A quad and buggy desert safari in Sharm El Sheikh is one of the simplest ways to swap the beach for the wide open Sinai for an afternoon. You follow a local guide across the dunes, feel the engine and the open air, and end the ride with sweet tea at a Bedouin camp as the light turns gold over the mountains. It is built for first timers, so you do not need any experience or a licence to enjoy it.
This page is run by Mo, a local guide based in Sharm El Sheikh. Below is an honest look at how the trip works, who it suits, what to bring, and how to plan it. When you are ready, you book straight with Mo on WhatsApp, with no agency in the middle.
What the quad and buggy desert safari is really like
The trip starts with a pick-up from your hotel, so there is nothing to organise on your side. At the desert base you get a calm safety briefing and a short test drive on flat ground before anyone heads out. The quads are fully automatic, which means no gears to think about - twist to go, brake to slow.
From there you ride out in a small group behind the guide, who sets a sensible pace and reads the terrain for you. The route runs across open sand, low dunes and old desert tracks, with the bare Sinai mountains all around. The driving part of the trip is roughly 40 to 90 minutes depending on the group, with a stop at a Bedouin camp in the middle. It is more about the landscape and the feeling of space than about going fast.
Quad bike or buggy - which one suits you
Both run the same desert and join the same group, so the choice is about comfort and who is travelling with you.
- Quad bike (ATV): you sit on it and steer with the handlebars. It is hands-on and a little more physical, and it is the classic desert feeling. Best if you want to be the one driving and you are happy balancing the machine yourself.
- Buggy: a small open car with bucket seats, seatbelts and a roll cage, with room for two side by side. It is more stable and more protected, so it is the easy pick for couples, families, nervous first timers, or anyone who would rather sit in than sit on.
If you are bringing children who are too young to drive, the buggy lets them ride alongside an adult. Not sure which way to go? Tell Mo who is coming and he will recommend the right mix for your group.
Sunset, Bedouin tea and the camel option
The reason most people choose the late afternoon slot is the light. As the sun drops, the sand shifts from yellow to deep orange and the mountains stand out sharply against the sky. It is a calm, quiet end to a busy day and it photographs beautifully.
Partway through you stop at a Bedouin camp for a glass of traditional sweet tea brewed over a fire. It is a relaxed pause to rest, take photos and get a feel for desert life rather than a staged show. If you would like to add a short camel ride here, that can be arranged - a gentle few minutes on a camel is an easy extra that children and grandparents tend to love. Just mention it when you book so it is ready for you.
Who it suits, safety and difficulty
This is a beginner friendly trip. No licence, no experience and no special fitness are needed to enjoy it, and the guide stays with the group the whole way. Helmets are provided and should be worn for the ride.
That said, it is an outdoor desert activity, so a few sensible notes apply. It is not recommended for pregnant women or for anyone with a serious back or heart condition. For driving a quad solo there is usually a minimum age, while younger children ride as passengers with an adult or in a buggy. Most incidents in the desert come from going too fast or showing off, so the simple rule is to stay behind the guide and keep to the pace he sets. If you tell Mo the ages in your group and any concerns, he will make sure everyone is set up safely.
What to bring and how to plan it
You will be moving through open desert, so a little preparation makes the ride far more comfortable.
- Cover your face: a scarf or buff, plus sunglasses, keeps sand and dust out of your eyes and mouth.
- Closed shoes: trainers or sturdy sandals, not flip-flops.
- Sun protection: a hat and sun cream for the earlier part of the ride.
- A light layer: the desert cools quickly once the sun is down, so bring something with sleeves for the evening.
- Clothes you do not mind getting dusty: the desert leaves its mark, and that is part of it.
Plan on around half a day once you include pick-up and drop-off. Pick-up times are usually set so you reach the desert in time for sunset. There are no prices listed here on purpose - costs depend on your group size and exactly what you add, so message Mo for a fair, honest quote for your party.
Book your desert safari direct with Mo
Send Mo a message on WhatsApp at +20 114 778 9372 with your dates and group size, and he will sort a fair quote and your hotel pick-up.
Ask Mo on WhatsAppFrequently asked questions
Do I need a licence or any experience to drive?
No. The quads are fully automatic and you get a safety briefing and a short test drive before you set off. A guide leads the whole ride at a steady, beginner friendly pace, so first timers are very welcome.
Is it safe, and is it suitable for children?
It is beginner friendly and helmets are provided. Children who are too young to drive can ride as passengers with an adult or in a buggy. It is not recommended for pregnant women or anyone with a serious back or heart condition. Share the ages in your group with Mo and he will set everyone up safely.
Should I choose a quad bike or a buggy?
Choose a quad if you want the hands-on, classic desert feeling and are happy steering yourself. Choose a buggy if you prefer to sit in a stable, enclosed seat with a seatbelt, or if you are riding with a partner or a child. Both join the same group and the same route.
How long does the whole trip take?
Plan for roughly half a day including hotel pick-up and drop-off. The driving itself is about 40 to 90 minutes depending on the group, plus the stop at the Bedouin camp for tea and any camel ride you add.
Is the camel ride included?
A short camel ride can be added at the Bedouin camp. Let Mo know when you book so it is ready for you, and he will include it in your quote.
How much does it cost and how do I book?
There are no fixed prices shown here because the cost depends on your group size and what you add. Message Mo directly on WhatsApp for a fair quote and to lock in your pick-up. Booking direct means no agency markup and a real local contact.
