Hurghada: Star Stargazing Desert Adventure by Jeep & Dinner

The best part of this Hurghada outing comes after the sun drops. In a quiet desert camp, you spend time looking at the night sky with a telescope, then learn how to find constellations, planets, and the North Star. Before that, the 17-kilometer off-road ride gives the afternoon a proper jolt of adventure.

I like the mix of simple desert life and astronomy. You can feed farm animals, see traditional bread making, ride a camel and horse, and eat dinner by candlelight before turning your attention upward. The main drawback is that the desert drive can be very rough, and cloudy or windy weather may limit the stars you see.

Key points to know before you book

• The telescope session is the evening’s main prize: Depending on the season and conditions, you might see the moon, Saturn, Mars, Jupiter, Venus, and other sky targets.
• The off-road drive is genuinely bumpy: Large Toyota Land Cruisers are used, rather than the small jeeps some people may picture.
• Camel and horse rides are short: The listed rides are about five minutes each, with longer optional riding mentioned by one guide.
• Dinner is included and served in the desert: Expect grilled chicken, meatballs, rice, salads, vegetables, and cola.
• Bring warm clothes: The desert can turn cold after sunset, even when Hurghada is sunny and hot during the day.
• Hotel transfers cover Hurghada: Pickups outside the city cost extra, with a stated €5 charge for hotels in Safaga, Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh, and El Gouna.

Leaving Hurghada for 17 kilometers of desert driving

Your evening begins with hotel pickup, followed by a drive toward the desert meeting point. The exact transfer arrangement can vary by hotel area. Pickup from Makadi Bay, for example, may involve more than one vehicle or a change before the off-road section begins.

The desert portion covers about 17 kilometers. This is not a smooth sightseeing drive. The Land Cruisers cross sand and rough ground, and the ride can feel like a small roller coaster. Hold the bars firmly, especially on the steeper bumps. One practical point is worth making: getting into and out of these high vehicles can be awkward, particularly for anyone with limited mobility.

Most people will find the ride fun, but it is not gentle. One report described unsafe driving, including a driver taking both hands off the wheel. That appears to be an exception, since other accounts describe skilled and helpful drivers, but it is still fair to say that safety depends partly on the driver assigned to your vehicle. If you feel uncomfortable, speak up and ask the driver to slow down.

The reward is the change in surroundings. Resort roads and hotel walls disappear, and the evening takes place in a much quieter setting. You are not getting a long expedition into remote Egypt, but the rough drive creates a clear break from an all-inclusive beach routine.

Tea, dates, and a small farm oasis

At the oasis, the welcome is modest and appealing: tea, Arabian coffee, and dates. This pause gives you time to settle after the drive and look around before the main activities begin.

The farm tour adds a useful local touch. You may see green plants, farm animals, goats, horses, and young lambs. Children can feed the animals, and some activities include holding baby animals. Traditional bread making has also been part of the visit, giving you a glimpse of food preparation that feels more personal than a staged dance show.

This is one of the better parts of the program for families, though you should remember that the full evening continues after dark and can become cold. Small children may tire before the astronomy session. The experience is also not suitable for people with animal allergies.

The guides help shape this portion of the evening. Mohamed Salah has been singled out for explaining Bedouin customs and local life, while Nasser, also called Marshmallow by some guides, is known for keeping the group engaged with humor and clear explanations. Guide assignments vary, so you cannot guarantee a particular person, but the operation uses several multilingual guides.

Sunset from the high hill

You then ride by vehicle to a high hill for sunset. The view is the visual highlight of the first half of the evening: sand, open space, and the sun dropping across the desert. A drink is served while you wait, and this is the moment to take photographs.

The sunset stop is not only a photo break. It also gives you a little stillness between the noisy drive and the later dinner. If you want good pictures, have your camera ready before reaching the hill and wear shoes that handle loose ground.

A photographer may be present and offer pictures for an additional package price. Some people have been happy with the photographs, especially the sunset and night-sky shots. Ask clearly about the price before agreeing, since one person was disappointed after taking photographs but deciding not to buy the package.

Five minutes on a camel, then five minutes on horseback

The listed camel ride lasts about five minutes. That is enough to sit on a camel and get a first feel for the movement, but it is not a long desert trek. Some guests report only three or four minutes, so treat this as a short photo-friendly activity rather than the main reason to book.

The horse ride is also listed at around five minutes. You may ride at a gentle pace, and guides can adjust the experience for nervous riders. One participant with a strong fear of horses was able to take part after asking for a very slow pace. That is useful to know if you are curious but uneasy.

The horses and camels were described as well cared for, though animal welfare can be hard to judge during a short visit. The activity suits people who want to try both rides without committing to a long trek. It is not suitable for pregnant women or people with back problems, and the bumpy vehicle ride is another reason to be cautious if your back is sensitive.

Some guides mention an optional one-hour camel or horse ride. The included program itself specifies short rides, so ask locally if you want the longer version and confirm any extra cost before setting off.

Dinner by candlelight in the desert

Dinner follows the sunset activities. The meal includes grilled chicken, meatballs, rice, salads, vegetables, and cola. It is a filling spread rather than a fine-dining event, and several people found the food surprisingly good for a desert camp.

The setting does much of the work. Eating by candlelight, with the open sky above you and the farm area nearby, feels very different from a hotel buffet. The food may not arrive piping hot every time, and one person wished it had been warmer. Still, the portions and flavors have generally been a strong part of the value.

Soft drinks are included. Extra drinks such as smoothies may be available at an additional cost. If your group has dietary needs, the supplied details do not promise special menus, so ask before booking rather than assuming substitutions will be available.

The schedule is designed to keep the evening moving, but there can be short periods when one group is doing an activity and another is waiting. This is more noticeable when people choose the optional longer rides. Bring patience, and use the pauses to take pictures, look around the farm, or talk with your guide.

The telescope session after dark

The astronomy portion is the reason I would choose this outing over a basic desert safari. First, you get roughly 15 minutes to lie back and look at the sky without a lecture. That quiet interval matters. It lets you notice how many stars become visible away from the hotel lights.

Afterward, the guide uses a professional telescope to show targets available during the season. Depending on date and weather, you might see the moon, Mars, Jupiter, Venus, or Saturn. Several people have seen Saturn’s rings, and others have had especially clear views of the moon. Telescope results naturally change from night to night, so no operator can promise every planet.

The guide then points out star groups, zodiac signs, and ways to find north using the North Star. Nasser is praised for his lively demonstrations and for making the subject easy to follow. Arabi has explained the constellations in both English and German, while other guides work in French, Russian, Arabic, Spanish, and German as well as English.

The word horoscope appears in the program, but the session also covers practical astronomy: planets, constellations, star positions, and navigation. You can ask questions, and the teaching style tends to be informal and entertaining rather than academic.

Cloud and wind are the main risks. On a cloudy night, the moon may be the best sight available, and strong wind can make the telescope session less comfortable. The excursion still offers a pleasant evening in poor conditions, but you should not book it expecting perfect stars on every date.

A special total lunar eclipse event was advertised for September 6, 7, and 8, 2025. If you are considering a future special event, confirm the date and details directly before booking, since astronomical events are date-specific.

Guides, drivers, and the feel of the evening

The human side of the outing is one of its strongest features. Guides named in the experience include Nasser, also known as Marshmallow, Abu, Arabi, Mahmoud, Alexander, Medhat, Mohamed Salah, and David. You may not be assigned to any particular guide, but the repeated praise for humor, clear explanations, and warm interaction gives you a good idea of the intended style.

Nasser and Abu are especially associated with the astronomy talk. Mahmoud has been described as attentive and respectful, and Alexander has helped German and English speakers feel included. Ahmed has handled punctual hotel collection, while other drivers have been praised for friendly service.

Group atmosphere can affect the evening. Most people enjoy the friendly, social setting, but a disruptive group can distract from dinner and the astronomy talk. Alcohol consumption is not listed as part of the included program, and one account described drunk participants causing a problem. If you want a quiet astronomy night, this group outing cannot guarantee it.

There is camera monitoring at the site, and the operator states that the location follows international health and safety standards. That is reassuring, but it does not remove the need to use common sense during the rough drive, horse rides, camel mounting, and night walking.

Is $48 good value for this much activity?

At $48 per person, the package includes hotel pickup and drop-off, the desert drive, welcome drinks, farm visit, animal feeding, short camel and horse rides, sunset viewing, dinner, soft drinks, telescope stargazing, and live explanations. That is a lot of separate elements for one evening.

The strongest value comes from the combination. A simple camel ride would be forgettable after a few minutes, and a telescope session alone might feel too narrow for a family group. Here, you get desert scenery, animals, food, sunset, and astronomy in one outing.

There are extra charges to watch. Hotels outside Hurghada cost more, with a listed €5 supplement for Safaga, Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh, and El Gouna. A national park fee of €1 per person is also listed. Photography packages and optional longer rides may cost extra.

The excursion is especially good value if you want variety and do not mind a scheduled group program. It is less suitable if you want a long camel trek, a private astronomy lesson, or a smooth and quiet ride. The price reflects an accessible introduction to several desert activities, not a luxury or deeply remote expedition.

What to wear and bring

Pack comfortable closed shoes, water, and a camera. Add a warm jumper, long trousers, and ideally a light jacket, even if the afternoon feels hot. Several people arrived in shorts and T-shirts and were very cold after sunset.

A blanket can be useful in winter. The desert temperature drops quickly once the sun is gone, and you may spend time sitting still during the telescope session. Warm clothes will improve the evening more than an extra camera lens.

Tipping is not required by the stated program, but some people choose to carry Egyptian pounds for the guides, drivers, animal handlers, and other staff. One suggestion was to carry around 1,000 Egyptian pounds for tips, with the reminder that small local amounts can be meaningful. Tip only when you feel the service earned it.

You should also know that the outing is not recommended for pregnant women, people with back problems, or people with animal allergies. The rough ride and animal activities make those restrictions sensible.

Who should book this desert evening?

I would choose this for first-time visitors to Hurghada who want more than a resort day but do not want to spend a full day away. Families with older children can enjoy the animals and rides, while couples may like the sunset, candlelit dinner, and night sky.

It also works well for solo visitors. The guides keep the mood social, and one solo woman felt safe and well looked after. The multilingual staff helps mixed-language groups, though the exact language support depends on the guide assigned.

I would hesitate if your priority is a long, peaceful astronomy session. The evening includes several activities, and the telescope time is only one part of the program. I would also hesitate if you dislike rough driving, cold evenings, or group schedules.

Should you book it?

Book this outing if you want a busy, good-value desert evening with plenty of variety. The sunset, dinner, and astronomy session are the strongest reasons to go, while the farm visit and short rides add flavor without requiring a full day.

Skip it if you need a smooth ride, have back problems, or want guaranteed clear skies. For everyone else, $48 buys a well-packed introduction to desert life around Hurghada, with the telescope session providing a memorable finish. Pack warm clothes, keep your expectations realistic about the short camel ride, and hold on during the drive.

FAQ

Where does this experience take place?

It takes place in the desert outside Hurghada in Egypt’s Red Sea Governorate, at an oasis and farm area used for the evening program.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for hotels in Hurghada.

Is there an extra charge for hotels outside Hurghada?

Yes. An additional charge is listed for hotels outside Hurghada. A €5 charge applies to hotels in Safaga, Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh, and El Gouna.

How long is the off-road drive?

The desert drive covers approximately 17 kilometers. The route is rough and uses large off-road vehicles.

How long are the camel and horse rides?

The included camel ride is about five minutes, and the included horse ride is also about five minutes. An optional longer ride may be available at an extra cost.

What food is included?

Dinner includes grilled chicken, meatballs, rice, salads, vegetables, and cola. Tea, Arabian coffee, and dates are provided as welcome refreshments.

What can I see through the telescope?

Available targets depend on the season and weather. The session may include the moon, Mars, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, and other visible sky targets.

What languages are available?

The activity is offered in German, French, English, Russian, Arabic, and Spanish. The exact language available during your tour depends on the guide assigned.

Who should not take this tour?

The experience is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, or people with animal allergies. The rough ride and animal activities are important considerations.