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

The main draw here is simple: you get a taste of Sinai desert life in one half-day outing, with a quad bike or dune buggy ride, a mountain echo stop, a camel encounter, and an optional Bedouin dinner show. Sunset departures can be especially attractive, and guides such as Ibrahim and Magde have been praised for being helpful and caring.

I like the low base price of $22.50 per person, and I like the easy hotel pickup in an air-conditioned vehicle. The main concern is consistency. Riding time may be much shorter than the advertised hour, camel time can be very brief, and several reports raise questions about scarf charges, vehicle condition, food, and safety equipment.

Key points to know before booking

• An advertised one-hour ride can feel much shorter: Some outings include long waits and short riding sections.
• The mountain echo stop is a fun touch: You call out from the rocks and hear your voice bounce back.
• Camel time is modest: The stated duration is 5 to 10 minutes, but some people report only a few seconds or a short turn along a path.
• The VIP option adds the evening show: Expect belly dancing, tanoura spinning, fire performance, and a mixed-grill dinner.
• Check the scarf policy before departure: Scarves are listed as included, yet some customers were charged about $5.
• Inspect your quad before setting off: Reports include worn tires, faulty brakes, broken panels, and vehicles that stopped during the ride.

What the Sharm desert experience actually includes

This is a compact desert outing rather than a full day in the Sinai. The complete experience takes about five to six hours, but that includes hotel transfers, organizing the vehicles, stops, camp time, dinner, and the return journey.

The basic package includes an air-conditioned transfer, taxes and fees, about an hour of quad or buggy use, a short camel ride, and a scarf intended to protect your face from dust. The optional VIP package adds dinner and entertainment at a larger camp.

At $22.50, the basic price is attractive. You are paying for a quick introduction to several classic Sharm activities, not an isolated wilderness ride or a long, fast route across open desert. If you keep that expectation, the value can be good. If you book mainly for a full hour of continuous riding, you may be disappointed.

Pickup from Sharm hotels and the long first stage

Pickup begins about 45 minutes before the scheduled tour time, depending on your hotel. The operator says it will contact you the day before to confirm the exact time. Transfers use an air-conditioned van or similar vehicle, though one customer described an SUV with several people sharing the ride.

Allow room for delays. One outing began roughly 45 minutes after the stated departure time, and another pickup problem followed a same-day booking and cancellation dispute. For a smoother start, confirm the meeting point and pickup time through the supplied WhatsApp contact before the day of the tour.

The group limit is listed as 100 people. That is a sizeable possible group, even if your own vehicle group is smaller. Large numbers can mean waiting while quads are assigned, riders are organized, or the convoy is prepared.

Choosing a quad bike or dune buggy

You can choose a quad bike or a dune buggy car. Families may prefer a buggy, especially when children are involved, and one family had to request a four-seat buggy before receiving one. Quad bikes suit adults and older children who want a more direct, dusty ride.

The machines are the biggest point of uncertainty. Some people had fun, felt safe, and found the staff helpful. Others reported bald tires, weak or missing brakes, broken plastic panels, and quads that stopped during the route.

Before you start, look over the tires, brakes, throttle, and steering. If something feels wrong, ask for another vehicle immediately. Do not accept the argument that the brakes are unimportant. Desert riding still requires a machine that responds properly.

Safety equipment also appears inconsistent. Some customers reported no helmets, no lights, and no other visible protection, especially on sunset or evening departures. If your ride extends into darkness, ask how the quads are lit and how the group will be guided back.

The route itself may not match the picture of a long, open desert ride. One account described short sections beside a busy road, while another estimated only 10 to 15 minutes of actual quad time. Other outings included a longer ride and a return after dark that people found exciting.

The practical lesson is to treat the advertised hour as a planned activity length, not a promise of 60 uninterrupted minutes on the throttle.

The mountain echo stop and photo break

After roughly 20 minutes of riding, the group stops between the mountains for photographs and the echo activity. The guide encourages you to call out a name or phrase and listen for it coming back from the rock walls.

This is a small but memorable part of the outing. It gives you a chance to catch your breath, take pictures, and enjoy the desert setting without bouncing along behind a convoy. It also helps break up the ride for children and first-time quad riders.

The setting can be photogenic, but the stop may not feel remote. One account described stopping near rubbish and local sellers. Bring patience, and expect the photo opportunity to be part of a commercial tour rather than a private mountain visit.

Professional photographers are present, and photographs or videos cost extra. The extra sales pressure is a recurring concern. If you want pictures, ask about the price before agreeing, and do not feel obliged to buy them.

A photographer named Geno has been singled out for producing clear images. That is useful to know, but photo quality and availability may vary.

The Bedouin tent and short camel ride

The next stop is a small Bedouin tent. The advertised camel ride lasts five to 10 minutes, with time for photographs beside the animals.

This is the part to approach carefully. Some people found the camel stop enjoyable, while others received only a 30-second turn up and down a path, or about one minute in total. One complaint described a single camel being shared among the whole group.

That means the camel activity may be closer to a photo stop with a brief ride than a proper trek. If camels are a major reason for booking, ask the operator before departure how many animals will be available and how the time is divided.

For many families, a short ride is enough. Young children can get a memorable photograph without spending a long time on an animal. Adults expecting a desert camel journey should choose a different experience.

What the VIP dinner and show adds

The VIP option changes this from a simple riding trip into an evening package. After the desert activities, you relax in the VIP area of a larger camp while dinner and entertainment take place.

The show includes belly dancing, tanoura spinning, and a fire performance. The show has been a strong part of the experience for many people, especially the fire act. Sunset departures can make the evening feel more special, with the return ride taking place in darkness.

Dinner is described as a mixed grill with salad, pasta, rice, and vegetables served at your table. Food opinions are mixed. Some found it good or delicious, while others described the chicken as dry and cold or the meal as average. One person reported becoming ill afterward, though a single report cannot establish the cause.

The camp itself may be basic. Expect simple facilities, dirty bathrooms, and dogs roaming around in some circumstances. Drinks and shisha are not included. Bring enough water, especially for children, because several customers found drinks unavailable or felt pressured to buy them.

The VIP label should not be read as luxury. It means a designated area, dinner, and the show. It does not guarantee polished service, premium food, or a quiet setting.

The return ride and transfer home

When dinner and the show finish, the quads and buggies are returned to the center. You then board the shuttle van back to your hotel.

The return can be enjoyable if you like night riding, but it raises the same safety questions about lights, visibility, and vehicle condition. Some riders had fun returning in the dark, while another group found it hard to see because the quads had no lights and dust blew into their eyes.

The final transfer has also been uneven. One group waited around 30 minutes because not enough vans were available and was dropped about a 10-minute walk from the hotel. Confirm that the driver can reach your exact hotel entrance, particularly if your accommodation sits on a one-way road.

Guides, communication, and staff

Communication is one of the more positive parts of the operation. The company uses WhatsApp, and one customer praised having an administrator available around the clock. That can help with pickup questions, hotel details, and last-minute changes.

Individual staff members can make a large difference. Ibrahim has been praised for being friendly, caring, and helpful throughout the outing. Magde was credited with leading the quad group and later helping return lost photographs to a resort.

That does not remove the need to check the basics yourself. Friendly staff and a good guide cannot compensate for a quad with poor brakes or a ride without lights. Use the communication channel before the tour to ask about the exact departure, scarf, camel duration, and safety equipment.

What to pack and what costs extra

Wear clothes you do not mind covering in dust. Closed shoes are sensible for mounting and walking around the camp. A scarf is useful, though the advertised inclusion has not always matched what people received.

Bring at least one liter of water per person. Water is especially important for children, and drinks at dinner are not included. Shisha, professional photographs, and videos also cost extra.

Tipping is not mandatory, but it is appreciated. The biggest optional cost is usually the photo package or video. Ask for the price before any pictures are taken, including special effects such as writing your name in fire.

Who will enjoy this most

I would consider this a reasonable choice for:

• Families wanting several simple activities in one outing
• First-time quad riders
• Couples who like sunset views and a dinner show
• Visitors with limited time in Sharm
• Budget-conscious people who want an inexpensive desert sampler

I would be cautious if you want:

• A guaranteed full hour of continuous riding
• High-standard equipment and formal safety procedures
• A substantial camel trek
• Quiet desert solitude
• A polished dinner and upscale camp
• A carefully timed, small-group experience

The activity is also better for people comfortable with dust, heat, waiting, and basic facilities. It is not the best choice for someone who values precise timing and dependable equipment above price.

Booking advice and cancellation terms

The experience can be canceled free of charge up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded, and late changes are not accepted.

The activity depends on good weather. If poor weather forces cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Since pickup begins well before the ride, do not book too close to the starting time unless you have confirmed availability and the meeting point. Same-day arrangements have caused confusion in at least one case.

Should you book the Sharm quad and Bedouin dinner experience?

Book it if you want an inexpensive, easy-to-arrange taste of desert riding with a camel photo stop and a lively evening show. The low price, hotel pickup, helpful staff members, and range of activities can make it good value.

I would book the basic riding option only after confirming the scarf, camel time, and equipment arrangements. Choose the VIP package if you genuinely want the dancing, fire show, and dinner, but do not expect a luxury meal or resort-quality facilities.

My biggest advice is to inspect the quad, carry water, ask about helmets and lights, and clarify how much actual riding you will receive. If the operator answers clearly and the equipment looks sound, this can be a fun half-day for families and first-time riders. If you want a serious desert drive, a proper camel trek, or strong safety standards, spend more time comparing alternatives.

FAQ

How long does the experience last?

The full outing takes approximately five to six hours, including pickup, riding, stops, camp time, dinner if selected, and the return transfer.

What time does hotel pickup begin?

Pickup starts about 45 minutes before the tour time, depending on your hotel location. The operator says it will confirm the exact pickup time the day before.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. An air-conditioned vehicle is included for the transfer from your Sharm el Sheikh hotel and back.

Can I choose between a quad bike and a buggy?

Yes. The experience offers a quad bike or dune buggy option. A four-seat buggy may be available for families, but you should request it in advance.

Is the camel ride included?

Yes. The advertised basic package includes a camel ride lasting 5 to 10 minutes. Actual timing has varied, with some customers receiving only a very short turn.

What is included in the VIP dinner package?

The optional VIP package includes dinner with mixed grill, salad, pasta, rice, and vegetables, along with belly dancing, a tanoura show, and a fire performance.

Are drinks, shisha, and photographs included?

No. Drinks and shisha are not included in the dinner package. Professional photographs and videos also cost extra.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted. If poor weather cancels the experience, you are offered another date or a full refund.