Super Desert Safari with Quad, Camel, BBQ Dinner and Show Hurghada

The quad ride

The safari begins with a quad ride across the open desert behind Hurghada, led by a guide in a convoy. Quad bikes are easy to drive: you control the speed with a thumb throttle and steer with the handlebars, and the guides give a short briefing before anyone sets off. The terrain is a mixture of flat gravel plains, soft sand and small dunes, with the Red Sea mountains on the horizon.

If you ask whether a quad safari in Hurghada is suitable for beginners, the answer is yes, because the pace is steady and the guides check everyone. A scarf and protective goggles are available to buy at the station, and they are worth having for the dust. Wear closed shoes and clothes you do not mind getting dirty.

The spider car

After the quad, you move to a spider car, an open off-road buggy with a roll cage and seat belts that sits low to the ground and handles the sand with a smooth, bouncy feel. It is more comfortable than the quad for people who prefer sitting back, and it is a different driving experience, with a steering wheel and pedals.

The ride follows the same safe convoy through the desert, and passengers can share the seat with a friend or child depending on the vehicle. The guide keeps the group together and chooses the best tracks. Photo and video sessions are available as an extra, though many guests simply take photographs themselves. The best light for the desert comes in the late afternoon.

Jeep trip, Bedouin village and camel ride

From the driving area you climb into a 4x4 jeep for a trip deeper into the Eastern Desert to a Bedouin village. The jeep handles the rougher ground, so you can sit back and watch the rocky ridges and dry valleys pass. The Bedouin have lived in this desert for generations, and the stop gives a respectful look at their way of life.

You are welcomed with hot Bedouin tea, and you can ride a camel for a short time, one of the best photo moments of the safari. Camels kneel to let you mount and rise in two movements, so hold on firmly. There is no obligation to buy anything, though local herbs are sold by the village and herb shopping is not included in the tour price.

The BBQ dinner under the desert sky

As the sun goes down the group moves to the desert camp for an open-buffet BBQ dinner. Grilled meats, salads, bread, rice and side dishes are served for everyone, and tables are arranged around the stage where the show takes place. The evening temperature in the desert drops quickly, so a light jacket is helpful.

The camp is a comfortable place to rest after the driving and talk about the day, and the setting under a wide sky is special on a clear night. Tell our team about allergies or dietary needs when you book so the camp can prepare for you. The dinner is part of the programme, so there is nothing extra to arrange.

The oriental show: Tanoura, belly dance and fire

After dinner the live show begins. Tanoura is a spinning dance of Egyptian Sufi tradition, in which the dancer whirls in a multi-coloured skirt that opens into discs, sometimes for many minutes without stopping, and it is the show's most striking act. A belly dance performance follows, with live rhythm and music, and the evening closes with a fire show.

The show lasts a good while and suits all ages, though young children may find the fire act loud. The seating is close to the stage, so you can take photographs. After the show the guide gathers the group and the vehicles take you back to Hurghada, arriving at your hotel about seven hours after pickup. Photo and video sessions are not included in the price.