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 stop and the Sinai sky takes over. You ride an ATV or buggy into the desert, pause for Bedouin tea and a camel ride, eat grilled food at camp, then look at stars and planets through astronomical telescopes.

I like the generous mix of activities for $35, especially the roughly 50 minutes of desert driving and the telescope session. I also like the friendly guide service, with Omar, Sabry, Yusuf, and Ibrahim, nicknamed Coconut, repeatedly praised for keeping groups safe and cheerful. The main drawback is that some ATVs need maintenance, and scarves, goggles, and photo packages can cost extra.

Key points to know before booking

• About 50 minutes on the ATV or buggy: The drive includes two stops, one for mountain echoes and another for tea, camels, and views.
• The evening has real variety: You get desert driving, a camel ride, dinner, fire and Tanura performances, and stargazing.
• Dinner is more than a snack: The open buffet includes grilled meat, kofta, chicken, rice, vegetables, salads, Bedouin bread, water, and a soft drink.
• The guides make a difference: Omar, Sabry, Yusuf, Ibrahim, also called Coconut, and other guides are noted for warm, attentive service.
• Bring practical gear: Wear comfortable shoes and clothes, and consider bringing your own scarf and eye protection.
• The machines are not uniform: Most riders find the quads fun and safe, but some have reported worn buckles, stiff controls, or mechanical shaking.

A desert evening with more than a quad ride

This is not a simple ATV rental. It is a packaged evening in the South Sinai desert, built around several short experiences rather than one long activity.

You begin with hotel pickup in an air-conditioned van. At the safari station, guides explain the route and basic vehicle controls. You are shown how to handle the ATV or dune buggy, and a scarf can be wrapped around your head and face if you have one or buy one there.

The operator says the vehicle choice depends on the option selected. Some bookings include a quad runner, while others use an ATV or buggy. Double quads may be changed to single quads for safety if the weight or balance is not suitable, with a possible extra charge of €10 per person.

That policy is worth understanding before you arrive. It is not a hidden surprise if explained in advance, but it can affect couples or families expecting to share one machine. You should also leave money, phones, passports, and other loose belongings in your bag while riding. Dust, vibration, and a bumpy ride are not kind to small items.

The 50-minute ride through the Sinai desert

The main ride lasts about 50 minutes and includes two stops. That is a useful amount of time for first-time riders. You get enough time to feel the rhythm of the ATV without turning the outing into an exhausting endurance test.

The first stop is at giant mountains, where the guide demonstrates the echo of your voice. It is a simple moment, but it breaks up the ride and gives you a chance to look around. The desert here is not presented as a museum display. You are moving through it under your own power, with dust, open space, and the hard outlines of the mountains around you.

The second stop is at a Bedouin camp. Here you receive Bedouin tea and have a camel ride with a panoramic mountain view. The camel portion is brief rather than a long trek, so think of it as a cultural stop and photo opportunity, not a full camel expedition.

Some camel handlers may ask for tips, so carry small amounts of Egyptian pounds if you want to thank them. Tipping is not described as mandatory, and you should never feel forced to pay for a service you did not request. A small cash reserve also helps with optional photos and other extras.

What the ATV and buggy ride is really like

The vehicles are part of the adventure, but they are also the area where you should keep your expectations realistic. Several riders found the quads to be in good condition and felt the activity was safe. Others reported that some machines needed attention, including an accelerator or brake that felt too stiff and one vehicle that shook badly at certain speeds.

Helmet buckles have also been described as worn. That does not mean the activity is automatically unsafe, but it does mean you should check your equipment before setting off. If a control feels wrong or a helmet does not fit properly, tell the guide immediately and ask for a change.

You do not need professional riding experience. The guides give an introduction before the ride, and the route includes stops rather than a nonstop race. Still, this is not a sightseeing trip from the back seat. You need to be comfortable steering, handling dust, and following instructions.

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women or people with back problems. Comfortable clothing and shoes are sensible choices. A scarf helps with dust, and goggles are useful, though both the scarf and protective goggles are listed as not included.

Bedouin tea, bread, and a serious buffet dinner

After the ride and camel stop, you move to another Bedouin camp for dinner and entertainment. The meal is served as an open buffet, with grilled meat, kofta, chicken, rice, vegetables, salads, and Bedouin bread. Water and a soft drink are included.

For $35, this food component adds real value. You are not paying only for a short motorized ride. You are also getting transport, a meal, cultural performances, a camel ride, and a guided telescope session. Several people found the dinner better than expected, with some specifically comparing it favorably with food at their hotels.

Keep your expectations sensible. This is a group desert buffet, not a private restaurant dinner. The food is part of a busy evening with a show and other activities around you. Still, grilled meat, kofta, chicken, rice, salads, and bread make it a substantial meal rather than a token plate.

Bedouin tea and bread are also included earlier in the route. These small food stops matter because they give the desert experience a local character. You are not simply being driven to a stage show with a meal attached. The tea, bread, camp setting, and camel ride help connect the outing to Sinai traditions, even though the program is designed for tourism.

Fire, Tanura, and Bedouin dance at camp

The entertainment includes a fire performer, a Tanura show, and Bedouin dancing. The fire act provides the obvious spectacle, while the Tanura performance uses spinning and bright movement to hold attention in the dark.

The performances are a good fit for families and groups who want a complete evening rather than a quiet desert visit. They also give non-riders something to enjoy while the focus shifts away from the vehicles.

The trade-off is that this is a staged cultural program. It is presented for an audience, with dinner and entertainment arranged as part of the same stop. You can enjoy it for what it is: a lively introduction to music, dance, and performance connected with Egyptian and Bedouin themes, rather than an unplanned village gathering.

Stargazing with telescopes after sunset

The final major feature is the sky. After dinner and the shows, professional astronomers guide you through stargazing with astronomical telescopes. You can look at stars and planets and learn about the night sky over Sharm El-Sheikh.

This is the part that gives the outing a calmer finish. The ATV ride is noisy and dusty. The camp is social and bright. Then you move toward a slower activity that asks you to look upward and listen.

The quality of this section depends on the guide and the conditions that night, but Sabry receives special praise for explaining the stars clearly and attentively. Other guides also help with the telescope experience. You can ask the team to photograph the moon through the telescope with your phone, a useful little souvenir if the setup and conditions allow it.

Do not expect a full observatory visit with advanced scientific equipment. This is a guided outdoor session built around telescopes, explanations, and the pleasure of seeing the sky away from city lights. If you enjoy astronomy, it is likely to be the most memorable part. If you mainly want speed and action, it may feel like a slower ending.

Guides who shape the experience

The guide team is one of the strongest parts of this outing. Omar and Sabry are praised for calm, helpful service, while Yusuf is described as making riders feel safe and welcome. Ibrahim, usually called Coconut, is repeatedly singled out for his humor, energy, and friendly manner.

That matters on an activity with several moving parts. You need clear instructions before riding, help with the scarf, direction during the desert route, and someone to keep the group together at camp. A warm guide also makes the time between activities feel less like waiting.

The languages listed are English, Russian, Italian, and Arabic. Ask for help if you are unsure about the vehicle controls, the camel stop, the dinner arrangement, or the astronomy session. The guides are there to explain the program, not merely lead the convoy.

Photos, scarves, and the extra-cost details

The listed price does not include the Arafat scarf or protective goggles. If you know you want a scarf, bring your own rather than waiting until the safari station. One rider felt the price charged for a scarf was excessive, so this is an easy cost to avoid.

Photography can also add to the bill. Some photographers offer pictures and videos during the camel and desert sections, with prices reported around £15 per person for a package and about £5 for a single photo before negotiation. Another photographer reportedly accepted about £1 per photo after bargaining.

You are not required to buy the images. Be polite but firm if you are not interested. If you do want photos, ask the price first and decide how many pictures you actually want. The moon photograph through the telescope is a separate kind of souvenir and may be more meaningful than a posed camel shot.

A few reviews also mention that there was no strong pressure for tips or extra money from the main tour staff. The camel handlers and photographers may be more persistent, so having a small cash budget helps you stay in control.

Transport, timing, and comfort

Pickup and drop-off at your hotel are included, using an air-conditioned vehicle. The return drive from the safari station after the evening program takes about 30 minutes, and the initial ride from the station into the desert forms part of the main itinerary.

The exact hotel pickup time is not provided, so confirm it when booking. The trip is not a quick two-hour activity. With hotel transfers, the 50-minute ride, breaks, camel stop, dinner, shows, astronomy, and the 30-minute night drive back to the station, you should plan for a substantial part of your day or evening.

Working toilets are available at the stops, which is helpful on a long desert outing. That simple detail can matter more than another attraction when you are traveling with children or anyone who needs regular facilities.

Bring a camera, but protect it from dust. Wear clothes you can move in and shoes suited to uneven ground. You should also leave passports and unnecessary valuables in your hotel safe or secured bag, as requested in the riding instructions.

Who will get the most from this $35 tour

I would recommend this outing to families with older children and teenagers, couples who want an active evening, solo visitors looking for a social group activity, and anyone who wants several classic Sinai experiences in one booking.

Teenagers in particular get a good mix: motorized riding, camels, food, music, fire, and stars. Solo visitors can join the group without having to arrange separate transport or dinner. The guides also help create a friendly atmosphere, which is useful when you are traveling alone.

This is less suitable if you want a private, quiet desert journey or a high-end dinner. It is also a poor choice if you have back problems, are pregnant, dislike dust, or do not feel comfortable operating a quad or buggy.

The $35 price is strong for the number of inclusions. Hotel transport, a guide and astronomer, ATV or buggy time, camel riding, tea, bread, dinner, soft drink, shows, and stargazing would cost considerably more if arranged as separate activities. The value is greatest if you plan to take part in everything.

Should you book the Sharm El-Sheikh desert evening?

Yes, if you want a full program and can accept a few rough edges. The combination of desert driving and telescope stargazing is the real reason to choose it. Dinner, shows, tea, and camels round out the evening without pushing the price far above a basic quad excursion.

Before booking, check which vehicle option you are selecting and ask about the possible €10 single-quad adjustment. Bring your own scarf and, if possible, protective eyewear. Inspect the ATV, helmet, brake, and accelerator before departure.

If you are comfortable with those practical points, this is a well-priced way to see a different side of South Sinai. The machines may show wear, and the photo sellers may test your patience, but good guides such as Coconut, Sabry, Omar, and Yusuf can make the whole program feel relaxed, safe, and enjoyable.

FAQ

How much does the ATV, camel, dinner, and stargazing tour cost?

The listed price is $35 per person.

What activities are included?

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

How long is the ATV or buggy ride?

The desert driving portion lasts about 50 minutes and includes two breaks.

Can I choose between a double and single quad?

Double quads may be changed to single quads for safety reasons based on weight or balance. An extra fee of €10 per person may apply.

Is the tour suitable for pregnant women or people with back problems?

No. The activity is listed as unsuitable for pregnant women and people with back problems.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, comfortable clothing, and a camera. You should also consider bringing your own scarf and protective goggles, since those are not included.