What happens on a Hurghada desert safari afternoon?

The quad safari is a good-value afternoon for anyone over six who likes a bit of noise, dust and sunset. It is organised, not wild: you ride in a line behind a guide, at a pace set for the slowest rider. If you want a quieter way into the desert, the horse or camel ride is the alternative, and both are described below.

The whole trip takes about five hours door to door. Up to 30 guests share it, and a barbecue dinner with soft drinks, tea and water is included. The folklore show and the camel ride at the camp are included as well.

The timeline

• 14:00 hotel pick-up, with the time moved an hour later in summer.
• 14:45 at the safari base: helmet, scarf and a driving briefing, then a practice lap.
• 15:15 the quad ride in convoy across the desert, about one hour in two legs.
• 16:30 the Bedouin camp, with tea, bread baked on the fire and a short camel ride.
• 17:30 sunset over the mountains, then a barbecue dinner at 18:00 and the folklore show.
• 19:00 the transfer back to your hotel.

Riding the quad

Before you leave the base, a guide explains the controls: throttle, brake and how to follow the rider ahead. The practice lap is the moment to say if you are not comfortable. Each rider has a quad, or two people can share one on request. You wear a helmet throughout. The two legs of riding are separated by a rest, and the desert surface is mostly firm, with some dust and a few rough patches.

The Bedouin camp

The stop at the camp is the gentlest part of the afternoon. You sit for tea, watch bread being baked on the fire and take a short camel ride. It is a stop set up for visitors, so treat it as a pleasant break. Photos by the camp photographer are paid for separately.

Dinner and the show

After sunset there is a barbecue dinner and a folklore show. The food is simple and plentiful, and drinks are soft drinks, tea and water. Dinner ends the evening, and the transfer back begins at about 19:00, so you are at your hotel in time for a late drink.

Dust, heat and what to wear

The desert is dusty, and a quad throws it up. Wear long trousers and closed shoes, wrap the scarf over your nose and mouth, and use sunglasses or goggles. In winter the afternoon is mild and the evening cold, so a light jacket is worth carrying. In summer the pick-up is an hour later to avoid the worst of the heat.

Is it right for you?

The safari suits adults and children aged 6 and over who are happy with noise and dust. It is less suitable for anyone with a bad back or neck, because the ground is uneven in places. If someone in your party would rather not drive, two people can share a bike on request, with one riding behind the driver.

Compare it with the horse or camel ride. The ride is a gentler hour at walking pace, with a helmet and a stable guide, while the safari is a faster, louder evening with dinner included. Some families do both on different days, because the ride is a short morning or afternoon trip and the safari fills an evening.

Follow the guide's line and keep a safe gap behind the quad in front, because the dust cloud hides ruts and stones. Do not overtake and do not race. If something feels wrong, stop and signal to the rider behind you. The guides know the ground and set the pace, and the briefing at the base is short, so listen to it properly.

Think about the camera. Dust and sand get everywhere, so keep your phone in a zipped pocket or a small bag, or leave it at the hotel. A camp photographer takes pictures for a fee, and those are not part of the price. At 17:30 the sunset over the mountains gives the best light of the day, so take your own photographs at the camp, not while riding.

Dinner is a barbecue with soft drinks, tea and water, and alcohol is not part of the package. If anyone has a dietary need, tell us when you book, so the camp can plan for it before the evening. Bring a little cash for the photographer and for gratuities, which are not included in the price of the safari.

The quieter alternative

The horse or camel ride lasts three hours including transfers, and one hour is spent on the animal. You ride out through open desert to the shoreline with a stable guide, at sunrise or before sunset. The minimum age is 6, a helmet is provided and the stable matches the animal to the rider. Open the trip pages for the current price and details.