. The fun comes from the open setting, the changing light, and the sense of moving through the Sinai desert under your own power. You will have guides nearby to help manage the group and explain what comes next.

The equipment is the one part I would approach with realistic expectations. Some quads have needed mechanical attention, including shaking at certain speeds, and one machine was described as having a fuel-injection problem. The helmets have also received criticism for worn buckles. You are not being sold a luxury motorsport operation, so inspect your machine, check the helmet fastening, and tell the guide at once if anything feels wrong.

Echoes among the giant mountains

The first stop is a quick but memorable one: you can call out and hear the sound return from the giant mountains. It is a simple natural effect, yet it gives the ride a welcome pause and makes you notice the scale of the desert around you.

This is also a good time to take photographs, though dust and low light can make camera handling awkward. Keep your phone protected until the vehicle is stopped. The experience provides a cultural and natural change of pace rather than a formal geology lesson, so think of it as a short scenic break.

Bedouin tea, fresh bread, and a camel ride

The second break takes place at a Bedouin camp. You receive Bedouin tea and can taste Bedouin bread before taking a camel ride with a broad view of the mountains.

The camel portion is short compared with the ATV ride, but it gives the evening a different character. A camel moves slowly and high above the ground, so the desert feels quieter and more spacious than it does from a motorized vehicle. If you have never ridden one, listen carefully when mounting and dismounting, since the animal rises and kneels in stages.

There is a practical point here about tips. Camel handlers may ask for money, and some visitors have found the requests persistent. You are not required to tip, but if you choose to do so, carry small Egyptian pounds or another small amount rather than relying on large notes. One useful suggestion from the experience is to bring around EGP 500 for optional tips and small purchases, though spending is not mandatory.

You may also be offered an Arafat scarf or protective goggles. These are not included in the base price, so bring your own scarf and eye protection if you want to avoid buying them at the camp. One person specifically found the scarf price unreasonable, which is a good reason to plan ahead.

A Bedouin BBQ with fire, Tanura, and dance

After the camel stop, you move to another Bedouin camp for dinner and entertainment. The buffet includes grilled meat, kofta, chicken, rice, vegetables, salads, cola, and water. Bedouin bread is part of the meal, and the food has been one of the most praised parts of the outing, with several people finding it better than the meals at their hotels.

That is a useful way to judge the value. At $35 per person, you are not paying only for a quad ride. You are also covering hotel transfers, a camel ride, tea, bread, an open buffet, drinks, performances, and the astronomy session. If you booked each activity separately, transport and meals would quickly add up.

The entertainment includes a fire performer, a Tanura show, and Bedouin dance. These are staged performances for visitors, so you should not expect a private village gathering or an untouched cultural event. Still, the sequence gives the camp energy and offers a pleasant break after the dusty ride.

Food service can be busy when a group arrives at once. Take your time, look over the buffet, and keep water nearby. The evening can run late, and desert air is dry even after sunset.

Photography is the main area where you should set boundaries. Photographers may take pictures during the ride or at the camp and then offer prints or recordings. Prices reported for photos ranged from about £5 for one image to around £15 per person for a larger package, though these figures can change. You can say no clearly if you do not want the service, and you should agree on the price before accepting anything.

Telescopes under the Sharm El-Sheikh stars

The astronomy session is what separates this excursion from a standard desert safari. Once the dinner and shows are finished, you move away from the camp activity and look up with the help of professional astronomers.

They explain the stars and planets and guide you toward objects visible in the night sky. Telescopes make the session more engaging than simply standing outside and pointing upward. If you bring a phone, you can ask the astronomer to photograph the moon through the telescope, a small but worthwhile souvenir.

The quality of stargazing depends on the night, cloud cover, and how much light reaches the viewing area. The supplied information promises a telescope-based session, but it does not specify how many telescopes or which planets will be visible on a particular date. Treat the program as a guided introduction to the sky rather than a guaranteed view of a particular planet.

Sabry receives special praise for explaining the stars, while other guides such as Omar and Ibrahim, also called Coconut, are noted for helping people feel comfortable throughout the evening. The guide matters here because a dark sky can be confusing without someone to explain what you are seeing.

The return ride and total value

After the astronomy session, you drive back to the safari station for about 30 minutes at night. Air-conditioned vehicles wait there to take you back to your hotel, so you do not need to arrange a separate taxi from the desert.

The schedule packs a lot into one outing. You ride for around 50 minutes, stop twice, visit a Bedouin camp, ride a camel, eat dinner, watch three types of entertainment, and finish with astronomy. It is excellent value if you want a full evening rather than one focused activity.

The tradeoff is that the program is busy. You move from one stop to the next, and the camp is arranged for a group experience. If you want a quiet desert night with long periods of silence, this will feel too programmed. If you want variety, social energy, and a low price, the full schedule works in your favor.

The experience is available with English, Russian, Italian, and Arabic support. Guide quality can vary by group, but names repeatedly associated with good service include Omar, Ibrahim, Youssef, Hassan, and Sabry. A friendly guide can turn a standard package into a much better evening, particularly during the safety briefing and astronomy section.

What to bring, and what to leave behind

Wear comfortable clothing and shoes that can handle sand. Long sleeves can help with dust and cooler desert air after sunset, though the supplied guidance simply calls for comfortable clothes.

Bring a camera, but protect it during the ride. Leave passports, money, phones, and other loose belongings in your bag while operating the ATV or buggy, as instructed by the guides.

I would also bring a scarf and protective goggles. Neither is included, and the scarf is useful against dust. Shisha is also excluded, so do not assume it comes with the dinner package.

This outing is not suitable for pregnant people or anyone with back problems. The ride involves vibration and uneven ground, and the camel ride adds another physical demand. Families with teenagers can enjoy it, as can solo visitors, provided everyone is comfortable with an active desert activity.

Cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve and pay later, which helps if your Sharm El-Sheikh plans are still changing.

Should you book this $35 desert evening?

I would book it if you want the best amount of activity for the money. The combination of ATV riding, camels, dinner, performances, and telescope viewing gives you a broad taste of the Sinai desert in one evening, and the guides are often a major strength.

I would hesitate only if you need pristine equipment, dislike group entertainment, or want a slow, private astronomy session. Check the quad and helmet before riding, bring your own scarf and goggles, keep small cash for optional tips, and refuse photographs or extras you do not want.

For most active visitors staying in Sharm El-Sheikh, the $35 price is persuasive. The stargazing, the mountain echoes, the meal, and the chance to meet guides such as Coconut or Sabry make this more than a routine quad-bike outing. Book it for a lively, good-value desert night, not for luxury or complete solitude.

FAQ

How much does the ATV and camel experience cost?

The listed price is $35 per person. An additional €10 per person may apply if a double quad must be changed to a single quad for safety reasons.

What activities are included?

The experience includes hotel pickup and drop-off, air-conditioned transport, an ATV or dune buggy ride depending on your option, a camel ride, Bedouin tea and bread, BBQ dinner, water, a soft drink, oriental shows, and stargazing with telescopes.

How long is the ATV or buggy ride?

The driving portion lasts about 50 minutes and includes two breaks. The return drive to the safari station takes about 30 minutes at night.

What food is served at dinner?

The open buffet includes grilled meat, kofta, chicken, rice, vegetables, salads, Bedouin bread, cola, and water.

Is the experience suitable for pregnant people or anyone with back problems?

No. The activity is specifically not suitable for pregnant people or anyone with back problems.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, comfortable clothing, and a camera. It is also practical to bring your own scarf and protective goggles because those items are not included.

Are tips, photographs, and shisha included?

No. Tips, photographs, video recordings, shisha, scarves, and protective goggles are not included. You can choose whether to pay for optional photographs or tip local handlers.