Desert Safari from Hurghada

Dunes, quads and a Bedouin dinner

The desert behind the Red Sea coast is built for adventure: quad bikes and buggies over the dunes, jeep safaris, a Bedouin dinner and stargazing under an open sky. Once booking opens, YallaTonight will list safari trips from Hurghada and El Gouna here.

Pickup and what's included

Each safari page lists the program, what's included and the pickup point and time; after booking, the exact pickup details are on your ticket too. Bring sunglasses, a scarf for the dust and something warm for the evening.

How booking works

Booking opens soon. Once it does, it will work like this: pick a night, choose your tickets or table and pay online by card. The link to your ticket is emailed to you, and on the night you show the entry code on your phone at the door. Until then, the nights shown here are samples.

Into the desert behind the coast

Just inland from the Red Sea coast, the Eastern Desert begins: wide sandy plains, rocky valleys and the Red Sea Mountains on the horizon. A desert safari is the easiest way to see it. Most trips mix quad bikes, buggies or jeeps with a stop at a Bedouin-style camp for tea, and some add a camel ride, dinner and stargazing. This guide covers where safaris go, when to go, what to wear, how pickups work and how to stay safe in the desert.

Where safaris go

The desert starts a short drive from Hurghada's hotels, so you don't spend long on the road before the landscape changes. Safari camps sit along the roads that lead inland, and most trips collect guests from hotels in Hurghada, with many also picking up in El Gouna and Sahl Hasheesh. Routes usually cross open desert and wind through rocky valleys, and the exact program depends on the operator.

Morning, sunset or night?

Safaris run all year, usually as a morning trip, an afternoon trip that ends at sunset, or an evening trip with dinner under the stars. In summer the midday heat in the desert is intense, so early morning and sunset trips are the comfortable choice. In winter the days are pleasant, but desert nights get cold quickly, so bring a warm layer for any trip that ends after dark. Evening trips usually leave in the afternoon and bring you back to your hotel well after dark.

What to wear, and age limits

Wear closed shoes, light long trousers and a top that covers your shoulders from the sun. Bring sunglasses and a scarf or buff for the dust; helmets and goggles are often provided, but check. Sunscreen and a hat matter in every season. Many operators set a minimum age for driving a quad or buggy yourself, and younger guests usually ride as passengers or go by jeep. Carry your passport or ID, and tell the guide before you start if you are pregnant or have back or heart problems.

Pickup and staying safe

Most safaris include a hotel pickup and drop-off, so be ready in the lobby at the time you are given. Out in the desert, stay behind the guide, keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front and don't race. Drink more water than you think you need, especially in summer. If you feel unwell in the heat or the dust, stop and tell the guide straight away. Phone signal can be weak away from the coast, so stay with your group. If you head back into town on your own afterwards, agree the taxi fare before the ride or use a ride app.

What a safari costs

Prices vary by operator, the length of the trip and what is included. Sharing a quad with a second rider usually costs less per person than driving one alone, and trips with dinner, a show or a private vehicle usually cost more. Check whether hotel transfers, drinks and dinner are part of the price before you compare offers. Tips for guides and drivers are customary in Egypt and are usually not part of the price.

Booking a safari on YallaTonight

Booking on YallaTonight opens soon. Until then, the safaris shown on the site are samples of how listings will look, and they cannot be booked yet. When booking opens, each safari's page will show its price and the details its organizer gives, such as the program, the pickup and what is included. Leave your email under “Tell me when booking opens” on the site, and we will write to you once, when it opens.

Frequently asked questions