Hurghada: Sea & Desert Camel Ride w/Dinner, Show, Stargazing

A camel ride in Hurghada gives you a welcome break from the resort pool. You move slowly through the Eastern Desert, cross sandy open ground, and may reach the Red Sea or a lagoon, depending on the route. The sunset option adds dinner, a show, and stargazing beneath the desert sky.

I like the two-hour riding time, which is long enough to feel like a real outing rather than a quick photo stop. I also like the guides’ personal touch. Ramadan, Hussain, Mohamed, and several other guides are praised for helping nervous riders, taking photos, and giving families room to enjoy the ride.

The main drawback is the ride itself. A camel saddle can rub, and two hours of gentle bouncing is not for every back or hip. Some transport arrangements have also been less tidy than the camel program, so confirm your pickup details and bring your own water.

Key points before you book

• Two hours on the camel: You ride through desert areas and may continue toward the beach, Red Sea, or lagoon.
• Several time choices: Morning, afternoon, sunset, and sunrise programs create very different moods.
• Dinner and stargazing option: The evening package adds an Oriental meal, live entertainment, and a telescope session.
• Patient guides: Guides help first-time riders mount, settle in, and feel safe. They also commonly take photos with your phone.
• Shared or independent arrival: Choose hotel pickup and drop-off, a private transfer, or an entry-only ticket if you can reach the base yourself.
• Prepare for sun and sand: Wear long trousers, closed comfortable shoes, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat. Take water.

From Hurghada hotels to the camel base

If you select transportation, your day begins with hotel pickup in an air-conditioned vehicle. The exact time is sent the day before, and the pickup can be roughly 0 to 1 hour before the activity time because the vehicle may collect people from other hotels.

Allow about 25 to 30 minutes from Makadi Bay or Sahl Hasheesh. From Hurghada, the ride is around 40 to 45 minutes. El Gouna, Soma Bay, Al Ahyaa, and Safaga can take up to an hour.

That timing matters. A two-hour camel ride can become a half-day outing once hotel collection and return driving are included. If you have dinner plans, a boat trip, or a flight later in the day, leave plenty of space.

Shared transport offers the best value, but it may include several stops. A private transfer costs extra and is useful if you want a morning departure, have a tight schedule, or simply prefer not to wait. One booking had a vehicle with insufficient room, forcing the riders to arrange an Uber, so it is sensible to confirm the number of people and vehicle plan in advance.

You should wait in your hotel lobby 10 minutes before the stated pickup time. Keep your phone connected to WhatsApp, since the operator uses it for final details and quick updates.

If you choose the entry-only ticket, you make your own way to the base. This is the cheapest and most flexible choice for independent visitors, but check the meeting instructions carefully. Your guide waits at the entrance and greets you by name.

Getting ready for the two-hour ride

On arrival, you have about 15 minutes to rest before the activity begins. The team gives a safety briefing, explains how to mount and dismount, and carries out a short driving test or orientation before setting off.

The group is arranged by riding ability. That helps beginners avoid feeling rushed, while people with more experience can settle into the pace quickly. This is a guided outing, not a race. You should expect a steady walk, with the guide controlling the camels and stopping for views and photographs.

Helmets are provided and must be worn throughout the ride. That may feel unusual on a traditional camel outing, but it is a sensible rule, since a seated camel is high off the ground and can move suddenly while standing.

The camels are described as trained and suitable for beginners. The strongest feature here is the human support. Guides such as Hussain have helped nervous children by walking beside them, offering riding instruction, and giving them time to relax. In one family’s case, a child who disliked the camel was offered a horse instead. That alternative should not be treated as a standard inclusion, but it shows the staff can sometimes adapt when a child is frightened.

Crossing the desert toward the Red Sea

Once the group leaves the base, the ride becomes quiet and spacious. You may pass through sandy valleys, open desert, and flatter stretches near the coast. The pace gives you time to watch the camel’s rolling walk, feel the wind, and take in the Hurghada Mountains and Red Sea views.

The desert is not a fast sightseeing route. Its appeal comes from the stillness. You are not covering a long list of monuments. You are getting a short taste of how people once crossed this dry part of Egypt, with the camel’s slow rhythm setting the pace.

Morning rides offer cooler air and softer light. Afternoon departures can feel hotter, but the desert takes on a calmer mood as the sun lowers. Sunset trips provide the strongest photographs, especially when the camels are framed against the open sand or the sea.

Guides commonly stop to take photos and videos using your phone. Mohamed, Ramadan, Hussain, and other guides are praised for taking many pictures from different angles, including shots by the water, in the desert, and beside a lagoon. This is useful if you are traveling alone or as a couple without anyone else to take the picture.

You should still set expectations about the photography. It is a helpful service from the guide, not a formal professional photo package described in the program. Bring a charged phone and enough storage. One rider had a dead phone battery and the guide used his own phone to record the experience, but that should be viewed as kindness rather than something guaranteed.

The beach and lagoon views

Some routes continue toward the Red Sea coast or a nearby lagoon. This change of scenery is one of the best reasons to choose this experience instead of a desert-only camel ride.

At the water, you have a different backdrop for photographs and a short pause from the sandy interior. Sunrise rides can be especially attractive here, with the first light over the beach and lagoon. Sunset departures offer the opposite effect, with long shadows and warm light on the camels.

The program does not promise a swim stop for the camel ride. The separate note about swimming applies to a four-hour horse ride option, not this two-hour camel outing. Pack your expectations accordingly: you are coming for riding and views, not a beach day.

There is also an environmental downside. One ride included visible rubbish on the dunes and near the sea. That will not define every departure, but it is worth knowing that the setting may not look untouched at every point.

What two hours on a camel feels like

A camel ride is more physical than the simple photos suggest. Mounting and dismounting involve a pronounced forward and backward movement as the animal rises or kneels. Once you are moving, the motion is steady but can become tiring.

Long trousers are a much better choice than shorts. The saddle blanket may rub against bare legs, and loose fabric helps protect you from both friction and sand. Wear comfortable shoes rather than sandals, especially if you need to walk beside the camel or climb onto the mounting area.

People with back problems, mobility impairments, or a body weight over 110 kilograms are not considered suitable for this activity. Wheelchair users cannot take part, and pregnant women are excluded. If you have doubts about your physical comfort, the two-hour length is the important point to consider.

Some riders have found the full ride too long, while others liked having enough time to reach the desert and coast. I would choose the shorter plan only if it is available for your booking, but the advertised camel programs are generally built around two hours. If that sounds excessive, ask about the exact route and stopping pattern before paying.

The sunset dinner, show, and stars

The evening program begins with a sunset camel ride and continues at the desert base. After the ride, you receive a traditional Oriental dinner, followed by live entertainment and stargazing.

The food is one of the better parts of the package. It is described as proper Egyptian cooking, with generous portions and a meal that several people considered a highlight of their time in Egypt. This is not a fine dining event. It is a simple desert meal, but it adds local character and makes the evening feel like more than a riding excursion.

The entertainment can be uneven. A whirling dancer and traditional dance may be included, but the exact program can change. One evening shifted into general disco dancing, which did not match the expectation of a full cultural show. If you are booking mainly for belly dancing or a fire performance, confirm what is planned on your date.

There may also be a wait between dinner and the show. That gap is not entirely wasted, since you can spend time around the camels and horses, but it can make the evening feel less tightly scheduled.

Stargazing is a strong finish when the sky is clear. The guides explain the stars and use equipment that can show planets such as Saturn. You may also get help taking a photo through the telescope with your phone. Cloud, wind, and visibility will affect what you see, so treat this as a pleasant extra rather than a guaranteed astronomy lesson.

The desert can become cold and windy after sunset, even after a hot day. Bring a light layer. On windy days, long clothing also helps keep sand off your arms and legs.

The sunrise option and breakfast

The sunrise version has a different feel from the evening package. You ride before the day becomes hot, watch the light reach the desert and coast, and can add an Oriental breakfast afterward.

This is a good choice for families and anyone who struggles with intense midday heat. It also gives you a quieter start, although the early pickup may be demanding if your hotel is far from the base.

Breakfast is included only with the sunrise option. Dinner belongs to the evening package, so check the exact selection before you assume food is part of every departure.

Price, value, and what costs extra

At about $26 per person, the shared-transfer package offers solid value if you want several elements in one outing. You receive a two-hour camel ride, a guide, safety instruction, and hotel transport when that option is selected. The sunset version adds dinner, entertainment, and stargazing without requiring separate bookings.

The entry-only ticket can be better value if you are already nearby or can arrange your own transport. A private guide and private transfer cost extra. Drinks are not reliably included, and water may be sold separately, so bring your own bottle if possible.

The rating of 4.3 from 634 reviews suggests a generally strong experience, but the score also reflects the practical weak points: occasional transport confusion, uncomfortable saddles, windblown sand, paid drinks, and an entertainment program that may not match every expectation.

The low price does not mean every part is polished. It means you receive a broad Egyptian outing at a modest cost, with the camel ride and guide interaction doing most of the heavy lifting.

Who will enjoy this Hurghada outing

I would recommend it to first-time camel riders, couples wanting sunset photographs, families whose children like animals, and anyone who wants to see more than the hotel grounds.

It is especially suitable if you value personal help. The guides are often praised for being calm, friendly, and careful with children. They can help you mount, steady a nervous rider, and take photos throughout the route.

I would be more cautious if you have back pain, poor balance, or dislike repetitive movement. The camel is tall, the saddle may be hard, and two hours can feel long. I would also choose private transport if a missed connection or cramped shared vehicle would spoil your day.

Bring your passport or ID, comfortable shoes, sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, seasonal clothing, and water. Leave luggage, jewelry, pets, alcohol, and other valuables at the hotel. Smoking is not allowed in the vehicle.

Should you book the camel ride?

Book it if you want a simple, affordable way to combine desert scenery, Red Sea views, Egyptian food, and a little night sky watching. The best reasons to go are the long riding time, patient guides, generous photo help, and the chance to see both sand and sea in one outing.

Choose the sunset package for atmosphere, the sunrise package for cooler temperatures and breakfast, and the basic ride if you mainly want the camel experience. Confirm the pickup, carry water, wear long trousers, and keep your expectations flexible about the show.

I would book this for the guides and the setting, not for perfect transport or polished stage entertainment. For $26, it is a memorable Hurghada side trip, provided your body is comfortable with two hours in the saddle.

FAQ

How long does the camel ride last?

The main camel programs include a two-hour guided ride. Total time is usually longer when hotel pickup, transfer, dinner, entertainment, or stargazing are included.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included only when you select an option with shared or private transportation. An entry-only ticket requires you to reach the base yourself.

How far is the camel base from Hurghada hotels?

The drive is around 25 to 30 minutes from Makadi Bay or Sahl Hasheesh, 40 to 45 minutes from Hurghada, and up to an hour from El Gouna, Soma Bay, Al Ahyaa, or Safaga.

What should I wear for the camel ride?

Wear comfortable shoes, long trousers, seasonal clothing, sunglasses, a sun hat, and sunscreen. Long clothing is useful on windy days because it helps protect you from sand.

Is dinner included with every booking?

No. Dinner is included with the sunset camel ride option that also includes the show and stargazing. An Oriental breakfast is included with the sunrise option only.

Who should not join this activity?

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