From Hurghada: Makadi Bay Horse Riding Tour

Makadi Bay’s desert meets the Red Sea in a way that makes horseback riding feel far more special than a simple stable outing. You move from quiet sand valleys and open plains to the shore, with the sea beside you and the desert stretching behind. Sunrise and sunset rides give you the best light and cooler air.

I like the careful matching of horses to riding ability, and I like the guides’ calm approach. Mohamed, Yusuf, Hassan, Mahmoud, Sabir, and others have helped beginners settle in, while stronger riders may get a chance to canter. The beach route and photo stops are another big plus.

The main drawback is that this is a guided, controlled ride rather than a fast free-for-all. Transfer times can also be long, reaching about an hour from some Hurghada-area resorts, and the two-hour ride does not include swimming unless you choose the four-hour VIP option.

Key points to know before booking

• Choose your mood: Sunrise brings cool air and an optional Oriental breakfast, while sunset adds dinner, live entertainment, and stargazing.
• Horses are matched to ability: Beginners receive instruction and calmer horses, while experienced riders may be tested for a faster pace.
• The Red Sea route is the star: Some rides reach the beach and shallow water, with the four-hour VIP option including a swim with your horse.
• The $20 starting price is strong value: It covers the basic two-hour ride, while transfers and special programs depend on the option selected.
• Small groups feel more personal: Guides can stay close to nervous riders and give more attention than a large group operation.
• Bring sun and sand protection: Sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat, comfortable shoes, and a face scarf for dusty routes are useful.

From hotel pickup to the Makadi Bay riding base

Your day begins with an optional shared pickup from your hotel. Wait in the lobby about 10 minutes before the scheduled pickup, but keep in mind that the vehicle may arrive between zero and one hour before the selected activity time. The exact pickup details are sent the day before.

Travel time depends heavily on your resort. From Makadi Bay or Sahl Hasheesh, allow roughly 25 to 30 minutes. From Hurghada, the ride is about 40 to 45 minutes. El Gouna, Soma Bay, Safaga, and Al Ahyaa can take up to an hour.

That matters when choosing a start time. A 5:00 AM sunrise departure may sound early, but the cooler drive and softer light are worth considering in Egypt’s heat. An evening tour avoids the harshest sun, though the return to your hotel will be later.

You may also arrange your own transport and book the entry-only option. A private transfer is available for an extra charge if you prefer not to share a vehicle or need more control over timing. Leave large bags and valuables at your hotel. The base is set up for the ride, not for storing luggage.

On arrival, you have about 15 minutes to rest and get ready. Toilets are available, and drinks and face scarves can be purchased at the site. One detailed account put bottled water at 50 Egyptian pounds and a basic face scarf at 200 Egyptian pounds, with more elaborate scarves costing 400 Egyptian pounds at that time. Prices can change, so bring what you need if you want to keep spending simple.

Safety checks and finding the right horse

Before you mount, the team gives a safety briefing and introduces you to the horse. A short riding test helps the guides understand your ability. Helmets are provided and must be worn throughout the ride, and other safety equipment is available on request.

The most important part of the setup is the way the horses are assigned. Beginners are placed with suitable, steady animals, while riders with more experience can explain their level and receive a more active program. One experienced rider described being tested up to a canter, while less confident riders stayed with the guide on foot.

That arrangement makes the tour workable for mixed groups. You do not need to arrive as an expert, and you should not feel pressured to ride faster than you want. The activity is a guided adventure, not a racing session.

The guides receive especially strong praise for patience. Mahmoud and Sabir helped one nervous rider become comfortable around horses, while Hassan was described as attentive and willing to allow a faster pace only when the rider was ready. Yusuf led a sunrise outing for a family with children, and Didi, also called Mohamed in some accounts, was repeatedly praised for calm instruction and photography.

You should still be honest about your riding ability. The guide can help, but you are responsible for following instructions, wearing the helmet, and speaking up if you feel uncomfortable.

Two hours through desert and shore

The standard ride lasts two hours, either with shared hotel transport or as an entry-only ticket. Routes vary by the selected program, but you can expect a mix of sand valleys, open desert, and the Red Sea coast.

The desert section gives you space and quiet. At a relaxed pace, you can notice the changing colors of the sand and the broad Egyptian sky instead of focusing only on the horse. On a quad-bike and horse-riding combination, the group first travels by quad through the desert toward Makadi Bay, then returns to the horses for the second hour.

The shoreline changes the feel of the ride. Several accounts describe riding along the beach and splashing through shallow water. You should not assume that every two-hour option includes a swim, however. A quick ride beside the water is different from taking your horse into the sea, and the proper swim stop is reserved for the four-hour VIP option.

Photo stops are part of the program. Guides and staff may take pictures and videos during the ride, which is useful because carrying a phone while riding is awkward and risky. The quality of the photo service can vary, but the repeated praise for Mohamed and other guides suggests that the team makes a real effort to capture the beach, desert, and sunset settings.

Wear comfortable shoes that will stay secure in the stirrups. Sunglasses help with strong light and dust, especially if you add quad biking. A hat and sunscreen are sensible, and long clothing is useful on windy days when sand blows across the route.

Sunrise at 5:00 AM with breakfast

The early sunrise ride is the best choice if you want cooler temperatures and a quieter start. The light changes quickly as the sun rises over the desert, and the Red Sea gives the route a second reflective surface.

There is one booking detail worth catching: the Oriental breakfast is included only with the 5:00 AM sunrise departure. Do not assume that any morning ride includes food. Select the early timing when booking if breakfast is part of your plan.

The sunrise program suits families and photographers, though the early pickup may be tough after a late arrival or a full evening in Hurghada. One family outing led by Yusuf included daughters and ended with breakfast. The guide’s patient handling helped make the morning comfortable for different riding abilities.

If you prefer a later start, morning and afternoon rides are available, but they do not carry the same cool air and first-light atmosphere. The afternoon can be softer than midday, yet Egypt’s sun remains strong, so use sunscreen and carry water.

Sunset, dinner, live show, and stargazing

The two-hour sunset program adds more than a different start time. You ride as the light turns warmer, then continue with an Oriental dinner, live entertainment, and stargazing in the desert.

This option works well when you want an evening program without arranging several separate activities. It also makes a good choice for a first visit to Hurghada because you get desert scenery, a Red Sea ride, local food, a performance, and the night sky in one outing.

The dinner has received particularly warm praise, with one participant returning for a second helping. Still, expectations should remain sensible. This is a tourist evening program connected to a riding base, not a private restaurant or a specialist astronomy event. The appeal is the combination of food, entertainment, and open desert after dark.

Bring a light extra layer if the forecast suggests a cool evening. Desert temperatures can feel different once the sun goes down, and the supplied guidance recommends weather-appropriate clothing.

The four-hour VIP ride and Red Sea swim

The VIP option lasts four hours and includes a swim stop with your horse. This is the most unusual version of the experience and the clearest choice if entering the Red Sea with the horse is your main goal.

The longer duration gives the ride more room for desert and coastal time without squeezing everything into a short route. It is described as a private program, so it should suit couples, families, or small parties that want more personal attention.

There are practical limits. You need swimwear, sunscreen, and comfortable clothing that works around water. The swim stop is not included in the regular two-hour ride, so check the exact option before you book. Do not pay for a standard ride expecting a swim to be added automatically.

The four-hour choice also costs more than the $20 starting price. The listed price is best understood as the entry point for the basic experience, not a guarantee that every special program, transfer, private service, or longer ride costs the same.

How the value compares at $20

At $20 per person, the basic two-hour ride offers strong value if you want a short activity that combines desert and sea. The price includes the professional horse guide, safety briefing, horse introduction, helmet availability, photo stops, and the riding program. Hotel transport is included only when you select the transfer option.

The value improves if you are already staying near Makadi Bay or can arrange your own transport. From farther resorts, the transfer is convenient, but the total time becomes a larger part of your day. Private transport, a private guide, dinner, breakfast, quad biking, or the four-hour swim program can raise the cost.

I would compare the options by purpose rather than choosing the cheapest ticket automatically:

• Pick the basic two-hour ride for a straightforward desert and beach outing.
• Pick entry-only if you have your own transport.
• Pick the quad and horse combination if you want two different activities in one morning.
• Pick sunrise if breakfast and cool air matter most.
• Pick sunset if you want dinner, a show, and stargazing.
• Pick VIP if swimming with your horse is the main reason you are booking.

The free cancellation policy allows cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and reserve-now-pay-later booking keeps your plans flexible. Pickup details are sent one day before, so keep the WhatsApp-connected phone number used for the reservation active.

Who will enjoy this ride most

This activity suits beginners, couples, families with older children who can follow safety instructions, and riders who want scenery rather than speed. The calm horses and close guidance make it approachable for someone who has little or no experience.

It also works for experienced riders, but you should explain your ability clearly at the start. The guides may allow a faster pace when conditions and skill levels make it appropriate, though the main format remains controlled and group-based.

The experience is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, people with mobility impairments, wheelchair users, or anyone over 110 kilograms, or 243 pounds. Pets, large bags, jewelry, alcohol, and drugs are not allowed. Smoking is not permitted in the vehicle.

A small group or private option is worth considering if someone in your party is nervous. The guides can spend more time with that rider, and the different horse assignments help keep the group comfortable.

What to pack for Makadi Bay

Pack lightly. Comfortable shoes, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, swimwear, and weather-appropriate clothing cover most needs. Long sleeves or trousers help on windy days when sand blows across the route.

Sunglasses are more than a style choice. Bright sun and dust can make the ride uncomfortable, especially on the quad-bike combination. A face scarf is also useful for dusty desert sections, though you can buy one at the base.

Keep jewelry and valuables at the hotel. Large bags are not allowed, and there is little reason to carry anything beyond the essentials. A phone may be useful for personal pictures, but secure it carefully and follow the guide’s advice while riding.

Should you book the Makadi Bay horse ride?

Book it if you want an easygoing Red Sea activity with real variety. The strongest reasons are the calm, carefully matched horses, guides who work well with nervous beginners, the mix of desert and coast, and the choice between sunrise breakfast and sunset dinner.

Choose the standard two-hour option if you want good value and a manageable commitment. Choose the sunset program for a fuller evening, the quad combo for more action, or the VIP ride if the swim stop is essential.

I would skip it if you want independent riding, long stretches of fast galloping, or a quiet private beach outing with no group structure. For most people staying in or near Hurghada, though, this is a practical way to get beyond the hotel pool and see Makadi Bay from the saddle.

FAQ

How long does the Makadi Bay horse-riding activity last?

Options range from two to five hours, depending on the program selected. The standard horse ride lasts two hours, while the VIP swim-stop option lasts four hours.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included only when you select an option with shared transfer. You can also choose an entry-only ticket and arrange your own transportation, or pay extra for a private transfer.

How long does the transfer take?

From Makadi Bay or Sahl Hasheesh, the drive takes about 25 to 30 minutes. From Hurghada, allow about 40 to 45 minutes. From El Gouna, Soma Bay, Safaga, or Al Ahyaa, the drive can take up to an hour.

Is the tour suitable for beginners?

Yes. The team gives a safety briefing, conducts a short riding test, and matches horses and groups to riding ability. The activity is guided at a relaxed pace rather than run as a race.

Does every ride include swimming with the horse?

No. A swim stop with your horse is included only in the four-hour VIP option. The regular two-hour ride may reach the beach and shallow water, but swimming is not included.

Is breakfast included?

Oriental breakfast is included only with the 5:00 AM sunrise departure. Other morning options do not automatically include breakfast.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, swimwear, comfortable clothing, and weather-appropriate layers. Long clothing and a face scarf can help on windy, dusty days.