Sharm El-Sheikh: ATV and Camel Ride with BBQ Dinner and Show

South Sinai is at its best after dark, when the desert quiets down and the stars take over. This outing pairs a 50-minute ATV or buggy ride with a camel stop, Bedouin dinner, music and dancing, and a telescope session led by an astronomer.

I like the strong value: for $35, you get transport, riding time, food, entertainment, and stargazing in one evening. I also like the human touch from guides such as Ibrahim, known as Coconut, and Sabry, who help keep the mood friendly and explain the stars clearly.

The main caution is that the ATVs are not all in perfect condition. Some riders found the controls stiff or the machines shaky, and safety helmets showed wear. Expect a fun desert ride, not a polished motorsports facility.

Key points to know before booking

• The ATV ride lasts about 50 minutes, with two breaks for mountain echoes and a Bedouin camp.
• The $35 price covers a lot, including hotel pickup, dinner, shows, camel riding, drinks, and stargazing.
• Ibrahim, Omar, Sabry, Youssef, and other guides are praised for being warm, funny, and attentive.
• The evening combines action and culture, from quad biking and camels to Bedouin bread and Tanura dancing.
• The astronomy stop is a real part of the program, with telescopes and help spotting stars and planets.
• Bring cash and your own scarf if possible, and expect optional charges for photos, goggles, or a single quad in some cases.

From your Sharm hotel to the Sinai desert

Your evening begins with pickup from your hotel in an air-conditioned van. The drive takes you to a safari station, where the guides organize the group and explain the riding rules.

This first briefing matters. If you have never used an ATV or dune buggy, you will get basic instructions before setting off. The staff also helps wrap a scarf around your face, useful protection from dust and wind. You can bring your own scarf, though one is available as an add-on and may cost extra.

Leave your passport, phone, money, and other loose items in a secure bag before riding. Dust and vibration are hard on electronics, and you will want both hands free for the controls. Wear comfortable clothes and closed shoes. Pale clothing will show dust quickly, so this is not the night for your best resort outfit.

The group may use single or double quads, depending on the option selected and the rider’s weight or balance. A double quad can be changed to a single machine for safety, with an extra fee of €10 per person in some cases. Ask about this before departure if you are booking for two people who want to ride together.

The 50-minute ATV and buggy route

The main ride takes about 50 minutes and includes two planned breaks. The route is less about speed than about being out in the open desert, with the Sinai mountains around you and plenty of dust under the wheels.

The machines are described as ATVs or dune buggies, depending on the option you choose. Some riders found the quads to be in good shape, while others noticed worn controls, stiff brakes, or shaking at certain speeds. One rider felt the accelerator and brake needed adjusting, and another found a fuel-related problem on one machine.

You should not expect a high-performance off-road vehicle. The ride is aimed at a broad mix of visitors, including first-time riders, so the pace is managed by the guides. That makes it more approachable, but it can feel less exciting if you are an experienced quad-bike rider looking for technical trails.

The helmets deserve attention. One rider noted that some buckles were badly worn, although the ride was not generally fast. Check your helmet before setting off and ask for another one if the strap does not feel secure. The guide team places strong emphasis on keeping the group together, which is reassuring for families and beginners.

Echoes among the giant mountains

The first break is made for the desert setting. You stop near the large mountains and hear the echo of your voice across the rock. It is a simple activity, but it gives the ride a welcome pause and lets you take in the scale of the area.

This is also a good time for photographs. The desert is wide and spare, with the mountains providing the main visual drama. Your phone can capture the views well before the sky becomes fully dark, but keep it protected from dust and hold it securely.

The route includes driving at night later in the program, so the break also helps you adjust from the busy resort area to the quiet desert. The contrast is part of the appeal. Sharm El-Sheikh is known for hotels, beaches, and nightlife, but here you get a very different side of South Sinai.

Bedouin tea, bread, and a short camel ride

The second stop is at a Bedouin camp, where you are offered Bedouin tea and bread. You also get a camel ride with views toward the mountains.

The camel ride is brief rather than a long trek. It works as a cultural stop between the motorized sections, giving you a chance to try a traditional form of desert transport and take photographs from a higher viewpoint.

Be prepared for the camel handlers to offer help and possibly ask for tips. Carrying around £500 Egyptian pounds, or another small amount of local cash, can make these moments easier. Tips are not described as required, but cash is useful for small services and personal thanks.

Some riders found the camel guides playful and friendly. Others felt that the photo sellers were more persistent than they wanted. If you do not want photographs or videos, say so clearly at the start. The professional photo service may cost around £15 per person, while individual photos have been negotiated for much less. You can also ask the guide to leave you alone if you are not interested.

A Bedouin dinner with fire, Tanura, and dancing

After the first camp, you continue to another Bedouin camp for dinner and entertainment. The meal is served as an open buffet and includes grilled meat, kofta, chicken, rice, vegetables, salads, Bedouin bread, and a soft drink. Water is also included.

The food receives especially strong praise. Several people felt the barbecue was better than the meals at their hotels, which is a useful reminder not to dismiss this as a basic excursion buffet. It is still a group meal, so you should not expect a restaurant setting or a long, quiet dinner. The appeal is the combination of food, desert air, and entertainment.

The evening program includes a fire performer, a Tanura show, and Bedouin dancing. Tanura dancers use spinning movements and colorful costumes, while the fire performance adds a more theatrical touch. The dancing gives the meal a social feel rather than leaving you seated in silence.

You can also see Bedouin bread being prepared. That small detail adds more value than a generic dinner show because it connects the meal to local cooking traditions. The program is designed for visitors, but it still gives you a pleasant introduction to desert hospitality and performance.

Working toilets are available at the stops, which is worth knowing on a long outing. The facilities are basic, but you are not left without a bathroom for the entire evening.

Telescope stargazing after sunset

The final major activity is stargazing. Once you are away from the hotel lights, the dark desert gives you a much better setting for looking at the sky. A professional astronomer explains stars and planets and helps you use the telescopes.

The astronomy portion is not just a quick look upward. You can observe the night sky through telescopes and ask questions about what you are seeing. The guides have also helped visitors photograph the moon through a phone held to the telescope, so ask if you want to try this.

Conditions will affect what you see. Clouds, moonlight, dust, and the position of planets can all change the view on a given night. The program promises a stargazing experience, but it cannot guarantee a particular planet or perfect visibility. Think of this as a guided introduction to the night sky rather than a formal observatory visit.

Sabry receives particular praise for explaining the stars clearly, while Ibrahim, Omar, Youssef, and other guides are noted for keeping the group engaged. If astronomy interests you, stay focused during this part instead of treating it as a short photo stop. It may be the most distinctive part of the evening.

Returning through the desert at night

After dinner, the shows, and stargazing, you drive back to the safari station for about 30 minutes. The return ride is another chance to experience the desert after dark, although the pace is controlled and the route may feel less exciting after the main ATV section.

Air-conditioned vehicles wait at the safari station to take you back to your hotel. Pickup and drop-off are included, which adds real value in Sharm El-Sheikh. You do not need to arrange a separate taxi to a remote desert base, and the air conditioning is welcome after a dusty ride.

The total outing takes much of an evening. Exact hotel pickup times are not provided, so allow room in your schedule and avoid booking another fixed activity immediately afterward. The program includes many separate elements, and the lack of rushing is one of its strengths.

What the $35 price really buys

At $35 per person, this is an unusually full package. You receive hotel transportation, an air-conditioned vehicle, a guide, an astronomer, an ATV or buggy ride, a camel ride, tea, bread, an open buffet barbecue, drinks, shows, and stargazing.

You will not get the same level of vehicle maintenance or personal space as you would on a private desert safari. The dinner and show are shared with a group, and optional extras can raise the final cost. Scarf, protective goggles, photos, videos, shisha, tips, and a possible single-quad surcharge are not all included.

Even with those limits, the price is strong for families, couples, and solo visitors who want several activities in one outing. The food is substantial, the riding time is long enough to feel worthwhile, and the astronomy session gives the evening a clear finish.

The value is strongest if you plan to try all parts of the program. If you only want serious ATV riding, a specialist quad tour may suit you better. If you want a relaxed dinner with no group activity, this will feel busy.

Who will enjoy this evening most

I would recommend this for first-time visitors to Sharm El-Sheikh who want a broad taste of the desert in one booking. Families with teenagers can enjoy the riding, camel stop, food, and shows without needing to organize separate excursions.

It also suits solo visitors. The guided format gives you a ready-made group, and the dinner and performances create easy social moments. Guides such as Coconut, Omar, Sabry, and Youssef are repeatedly praised for being welcoming and funny, which can make a difference when you are traveling alone.

You should skip it if you are pregnant or have back problems. The activity involves an ATV or buggy, a camel ride, dust, vibration, and uneven ground. It is also not a good match if you dislike group entertainment, optional photo sales, or basic equipment.

Bring comfortable shoes, comfortable clothes, a camera, water if you prefer your own supply, and a scarf if you already have one. Protect your phone from dust, and carry some Egyptian pounds for tips or small purchases.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a packed, good-value desert evening rather than one single focused activity. The combination of quad riding, camels, Bedouin food, shows, and telescope stargazing gives you a lot for $35, and the guides often make the day feel personal.

Go in with sensible expectations. The ATVs may show wear, the helmets deserve a check, and photo sellers may need a firm no. If you accept those small rough edges, this is one of the better low-cost ways to see South Sinai after dark.

The current rating is 4.7 out of 5 from 307 ratings, and the strongest praise centers on the guides, food, safety attention, and overall value. I would book it for families, couples, solo visitors, and anyone curious about both the desert and the night sky.

FAQ

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

The listed price is $35 per person. A €10 per-person surcharge may apply if a double quad must be changed to a single quad for safety reasons.

What is included in the tour?

The package includes hotel pickup and drop-off, air-conditioned transport, a professional guide and astronomer, ATV or dune buggy use according to the selected option, a camel ride, Bedouin tea and bread, an open buffet barbecue dinner, water, a soft drink, oriental shows, and stargazing.

How long is the ATV ride?

The main desert drive lasts about 50 minutes and includes two breaks. The return drive to the safari station takes about 30 minutes at night.

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 clothes, and a camera. A scarf and protective goggles are not included, so bringing your own scarf is useful.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, according to the booking terms.