Swimming by Horse at Red Sea Beach & Desert with Dinner- Hurghada

Horseback riding meets the Red Sea. This Hurghada outing combines three very different one-hour sessions: riding through the desert, riding beside the beach, and swimming with a horse in the sea. I like that the day offers more than a standard beach visit, and I especially like the personal touch shown by the horse names, including Loza and Wardah.

The $21 price looks excellent for hotel transport, three hours of riding, a helmet, swimming, and dinner. The catch is important: a $10-per-person government tax is paid in cash, and pickups from El Gouna, Safaga, Soma Bay, Makadi, or Sahl Hasheesh cost another $10 per person. You should also allow about four hours in total, even though the riding program itself is described as three hours.

Key points at a glance

• Three separate riding periods: One hour in the desert, one hour along the beach, and one hour swimming with a horse in the Red Sea.
• Horse connection matters: Past participants formed strong bonds with horses named Loza and Wardah, and praised the guide’s support.
• Dinner is included: The meal is part of the advertised program, though the menu is not specified.
• Hotel transport is offered: Pickup and drop-off use an air-conditioned vehicle.
• Expect added cash costs: A $10 government tax applies, with another $10 charge for several resort areas outside Hurghada.
• A small-group feel is possible, but not guaranteed: The maximum group size is 40 people.

What the four-hour Hurghada outing includes

This is best understood as a riding session with three distinct settings, followed by dinner and transport time. The advertised riding time totals three hours, while the full outing lasts about four hours.

That difference matters when planning your day. You are not getting three hours of uninterrupted riding at one location. Instead, the program changes scenery and activity several times, which keeps the outing varied but may also mean some time is spent moving between the desert, beach, and water.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included in an air-conditioned vehicle. That is useful in Hurghada, where the heat can make even a short transfer tiring. Pickup coverage is not unlimited, however. If you are staying in El Gouna, Safaga, Soma Bay, Makadi, or Sahl Hasheesh, you pay an additional $10 per person in cash.

One hour through the Hurghada desert

The first part takes you onto sandy desert tracks and rocky ground. The scenery includes rolling dunes and distant mountains, giving you a sharp contrast with the coast.

I like this section because it lets you experience the area at a slower pace than you would from a vehicle. A horse carries you into quiet, open surroundings where the main sounds and movement come from the ride itself. The description refers to riding through the desert for one hour, so you should expect this portion to be a steady outdoor ride rather than a full-day expedition into the desert.

The word gallop appears in the description, but you should not assume that every participant will gallop. Riding pace depends on the guide, the horses, and the ability of the group. If you are new to riding, the desert hour may be your chance to learn how your horse responds and to gain confidence before the beach and water sections.

The horses are central to the appeal. One person formed a close bond with Loza and described the horse as especially beautiful. Another rode independently for the first time and hoped to meet Wardah again. Those details suggest that the horses are not treated as a minor prop for photographs. They are a major part of the outing’s emotional appeal.

Still, horse riding requires attention. You should follow the guide’s instructions, wear the provided helmet, and be honest about your comfort level. The tour says most people can participate, but it does not provide a detailed riding-level breakdown.

One hour beside the Red Sea

The second riding period takes place on the beach. This changes the feel of the outing completely. Instead of sand, rocks, and distant hills, you get open sea, shoreline views, and the sound of water beside you.

A beach ride can be the most photogenic part of the program, especially if you enjoy the contrast between the horses and the Red Sea. It also gives you time to settle into the rhythm of riding before the final water session.

The exact beach conditions are not specified, so you should not assume a long stretch of empty shoreline or a fast ride beside the water. The pace may be controlled, especially with a mixed group. A maximum of 40 people is permitted, which is not especially small. The actual group may be much smaller, but the booking information does not guarantee that.

I would treat the beach hour as a scenic riding session rather than a private horseback adventure. If you want quiet time with one horse and a personal instructor, ask about the group arrangement before booking.

One hour swimming with a horse

The unusual centerpiece is the one-hour swim with a horse in the Red Sea. After riding through the desert and along the shore, you enter the warm sea with the horse.

This is the part that makes the experience different from an ordinary Hurghada riding trip. You are not simply looking at the water from the beach. You are combining horseback riding with a swim, creating a memorable change of pace.

The description refers to clear water and marine life beneath the surface, but it does not promise snorkeling equipment or a dedicated snorkeling session. If your main goal is to see fish, this is not presented as a snorkeling tour. The main activity is swimming with the horse.

You should also think carefully about your comfort in water and around horses before booking. The supplied information says most people can participate and that service animals are allowed, but it gives no further details about swimming ability, life jackets, changing facilities, or horse-handling rules in the water. Those are sensible points to confirm with Lions Travel if they matter to you.

The helmet is included, but the description does not list swimsuits, towels, lockers, or other personal items. Pack according to the practical needs of a beach and water activity, while checking directly with the provider about anything not specified.

Dinner after the riding program

Dinner is included in the title and the experience description, adding a meal to what would otherwise be a three-part riding excursion. After several hours outdoors, a meal can make the outing feel more complete and save you from arranging food separately.

The menu is not provided, so I would not book this specifically for a certain cuisine or dining setting. Think of dinner as a useful part of the package rather than a carefully described restaurant experience.

This is also one area where expectations should stay modest. The information does not explain whether dinner is served at the beach, at the riding center, or elsewhere. It also does not list drinks, vegetarian choices, or special-diet options. Ask before departure if you have dietary needs.

What the $21 price really means

At first glance, $21 per person is a strong price for an outing that includes hotel transport, three hours of horseback riding, a helmet, swimming, and dinner. The value is especially good if you want several activities in one half-day rather than paying separately for a beach visit and a riding session.

But the headline figure is not the final cost for everyone. A $10 government tax and value-added tax charge is paid in cash on the spot. That means a Hurghada pickup effectively starts at $31 per person before any other personal spending.

The additional transfer fee applies to people staying in El Gouna, Safaga, Soma Bay, Makadi, or Sahl Hasheesh. For those locations, add another $10 per person in cash. A person staying in one of those resort areas could therefore pay $41 before extras.

That is still not necessarily poor value, particularly if the transfer is long and the program includes the full riding schedule. But you should compare the complete price, not just the advertised starting figure.

Group discounts are available, which may make this a better choice for families or friends traveling together. Since the maximum group size is 40, ask how the discount works and whether it changes the size of your riding group.

The guide and the horses shape the experience

The human side of the outing appears to be one of its best features. The guide was praised for being supportive, especially by someone riding independently for the first time. That matters because a first ride can feel exciting and awkward in equal measure.

A good guide helps you mount, hold the reins correctly, understand basic commands, and stay calm when the horse moves. The available comments point to friendly hospitality and helpful support, though no guide names are provided.

The named horses also give the experience a more personal feel. Loza and Wardah were remembered by name, which suggests that you may form a connection with your horse rather than simply being assigned an anonymous animal for a short photo stop.

Still, horse behavior can never be fully standardized. Your experience depends partly on the horse assigned to you, the group’s ability, the guide’s approach, and the conditions at the beach and sea. The strongest reason to book is your interest in the horses and the unusual setting, not a guarantee of a particular horse or riding style.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this outing to you if you want a memorable, active half-day in Hurghada and like the idea of combining several settings in one program.

It may suit:

• First-time riders who want guide support and a controlled introduction
• Confident riders looking for a coastal ride with an unusual water section
• Couples seeking a distinctive shared activity
• Families with participants who meet the provider’s participation requirements
• Horse lovers who care about spending time with the animal, not just taking photographs
• Visitors staying in Hurghada who want hotel pickup and a straightforward package

It may not suit you if you want a quiet, private ride with no group element. It may also disappoint if you expect a long independent gallop, a detailed snorkeling trip, or a luxury dinner with a published menu.

The listed maximum of 40 people is worth taking seriously. A large group can make the ride less personal and may affect how much time you receive with the guide. Ask about the expected group size for your date.

Practical planning before you go

Wear clothing that can handle sand, heat, and water. The provided information confirms a helmet, but it does not confirm towels, changing rooms, or other equipment, so check what you need to bring with Lions Travel.

Bring cash for the $10 tax. If you are picked up from El Gouna, Safaga, Soma Bay, Makadi, or Sahl Hasheesh, bring the extra $10 transfer charge as well.

The booking provides confirmation at the time of reservation. Cancellation is free if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Within 24 hours, the payment is not refunded, and last-minute changes are not accepted.

Service animals are allowed, and the activity states that most people can participate. That is helpful, but the information does not offer detailed guidance for mobility limitations, swimming ability, pregnancy, or specific medical conditions. Contact the provider before paying if any of those factors affect you.

Should you book this horse and sea adventure?

I would book it if you want variety, value, and a strong horse-focused experience rather than a polished luxury excursion. The combination of desert riding, beach riding, and swimming with a horse is genuinely unusual, and the low starting price makes it appealing.

Before booking, add the $10 tax to your budget and check the transfer fee for your hotel. Also ask about the expected group size, dinner details, swimming arrangements, and what to bring.

Choose this experience for the connection with the horses and the unusual Red Sea setting. Skip it if you want a private ride, a guaranteed fast pace, or a clearly described restaurant meal. For the right person, it is a memorable way to see Hurghada from the saddle and from the water.

FAQ

How long does the experience last?

The total duration is approximately four hours. The horseback program itself is described as three hours, divided into one hour in the desert, one hour on the beach, and one hour swimming with a horse.

What activities are included?

The experience includes desert horseback riding, beach horseback riding, swimming with a horse in the Red Sea, dinner, hotel pickup and drop-off, transport in an air-conditioned vehicle, and a helmet.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included by air-conditioned vehicle. An additional $10 per person applies for pickups from El Gouna, Safaga, Soma Bay, Makadi, or Sahl Hasheesh.

Is dinner included?

Yes. Dinner is included in the experience. The available information does not specify the menu or dining location.

Is the helmet provided?

Yes. A helmet is included.

Is there an extra tax?

Yes. Governmental taxes and value-added taxes cost $10 per person and are paid in cash on the spot.

How many people can join the activity?

The maximum group size is 40 people. Group discounts are available.

Can service animals participate?

Yes. Service animals are allowed.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations made within 24 hours are not refunded, and changes within that period are not accepted.

Is the activity suitable for most people?

The activity states that most people can participate. It does not provide more detailed requirements for riding experience or swimming ability, so you should contact Lions Travel if you have a specific concern.