From Hurghada: Makadi Bay Horse Riding Tour

Desert dust, sea air, and a gentle horse. This Makadi Bay ride gives you a pleasant break from Hurghada’s resort routine, with routes through open desert and along the Red Sea. I like the calm, well-trained horses and the way guides match each horse to your riding level. I also like the choice of moods, from a cool sunrise and breakfast to a sunset ride with dinner and stargazing.

The main drawback is that the $20 price applies to the basic two-hour experience, while transfers, private arrangements, dinner, breakfast, quad biking, and swimming depend on the option you choose. The ride is also not a racing session, so confident riders should explain their ability clearly if they want more freedom.

The setting does much of the work here. You move from sand and quiet valleys to the water’s edge, with plenty of fresh air and open views. Guides such as Mohamed, known as Didi, Yusuf, Hassan, Mahmoud, and Sabir have received warm praise for their patience, safety care, and help with nervous or first-time riders.

Key points before you saddle up

• The basic ride lasts two hours, with desert and coastal routes and no swim stop.
• The 5:00 AM departure includes Oriental breakfast, making it the best choice for an early start.
• Sunset options add dinner, a live show, and stargazing after the ride.
• The four-hour VIP option includes swimming with your horse in the Red Sea.
• Groups are organized by riding ability, with guides helping beginners and more experienced riders.
• Transfers take time, from about 25 minutes in Makadi Bay to up to an hour from El Gouna, Soma Bay, Safaga, or Al Ahyaa.

From your hotel to the Makadi Bay stable

The day begins with an optional shared pickup from your hotel. You should wait in the lobby about 10 minutes before the scheduled pickup time, but the exact collection time is sent the day before. The pickup can arrive around zero to one hour before your selected start time, so keep your morning flexible.

Travel time depends on where you are staying. From Makadi Bay or Sahl Hasheesh, allow about 25 to 30 minutes. Hurghada usually takes 40 to 45 minutes, while El Gouna, Soma Bay, Safaga, and Al Ahyaa can take up to an hour.

The vehicle is air-conditioned when you select the transfer option. Private transfers are available for an extra fee, which may suit families, couples, or anyone who dislikes making several resort stops. You can also arrange your own way to the stable with the entry-only ticket.

At the entrance, your guide waits for you and greets you by name. A short rest period of about 15 minutes follows arrival. This gives you time to use the facilities, gather yourself after the drive, and prepare before meeting the horses.

Bring only what you need. Large bags, luggage, jewelry, and valuables are not suitable for the ride. The base sells drinks and face scarves, but you will save money by bringing sunscreen, sunglasses, and suitable clothing with you.

Meeting the horses and finding your pace

Before you ride, the team gives a safety briefing and introduces the horses. Helmets are provided and must be worn during the ride. A short driving test helps the guides check how comfortable you are in the saddle.

This matters because the ride is built for mixed ability levels. Beginners are not simply placed in a large group and sent off alone. The horses are selected to match your experience, and groups are arranged by ability.

That care comes through in the feedback from people who arrived nervous. Hassan helped one rider move from fear to confidence, while Mahmoud and Sabir were praised for their patience with a first-time rider. On another outing, a group of three beginners felt comfortable on the quad and horse combination because the guides kept close and the horses remained calm.

If you ride regularly, tell the team exactly what you can do. One experienced rider described being given more room to show her ability, while less confident riders stayed with the guide on foot. That arrangement is sensible, but you should not expect a private training session or a long gallop.

The horses are described as well cared for, calm, and responsive. That is important in a riding program that welcomes people who may have little or no experience. Still, horse riding places demands on your back and legs, and the activity is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, people with mobility impairments, wheelchair users, or anyone over 110 kilograms.

Two hours through desert and sea air

The standard ride lasts two hours. The exact route depends on the chosen time and conditions, but the main attraction is the contrast between the dry interior and the Red Sea coast.

You may pass through sand valleys and open plains before heading toward the water. Coastal sections give the ride a cooler, more open feeling, with the sea beside you and fewer resort buildings in view. Along the beach, the horses may walk near the shallows, and one account describes splashing through the shallow water.

Do not confuse this regular ride with the swimming option. The two-hour program does not include a swim stop. Swimming with your horse is reserved for the four-hour VIP option.

The pace is relaxed. Guides focus on control, comfort, and staying together rather than speed. That makes the basic ride a good fit for families, couples, and people trying horseback riding for the first time. It also means experienced riders should set realistic expectations.

Photo stops are part of the experience. The guides are often happy to take photos and videos, which is useful because carrying a phone while riding is awkward and risky. Mohamed, also called Didi, received particular praise for taking plenty of photos and videos while keeping the group comfortable.

Sunrise, morning, afternoon, or sunset

Time of day changes the character of the ride more than you might expect.

The 5:00 AM sunrise departure is the most distinctive choice. The air is cooler, the desert light is softer, and the start of the day feels quiet. Oriental breakfast is included only with this early departure, so check that you select the 5:00 AM option if breakfast matters to you.

A morning ride suits anyone who wants to avoid the strongest daytime heat. The one-hour quad biking and one-hour horse riding combination also takes place in the cooler early morning period. It gives you two quite different ways to see the area, but it is less focused than a full two-hour horse ride.

Afternoon rides offer a softer change of pace after a morning at the hotel or on the water. You still get desert and seaside riding, but without the early alarm. Check the conditions and bring seasonal clothing, since the ride can feel different in sun, wind, and open desert air.

Sunset is the most popular mood for a special occasion. As the light fades, the ride ends with the chance to add an Oriental dinner, live entertainment, and desert stargazing. The dinner option received especially warm praise, with one rider returning for a second helping.

The sunset program is not just a longer horse ride. It is a fuller evening outing. That adds value if you want one organized activity instead of arranging dinner and entertainment separately. If you mainly want time in the saddle, the standard two-hour ride is the better fit.

The four-hour VIP swim option

The VIP four-hour program is the most unusual version. It includes a swim stop with your horse in the Red Sea, something the shorter rides do not provide.

You should choose this only if swimming is a real priority. It takes more time, costs more than the basic $20 option, and asks more of you physically. You will need swimwear, sunscreen, comfortable clothing, and a willingness to spend several hours outdoors.

The attraction is clear: you get a longer route and a memorable water stop instead of only riding past the coast. The program is private, which can make the pace and attention feel more personal.

Keep the inclusions straight when booking. A coastal route does not automatically mean swimming, and the standard transfer-based two-hour ride does not include a swim stop. Only the four-hour VIP horse ride includes it.

The quad and horse combination

The one-hour quad bike plus one-hour horse ride is designed for people who want more action in one morning. You start with quad biking through the desert toward Makadi Bay, then return to the base and change to horses.

This option works well for a small group with mixed interests. Someone who finds two full hours on horseback too much may prefer the change of activity. It also lets you see the desert at a quicker pace before enjoying a calmer ride beside the sea.

There are practical extras at the base. Drinks are sold there, and face scarves are available. One visitor paid 50 Egyptian pounds for water and 200 Egyptian pounds for a basic scarf, with premium scarves costing more. Prices can change, but the point is useful: bring your own water and scarf if you want to keep spending down.

A scarf and sunglasses are particularly helpful on the quad section, where dust can rise. Long clothing is also sensible on windy days.

What the $20 price really buys you

At $20 per person, the basic two-hour ride offers good value if you are already in Hurghada, Makadi Bay, or Sahl Hasheesh and want a guided activity with a clear start and finish. You receive the horse, guide, safety briefing, desert and coastal route, and photo opportunities.

The price is less simple once you add transport and extras. Hotel pickup and drop-off are optional, as are private transfers and a private guide. Breakfast belongs only to the 5:00 AM sunrise option. Dinner, the live show, and stargazing belong to the sunset package. Swimming belongs only to the four-hour VIP program.

Think of the base price as an entry point, not the cost of every version. Before paying, confirm the exact option, transfer type, start time, and included meal. That one check prevents most surprises.

The experience also gives you something a short camel photo stop cannot: time to learn a basic riding rhythm and move through several kinds of scenery. The value is strongest for people who want an active outing rather than another resort excursion by bus.

Who will enjoy this ride most

I would recommend it to first-time riders, families with older children, couples, and anyone who wants a gentle outdoor activity near Hurghada. The calm horses and ability-based groups make the standard tour approachable.

It also works for confident riders who are happy with a guided pace. Tell the staff your level at the beginning, and they can judge how much independence is sensible. Claire’s sunset group included riders with different abilities, with one guide on horseback and another on foot supporting less experienced people.

Choose the sunrise ride if you want cooler air and breakfast. Choose sunset if you care more about atmosphere, dinner, entertainment, and stars. Choose the quad combination for variety, and the VIP four-hour option for the Red Sea swim.

You should skip it if you have a back problem, limited mobility, are pregnant, weigh over 110 kilograms, or dislike outdoor heat and dust. The ride is also a poor match if you want fast galloping or a competitive horse session.

Practical preparation for a smoother ride

Wear comfortable shoes and clothes that can handle dust. Add sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, and weather-appropriate layers. Long sleeves or trousers help on windy days.

Take swimwear only if you have booked the four-hour VIP option or want to be prepared for a program that specifically includes water time. Do not bring large bags or jewelry. Smoking is not allowed in the vehicle, and pets, alcohol, and drugs are not permitted.

Make sure the phone number on your booking works with WhatsApp. Pickup details and updates are sent there, with the final pickup information confirmed one day before the activity.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start, and you can reserve now and pay later. The activity is conducted in English, with a live guide.

Should you book the Makadi Bay horse ride?

Book it if you want a relaxed, well-supported way to see the desert and Red Sea from the saddle. The strongest reasons are the gentle horses, careful matching by ability, helpful guides, and choice of formats.

For the best value, take the standard two-hour ride with shared transfer. For the most memorable setting, choose sunrise or sunset. Select the VIP four-hour program only if swimming with your horse is worth the added time and cost.

I would not book it expecting speed, solitude, or a serious riding lesson. I would book it for the simple pleasure of moving through sand and sea air with a calm horse beneath you, then choose the extras that match your day.

FAQ

How long does the horse riding tour last?

Options last from two to five hours, depending on the program. The regular ride lasts two hours, while the VIP horse ride with swimming lasts four hours.

What is the price of the basic tour?

The listed price is $20 per person. Extra charges may apply for transfers, private arrangements, dinner, breakfast, quad biking, or the VIP swim program.

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 transport.

How far is the riding base from Hurghada?

The transfer from Hurghada usually takes about 40 to 45 minutes. Makadi Bay and Sahl Hasheesh take about 25 to 30 minutes, while some locations can take up to one hour.

Is breakfast included?

Oriental breakfast is included only with the 5:00 AM sunrise departure. Select that specific departure time when booking.

Can I swim with the horse?

Yes, but only with the four-hour VIP horse riding option that includes a Red Sea swim stop. The regular two-hour tour does not include swimming.

Are beginners allowed?

Yes. The team gives a safety briefing, conducts a short riding test, and organizes groups by riding ability. The horses are selected to suit different levels.

Are helmets provided?

Yes. Helmets and safety equipment are available, and helmets must be worn during the ride.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, comfortable clothes, and weather-appropriate clothing. Bring swimwear for the VIP option with swimming.

Can pregnant women join the ride?

No. The activity is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, people with mobility impairments, wheelchair users, or anyone over 110 kilograms.