From Hurghada: Makadi Bay Horse Riding Tour

The best part of this Makadi Bay outing is the change of scene: one minute you are near the resort belt, and soon you are riding across open desert toward the Red Sea. I like the calm horses and careful matching by riding ability, especially for first-timers. I also like the choice of mood, from cool sunrise light to sunset with dinner and stargazing.

The main catch is that the basic $20 price covers the core ride, not every extra. Transfers, private arrangements, dinner, breakfast, and a swim stop depend on the option you choose. Strong sun, sand, and a saddle also make this less suitable for anyone with back or mobility problems.

Key points to know before booking

• Ride from desert to sea: Routes use sand valleys, open plains, and Red Sea shoreline, with time for photos.
• Beginner-friendly horses: Guides assess your ability, provide instructions, and organize riders by level.
• Sunrise breakfast is specific: The Oriental breakfast comes only with the 5:00 AM departure.
• Sunset adds a full evening: The two-hour sunset option can include dinner, live entertainment, and stargazing.
• The swim stop is not standard: Swimming with your horse is offered only on the four-hour VIP option.
• Transfers take time: Allow about 25 to 30 minutes from Makadi Bay or Sahl Hasheesh, and up to an hour from farther resorts.

Why this ride feels different from a standard Hurghada excursion

Hurghada is best known for water activities, resort pools, and desert jeep trips. Horse riding gives you a slower way to see the area. You hear the horse’s steps, feel the change from firm sand to softer ground, and get time to look across the coast without an engine between you and the scenery.

The ride area is in the Makadi Bay part of the Red Sea Governorate. Depending on the selected program, you may follow desert tracks, cross open sandy areas, or reach the shoreline. The sea ride is the most memorable choice for many people, especially when the horses move through shallow water or along the beach.

I would not treat this as an equestrian lesson or a fast riding session. It is a guided outing at a controlled pace. Experienced riders may be allowed to canter after the guides check their ability, but the focus stays on safety and group control.

That distinction matters. You get a pleasant outdoor adventure rather than a demanding riding course. If your main goal is speed, technical riding, or long hours in the saddle, this may feel too gentle. If you want desert scenery and a manageable introduction to riding, it makes good sense.

Arriving at the Makadi Bay riding base

With a transfer included, you are collected from your hotel in an air-conditioned vehicle. Pickup normally takes place around 10 minutes before the confirmed time, but the actual collection may be 0 to 1 hour before the selected start because several hotels may be involved. The exact time is sent the day before, so keep WhatsApp active on the number used for booking.

Travel times are fairly reasonable from nearby resorts. From Makadi Bay or Sahl Hasheesh, plan on roughly 25 to 30 minutes. From Hurghada, the ride may take 40 to 45 minutes. El Gouna, Soma Bay, Safaga, and Al Ahyaa can take up to an hour, so the total outing becomes much longer than the riding time.

You can also choose an entry-only ticket if you arrange your own transportation. Private transfers cost extra. At the base, allow about 15 minutes to rest and get organized before mounting. Toilets are available, and drinks and face scarves may be sold on site.

The small practical point here is to pack light. Large bags, luggage, jewelry, and valuables are not suitable for the ride. Leave expensive items at your hotel and bring only what you need for sun, dust, and the possibility of getting wet.

Safety checks, helmets, and choosing your horse

Before the ride, you receive a short safety briefing and an introduction to the horse. A brief driving or riding test helps the team understand your ability. Helmets are provided and must be worn throughout the ride, while the group is arranged by riding level.

This matching process is one of the strongest parts of the outing. Guides have paired quiet horses with complete beginners and more responsive horses with stronger riders. The horses are described as well-trained and well cared for, and several guides have been praised for their patience with nervous riders and children.

The guide team can include people such as Mohamed, also called Didi by some riders, Yusuf, Hassan, Mahmoud, and Sabir. Your exact guide depends on the date and option, but the important point is that a professional accompanies the group rather than sending you out alone.

If you have never ridden before, say so clearly. Do not feel embarrassed about asking for extra help. The horse does much of the work, but you still need to listen, keep your balance, and follow instructions when the group changes direction or speed.

Pregnant women, wheelchair users, people with mobility impairments, and people with back problems should not book this activity. The weight limit is 243 pounds, or 110 kilograms. These are firm limits, not minor details to overlook.

The two-hour desert and Red Sea route

The standard ride lasts two hours. That is long enough to give you a real outing beyond the hotel, but short enough for most casual riders to manage. The route can include desert tracks and seaside stretches, with photo stops along the way.

The desert portion has a quiet, open feel. You may pass through sand valleys or broad plains where the Red Sea appears in the distance. The appeal is not a list of monuments or historic sites. It is the contrast between the bare desert and the bright water, plus the chance to move through it at a horse’s pace.

The coastal section changes the mood. Along the beach, the air feels fresher and the views open up. Some rides reach shallow water, allowing the horses to splash through the edge. That part can be especially enjoyable for photographs, but wear clothes and shoes that can handle sand and spray.

The guides also take photos and videos during the outing. This is useful because it lets you enjoy the ride without constantly handling your phone. Still, protect your device carefully and do not bring valuables you would worry about losing.

The group size is intended to stay small, and private options are available. A small group gives the guide more room to watch each rider. It also makes it easier to keep confident riders and beginners comfortable together.

Picking the right time of day

Sunrise is the coolest and most atmospheric choice. The 5:00 AM departure brings softer light and fresh air, followed by an Oriental breakfast. This breakfast is included only with that specific sunrise departure, so do not assume every morning ride includes food.

A sunrise ride works well if you can handle an early start and want cooler conditions. It is also a sensible choice in warmer months, when the middle of the day can feel harsh in an open desert. The tradeoff is obvious: you must be ready before most hotel breakfast rooms open.

Morning and afternoon rides offer a simpler schedule. The light is still good for photos, and you avoid the very early pickup. The afternoon sun can be strong, so bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. On windy days, long clothing helps keep sand off your skin.

Sunset is the most complete evening program. The ride begins while the light softens, then the dinner and live show follow. Stargazing in the desert adds a calm finish, though cloud and visibility can affect what you see.

I would choose sunset for a special evening and sunrise for comfort. If food is important, read the option title carefully. The early Oriental breakfast and the sunset dinner belong to different programs.

What the dinner, show, and stargazing option adds

The two-hour sunset program is more than a ride. After returning, you can have an Oriental dinner, watch a live performance, and spend time looking at the night sky. It turns the horse outing into a half-day evening program rather than a simple activity between hotel meals.

That extra time may be worthwhile if you want one booking to cover transport, riding, food, and entertainment. It also reduces the need to plan a separate evening. The drawback is that the total schedule becomes longer and less flexible than the basic two-hour ride.

The dinner can be a real advantage after being outside, especially for families or couples who want a complete evening. Do keep your expectations practical. This is a desert show and meal added to a riding trip, not a private fine-dining event.

For the clearest night-sky viewing, the desert setting helps by taking you away from much of the hotel lighting. The program still depends on the weather and the natural conditions on the night, so treat stargazing as a bonus rather than a guarantee of perfect skies.

Quad biking and horse riding in one morning

The one-hour quad and one-hour horse combo is a useful choice if your group cannot agree between engines and animals. It is arranged during the cooler early morning period, beginning with quad biking and continuing with the horse ride.

The quad portion reaches out into the desert toward Makadi Bay. Then you return to the base, change activities, and ride the horses. This gives you two very different views of the same area: speed and dust first, then a quieter coastal ride.

You should expect more dust on the combo than on the horse ride alone. Sunglasses are particularly useful, and a face scarf can protect you when the quads are moving across sandy ground. Face scarves and bottled water may be available for an extra charge at the base.

This option suits active groups and first-time riders who want variety. It is less suitable if you prefer a slow, peaceful morning with no noisy motor section. The one-hour horse segment also gives you less time in the saddle than the standard two-hour ride.

The four-hour VIP ride and Red Sea swim stop

The VIP program lasts four hours and includes a swim stop with your horse in the Red Sea. This is the only option where swimming is included, so do not expect a swim break on the regular two-hour tour.

The longer format gives you more time for the desert, coast, and photos. The swim stop is the most unusual feature in the choices, but it also requires more preparation. Bring swimwear, sunscreen, and clothes that are comfortable when wet. You will need to manage the sun and salt water for a longer period.

The VIP ride is private, making it a better fit for couples, families, or riders who want a more personal pace. It is also the clearest choice if swimming with a horse is the main reason you are booking. The tradeoff is cost: a four-hour private outing will not have the same value as the $20 basic entry-level option.

Price, transfers, and overall value

The advertised starting price is $20 per person, which is strong value for a two-hour guided ride if you are already near Makadi Bay and arrange your own way to the base. At that rate, you get the horse, guide, safety briefing, desert and seaside route, and photo stops.

The value changes when you add transportation or a longer program. Shared hotel pickup is convenient, but the transfer time can add several hours to the day, especially from El Gouna, Safaga, Soma Bay, or Al Ahyaa. A private transfer costs more but may be worthwhile if your schedule is tight or your group wants more comfort.

Food, shows, and swimming are option-specific. Check exactly what your selected departure includes before paying. The basic price should not be compared directly with the sunset dinner program or the four-hour VIP outing, since those are different products.

The activity has a 4.4 rating from 271 ratings, and the most consistent strengths are the horses, guide care, clear pickup instructions, and memorable beach routes. Specific guides such as Didi, Yusuf, Hassan, Mahmoud, and Sabir have received warm praise for patience, photos, and help with nervous riders.

Practical packing advice for a smoother ride

Wear comfortable clothing that can take dust. Long sleeves or trousers are helpful on windy days, while sunglasses protect your eyes from glare and blowing sand. A sun hat is useful before and after the ride, though your helmet takes priority once you are mounted.

Bring sunscreen and water, and pack swimwear for the VIP option or if you want to be ready for a coastal stop. Comfortable shoes matter more than fashion. Leave jewelry, large bags, alcohol, and unnecessary valuables at the hotel.

Keep your phone number connected to WhatsApp. Pickup details are sent the day before, and the operator asks for a working number for quick updates. If your booking number is not linked to WhatsApp, provide another contact number ahead of time.

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. That helps if your Hurghada schedule is still changing, but you should still confirm the exact pickup time when it arrives.

Who should book this Makadi Bay ride?

I would recommend it to first-time riders, couples, families with suitable children, and anyone who wants a quieter alternative to quad biking. The horses are selected by ability, and guides stay with the group, making the standard ride approachable for beginners.

Choose the sunrise option if you want cooler air and breakfast. Choose sunset if dinner, a show, and stargazing appeal to you. Choose the quad combination if you want two activities in one morning, and choose the VIP program only if the private format and Red Sea swim justify the higher price.

I would skip it if you have a back problem, limited mobility, are pregnant, weigh more than 110 kilograms, or dislike sitting in a saddle for two hours. I would also skip the standard option if you want a serious riding lesson or a fast, athletic ride.

Should you book it?

Yes, if you want a fairly gentle way to see the desert and Red Sea outside Hurghada’s resorts. The strongest value is the two-hour ride, especially for nearby hotels and beginners who want patient guides, calm horses, and a coastal route without paying for a full-day program.

Read the inclusions carefully before choosing. The $20 starting price is not the sunset dinner, sunrise breakfast, or four-hour swim ride. Select your timing based on heat, food, and how much time you want in the saddle, then bring sunglasses, sunscreen, light luggage, and a working WhatsApp number.

FAQ

How long is the Makadi Bay horse riding tour?

The available programs last from about two to five hours, depending on the option. The standard horse ride lasts two hours, while the VIP ride with a Red Sea swim stop lasts four hours.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included only when you select an option with shared transfer. An entry-only ticket is available if you arrange your own transportation, and private transfers cost extra.

What time is the sunrise ride?

The sunrise departure with Oriental breakfast begins at 5:00 AM. The breakfast is included only with this early sunrise option.

Can I swim with the horse?

Yes, but the swim stop is included only with the four-hour VIP horse riding option. It is not included with the regular two-hour ride.

Is the activity suitable for beginners?

Yes. The team gives safety instructions, checks riding ability, and groups people by skill level. The horses are described as calm and well trained, but this remains a guided riding activity rather than a racing session.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, comfortable weather-appropriate clothing, and swimwear if you choose the VIP swim option. Leave large bags, jewelry, luggage, and valuables at your hotel.