El Gouna: Desert & Sea Horse Riding With Swimming Optional

Horseback riding meets the Red Sea. This experience gives you two things I particularly like: well-cared-for horses suited to different riding levels and a route that shifts from sandy desert paths to seaside views. You can also learn to wash, groom, and feed your horse, which makes the outing feel more personal than a simple ride.

The main drawback is location. Despite the El Gouna name, the riding base may be in Makadi, so check the exact pickup point before booking. Group rides can also limit your speed, and the standard two-hour option does not include swimming.

The price starts at $26 per person, which is fair if you want a guided ride with transport and equipment rather than a quick stable circuit. I would pay closer attention to the option you choose than to the headline price, since transfers, breakfast, dinner, stargazing, quad biking, and swimming are not all included together.

Key points to know before booking

• Desert and sea in one ride: Routes may cross sandy valleys and desert plains before heading toward the Red Sea.
• Swimming is not standard: Horse swimming is available only with the four-hour VIP option.
• The 5:00 AM ride includes breakfast: The Oriental breakfast is tied to the sunrise departure, not every morning tour.
• Group pace matters: Experienced riders may find the shared ride too slow for faster riding.
• Horses receive strong praise: The horses are described as clean, well cared for, and well trained for beginners.
• Pickup times vary widely: Hotel collection can be 25 minutes to an hour before the selected start, depending on your resort.

From hotel lobby to desert stable

If you choose transportation, wait in your hotel lobby ten minutes before the scheduled pickup. The exact collection time is sent the day before, and the actual pickup may occur up to an hour before the activity start.

That wide window matters. The drive takes roughly 25 to 30 minutes from Makadi Bay or Sahl Hasheesh, 40 to 45 minutes from central Hurghada, and up to an hour from El Gouna, Soma Bay, Safaga, or Al Ahyaa. Shared transport keeps the price down, but private transfers are available for an extra fee.

The vehicle is air-conditioned when transport is included. I would bring only what you need for the ride: sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, comfortable clothes, and swimwear if you booked the VIP option. Large bags, jewelry, and valuables are better left at your hotel.

The meeting point is at the entrance to the base. Your guide is expected to greet you by name, and WhatsApp or phone support is available if you have trouble finding the entrance. Make sure the phone number on your booking works with WhatsApp, since pickup details are sent that way.

Once you arrive, there is about a 15-minute rest before the riding program begins. This gives you time to use the facilities, meet the team, and settle in before the safety briefing.

Meeting your horse and learning the basics

The introduction is one of the better parts of this activity, especially if you are new to riding. The staff explains the safety rules, introduces you to your horse, and conducts a short driving test before the ride begins.

Riders are grouped by ability. That should help a first-time rider feel less pressured, while giving experienced riders a better chance of finding a comfortable pace. Still, shared groups must stay together, so the faster riders should not expect a private gallop.

Helmets are supplied and must be worn throughout the ride. The safety equipment is available on request, but the helmet requirement is clear and sensible in a setting where sand, uneven ground, and unfamiliar horses are involved.

The horses have received some of the strongest praise attached to this activity. They are described as clean, healthy-looking, and trained well enough for a person who has never ridden before. One German rider specifically noted that a first-time rider in the group managed without trouble because the horse was calm and the guide kept watch.

You may also get a chance to wash, groom, and feed your horse. That small stable routine adds value. You are not simply being placed on an animal for a photo; you get a little contact with the care that goes into preparing the horses.

Two hours across desert and Red Sea scenery

The standard ride lasts two hours. The exact route can include sandy valleys, open desert plains, forest paths, and the Red Sea shore. That mix is the appeal. You are not looking at the same view for the entire outing.

The desert section offers space and quiet. Early in the day, the sand is cooler and the light is softer. At sunset, the same open ground takes on warmer colors, and the ride feels less like a daytime activity and more like a slow evening outing.

The seaside portion adds a welcome change. You can pause for photographs and enjoy the contrast between dry desert terrain and the water. The standard ride does not include swimming, so do not assume that a beach route means you will enter the sea with your horse.

Photography is part of the experience, with stops built into the route. But I would keep your expectations practical. In a shared group, the guide has to photograph several people, and there may not be time for a long personal photo session. One complaint also raised concerns about photo expectations, so confirm what is included if professional-looking images matter to you.

The ride is guided at a relaxed pace. This is a good fit if you want scenery, fresh air, and a calm outing. It is less suitable if your main goal is a long, fast ride. A rider who booked a group tour found that faster riding was difficult because the group could separate.

Choosing the right departure time

The time of day changes the character of the activity more than you might expect.

The 5:00 AM sunrise departure is the quietest option. You ride in cooler air as the desert takes on the first golden light. Oriental breakfast is included only with this early departure, so book the sunrise time specifically if breakfast is important to you.

The morning also makes sense in hotter months, though the activity information does not give a season-by-season temperature guide. You should still bring sun protection and dress for wind. On breezy days, long clothing helps keep sand off your skin.

An afternoon ride gives you a slower, warmer desert mood. It may work well if you do not want an early alarm, though the open setting offers little shade. Bring water and protect your face and shoulders from the sun.

The sunset option is the most atmospheric. After the ride, the program can continue with an Oriental dinner, live entertainment, and stargazing. This is not simply an evening horseback ride, but a longer desert program with food and a show. Check the exact option details before booking, since dinner and entertainment are linked to the stargazing package, not the basic ride.

Swimming with your horse in the VIP option

Horse swimming is the feature many people will notice first, but it is limited to the four-hour VIP ride. The activity description presents this as a private experience with a swim stop in the Red Sea.

That distinction is important. The standard two-hour tour may pass along the sea, but it does not include entering the water. If swimming is the reason you are interested, select the four-hour option rather than assuming you can add a swim at the stable.

Bring swimwear for the VIP ride and expect the day to last longer than the basic program. The four-hour format gives you more time for the ride and the water stop, but it also requires more stamina and sun protection.

This option is likely best for someone who already rides comfortably or wants a private, slower-paced experience. It is also the clearest choice if you care more about a special Red Sea memory than keeping the cost low.

The quad bike and horse combination

The one-hour quad bike plus one-hour horse ride is designed as a two-part adventure. It is scheduled in the cooler morning hours and gives you motorized desert travel followed by a quieter ride.

I see this as a good choice if you are unsure how much time you want to spend on horseback. You receive variety, but you give up the longer two-hour horse route and the possibility of settling into a steady rhythm with the animal.

The combo also changes the mood. Quad biking is louder and more active, while horseback riding is slower and more focused on the surroundings. If your priority is contact with the horse, choose the dedicated ride. If you want two distinct activities in one morning, the combo offers better variety.

How much value do you get for $26?

At about $26 per person, the entry price is reasonable for a guided two-hour ride, provided you choose the shared transfer option or make your own way to the base. The price covers the professional horse guide, safety briefing, helmet, horse introduction, desert and seaside route, and photo stops.

The value improves if you need hotel transportation. Shared pickup and drop-off from major resorts save you the trouble of arranging a taxi, though the long pickup window can eat into your day.

The entry-only ticket may suit you if you are already nearby or have your own transport. It should not be confused with the full outing. Private transfer, private guiding, and personal expenses cost extra.

The $26 starting price does not automatically include every advertised feature. Swimming is tied to the four-hour VIP option. Breakfast is tied to the 5:00 AM sunrise tour. Dinner, live entertainment, and stargazing belong to the sunset package. Read the selected option carefully before paying.

For an inexpensive way to see the desert and coast, the standard ride offers solid value. For a special occasion, the VIP swim or sunset dinner packages may be worth the added cost, but only if you want those particular extras.

Who should book this ride?

I would recommend this experience to:

• First-time riders who want a calm, supervised introduction
• Couples looking for a scenic activity outside the hotel
• Families with older children who meet the safety and weight requirements
• Riders who enjoy gentle scenery more than speed
• People who want to combine desert and Red Sea views
• Visitors choosing a sunrise, sunset, or private option for a more personal outing

I would be more cautious if you have back problems, mobility limitations, or little tolerance for long transfers. Wheelchair users cannot take part, pregnant women are not permitted, and the maximum listed weight is 243 pounds, or 110 kilograms.

You should also skip it if your idea of horseback riding means racing across open sand. This is a guided adventure, not a riding lesson or competition. Shared groups may move at the pace of the least experienced rider.

One practical point: the experience is marketed around El Gouna, but the stable may actually be in Makadi. If staying in El Gouna, ask for the exact base and transfer time before confirming. That clarification can prevent a disappointing day.

Booking advice for a smoother outing

Wear closed, comfortable shoes and clothing that can handle dust. Sunglasses and sunscreen are essential, while a hat helps during the waiting and transfer periods.

Long sleeves or long trousers are useful on windy days because sand can blow across the open desert. Avoid jewelry, and do not bring large luggage. Smoking is not allowed in the vehicle, and alcohol and drugs are prohibited.

Canceling is allowed up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and reserve-now-pay-later availability helps if your schedule is still moving around. The tour is offered with an English-speaking guide.

The overall score is 4.3 from 43 ratings, with especially strong praise for the horses, friendly staff, safety support, and uncomplicated pickup. There is also a lower rating connected to photo expectations, plus concern about the advertised El Gouna location and the slower pace of group rides. Those are not reasons to reject the outing, but they are good reasons to select a private option if you want more control.

Should you book the El Gouna horse ride?

Book it if you want a gentle, scenic activity with clean, trained horses and a clear desert-to-sea setting. The regular two-hour ride is the best value for most people, especially first-time riders using shared transport.

Choose sunrise if breakfast and cooler conditions matter. Choose sunset if you want dinner, a performance, and stargazing. Choose the four-hour VIP ride only if swimming with your horse is central to your plans.

I would avoid booking blindly from the El Gouna name alone. Confirm the stable location, pickup time, photo arrangements, and exact inclusions. With those details clear, this is a pleasant way to leave the resort routine behind without paying for a full-day excursion.

FAQ

How long does the experience last?

The available programs last about three to five hours including the activity and transport arrangements. The regular horse ride lasts two hours, while the VIP ride with a swim stop lasts four hours.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included when you select the transfer option. Shared transfers are available from major resorts, and private transfers cost extra. The exact pickup time is sent the day before.

Is swimming with the horse included?

Swimming is included only with the four-hour VIP horse ride option. It is not included with the standard two-hour ride.

Does the tour include breakfast?

Oriental breakfast is included only with the 5:00 AM sunrise ride. It is not a standard inclusion for every departure time.

Is the ride suitable for beginners?

Yes. Riders are grouped by ability, horses are trained for different riding levels, and the guide provides a safety briefing and short driving test before the ride.

What should I bring?

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

Who cannot join the horseback ride?

Pregnant women, people with back problems, people with mobility impairments, wheelchair users, and people over 243 pounds or 110 kilograms are not suitable for this activity.