Desert Quad Safari with Stargazing and BBQ Dinner Sharm El Sheikh

The Sinai desert behind Sharm El Sheikh

Sharm El Sheikh sits on the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula, and a few minutes inland the resort lights fade into a vast desert of sand, gravel and pale limestone hills. The scenery is quiet and wide, with ridges rising in the distance and, in the evening, a colour in the sky that runs from gold to deep blue.

This is the reason a quad safari from Sharm El Sheikh is so popular: you leave the hotel zone behind and reach open desert in a short drive. The safari centre is the starting point, where the team welcomes you with a drink and prepares your vehicle. Many guests find the evening safari more comfortable than a daytime ride, because the heat has eased and the sand is cooler.

The quad ride

Before setting off, the guide explains how to use the quad, the brakes and the throttle, and provides a helmet and protective goggles. You then ride in single file behind the lead guide for about twenty-five minutes, crossing sandy tracks and gravel flats at a steady pace, which is easy for beginners but still fun for experienced riders.

On the way you stop at a traditional Bedouin tent for a short break with Bedouin tea and bread. Later you stop in an open area to try the desert echo for about ten minutes, then ride back to the safari centre in roughly fifteen minutes. The route is safe and controlled, so keep to the line and follow the guide.

The Bedouin camp and camel ride

From the safari centre a vehicle takes you to the Bedouin camp, where the evening programme begins. The Bedouin are the traditional desert people of Sinai, and the camp is arranged with low seating, lanterns and carpets so that you can sit and relax after the ride.

A camel ride is included at the camp, a gentle way to see the camp from above and to take photographs. The camels are led by their handlers at a walking pace, so no riding experience is needed, and children who are old enough to sit safely can ride with an adult. The camp is a short drive from the safari centre, and the team keeps lanterns lit and tea flowing while you wait for dinner.

BBQ dinner and the show

Dinner is a Bedouin barbecue served as an open buffet, with grilled meat and chicken, salads, rice and bread, plus tea and soft drinks. Vegetarians can ask our team in advance so the camp can prepare suitable dishes. Sitting on cushions under the sky is part of the pleasure of the evening.

After dinner there is a traditional show, with music, dance and performances in the desert setting. It is an entertaining part of the programme, and many guests clap along. Bring a little cash for personal purchases and for tips, which are not included. Children usually enjoy the show, and the open buffet makes it easy for everyone to choose a plate they like.

Stargazing in the desert

With the camp lights turned down, the Sinai sky is one of the clearest in the region. The astronomer guide points out constellations, planets and bright stars, and each guest takes a turn at the telescope. On a clear night you can see the Milky Way, the moons of Jupiter or the rings of Saturn depending on the season.

Stargazing is best when the moon is small, and the guide adapts the talk to what is visible that night. Bring a light jacket because the desert is cool after sunset, even in summer, and closed shoes for the sand. Allow your eyes a few minutes to adjust to the dark, because the stars appear brighter once the camp lights are off and you look away from them.