Sharm: Quad Bike or Car Buggy, Camel ride & optional VIP Bedouin Dinner & Show

The most memorable part of this Sharm el Sheikh excursion is the ride into the Sinai desert, where you stop between the mountains to call out and hear your voice return as an echo. You can choose a quad bike or dune buggy, then add a Bedouin-style dinner and evening show.

I like the easy hotel pickup and the low price of $22.50 per person for the basic ride. I also like the mix of activities: desert driving, mountain photos, a camel stop, and an optional show with belly dancing, tanoura spinning, and fire performance. The main caution is that ride times, camel time, equipment, and dinner quality can vary, so you should book this for affordable fun rather than polished luxury.

Key points to know before booking

• Two ways to ride: Choose a single quad, shared quad, or dune buggy option according to availability.
• The echo stop is the most distinctive moment: You pause in the mountain area and call out to hear the sound come back.
• Camel time is short: The advertised ride is 5 to 10 minutes, but some visitors received only a brief turn.
• The VIP dinner costs extra: It includes a mixed grill, salads, pasta, rice, vegetables, and an evening show.
• Safety and equipment need attention: Some quads have been reported as worn, and helmets or lights may not always be provided.
• Bring water and dust protection: A scarf is advertised as included, but several people were asked to buy one on arrival.

What this $22.50 Sharm safari really offers

At its basic price, this is a budget desert outing, not a private expedition into remote Sinai. You spend about five to six hours away from your hotel, but only part of that time is spent actively riding. The rest goes toward transfers, waiting, the camel stop, and, if selected, the dinner and show.

That can still be good value. For $22.50, you get an air-conditioned vehicle, taxes and fees, about an hour of quad or buggy activity in the planned format, a short camel ride, and a scarf intended to help with dust. The low price is especially attractive for families or groups who want to try several classic Sharm activities in one evening.

You should read the one-hour ride as the planned activity window, not a guarantee of 60 minutes of continuous driving. Some accounts describe roughly 10 to 15 minutes of actual riding, with stops and waiting taking up much of the outing. That difference matters if riding is your main reason for booking.

The VIP dinner and show is an optional upgrade. It changes the trip from a quick desert ride into an evening program, but it also brings extra waiting and a more tourist-focused setting. I would choose it if you want a simple night out with entertainment. I would skip it if you care most about riding time or want a quiet desert experience.

Hotel pickup and the journey to the safari area

Pickup begins around 45 minutes before the stated tour time, based on where your hotel is located. The operator says it will contact you the day before to confirm the time, and communication through WhatsApp has been praised by some customers.

Transport is by an air-conditioned vehicle. The exact vehicle may vary. Some people have had an SUV with several passengers, while others describe a smooth and well-managed transfer. Pickup has also been late in some cases, so do not plan a tight dinner reservation or airport transfer afterward.

The trip can hold up to 100 people. That does not mean every departure will reach that number, but it tells you this is a shared commercial outing rather than a small custom tour. If you prefer a calm, personal pace, ask about the group size and vehicle before paying.

Same-day bookings need extra care. One booking made only a few hours before departure led to confusion over pickup and cancellation timing. The safest plan is to reserve ahead and confirm the meeting details through the operator, especially if your hotel is outside central Sharm el Sheikh.

Choosing a quad bike or dune buggy

The quad bike is the more direct choice if you want to operate your own vehicle and feel the bumps and dust of the desert track. First-time riders have described the experience as exciting, including people who had never ridden at night before. Guides lead the group, and some guides have been praised for staying helpful and attentive.

A dune buggy can make more sense for families or for anyone who does not want to handle a single quad. One family used a four-seat buggy for children under six after requesting it again at the base. Availability depends on the option you book, so do not assume a four-seater will be ready unless it has been confirmed.

The riding itself may feel more like a guided convoy than free driving. You follow the leader, stop at set points, and keep with the group. That structure helps beginners, but experienced riders may find the pace slow. Several complaints describe long lines, slow progress, and short sections beside a busy road rather than open desert riding.

Equipment condition is the biggest concern. Some people found the quads perfectly usable and enjoyed the ride, while others reported bald tires, broken body panels, weak or non-working brakes, and machines that stopped and needed restarting. Before setting off, check the brakes, tires, throttle, and lights. If something feels wrong, ask for another vehicle immediately.

Safety arrangements have also varied. Some riders reported no helmets, special glasses, or working lights, especially on late afternoon trips that returned in darkness. Dust can make it hard to see the guide and other vehicles. You should ask clearly about protective equipment and avoid riding a machine that does not feel safe.

The mountain echo stop and photo break

After roughly 20 minutes of riding in the planned sequence, the group stops in the mountain area for photographs and the echo activity. The guide invites you to call out a name or word and listen for the sound returning from the rock walls.

This is a small activity, but it gives the trip a point beyond simply driving back and forth. You get a chance to look up from the track, take photos, and enjoy the shape of the mountains around you. It is also a useful rest stop after the dust and vibration of the quad ride.

The setting is not always pristine. Some accounts describe stopping near rubbish or sales activity, which can take away from the desert atmosphere. Keep your expectations practical: this is a managed safari area with many vehicles and tour groups, not an untouched wilderness stop.

The guide’s role makes a real difference here. Ibrahim has been singled out for being friendly, caring, and helpful, while Magde has been praised for leading the quad group and later helping return lost photographs to a resort. You may not have either guide, but a good leader can make the convoy feel safer and more enjoyable.

The Bedouin tent and short camel ride

The next stop is a small Bedouin tent. You take a camel ride and have time for photos with the animals. The advertised camel portion is 5 to 10 minutes, but I would plan for less.

Actual accounts range from a useful short ride to a turn of only 30 seconds or one or two minutes. In some cases, there was one camel shared among many people, with riders going up and down a short path. One person was offered a second turn, but that still did not match the advertised timing.

This is fine if you see the camel as a quick photo opportunity. It is disappointing if you are booking a proper camel trek. Families with young children may appreciate the short duration, since a brief ride is easier to manage. Adults hoping for a long, quiet ride should look elsewhere or confirm the camel arrangements in writing.

The Bedouin stop can also include sales pressure. Scarves, drinks, shisha, and photographs may be offered for an extra charge. The scarf is listed as included, yet several people said they had to buy one for about $5. Bring your own scarf or head covering so you are ready for the dust and do not need to negotiate at the base.

What the VIP dinner and show adds

If you select the VIP option, you return to a large camp and sit in the VIP area for dinner and entertainment. The meal is described as mixed grill with salad, pasta, rice, and vegetables, served at your table.

Food reports are mixed. Some found it good enough for the price, while others described dry or cold chicken and average dishes. One person reported becoming ill afterward, although a single account cannot establish the cause. I would bring realistic expectations and avoid treating the meal as a major culinary event.

The entertainment includes belly dancing, tanoura, and a fire show. The fire performance and dancers have received some of the strongest praise, and the show can be a fun way to fill out the evening. It is a staged tourist program, so you should choose it for lively entertainment, not for a quiet or highly local night.

Drinks and shisha are not included. You may also find staff encouraging you to buy drinks, photos, videos, or other extras. Carry enough cash for what you genuinely want, but remember that tipping is not mandatory. Water is especially important. Several people found it difficult to get drinks during the outing, and children became thirsty.

The VIP dinner can also add waiting. At the end, you return the quads or buggy to the main center before taking a shuttle to the hotel. Some departures had too few vans, which caused another wait. One ride ended with a taxi dropping people about a 10-minute walk from their hotel instead of at the door.

Photography, scarves, and extra charges

Professional photographers operate around the safari area. Photos and videos are not included, and sales pressure has been mentioned repeatedly. The quality can vary, but one photographer named Geno was praised for producing clear images.

You may also be offered a fire-written name for around $15. The result was described as blurry by one person, so I would skip this unless you have seen a sample and are happy with the quality.

A dust scarf is listed among the inclusions, but the conflicting reports make this worth checking before departure. If it is not supplied, buying one may be useful anyway. You can also bring sunglasses, a cloth face covering, and closed shoes. These are practical choices for dust, though special goggles are not listed as included.

Do not assume that VIP means every drink, photograph, or camp service is covered. Ask what your selected option includes before you leave the hotel. That one conversation can prevent most unpleasant surprises.

Who will enjoy this experience most

I think this trip suits first-time visitors who want a low-cost taste of several Sharm activities in one outing. You get a quad or buggy ride, a camel photo stop, mountain scenery, and optional evening entertainment without arranging separate bookings.

It also suits families who prefer a buggy to individual quads. Children loved the vehicles on one private group outing, but you should confirm the correct buggy size and consider the lack of reported safety gear before bringing very young children.

The experience is less suited to serious riders. If you want well-maintained machines, long open tracks, strong safety standards, or a full camel trek, the reports here give you reasons to choose another provider or another type of excursion. It is also a poor match if you dislike waiting, sales pitches, dusty facilities, or group convoy riding.

The tour is accessible to most people according to the operator, but you still need to manage the physical demands of climbing onto a quad or camel and spending time in dust and heat. No special accessibility details are provided, so ask before booking if you need specific assistance.

Practical advice for a smoother outing

• Bring at least one litre of water per person. This is especially important for children.
• Wear closed shoes and clothes you do not mind getting dusty.
• Bring your own scarf or face covering, even though one is advertised as included.
• Check the quad before riding. Test the brakes and ask about lights for late departures.
• Confirm the pickup time the day before and keep WhatsApp available.
• Carry cash only for extras you want, such as drinks, photos, or shisha.
• Do not book the trip immediately before another commitment. Delays, waiting for vehicles, and the return transfer can stretch the evening.
• If you want sunset, choose the timing carefully. The sunset ride has been praised for mountain views, and returning by quad in the dark can be exciting, but lighting and visibility need particular attention.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Inside that window, the payment is not refunded, and changes are not accepted. Bad weather can lead to a different date or a full refund.

Should you book the Sharm quad and camel safari?

Book it if you want an inexpensive, easy-to-arrange desert sampler and you are comfortable with a basic setup. The best parts are the friendly guides, the mountain echo stop, the fun of operating a quad or buggy, and the optional show. At this price, it can deliver a pleasant evening, particularly for families and first-time riders.

I would book the ride without VIP dinner if driving is your main goal and you want to limit waiting and extra sales. Add the dinner only if you want the belly dance, tanoura, and fire show and can accept average food and possible delays.

Before paying, confirm the vehicle type, expected riding time, scarf arrangement, camel duration, safety equipment, and pickup hour. If the operator gives clear answers and you keep your expectations modest, this can be good value. If you want reliable equipment and a genuine long camel ride, spend more time comparing alternatives.

FAQ

How long does the Sharm quad or buggy experience last?

The full outing takes approximately five to six hours, including hotel pickup, transport, riding, stops, dinner if selected, and the return journey.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup is offered in an air-conditioned vehicle and generally begins about 45 minutes before the tour time, depending on your hotel location.

Can I choose between a quad bike and a dune buggy?

Yes. The experience offers a choice between an available quad bike or dune buggy option. Families should confirm the buggy size they need before departure.

Is the camel ride included?

Yes. A camel ride of 5 to 10 minutes is included in the stated package. Actual ride time can be shorter, so confirm the expected duration if this is important to you.

Is the VIP dinner and show included in the basic price?

No. The VIP Bedouin dinner and show are included only if you select that option. The dinner includes mixed grill, salad, pasta, rice, and vegetables, while drinks and shisha cost extra.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded, except when poor weather causes the operator to cancel.