REVIEW · HURGHADA
Hurghada Desert Safari Experience, ATV Quad, Camel Ride & Dinner
Book on Viator →Operated by New City Travel · Bookable on Viator
Desert rides and Bedouin tea make this a classic. The mix of an ATV quad session, a quirky Bedouin village stop, and an open-air dinner gives you a full evening off the resort strip. I also like the fact that the whole day is timed to about 6 hours, so you get sunset vibes without losing your night. One possible drawback: the rides can be bumpy, so if you have back issues, be cautious with the spider car and dune driving.
You’ll start with pickup and a quick run-up at the desert safari station, then you’re out on the dunes in two different vehicles. The Bedouin part is where the experience turns from thrill ride to culture: tea, flatbread, and a camel ride, followed by dinner under the sky and an oriental show. A guide named Houssam pops up in the feedback for being especially helpful, which matters when you’re dealing with dust, gear, and lots of moving parts.
If you’re booking on value, this is a solid deal at around $21 per person for a full half-day with multiple activities. Just know that some folks prefer the Bedouin stop more than the vehicles, especially if the quad setup isn’t their favorite.
In This Review
- Key Highlights to Plan Around
- Getting Out of Hurghada: Pickup, Timing, and Desert Station Setup
- ATV Quad Riding (45 Minutes): Where the Adrenaline Actually Hits
- The Spider Car Drive (10 Minutes If Selected): Funny First, Bumpy Second
- Jeep to the Bedouin Village: Tea, Flatbread, and Small-Scale Realness
- Camel Ride and Open-Air Sunset Dinner: The Part You’ll Remember
- Oriental Show in the Desert: Enjoy It for What It Is
- Price and Value at Around $21 for Six Hours
- Who Should Book This Hurghada Safari—and Who Should Rethink It
- Should You Book This Hurghada Desert Safari Experience?
- FAQ
- How long is the Hurghada desert safari with ATV quad, camel ride, and dinner?
- Does this experience include hotel pickup and drop-off?
- Are the ATV quad bike and camel ride included?
- Is the spider car ride included in the price?
- What is included for dinner and drinks?
- Is there an evening show as part of the tour?
- Do I pay extra for pickup from my area?
- Are government fees and tourist taxes included?
- What is the cancellation policy if plans change?
Key Highlights to Plan Around

- 45 minutes of ATV quad riding on multicolored sand dunes
- Spider car drive (about 10 minutes if you select it) for a fun, bumpy change of pace
- Bedouin village tea and fresh flatbread to slow things down before dinner
- Camel ride included, usually timed before sunset
- Open-air dinner plus an oriental show in the desert station area
Getting Out of Hurghada: Pickup, Timing, and Desert Station Setup

Most people do this as a late-afternoon to evening outing, since you’re aiming for sunset at the dinner spot. Pickup and drop-off are included, and the tour is offered by New City Travel, typically running for about 6 hours total.
You’ll get collected from your accommodation and driven to the desert safari station. If you’re staying in Sahl Hasheesh or Makadi, expect an extra pickup fee of 5€/£ per person. If you’re based farther out—El Gouna, Soma Bay, or Safaga—the extra pickup fee is 10€/£ per person. That small detail can change the final value, so I’d factor it in early.
There’s also a useful detail for planning: the group size tops out at 40. That’s not tiny, but it usually means you’re not stuck waiting forever in a crowd.
At the station, you should get a chance to become familiar with the quad essentials before you head out. In practice, this is where you set yourself up for a smoother ride—knowing how to handle the throttle, brakes, and basic control goes a long way once you’re bouncing over sand.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Hurghada.
ATV Quad Riding (45 Minutes): Where the Adrenaline Actually Hits

The core thrill here is the ATV quad ride, with about 45 minutes of time on the dunes. That’s long enough to feel like more than a photo stop, especially if you’ve never ridden in sand before.
A few practical points help you enjoy this portion more:
- Wear something that can handle dust. Even with a helmet, sand finds its way onto sleeves, zippers, and hair.
- Expect uneven footing. You’re not on a paved track. The dunes change pitch and slope, so grip and balance matter.
- Don’t ignore the quick briefing. The station time is there so you can drive confidently before speed and turns kick in.
In terms of “value vs. expectations,” I’d be honest: one piece of feedback suggests some quads were in rougher condition than you’d hope, described as barely functioning. That doesn’t mean every bike will be the same, but it does mean you shouldn’t base your whole day on getting the smoothest, best-maintained ATV experience.
If your real goal is the Bedouin part, the ATV segment still works well as the warm-up—just keep the focus on the full itinerary, not only the machine.
The Spider Car Drive (10 Minutes If Selected): Funny First, Bumpy Second
Next comes the spider car ride, a short drive of about 10 minutes if you select that option. It’s described as hilarious, and the format is memorable: a strange, fun vehicle that makes the desert feel like an amusement ride.
But there’s a clear consideration: the ride can be bumpy. One note specifically flags it as not recommended for people with back problems. So if you’re sensitive to jolts—or if you already know you don’t do well with uneven driving—this is where you should think twice.
Even if you’re fine with bumpy rides, treat this as a quick switch-up, not a “must master” skill session. You’re there for the laugh and the change of scenery, then you move on to more calm, human-scale desert life.
Jeep to the Bedouin Village: Tea, Flatbread, and Small-Scale Realness

After the desert vehicle portion, you transfer by 4×4 Jeep to a Bedouin village. This is the section that tends to feel most “worth it,” because it slows everything down from adrenaline to hospitality.
You’ll get traditional Arabian tea and fresh flatbread as part of the welcome. That simple meal matters more than it sounds. In a place where the desert is harsh and resources are limited, food and tea are a basic social ritual—an easy entry point into learning how people live and host.
You also get a real shift in pace. Instead of constantly moving over dunes, you’re spending time in a village setting where you can take in the surroundings, listen to explanations, and ask questions at your own speed.
A guide named Houssam is specifically called out as great, which is a big plus here. A good guide helps you make sense of what you see—because “desert life” isn’t a single thing. It’s routines, adaptations, and hospitality patterns that feel different from what most people expect.
Camel Ride and Open-Air Sunset Dinner: The Part You’ll Remember

Camel riding is included, and it often becomes the most photo-worthy and symbolic moment of the whole evening. It’s also one of those activities where comfort and timing matter. You’ll typically do it around the time the evening mood turns toward sunset.
Right after, you move into dinner at the station area. Dinner is included, along with Bedouin tea and water. This matters because desert excursions often forget the basics, then you end up buying drinks later. Here, the essentials are already handled.
The big payoff is the setting: open-air dinner with the desert mood in the background. The idea is that you’re sitting outside, watching the light change, and eating as the temperature cools off. It’s not a fancy restaurant moment. It’s a desert moment—and that’s why it works.
Oriental Show in the Desert: Enjoy It for What It Is

After dinner, you’ll watch an oriental show. It rounds out the experience so the night feels complete, not like “we ate and left.”
Keep your expectations grounded. This isn’t a major theater production, and you’re not there for technical perfection. You’re there because it’s part of the evening program at the desert station, and it helps turn the whole tour into a single arc: ride, village, camel, dinner, show.
One more practical note from real-world experience: plan to enjoy it without rushing for the next transport beat. You’ll likely be tired from the riding portion, so let the show be the final unwind before pickup back to your hotel.
Price and Value at Around $21 for Six Hours

At about $21 per person, this tour is priced like a budget-friendly desert outing that still includes the major “headline” items: ATV quad, spider car (if chosen), camel ride, dinner, tea, water, and a show.
Here’s how I’d evaluate the value:
- You’re not paying extra for the dinner experience. That can easily be the difference between a cheap ride and a satisfying night.
- You get multiple activities in one block of time (quad + unusual car + Bedouin village + camel + dinner + show).
- Your cost can change based on pickup location. If you’re in Sahl Hasheesh/Makadi or farther out, those extra fees matter. If you’re already near Hurghada proper, it usually stays one of the better deals.
For many people, that’s exactly the sweet spot: a low-stress way to see the desert without stitching together multiple separate tours.
Who Should Book This Hurghada Safari—and Who Should Rethink It

This is a strong pick if you want a “one-ticket” evening that checks lots of boxes: adrenaline, culture, animals, food, and a show.
It’s especially worth it if:
- You want to see the Bedouin village side, not just drive in circles on dunes
- You like the idea of an open-air dinner with tea and a program afterward
- You don’t mind sand, heat shifts, and a group tour rhythm
- You want a guide and support rather than figuring everything out on your own
You may want to rethink the spider car segment if:
- You have back or mobility issues and bumpy rides are a problem
- You’re very sensitive to jolts, since the spider ride is described as bumpy
And if your priority is only the quad experience, you should calibrate expectations. One comment points to quads that were not in great shape. I wouldn’t cancel over that alone, but I also wouldn’t treat the ATV segment as the only reason to book.
Should You Book This Hurghada Desert Safari Experience?
I’d book it if you want an evening that feels like a complete desert day: ATV quad riding, a quirky spider car moment, Bedouin tea and flatbread, a camel ride, then dinner and an oriental show under the open air.
I’d skip it or adjust expectations if your body doesn’t handle bumpy rides well, especially the spider car. And if you’re picky about the condition of the quad equipment, keep your focus on the Bedouin and dinner parts, not just the machinery.
If you’re looking for a practical way to experience Hurghada’s desert beyond the resort bubble, this one fits the bill—particularly for the Bedouin hospitality and the full evening pacing.
FAQ
How long is the Hurghada desert safari with ATV quad, camel ride, and dinner?
The tour runs for about 6 hours (approx.).
Does this experience include hotel pickup and drop-off?
Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included, but extra charges apply for certain areas.
Are the ATV quad bike and camel ride included?
Yes. You get 45 minutes of ATV quad biking and a camel ride is included.
Is the spider car ride included in the price?
The spider car drive is listed as included only if the option is selected. When selected, it’s about 10 minutes.
What is included for dinner and drinks?
Dinner is included, along with Bedouin tea and water.
Is there an evening show as part of the tour?
Yes. You’ll enjoy an oriental show after dinner.
Do I pay extra for pickup from my area?
Yes. Pickup and drop-off from Sahl Hasheesh & Makadi has an extra 5€/£ per person, and from El Gouna, Soma Bay & Safaga it’s 10€/£ per person.
Are government fees and tourist taxes included?
No. Government fees/tourist taxes are not included.
What is the cancellation policy if plans change?
You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience starts, the amount paid is not refunded.























